Shall we continue? Previously, I explained Verse 1:1, and now we go to Verse 1:2.
It is in Rev. 1:2 that John explains that he wrote The Gospel According to John. Here is verse 1:2 in chiasmus form:
Who bare record of the word of God,
.....and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and of all things that he saw.
The verse structure reveals:
The Word of God, John 1:1-5
.....The Testimony of Jesus Christ, John 21:21-24
Everything between Verses 1:1-5 and Verses 21:21-24
The "testimony of Jesus Christ" is a phrase which is used metaphorically twice in The Book of Revelation, as I recall; once at Rev. 1:9, and secondly at Rev. 19:10. Also, the Savior's literal testimony for The Book of Revelation is stated in the last chapter at Rev. 22:7-20.
So the phrase has both the metaphorical and literal applications.
Additonally, Rev. 1:2 not only establishes the structure of The Gospel According to John, but also that of The Book of Revelation, as follows:
Chapter One shows The Word of God in the vision of the Savior at Rev. 1:12-17
.....Chapter Twenty-Two shows The Testimony of Jesus Christ in Rev. 22:7-20
And Chapters Two through Twenty-One shows all the things that John saw.
1 John 4:16 has part of the verse state that God is love; probably next to the verse "Jesus wept" the shortest sentence in the Bible. As to its implications; of course we could write volumes; and as John also stated; if all the books of the wold were used it still would fall short as to describing everything about Christ ( John 21:25). This was the Disciple; after all that Jesus loved mentioned in John 13:23 and 2 other verses also in John. It sounds rather presumptuous on the surface to make such a claim; especially in light of the other Disciples in the "inner circle" namely Peter and I believe Andrew. A study on these implications is beyond my scope or even understanding; perhaps someone else could take the reins on that...
Anyway I wanted to bring up some basic tenants related to this subject; hopefully not boring anyone with redundancy with things I have said in the past. I'm not sure who has read what likely is well over 1000 posts here; if anyone does mention something I am repeating from say 2 years ago maybe they are a bit too obsessed with me; anyway I digress...
I could start out with 1 Corinthians 13 as a homework assignment. I think I will begin with what love is NOT as for some odd reason even those claiming to be believers seem to have at best a muted sense of what God's love is. Let us examine the first and probably most obvious error
Starting with "God is love" is often the scripture touted by those who would twist scriptures
2 Peter 3:16 discusses twisting scriptures directly; although the irony here is that he was talking about difficult to understand ones while love should be pretty easy to understand. After all those who love Him are to keep His commands ( John 14:15) but this is related to Luke 6:46 in those who say "Lord, Lord" but don't do what He says. More to come....
When Christ was taken all the disciples turned away. The Holyspirit have not been given yet.
Peter is mostly noted because he said he would never do it!
No one wanted to risk death and witness nor was they equipped to do so.
In Luke 22:31-32 Jesus tells Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus reminds them of what he told them in Luke 24:49.
"But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Afterwards Peter taught and preached boldly the rest of his life while knowing his fate.
Indeed Lbooth1955, we have very limited biblical records of the apostles' journeyings for the sake of the Gospel. Though I suspect, as was written of Jesus' full Life & ministry, the same could be said in this regard of the extent of the apostolic ministry ( John 21:25).
But as GiGi wrote, we can believe that the Gospel was taken out much further afield than we might think, if not directly by the mouth of the apostles, certainly by those who might have traveled with them & by converts who ventured into their "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria", etc. ( Acts 1:8). We can truly rejoice that the Gospel of Salvation had gone out by the best of the abilities & opportunities of the apostles & continued to go out after them, even as it is today. I pray for the day when every people & tribe will come under the sound of its life-giving/life-changing message, releasing many from the bondage of sin, religion & self.
Dear God Father in heaven. We pray that You will listen to our prayer Lord. You see "Aaron" struggles, his worries and his struggles. We pray that the poisonous things will disappear from the family and the family. In Jesus Krist name, Amen. And the spirit of slavery that so easily traps us in what we do not want to do or be a part of. We ask for Your great mercy and Lord Jesus take this away in Your Holy Name that is above all other names. Thank You very much Dear Jesus for You are close in thoughts, words and deeds. And we will always trust in Your word Lord. Amen in the name of Jesus Christ.
Final thoughts on woes to Pharisees in Matthew 23.
Luke 19:41-44 seems to parallel the time when Jesus was bewailing the inevitable destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37-39 at the end of the chapter. This would indicate weeping either associated with or divergent from the rage He had with the righteous indignation talking (if we can use that phrase); more like shouting to the Pharisees. I would think both emotions at the same time were happening because all of that could have been avoided and the Pharisees should have known better. Overall rejection of Christ also was a factor and of course everyone was accountable to some extent for their actions and the end result.
It isn't often when these passages are read in conjunction with the Passion week; nonetheless it was part of what went down at that time.
It looks like I covered Matthew 26 already; so I will tackle Matthew 24 then 25.
Matthew 24
I set out to analyze Christ's unique aspects as the perfect God man but ended up basically doing a study of the entire book of Matthew. Others here I am sure could do a better job. It would be better for this study to focus on general observations rather than an eschatological hypothesis of these passages; particularly Matthew 24.
Jesus had a particular admonition and prophetic insight for Peter after the Resurrection ( John 21:18-19). The rest of the Disciples needed to hear this; so verse 3 is a private conference with them following His statements on the destruction of the Temple at the beginning of this chapter. It seems that most of this chapter is discussing the end time Tribulation; and much is clearly indicating things at that time such as the Abomination of Desolation. Verse 9 seems to be the only thing which had specific fulfillment with the Apostles; and verse 34 was only true as to the Temple being destroyed. There is something to be said in terms of natural phenomenon that occurred in AD 70 but most things predicted are yet future.
John records in chapters 12-17 the events in the last week of Christ's ministry leading up to his capture in verse 18 and the Crucifixion itself in chapter 19. Once again I hope I read the text carefully in order to say that here there are no further miracles demonstrated in His ministry. The controversy over Lazarus would start events rolling with the insane desire to have both him and Christ killed off ( John 12:9-11). The actual excoriation as I put it of the Pharisees is absent in John's account. Jesus in this Gospel is given much more emphasis as to His discourse with the Disciples which involved themes of the Trinity; His necessity to leave and comfort about the coming Spirit and His coming again and the prayer for the church as a whole in chapter 17. I shouldn't neglect the prophetic warnings in chapter 16 in being put to death.
The fact that 1/3 of the Gospels involves "Passion week" is significant. There was no time to waste; as Jesus knew the great shock to come would catch them off guard; that they would all run away and needed assurance as to the Spirit's role in transformation. Details about His death and resurrection are in all 4 gospels as it is no doubt the most significant aspect of His ministry as pertaining to us; even today. John 19:26 is the last mention of what are said to be 6 mentionings of "the one Jesus loved" in regard to John the author of this Gospel. At first glance that would seem rather arrogant. Maybe someone here has some insight; I would surmise that:
1) John was part of the group who went up in the Transfiguration. Interestingly; this event is NOT covered in John but in the other 3 Gospel accounts as well as 2 Peter. This would constitute the "inner circle" so to speak.
2) John laid across his bosom ( John 13:23).
3) Jesus Himself mentioned "if I want him to remain; what is that to you" in John 21:22 responding to Peter. He would die a natural death before then.
He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). The catch was apart from the fish. Their labour and the catch brought ashore was their testament. While what was the testament of the spiritual body? Is it not the fish laid thereon a fire of live coals and the bread? Thus there are two aspects to what we mean by the body.
"A body hast thou prepared me" (He.10:5-7; Ps.40:7) is Word based so it points to the covenant between the Father and the Son. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/ I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
The fish and bread witness the spiritual body of the risen Christ.
"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."( John 21:14)
Testimony of Jesus Christ is referring to the everlasting Covenant between Father and the Son. Law of the Spirit determined the provisions so man created after our image must be brought to the same world where the Will of the Father is fully met in the sone. All the blessed shall have Jesus as the firstborn. He was the Word become flesh so the blessed have a template in the Word was with God. It is called 'after our likeness' so the true Light that he shone for us explains the life everlasting after our likeness' so the true Light that he shone for us explains the life everlasting and by faith and not by sight we walk. (Jn1.4)
All gospels save that of John narrate the last supper before his passion. It occurred in the evening.
John instead gives us the first meal on the day of regeneration. This we shall examine before we consider 'my body' for bread and "new testament"
The disciples according to the Gospel of John did not recognize their master. He was there in his risen body, naturally."but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." ( John 21:4). Significance is in the morning, "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore." The Spirit uses the morning to indicate that their repast shall be breaking the fast. He was evidently in his spiritual body and for forty days he was seen of them since he was risen.
At the mount before his passion he carried both physical and spiritual bodies and transfiguration was merely a foretaste of what was to come. Death had no more hold on the risen Christ so while he stood on the other shore he was in his spiritual body.
He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). (to be concluded)
If we look at the whole of Scripture we see a sort of a master play; fleshed out in the epochs of the past and heading from now into the future with a predetermined outcome. The characters are manifold and encompass different cultures and nations including territory all the way from Ethiopia to India ( Esther 1:1); to include Jerusalem as the center focus eventually with surrounding parts of Europe, Asia and Africa making it as the "center" of the earth of the major Kingdoms from Babylon; Egypt; Greece and Rome in the past to the future "Beast" system of the end times rapidly developing as we speak.
In all this we see something unique; that the codirector as it were personally had to take the fall in the middle of this drama and come back to life. Everyone of course is part of the audience but of course where their future is the question.
As men any description of God's ways is inadequate. It is always best to keep to God's Word rather than even the best books written on scriptural topics such as "Pilgrims Progress" or the thoughtful tales of C.S. Lewis that have hundreds of scriptures brought to life in a fanciful story of British youth in the Post World War two era and Aslan as a type of Christ. Nonetheless; it is no accident of course all the details in all of our individual lives and how they fit in with everyone else; John 21:25 makes it clear that all the books in the world couldn't hold just what Christ Himself did when on earth. The Bible is the LIVING Word; and although it has to be front and center it is active ( Hebrews 4:12). Our existence will change as the rest of His chosen first Fruits are Resurrected into new bodies but even with a new heaven and earth and the old one burned up His Truth remains the same.
I intend to spend some time on this study and it is by no means exhaustive. We will behold His glory and praise Him forever as well as get to know more and more about Him.
AndJudasIscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Satan enter in Judas Iscariot.
Luke 22:3
Then entered Satan intoJudassurnamedIscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Because Judas Iscariot hung himself and Satan pushed out his body , there's a possibility that Judas Iscariot went to hell.
Acts 1:17-18
17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Peter ask Jesus who betray you ? Jesus told Peter not to worry about it, just follow me. I believe by reading this verse, Judas Iscariot will be resurrected in the Antichrist, in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ .
John 21:22
22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Jesus said that Judas Iscariot shouldn't been born .
Mark 14:21
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man ifhehad never beenborn.
Judas Iscariot went to hell .
Acts 1:25
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his ownplace.
May we all believe the gospel of grace, so we don't have to be in the Tribulation, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
But when I read other verses to show that Jesus wasn't created from an earthly platform, but came down from Heaven (e.g. John 3:13), then my long-held belief must be thrown into question & I then submit to the whole of Scripture, or else, avoid/reinterpret those verses that could cause me problems. And that is why your quote of John 21:20-24 would be so important to not depend on what we would like to believe (as it makes sense to mind and logic), but what the Lord (& His Word) are actually wanting me to know & believe. And that can only come when we have all the evidence before us, as given & without human coloring. Blessings.
Hello Fuji. If I might share something with you on this very important doctrine. Now this is coming from another aspect of God's Nature; so my question, "Concerning the Holy Spirit, how is God the Father able to send forth His Spirit without Himself becoming deficient in any way? Or, If God is Spirit ( John 4:24), does that mean that God has now come into the world & is therefore absent from His Throne in Heaven?"
Your consideration & response to these questions forms the basis of how God can send forth Himself to fulfil His Will, without suffering deficiency in His Person or thwarting His Plans. Therefore, my belief is that God is able to do this (i.e. sending out His Spirit), just as He is able to send out His Word and give His Word flesh (humanity): John 1:1-14. This is all very mysterious to our human finite minds as we have nothing that we can relate to it, in this world or by human logic. Now, if I could cause my spirit to leave my body & perform my Will elsewhere (which I can't do), then I believe that my body would instantly become lifeless (for the human spirit gives physical life to the body); but not so with God, for He is the Almighty Everlasting One & suffers no limitations in any way, as we do.
Lastly, I appreciated your recent comment & challenge given to us from John 21:20-24: you wrote (in part): "We need to trust what the Bible actually says, not what we think it says". Since both you & I read from the same Scriptures, I find that to trust the Bible in what it says & not what I imagine (or hope) it says, can only first be initiated if we take up the volume of Scripture that speak to us on that subject. If we only had verses declaring the Sonship of Jesus (as you have written about), then I would readily believe that Jesus was a creation of God, through Mary, for the Sacrifice of our sins. Onto Page 2.
Thank you Fuji for your further comments here. I fully agree what you wrote about the uniqueness of the Gospels, and I too am particularly fond of John's Gospel as he recalls events & wisdom that are particularly pertinent to understanding the Nature of Jesus & His relationship to the Father. The one thing that always makes me sad, is that my hunger for more details of the events portrayed in the Gospels are not given. And I suppose rightly so, as John 21:25 declares to us. So, I need to learn to be more content with what is given, and of course, the tremendous insights in the epistles, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach & comfort my heart through all that's in the Word & from Himself.
I used to live & work (ministry) in Karachi, Pakistan for a little while before being 'shown the door'. There are approx. 3000 mosques in Karachi alone, of various sizes & importance. And as you wrote, there would always be a mosque nearby for those folk, particularly to the diligent who need to drop everything five times a day to go to prayer. So, in non-Islamic countries, where mosques are very much fewer in number, it would be reasonable for them to live as close as possible to their place of prayer & the meeting of their other needs. Blessings.
In my introduction I briefly get into the obvious statement of how the world flesh and the Devil all work with our sin nature to deceive. If we look at the one true God we see that in order to serve Him one should seek to not just tell Him what He would want to hear but to take actions to DO things that He commands. When we consider my earlier point in the intro in regard to the Sermon on the Mount an unregenerated man may think that he wants to follow a moral code and either choose to ignore his conscience that in the flesh he cannot do things with the right motives as well as have any real desire to serve in such a selfless manner. John 21:18 Jesus speaks sobering words to Peter who will be eventually led where he doesn't want to go; ultimately to martyrdom. I have mentioned in earlier posts how many like to look at the death of Christ and other martyrs of the Apostolic Age in particular and focus only on the end rather than a life requiring dying to ourselves daily and taking up the cross ( Galatians 2:20 is one example of this concept with a plethora of other scriptures as a Biblical framework of living a life surrendered to the Lord).
Sadly; I can attest in my own life that when in a relationship being told what you want to hear often doesn't stand the test of time. Actions speak louder than words; and a marriage should represent mutual surrender to self and entrusting God to be the center of the relationship. The same can be said for any deception in the spiritual realm; there is as Shake sphere said lots of "sound and fury signifying nothing" (MacBeth). Until we understand that we seek things as the book of James says to satisfy our lusts we have no concept of the true value of relationships and lack the desire to be around those who put the Lord first in their lives; thus lacking eternal truths in the foundation of our relationships. Sting's lyrics in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" show the end result.
Q: Similitude sets heaven correspond to the earth. What role man play 'After our likeness' while the earth is 'after our image'?"
A: Principle of Similitude governs the actions so like begets like. 'The earth abides forever' because Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. The two worlds framed by the word of God relates the Father Son relationship. The Law of the Spirit sets 'the Word was with God' after our likeness which relates the humanity of Christ. For and example Joseph is set after our likeness' so the Ark of his testament is a heavenly pattern for Joseph after his death. Death and burial of Christ among the heathen and in the tomb intended for another carries a pattern on the earth. The Spirit as with the role of Moses set the life of Joseph 'after our likeness'. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor."(Josh.24:32)
The Similitude sets the worlds framed by word upon faith which is the only way one could be made after 'our likeness' To be conformed after the image Jesus Christ is set as the captain our salvation. It is what makes our volume word-based . The book of life itself corresponds to our heart. So the revelation that God through an angel to John is the testament of Jesus Christ. This explains the last verse in the Gospel of John. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25)
John 21:16 - He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He doesn't say "more than these," He just uses AGAPE again. Do you have agape for me? He is narrowing it down. He said unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
And again, Peter uses the word PHILEO. First AGAPE in comparison, then AGAPE, one-on-one, and still Peter will not boast or claim or commit to have that kind of love.
John 21:17 - He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Except Jesus now uses the word PHILEO that Peter has been using all this time. Now Jesus is challenging him, "Do you PHILEO me? Do you have affection for me?" He is even challenging him on that. And Peter said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I PHILEO you.
"Lord, you know all things." The proper response by Peter!
This is all I have to share from John's gospel. I will be going through Acts next. Hopefully I haven't put anyone to sleep yet. For those of you who are still following along, I want to say thank you so much!
John 21:1 - After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
The sea of Tiberius is the Sea of Galilee. By the time John wrote, which is some of 30 years plus after the other gospels were written, it wasn't known as the Sea of Galilee. It was known as the Sea of Tiberius because the city of Tiberius was there and the Romans renamed it. So, the Sea of Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee are the same places.
John 21:15 - So, when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Here's something we don't catch in our English text. The word love is used twice in this verse, but there are two different words in the Greek that have different meanings. One is AGAPE (Godly love), and the other is PHILEO (Human love). After they had finished, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, and He doesn't call him Peter. That is the name He gave to Peter. He calls him by his human fleshly name. Simon, son of Jonas. It is like "Uh oh, here it comes," lovest thou me more than these?
This word love is AGAPAO. It is the word AGAPE in verb form, the highest form of sacrificial love, like "I'll lay down my life for you type of love." And He also tacks on a little supportive phrase by saying "more than these?" Remember in Mark 14:29 Peter says, "though all of these will be offended in you, yet I will not."
So, Jesus is saying, do you AGAPE me more than these? Peter says Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. The word love that Peter uses here is PHILEO. He doesn't say, yes Lord, I AGAPE you. He says I PHILEO you, I have affection for you.
Peter is not as bold in his boast this time. "Sure Lord, I AGAPE you. I will go out there and die for you," like he did before. He's been humbled. "Lord, you know I have PHILEO for you."
A bit of information about the grk in John 21. About "phileo" and "agapao" both meaning "to love" in anc grk.
Firstly Jesus was not talking to Peter in greek but in Hebrew. Is there such a distinction in the Hebrew language too? Personally I don't know.
John in his gospel, John 21:2, is using "egapa" (past tense, 3rd third person), describing Jesus who loved John.
In v 15 & 16 Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him ("agapas me?", do you love me?, question, third person). Peter answers that he loves Him ("philo se", I love you, first person)
In v 16 Jesus asks Peter again if he loves him (question and answer both use the verb "philao")
So it seems that at that time both verbs had the same meaning, for "to love".
Going back in time the verb "phileo" is older than "agapao". The latter started to be in common use sometime during the 3rd century BC, although it can be found in Homer's Iliad (8th century BC). By the time of Jesus both verbs were in use for the same thing, it is obvious in John 21. Later on, "phileo" had been abandoned for "to love"
Also, philia=friendship, philos=friend, philo/philao=also means "to kiss" (in both anc and mod grk), phili=kiss
agape=love, agapao/agapo=to love (for all kinds of love), eros/erotas=in love
Luke 5:1 - And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Now this has nothing to do with Biblical Greek studies, but I just wanted to share some information about the lake of Gennesaret that's mentioned in this verse. Gennesaret is another name for the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is also called the Sea of Tiberius in John 6:1 and John 21:1. So the Sea of Galilee, the lake Gennesaret, and the Sea or Lake of Tiberius are all the same place.
The word "Gennesaret" itself comes from the Hebrew word KANNAR that means heart. And that is because the Lake is heart-shaped. And so, with certain people, at different phases of history, they didn't call it the Sea of Galilee. They called it the lake of Gennesaret because it is in the shape of a heart. So KANNAR is the Hebrew word, and it is where we get the name Gennesaret from.
Luke 5:5 - And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
The word toiled is KOPOS, and that means to work to the point of exhaustion.
Luke 5:6 - And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
The word "brake" is actually an Imperfect Tense in the Greek, which tells us that the net didn't really break because then you would lose your fish. But it was to the point that it was starting to tear. This could have been translated, "and their net began to tear."
" Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more."(104:35)
Fire serves as a sign of disfavour. So God created angels spirits,"his ministers a flaming fire."(v.4) From the life of Prophet Elijah we have an example, "And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head." (1 Ki.19:6). Why the Spirit has set this example? Prophet is set as a double for Jesus Christ. Now we shall see how the risen Christ was helped by his angel."As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread./ Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. "( John 21:9).
The Last Adam is he who came from heaven. The Lord of heaven refers to the fire as a sign. " I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?"( Luke 12:49) It is to this Apostle Peter refers, "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."(2 Pe.3:7)
The Prophet foreshadows in the manner he chose to defeat the prophets of Baal. "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."(1 Ki.18:38)
This is according to the everlasting covenant which is the house that Wisdom built. (Pr.9:1) These have foundation which we find in Hannah's prayer. "For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them." (1 Sa.2:8). The same truth we have in the Psalm we are discussing at present. God " Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever."(104:5) Notice the ubiquitous phrase 'forever' used here? We are discussing fire as reserved for the children of wrath. Showers of blessing for the blessed in the Son. Everlasting covenant as a sure foundation. God knows. 2 Ti.2:19-20
My last two posts were a general look at accuracy of historical and more recent information as seen through the media and historical accounts. A realistic view of the Bible sees it set apart as having all things necessary for instruction; rebuke; etc as 2 Timothy 3:16 states. We often use other sources such as Foxe's Book of Martyrs to fill in the details; and most of us have the idea that all but one of the original Apostles was martyred. The scripture only mentions James the brother of John killed in Acts 12:2. We can assess from the writings of Paul that he knew his time of departure was at hand; but Acts 28 stops short of his martyrdom. From Christ's words to Peter in John 21:18 as to his fate of martyrdom as well. Whether John in Revelation was boiled in oil unsuccessfully before his Patmos exile is not as far as I know proven.
Often we CAN read into what is not said in scripture. Jesus was basically left out of anything but a bare bones description of his time before His minstry began after John the Baptist baptised Him. I would imagine he was perfect in being a carpenter and all that it entailed but we just need to understand that He fulfilled the law perfectly in His life and ultimately His death.
When we look at Christ's personal prayer life in particular; we see that He knew the importance of withdrawing before certain events and praying all night at times; as He did before picking the Disciples; as well as fasting and prayer which He likely did both practices before upbraiding those who didn't remain proactive in general to be spiritually strong at the casting out of the demon in Matthew 17:21. We don't see ANY indication that any of the Apostles or Disciples prayed before the Resurrection. It doesn't prove it didn't happen but certainly indicates it was probably very deficient.
The Bible clearly does NOT put people but God on display. Even mourning for Moses had to end ( Joshua 1:2).
"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."( John 21:14)
Now we shall go back to the key text:
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." Jesus speaks of bread as my body.' He is referring to the act of breaking,- and his spiritual body is never to be broken, and the sacrament was to be done in memory of him. "this do in remembrance of me."(1 Co.11:24)
Similarly the wine refers to his blood. "For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins."(v.28) From v.29 the Spirit clues us in what sense we are to interpret the bread and wine. The bread and wine they drink foreshadowing the everlasting covenant shall continue in the day of regeneration as well. The newness of heaven and the earth refers to their regeneration. Same testament but their spiritual bodies shall make it all new. "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(v.29) until I drink it 'new' ought to make it clear the testament is not the subject but the creation. That day is the day of regeneration. Alpha and Omega aspect both hinge on the day decreed as the covenant. Unto this day and that day refers to the Son.
"Take, eat; this is my body."(v.26) "For this is my blood of the new testament,"
All gospels save that of John narrate the last supper before his passion. It occurred in the evening.
John instead gives us the first supper in the day of regeneration. This we shall examine before we consider 'my body' for bread and "new testament"
The disciples according to the Gospel of John did not recognize their master. He was there in his risen body, naturally."but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." ( John 21:4). Significance is in the morning, "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore." The Spirit uses the morning to indicate that their repast shall be breaking the fast. He was evidently in his spiritual body and for forty days he was seen of them since he was risen. At the mount before his passion he carried both physical and spiritual bodies and transfiguration was merely a foretaste of what was to come. Death had no more hold on the risen Christ so while he stood on the other shore he was in his spiritual body.
He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). The catch was apart from the fish. Their labour and the catch brought ashore was their testament. While what was the testament of the spiritual body? Is it not the fish laid thereon a fire of live coals and the bread? Thus there are to aspects to what we mean by the body.
"A body hast thou prepared me" (He.10:5-7; Ps.40:7) is Word based so it points to the covenant between the Father and the Son. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
The fish and bread witness the spiritual body of the risen Christ.
We need to keep in mind what John said at the end of the Gospels about if everything Christ did was written down all the books in the world couldn't contain it ( John 21:25). There is no reason to believe that more texts or true anecdotes about the Lord are out there and may be found at some point. We see the same principle in the fact that certain things are written in only one Gospel; others in all and most in one or two others. We need to realize that nothing is contradictory unless God changed things Himself (such as going from the old to new covenant eliminating; for instance ceremonial dietary laws). We see full explanations; for instance on divorce in Matthew 5 and 19 which are known as the "exception clause" as opposed to Luke and Mark where this "except for fornication" is not listed as reason for divorce and remarriage being constituted as adultery. Again; when we see apparent contradictions (such as the apparent error in numbers killed in some of the accounts of wars in books such as Chronicles and Kings (and apparently in the census from 2 Samuel as compared to 1 Chronicles) further examination usually clears up details. Again much of this may come from issues of later translations (copies of copies) which continued for several centuries before today's versions.
Also we need to see that even Paul in Mars hill used secular writings to describe the "unknown god" and also Cretian writings later on in Acts that described (in no flattering terms) the manner of behavior known about Cretians to hammer home that their own writings summed up correctly their beastly behavior that needed to be mended among brethren confessing Christ who wished to be in leadership. This confirms the factual content being the inspired Word of God just as the account of Satan and all the sins of the Patriarchs and saints. We wouldn't want to emulate them but it is there as 2 Timothy 3:16 states to instruct us in righteousness and scripture is sufficient.
Being contrite is merely one aspect of holiness in action. Isaiah was crushed when he saw the vision of the Lord. 'Woe is me' expressed his emotions, and the Lord cleansed him and when he responds 'Here I am send me' his iniquity was purged to be of use to the Lord God. (Is.6:1-8). In the case of Judas remorse would not help. Neither did it with Esau.
Contrition in order to be complete must restore peace with God. Simon Peter denied his master without losing the peace. Jesus entrusted the care of his flock to his chief apostle as nothing happened, 'Feed my sheep' ( John 21:17 )
No man is justified by expression of contrition alone. Judas felt remorse but his faith could not be restored. So faith with works is man's abiding life with Jesus Christ is the key. "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,/Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that." (Matt.27:3-4) He merely returned other man's riches without restoring peace with God. "I am the Way" Jesus said. By denouncing him he had thrown the key to salvation away. His works condemned him.
So called from the province of Galilee, which bordered on the western side.(Matt.4:18). It was also called the "Sea of Tiberias," from the celebrated city of that name. ( John 6:1) At its north-western angle was a beautiful and fertile plain called "Gennesaret," and from that it derived the name of "Lake of Gennesaret." There are three names as given above to the same body of water associated with the life of Jesus. The same lake, the same Word.
Here we shall consider two events associated with this sea. We are all familiar with the Last Supper and it signaled the beginning of the end for the Son of man. After he is risen in St John 21:1-14 we are looking at the First Supper,- and it signifies life after life.
It is thus we need look at the apparent 'inconsistencies' that many scholars have pointed out. The truth of Synoptic gospels is established by God; and how John has been illumined to provide the miracle of the draughts of fishes after resurrection makes it true; equally true is the account of Luke. ( Luke 5:1-11). Luke is referring to fishers of men while John is introducing it as abundant life ahead of every believer because Jesus Christ is raised.
Jesus set me free from the bar business and I got baptized in Jesus name Acts 2:38,39
Luke 24:47,48Mark 16:16,17 I received the Holy Ghost Acts 5:32Acts 2:4. 1 Corinthians 14: 2,22,39
John 3:1-6Acts 19:1-6. 1 Peter 3:21Proverbs 11:30. John 21:15 it is essential for Salvation to be baptized in Jesus name Acts 4:12 and be filled with His Holy Ghost power speaking in a brand new tongue Acts 2:4 , and live a holy life loving Jesus and loving others !
The apostle John wrote the Gospel of John. He is a different John than John the Baptist who is going to be introduced to us in John 1:6. This is the apostle, John. John the Baptist, and the apostle John are two different people.
So, John, in his gospel, writes about John but he is not writing about himself. In fact, he doesn't mention himself at all. So whatever John you read of, you know he is talking about John the Baptist. He is identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved in John Chapter 21 Verse 20. He never names himself, but he calls himself the disciples whom Jesus loved in John 21:20.
He is the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death. Tradition says that they tried to kill John by putting him in boiling oil and they couldn't kill him, much like Daniel in the lion's den. And so, they exiled him off onto the island of Patmos because they couldn't kill him. They said let's just get rid of him. He is an old man. He has got a lot of wisdom and knowledge. He has got a lot of influence. So, we will just get rid of his influence, and we won't have to mess with him.
It was off on the island of Patmos that he received what we know as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. After he was brought back to the mainland he settled in Ephesus and became part of the church in Ephesus. As a matter fact, the elders of Ephesus are the ones who urged and compelled him to write the gospel of John before he died because there was not a document that contained just one solid teaching to present the deity of Jesus Christ. So, he wrote it.
Eusebius, one of the church historians writing about the things of the church, he writes, "John received Asia as his sphere of work and lived and died in Ephesus." John also wrote 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and the book of Revelation.
Shall we continue? Previously, I explained Verse 1:1, and now we go to Verse 1:2.
It is in Rev. 1:2 that John explains that he wrote The Gospel According to John. Here is verse 1:2 in chiasmus form:
Who bare record of the word of God,
.....and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and of all things that he saw.
The verse structure reveals:
The Word of God, John 1:1-5
.....The Testimony of Jesus Christ, John 21:21-24
Everything between Verses 1:1-5 and Verses 21:21-24
The "testimony of Jesus Christ" is a phrase which is used metaphorically twice in The Book of Revelation, as I recall; once at Rev. 1:9, and secondly at Rev. 19:10. Also, the Savior's literal testimony for The Book of Revelation is stated in the last chapter at Rev. 22:7-20.
So the phrase has both the metaphorical and literal applications.
Additonally, Rev. 1:2 not only establishes the structure of The Gospel According to John, but also that of The Book of Revelation, as follows:
Chapter One shows The Word of God in the vision of the Savior at Rev. 1:12-17
.....Chapter Twenty-Two shows The Testimony of Jesus Christ in Rev. 22:7-20
And Chapters Two through Twenty-One shows all the things that John saw.
1 John 4:16 has part of the verse state that God is love; probably next to the verse "Jesus wept" the shortest sentence in the Bible. As to its implications; of course we could write volumes; and as John also stated; if all the books of the wold were used it still would fall short as to describing everything about Christ ( John 21:25). This was the Disciple; after all that Jesus loved mentioned in John 13:23 and 2 other verses also in John. It sounds rather presumptuous on the surface to make such a claim; especially in light of the other Disciples in the "inner circle" namely Peter and I believe Andrew. A study on these implications is beyond my scope or even understanding; perhaps someone else could take the reins on that...
Anyway I wanted to bring up some basic tenants related to this subject; hopefully not boring anyone with redundancy with things I have said in the past. I'm not sure who has read what likely is well over 1000 posts here; if anyone does mention something I am repeating from say 2 years ago maybe they are a bit too obsessed with me; anyway I digress...
I could start out with 1 Corinthians 13 as a homework assignment. I think I will begin with what love is NOT as for some odd reason even those claiming to be believers seem to have at best a muted sense of what God's love is. Let us examine the first and probably most obvious error
Starting with "God is love" is often the scripture touted by those who would twist scriptures
2 Peter 3:16 discusses twisting scriptures directly; although the irony here is that he was talking about difficult to understand ones while love should be pretty easy to understand. After all those who love Him are to keep His commands ( John 14:15) but this is related to Luke 6:46 in those who say "Lord, Lord" but don't do what He says. More to come....
When Christ was taken all the disciples turned away. The Holyspirit have not been given yet.
Peter is mostly noted because he said he would never do it!
No one wanted to risk death and witness nor was they equipped to do so.
In Luke 22:31-32 Jesus tells Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus reminds them of what he told them in Luke 24:49.
"But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Afterwards Peter taught and preached boldly the rest of his life while knowing his fate.
John 21:18-19.
Blessings!
But as GiGi wrote, we can believe that the Gospel was taken out much further afield than we might think, if not directly by the mouth of the apostles, certainly by those who might have traveled with them & by converts who ventured into their "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria", etc. ( Acts 1:8). We can truly rejoice that the Gospel of Salvation had gone out by the best of the abilities & opportunities of the apostles & continued to go out after them, even as it is today. I pray for the day when every people & tribe will come under the sound of its life-giving/life-changing message, releasing many from the bondage of sin, religion & self.
John 21:9-14
Luke 19:41-44 seems to parallel the time when Jesus was bewailing the inevitable destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37-39 at the end of the chapter. This would indicate weeping either associated with or divergent from the rage He had with the righteous indignation talking (if we can use that phrase); more like shouting to the Pharisees. I would think both emotions at the same time were happening because all of that could have been avoided and the Pharisees should have known better. Overall rejection of Christ also was a factor and of course everyone was accountable to some extent for their actions and the end result.
It isn't often when these passages are read in conjunction with the Passion week; nonetheless it was part of what went down at that time.
It looks like I covered Matthew 26 already; so I will tackle Matthew 24 then 25.
Matthew 24
I set out to analyze Christ's unique aspects as the perfect God man but ended up basically doing a study of the entire book of Matthew. Others here I am sure could do a better job. It would be better for this study to focus on general observations rather than an eschatological hypothesis of these passages; particularly Matthew 24.
Jesus had a particular admonition and prophetic insight for Peter after the Resurrection ( John 21:18-19). The rest of the Disciples needed to hear this; so verse 3 is a private conference with them following His statements on the destruction of the Temple at the beginning of this chapter. It seems that most of this chapter is discussing the end time Tribulation; and much is clearly indicating things at that time such as the Abomination of Desolation. Verse 9 seems to be the only thing which had specific fulfillment with the Apostles; and verse 34 was only true as to the Temple being destroyed. There is something to be said in terms of natural phenomenon that occurred in AD 70 but most things predicted are yet future.
John records in chapters 12-17 the events in the last week of Christ's ministry leading up to his capture in verse 18 and the Crucifixion itself in chapter 19. Once again I hope I read the text carefully in order to say that here there are no further miracles demonstrated in His ministry. The controversy over Lazarus would start events rolling with the insane desire to have both him and Christ killed off ( John 12:9-11). The actual excoriation as I put it of the Pharisees is absent in John's account. Jesus in this Gospel is given much more emphasis as to His discourse with the Disciples which involved themes of the Trinity; His necessity to leave and comfort about the coming Spirit and His coming again and the prayer for the church as a whole in chapter 17. I shouldn't neglect the prophetic warnings in chapter 16 in being put to death.
The fact that 1/3 of the Gospels involves "Passion week" is significant. There was no time to waste; as Jesus knew the great shock to come would catch them off guard; that they would all run away and needed assurance as to the Spirit's role in transformation. Details about His death and resurrection are in all 4 gospels as it is no doubt the most significant aspect of His ministry as pertaining to us; even today. John 19:26 is the last mention of what are said to be 6 mentionings of "the one Jesus loved" in regard to John the author of this Gospel. At first glance that would seem rather arrogant. Maybe someone here has some insight; I would surmise that:
1) John was part of the group who went up in the Transfiguration. Interestingly; this event is NOT covered in John but in the other 3 Gospel accounts as well as 2 Peter. This would constitute the "inner circle" so to speak.
2) John laid across his bosom ( John 13:23).
3) Jesus Himself mentioned "if I want him to remain; what is that to you" in John 21:22 responding to Peter. He would die a natural death before then.
.
He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). The catch was apart from the fish. Their labour and the catch brought ashore was their testament. While what was the testament of the spiritual body? Is it not the fish laid thereon a fire of live coals and the bread? Thus there are two aspects to what we mean by the body.
"A body hast thou prepared me" (He.10:5-7; Ps.40:7) is Word based so it points to the covenant between the Father and the Son. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/ I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
The fish and bread witness the spiritual body of the risen Christ.
"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."( John 21:14)
Testimony of Jesus Christ is referring to the everlasting Covenant between Father and the Son. Law of the Spirit determined the provisions so man created after our image must be brought to the same world where the Will of the Father is fully met in the sone. All the blessed shall have Jesus as the firstborn. He was the Word become flesh so the blessed have a template in the Word was with God. It is called 'after our likeness' so the true Light that he shone for us explains the life everlasting after our likeness' so the true Light that he shone for us explains the life everlasting and by faith and not by sight we walk. (Jn1.4)
All gospels save that of John narrate the last supper before his passion. It occurred in the evening.
John instead gives us the first meal on the day of regeneration. This we shall examine before we consider 'my body' for bread and "new testament"
The disciples according to the Gospel of John did not recognize their master. He was there in his risen body, naturally."but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." ( John 21:4). Significance is in the morning, "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore." The Spirit uses the morning to indicate that their repast shall be breaking the fast. He was evidently in his spiritual body and for forty days he was seen of them since he was risen.
At the mount before his passion he carried both physical and spiritual bodies and transfiguration was merely a foretaste of what was to come. Death had no more hold on the risen Christ so while he stood on the other shore he was in his spiritual body.
He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). (to be concluded)
If we look at the whole of Scripture we see a sort of a master play; fleshed out in the epochs of the past and heading from now into the future with a predetermined outcome. The characters are manifold and encompass different cultures and nations including territory all the way from Ethiopia to India ( Esther 1:1); to include Jerusalem as the center focus eventually with surrounding parts of Europe, Asia and Africa making it as the "center" of the earth of the major Kingdoms from Babylon; Egypt; Greece and Rome in the past to the future "Beast" system of the end times rapidly developing as we speak.
In all this we see something unique; that the codirector as it were personally had to take the fall in the middle of this drama and come back to life. Everyone of course is part of the audience but of course where their future is the question.
As men any description of God's ways is inadequate. It is always best to keep to God's Word rather than even the best books written on scriptural topics such as "Pilgrims Progress" or the thoughtful tales of C.S. Lewis that have hundreds of scriptures brought to life in a fanciful story of British youth in the Post World War two era and Aslan as a type of Christ. Nonetheless; it is no accident of course all the details in all of our individual lives and how they fit in with everyone else; John 21:25 makes it clear that all the books in the world couldn't hold just what Christ Himself did when on earth. The Bible is the LIVING Word; and although it has to be front and center it is active ( Hebrews 4:12). Our existence will change as the rest of His chosen first Fruits are Resurrected into new bodies but even with a new heaven and earth and the old one burned up His Truth remains the same.
I intend to spend some time on this study and it is by no means exhaustive. We will behold His glory and praise Him forever as well as get to know more and more about Him.
Here we go...
Judas Iscariot met with the chief priests.
Mark 14:10
AndJudasIscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Satan enter in Judas Iscariot.
Luke 22:3
Then entered Satan intoJudassurnamedIscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Because Judas Iscariot hung himself and Satan pushed out his body , there's a possibility that Judas Iscariot went to hell.
Acts 1:17-18
17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Peter ask Jesus who betray you ? Jesus told Peter not to worry about it, just follow me. I believe by reading this verse, Judas Iscariot will be resurrected in the Antichrist, in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ .
John 21:22
22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Jesus said that Judas Iscariot shouldn't been born .
Mark 14:21
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man ifhehad never beenborn.
Judas Iscariot went to hell .
Acts 1:25
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his ownplace.
May we all believe the gospel of grace, so we don't have to be in the Tribulation, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
But when I read other verses to show that Jesus wasn't created from an earthly platform, but came down from Heaven (e.g. John 3:13), then my long-held belief must be thrown into question & I then submit to the whole of Scripture, or else, avoid/reinterpret those verses that could cause me problems. And that is why your quote of John 21:20-24 would be so important to not depend on what we would like to believe (as it makes sense to mind and logic), but what the Lord (& His Word) are actually wanting me to know & believe. And that can only come when we have all the evidence before us, as given & without human coloring. Blessings.
Hello Fuji. If I might share something with you on this very important doctrine. Now this is coming from another aspect of God's Nature; so my question, "Concerning the Holy Spirit, how is God the Father able to send forth His Spirit without Himself becoming deficient in any way? Or, If God is Spirit ( John 4:24), does that mean that God has now come into the world & is therefore absent from His Throne in Heaven?"
Your consideration & response to these questions forms the basis of how God can send forth Himself to fulfil His Will, without suffering deficiency in His Person or thwarting His Plans. Therefore, my belief is that God is able to do this (i.e. sending out His Spirit), just as He is able to send out His Word and give His Word flesh (humanity): John 1:1-14. This is all very mysterious to our human finite minds as we have nothing that we can relate to it, in this world or by human logic. Now, if I could cause my spirit to leave my body & perform my Will elsewhere (which I can't do), then I believe that my body would instantly become lifeless (for the human spirit gives physical life to the body); but not so with God, for He is the Almighty Everlasting One & suffers no limitations in any way, as we do.
Lastly, I appreciated your recent comment & challenge given to us from John 21:20-24: you wrote (in part): "We need to trust what the Bible actually says, not what we think it says". Since both you & I read from the same Scriptures, I find that to trust the Bible in what it says & not what I imagine (or hope) it says, can only first be initiated if we take up the volume of Scripture that speak to us on that subject. If we only had verses declaring the Sonship of Jesus (as you have written about), then I would readily believe that Jesus was a creation of God, through Mary, for the Sacrifice of our sins. Onto Page 2.
I used to live & work (ministry) in Karachi, Pakistan for a little while before being 'shown the door'. There are approx. 3000 mosques in Karachi alone, of various sizes & importance. And as you wrote, there would always be a mosque nearby for those folk, particularly to the diligent who need to drop everything five times a day to go to prayer. So, in non-Islamic countries, where mosques are very much fewer in number, it would be reasonable for them to live as close as possible to their place of prayer & the meeting of their other needs. Blessings.
In my introduction I briefly get into the obvious statement of how the world flesh and the Devil all work with our sin nature to deceive. If we look at the one true God we see that in order to serve Him one should seek to not just tell Him what He would want to hear but to take actions to DO things that He commands. When we consider my earlier point in the intro in regard to the Sermon on the Mount an unregenerated man may think that he wants to follow a moral code and either choose to ignore his conscience that in the flesh he cannot do things with the right motives as well as have any real desire to serve in such a selfless manner. John 21:18 Jesus speaks sobering words to Peter who will be eventually led where he doesn't want to go; ultimately to martyrdom. I have mentioned in earlier posts how many like to look at the death of Christ and other martyrs of the Apostolic Age in particular and focus only on the end rather than a life requiring dying to ourselves daily and taking up the cross ( Galatians 2:20 is one example of this concept with a plethora of other scriptures as a Biblical framework of living a life surrendered to the Lord).
Sadly; I can attest in my own life that when in a relationship being told what you want to hear often doesn't stand the test of time. Actions speak louder than words; and a marriage should represent mutual surrender to self and entrusting God to be the center of the relationship. The same can be said for any deception in the spiritual realm; there is as Shake sphere said lots of "sound and fury signifying nothing" (MacBeth). Until we understand that we seek things as the book of James says to satisfy our lusts we have no concept of the true value of relationships and lack the desire to be around those who put the Lord first in their lives; thus lacking eternal truths in the foundation of our relationships. Sting's lyrics in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" show the end result.
Q: Similitude sets heaven correspond to the earth. What role man play 'After our likeness' while the earth is 'after our image'?"
A: Principle of Similitude governs the actions so like begets like. 'The earth abides forever' because Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. The two worlds framed by the word of God relates the Father Son relationship. The Law of the Spirit sets 'the Word was with God' after our likeness which relates the humanity of Christ. For and example Joseph is set after our likeness' so the Ark of his testament is a heavenly pattern for Joseph after his death. Death and burial of Christ among the heathen and in the tomb intended for another carries a pattern on the earth. The Spirit as with the role of Moses set the life of Joseph 'after our likeness'. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor."(Josh.24:32)
The Similitude sets the worlds framed by word upon faith which is the only way one could be made after 'our likeness' To be conformed after the image Jesus Christ is set as the captain our salvation. It is what makes our volume word-based . The book of life itself corresponds to our heart. So the revelation that God through an angel to John is the testament of Jesus Christ. This explains the last verse in the Gospel of John. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25)
John 21:16 - He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He doesn't say "more than these," He just uses AGAPE again. Do you have agape for me? He is narrowing it down. He said unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
And again, Peter uses the word PHILEO. First AGAPE in comparison, then AGAPE, one-on-one, and still Peter will not boast or claim or commit to have that kind of love.
John 21:17 - He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Except Jesus now uses the word PHILEO that Peter has been using all this time. Now Jesus is challenging him, "Do you PHILEO me? Do you have affection for me?" He is even challenging him on that. And Peter said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I PHILEO you.
"Lord, you know all things." The proper response by Peter!
This is all I have to share from John's gospel. I will be going through Acts next. Hopefully I haven't put anyone to sleep yet. For those of you who are still following along, I want to say thank you so much!
God Bless!!!
John 21:1 - After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
The sea of Tiberius is the Sea of Galilee. By the time John wrote, which is some of 30 years plus after the other gospels were written, it wasn't known as the Sea of Galilee. It was known as the Sea of Tiberius because the city of Tiberius was there and the Romans renamed it. So, the Sea of Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee are the same places.
John 21:15 - So, when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Here's something we don't catch in our English text. The word love is used twice in this verse, but there are two different words in the Greek that have different meanings. One is AGAPE (Godly love), and the other is PHILEO (Human love). After they had finished, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, and He doesn't call him Peter. That is the name He gave to Peter. He calls him by his human fleshly name. Simon, son of Jonas. It is like "Uh oh, here it comes," lovest thou me more than these?
This word love is AGAPAO. It is the word AGAPE in verb form, the highest form of sacrificial love, like "I'll lay down my life for you type of love." And He also tacks on a little supportive phrase by saying "more than these?" Remember in Mark 14:29 Peter says, "though all of these will be offended in you, yet I will not."
So, Jesus is saying, do you AGAPE me more than these? Peter says Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. The word love that Peter uses here is PHILEO. He doesn't say, yes Lord, I AGAPE you. He says I PHILEO you, I have affection for you.
Peter is not as bold in his boast this time. "Sure Lord, I AGAPE you. I will go out there and die for you," like he did before. He's been humbled. "Lord, you know I have PHILEO for you."
A bit of information about the grk in John 21. About "phileo" and "agapao" both meaning "to love" in anc grk.
Firstly Jesus was not talking to Peter in greek but in Hebrew. Is there such a distinction in the Hebrew language too? Personally I don't know.
John in his gospel, John 21:2, is using "egapa" (past tense, 3rd third person), describing Jesus who loved John.
In v 15 & 16 Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him ("agapas me?", do you love me?, question, third person). Peter answers that he loves Him ("philo se", I love you, first person)
In v 16 Jesus asks Peter again if he loves him (question and answer both use the verb "philao")
So it seems that at that time both verbs had the same meaning, for "to love".
Going back in time the verb "phileo" is older than "agapao". The latter started to be in common use sometime during the 3rd century BC, although it can be found in Homer's Iliad (8th century BC). By the time of Jesus both verbs were in use for the same thing, it is obvious in John 21. Later on, "phileo" had been abandoned for "to love"
Also, philia=friendship, philos=friend, philo/philao=also means "to kiss" (in both anc and mod grk), phili=kiss
agape=love, agapao/agapo=to love (for all kinds of love), eros/erotas=in love
Luke 5:1 - And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Now this has nothing to do with Biblical Greek studies, but I just wanted to share some information about the lake of Gennesaret that's mentioned in this verse. Gennesaret is another name for the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is also called the Sea of Tiberius in John 6:1 and John 21:1. So the Sea of Galilee, the lake Gennesaret, and the Sea or Lake of Tiberius are all the same place.
The word "Gennesaret" itself comes from the Hebrew word KANNAR that means heart. And that is because the Lake is heart-shaped. And so, with certain people, at different phases of history, they didn't call it the Sea of Galilee. They called it the lake of Gennesaret because it is in the shape of a heart. So KANNAR is the Hebrew word, and it is where we get the name Gennesaret from.
Luke 5:5 - And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
The word toiled is KOPOS, and that means to work to the point of exhaustion.
Luke 5:6 - And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
The word "brake" is actually an Imperfect Tense in the Greek, which tells us that the net didn't really break because then you would lose your fish. But it was to the point that it was starting to tear. This could have been translated, "and their net began to tear."
" Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more."(104:35)
Fire serves as a sign of disfavour. So God created angels spirits,"his ministers a flaming fire."(v.4) From the life of Prophet Elijah we have an example, "And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head." (1 Ki.19:6). Why the Spirit has set this example? Prophet is set as a double for Jesus Christ. Now we shall see how the risen Christ was helped by his angel."As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread./ Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. "( John 21:9).
The Last Adam is he who came from heaven. The Lord of heaven refers to the fire as a sign. " I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?"( Luke 12:49) It is to this Apostle Peter refers, "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."(2 Pe.3:7)
The Prophet foreshadows in the manner he chose to defeat the prophets of Baal. "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."(1 Ki.18:38)
This is according to the everlasting covenant which is the house that Wisdom built. (Pr.9:1) These have foundation which we find in Hannah's prayer. "For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them." (1 Sa.2:8). The same truth we have in the Psalm we are discussing at present. God " Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever."(104:5) Notice the ubiquitous phrase 'forever' used here? We are discussing fire as reserved for the children of wrath. Showers of blessing for the blessed in the Son. Everlasting covenant as a sure foundation. God knows. 2 Ti.2:19-20
My last two posts were a general look at accuracy of historical and more recent information as seen through the media and historical accounts. A realistic view of the Bible sees it set apart as having all things necessary for instruction; rebuke; etc as 2 Timothy 3:16 states. We often use other sources such as Foxe's Book of Martyrs to fill in the details; and most of us have the idea that all but one of the original Apostles was martyred. The scripture only mentions James the brother of John killed in Acts 12:2. We can assess from the writings of Paul that he knew his time of departure was at hand; but Acts 28 stops short of his martyrdom. From Christ's words to Peter in John 21:18 as to his fate of martyrdom as well. Whether John in Revelation was boiled in oil unsuccessfully before his Patmos exile is not as far as I know proven.
Often we CAN read into what is not said in scripture. Jesus was basically left out of anything but a bare bones description of his time before His minstry began after John the Baptist baptised Him. I would imagine he was perfect in being a carpenter and all that it entailed but we just need to understand that He fulfilled the law perfectly in His life and ultimately His death.
When we look at Christ's personal prayer life in particular; we see that He knew the importance of withdrawing before certain events and praying all night at times; as He did before picking the Disciples; as well as fasting and prayer which He likely did both practices before upbraiding those who didn't remain proactive in general to be spiritually strong at the casting out of the demon in Matthew 17:21. We don't see ANY indication that any of the Apostles or Disciples prayed before the Resurrection. It doesn't prove it didn't happen but certainly indicates it was probably very deficient.
The Bible clearly does NOT put people but God on display. Even mourning for Moses had to end ( Joshua 1:2).
"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."( John 21:14)
Now we shall go back to the key text:
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." Jesus speaks of bread as my body.' He is referring to the act of breaking,- and his spiritual body is never to be broken, and the sacrament was to be done in memory of him. "this do in remembrance of me."(1 Co.11:24)
Similarly the wine refers to his blood. "For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins."(v.28) From v.29 the Spirit clues us in what sense we are to interpret the bread and wine. The bread and wine they drink foreshadowing the everlasting covenant shall continue in the day of regeneration as well. The newness of heaven and the earth refers to their regeneration. Same testament but their spiritual bodies shall make it all new. "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(v.29) until I drink it 'new' ought to make it clear the testament is not the subject but the creation. That day is the day of regeneration. Alpha and Omega aspect both hinge on the day decreed as the covenant. Unto this day and that day refers to the Son.
"Take, eat; this is my body."(v.26) "For this is my blood of the new testament,"
All gospels save that of John narrate the last supper before his passion. It occurred in the evening.
John instead gives us the first supper in the day of regeneration. This we shall examine before we consider 'my body' for bread and "new testament"
The disciples according to the Gospel of John did not recognize their master. He was there in his risen body, naturally."but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." ( John 21:4). Significance is in the morning, "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore." The Spirit uses the morning to indicate that their repast shall be breaking the fast. He was evidently in his spiritual body and for forty days he was seen of them since he was risen. At the mount before his passion he carried both physical and spiritual bodies and transfiguration was merely a foretaste of what was to come. Death had no more hold on the risen Christ so while he stood on the other shore he was in his spiritual body.
He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). The catch was apart from the fish. Their labour and the catch brought ashore was their testament. While what was the testament of the spiritual body? Is it not the fish laid thereon a fire of live coals and the bread? Thus there are to aspects to what we mean by the body.
"A body hast thou prepared me" (He.10:5-7; Ps.40:7) is Word based so it points to the covenant between the Father and the Son. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
The fish and bread witness the spiritual body of the risen Christ.
We need to keep in mind what John said at the end of the Gospels about if everything Christ did was written down all the books in the world couldn't contain it ( John 21:25). There is no reason to believe that more texts or true anecdotes about the Lord are out there and may be found at some point. We see the same principle in the fact that certain things are written in only one Gospel; others in all and most in one or two others. We need to realize that nothing is contradictory unless God changed things Himself (such as going from the old to new covenant eliminating; for instance ceremonial dietary laws). We see full explanations; for instance on divorce in Matthew 5 and 19 which are known as the "exception clause" as opposed to Luke and Mark where this "except for fornication" is not listed as reason for divorce and remarriage being constituted as adultery. Again; when we see apparent contradictions (such as the apparent error in numbers killed in some of the accounts of wars in books such as Chronicles and Kings (and apparently in the census from 2 Samuel as compared to 1 Chronicles) further examination usually clears up details. Again much of this may come from issues of later translations (copies of copies) which continued for several centuries before today's versions.
Also we need to see that even Paul in Mars hill used secular writings to describe the "unknown god" and also Cretian writings later on in Acts that described (in no flattering terms) the manner of behavior known about Cretians to hammer home that their own writings summed up correctly their beastly behavior that needed to be mended among brethren confessing Christ who wished to be in leadership. This confirms the factual content being the inspired Word of God just as the account of Satan and all the sins of the Patriarchs and saints. We wouldn't want to emulate them but it is there as 2 Timothy 3:16 states to instruct us in righteousness and scripture is sufficient.
Being contrite is merely one aspect of holiness in action. Isaiah was crushed when he saw the vision of the Lord. 'Woe is me' expressed his emotions, and the Lord cleansed him and when he responds 'Here I am send me' his iniquity was purged to be of use to the Lord God. (Is.6:1-8). In the case of Judas remorse would not help. Neither did it with Esau.
Contrition in order to be complete must restore peace with God. Simon Peter denied his master without losing the peace. Jesus entrusted the care of his flock to his chief apostle as nothing happened, 'Feed my sheep' ( John 21:17 )
No man is justified by expression of contrition alone. Judas felt remorse but his faith could not be restored. So faith with works is man's abiding life with Jesus Christ is the key. "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,/Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that." (Matt.27:3-4) He merely returned other man's riches without restoring peace with God. "I am the Way" Jesus said. By denouncing him he had thrown the key to salvation away. His works condemned him.
So called from the province of Galilee, which bordered on the western side.(Matt.4:18). It was also called the "Sea of Tiberias," from the celebrated city of that name. ( John 6:1) At its north-western angle was a beautiful and fertile plain called "Gennesaret," and from that it derived the name of "Lake of Gennesaret." There are three names as given above to the same body of water associated with the life of Jesus. The same lake, the same Word.
Here we shall consider two events associated with this sea. We are all familiar with the Last Supper and it signaled the beginning of the end for the Son of man. After he is risen in St John 21:1-14 we are looking at the First Supper,- and it signifies life after life.
It is thus we need look at the apparent 'inconsistencies' that many scholars have pointed out. The truth of Synoptic gospels is established by God; and how John has been illumined to provide the miracle of the draughts of fishes after resurrection makes it true; equally true is the account of Luke. ( Luke 5:1-11). Luke is referring to fishers of men while John is introducing it as abundant life ahead of every believer because Jesus Christ is raised.
Luke 24:47,48 Mark 16:16,17 I received the Holy Ghost Acts 5:32 Acts 2:4. 1 Corinthians 14: 2,22,39
John 3:1-6 Acts 19:1-6. 1 Peter 3:21 Proverbs 11:30. John 21:15 it is essential for Salvation to be baptized in Jesus name Acts 4:12 and be filled with His Holy Ghost power speaking in a brand new tongue Acts 2:4 , and live a holy life loving Jesus and loving others !
Luke 24:47,48 Jesus said!
Mark 16:16,17 Jesus said!
Acts 2:38,39 Peter preached what Jesus said!
Acts 4:12 No other name!
John 3:1-6 Must be born again of the water & Spirit!
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism saves us!
Acts 10:44-48 Can't be good enough without Jesus!
Acts 8:1-6 Ethiopian Eunic gets baptized in Jesus name and starts a 2000 plus year revival still going on today !
Acts 19:1-6 have you received the Holy Ghost since you been a believer?
Acts 5:32 gotta obey Him!
1 Corinthians 14:2,22,39 tongues are for a sign!
Acts 2:4 The Spirit gives the utterance!
Acts 1:8 Receive power !
John 21:15 Jesus loves you dearly!!!!!!!
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The apostle John wrote the Gospel of John. He is a different John than John the Baptist who is going to be introduced to us in John 1:6. This is the apostle, John. John the Baptist, and the apostle John are two different people.
So, John, in his gospel, writes about John but he is not writing about himself. In fact, he doesn't mention himself at all. So whatever John you read of, you know he is talking about John the Baptist. He is identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved in John Chapter 21 Verse 20. He never names himself, but he calls himself the disciples whom Jesus loved in John 21:20.
He is the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death. Tradition says that they tried to kill John by putting him in boiling oil and they couldn't kill him, much like Daniel in the lion's den. And so, they exiled him off onto the island of Patmos because they couldn't kill him. They said let's just get rid of him. He is an old man. He has got a lot of wisdom and knowledge. He has got a lot of influence. So, we will just get rid of his influence, and we won't have to mess with him.
It was off on the island of Patmos that he received what we know as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. After he was brought back to the mainland he settled in Ephesus and became part of the church in Ephesus. As a matter fact, the elders of Ephesus are the ones who urged and compelled him to write the gospel of John before he died because there was not a document that contained just one solid teaching to present the deity of Jesus Christ. So, he wrote it.
Eusebius, one of the church historians writing about the things of the church, he writes, "John received Asia as his sphere of work and lived and died in Ephesus." John also wrote 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and the book of Revelation.