"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely./And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him./And they laid their hands on him, and took him."
God is love and it has a token: a sign such as what the Word become flesh indicates by the virgin birth. A kiss is also a token as the Song of Solomon describes the sensation, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, Therefore do the virgins love thee."(The S.1:2-4). All the tokens of love, like overtones in music flow out when love is expressed between Christ and the bride. Fruits of the Spirit are equally felicitous analogy to love of God for Man. Moses expressed it thus: "For my name is in him."(Ex.22:21) Christ earned a name above every other name, which like precious ointment blesses the embrace which not for once but for ever more. "It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;."(Ps.133:2).
Against this we read that Judas kissed his master he was followed by men with murder in their eyes. So Jesus, "Said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?"(v.48)
Psalm 133 compares the blessings come down as a precious ointment so brotherly love is a synonym for unity. When Judas kissed it was pushing the panic button that "And they all forsook him, and fled." Mark mentions of one disciple, "And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:/And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked"(vv.50-52)
Till May I shall be taking time out so my posts shall be few and far between.
"But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all."
This was what bravado where oath of man falls contrary to the sovereignty of the word so a mighty warrior like Jephthah is shown as wimp and St Peter proved to be no less. Jesus showed why. " Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(13:31). Jesus as the fulfilment of Law places all events consequently in his deity as well as in his humanity. "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil./For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." At the outset of his earthly he presented the doctrine of his Father and condemned the doctrine of man as coming from the devil. (John8:44). From the manner the disciples could not understand him the Spirit shows why. It is not the words themselves as the controversy over KJV or other translations have raked up but the simple reason their flesh was weak. Even in our times imposter church keeps man from loving God with all might and will all their heart. "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."(John8:43) They literally follow the scriptures and flat earthers for example, they may quote," It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth," Does that mean the earth is one? (Is.40:22).
"In thee is the fountain of life" Jesus said "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life./.... Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."(John6:63-65; Ps.36:9) In the same night the disciples will fail their master at Gethsemane and forsake him. "My word " speaks of Christ's spirit of obedience and was for the glory of God. So abiding life means walking with him and understanding His will concerning us. That is true Light
"But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."
The Spirit presents us a seemingly minor detail but it has a great spiritual importance. For one association of the Son is set there. Fellowship of God was not with any other than his Son. Whosoever believed in him were blessed in his Son (Ep.1:3).As Word become flesh the twelve apostles were men chosen by the Father was recorded in the scriptures. Joseph did not choose Galilee but God the Father chose it for his Son."Being warned of God in a dream, he (Joseph) turned aside into the parts of Galilee:/And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matt.2:22-23).
Nazareth is a small town in the hill country of Galilee while Jerusalem belongs to Judea.
Most of his disciples were from Galilee so we have this hint from the Holy Spirit why he went beforehand into Galilee
Secondly Jesus 'shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go' is already mentioned by Prophet Ezekiel."And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch ofthatgate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof."(Ez.46:8)
"Behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;/Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."(Ac.1:10-11). He however warned his disciples not to leave Jerusalem is for no other reason than setting coordinates of his throne in heaven with 'his body" and the right hand of the most high in heaven is called New Jerusalem. Consequently the city of the great King (Matt.5:35) fits nicely with David from whose loins his humanity took shape. David calls him his Lord , the Lord of lords and King of kings. (Re.19:16)
By literal approach do we really get the role of place names right?
In continuation to the previous post Jesus knew beforehand that his disciples would flee from him in 'the evil hour. As it was written of him in the scriptures they were also written and in the same quote from Zachariah we read thus, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." The eleven disciples are 'the sheep' mentioned there. By the principle of Association the little ones include us as well. We received the gospel of salvation as 'the little ones'. We were called before the worlds began but how did we receive it?"and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;/And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen"(1 Co.1:27-28)
God chose man and not nations. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."( 1 Co.10:11)These are examples for our spiritual instruction
The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"(1 Co.12:7) This shall explain the Law of Gradation where all things are held together in Christ. Moses doubled for Jesus and how the Spirit has organised his going up the mount we have here in v.26. "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." The mount of Olives is a sign. Jesus was taken in because as the word of God had foreshadowed the evil hour was to manifest, as the golden calf leading to the imposter church of our times, and many other events all these leading to the final battle. (Re.19). These kangaroo events teach us, "There is nothing new under the sun.(Ec.1:9)"
"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)
"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body."
One noticeable feature of the breaking bread is missing here. While feeding the Five Thousand we read thus, " And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them." (6:41) He looked up to heaven and blessed, and brake." Significance of the heaven is defined in this space. The Spirit calls it upper room. His presence there was as the Son and he symbolically brought the disciples to be with him. In his passion and death it was to be discontinued till he drank fruit of the vine with them new. Breaking bread shall be no more loaded with spiritual symbolism as is now. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."( 1 John 3:2)
"And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it./And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many./Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Drinking fruit of the vine in the kingdom of God is new because Christ who is our life dies no more. Instead we as many branches to the true vine is more closer in spirit to the Song of Solomon. "I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste./He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."(S. of S :2:3-4) There shall no more blood or any violence but love. So the ensign of the Spirit the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world shall be held aloft indicating our spiritual bodies.
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
This upper room has been prepared for a special occasion. Who had it prepared for Jesus? In the Gospel of St John Jesus assured his disciples, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."( John 14:3). "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (He.3:4) As with the colt for his Son to go to Jerusalem God had provided all thing for life and godliness for his Son. God had appointed himas the heir of all things.
When Jesus said of foxes having holes and the birds their nests he was stating his own case as a man. In the world each one is so particular to flaunt their fashionable address God chose the upper room, and the Spirit has not given as one except that whatever God chose was in his Power and glory.
Jesus assured "My Father and I are one" and wherever he walked and abode signaled his Father to testify. "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(1:11). Psalmist refers to this relationship of the Father. "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Ps.139:8)
The Last supper enacted in that upper room evokes for us the same betrayal when Satan betrayed the trust of the Most High. For this reason Jesus refersto Judas as the son of perdition. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." ( John 17:12)
We have several instances where what are presented before us is a kangaroo word in terms of the eternal Word. Thus the alabaster box is a kangaroo word for the woman who prepared the body of the Son for his burial. Ezekiel thus ingesting the roll that God gave him becomes a double for the Son. "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1)
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)
All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)
How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.
What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).
The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)
The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:/Of sin, because they believe not on me."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.
In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)
In John 12:1-16 this is 6 days before Passover and Jesus rides into Jerusalem the next day which would be the 10th, the day the lambs are taken up five days before Passover day which is called today Palm Sunday.
Each day is recorded in Matthew 21 through Matthew 27:56Mark 11:1 through Mark 15:41Luke 19:28 through Luke 23:49John 12:1 through John 19:37.
On the 1st day of the week, we call Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and returned to Bethany in the evening to lodge.
The second day shows Jesus going to Jerusalem and returning to Bethany.
The third day is two days before Passover Matthew 26:2Mark 14:1.
On the fourth day, Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus and toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover. God commanded it to be eaten inside the city walls but they did not eat the Passover, Luke 22:15-16.
When the sun went down the fourth day what we call Wednesday is the beginning of Passover day the 14th of Nisan the day the Passover lambs are killed, Mark 14:12Luke 22:7. What confuses things is then and now Passover day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is referred to as an eight-day feast. Passover day is a preparation day for the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread not part of the seven-day feast.
The lambs were killed on the 14th in the evening, the time when the sun starts to go down, any time after noon and before the sun sets. The Passover is eaten the night of the 15th the first day of the seven-day feast which is a holy convocation/Sabbath Exodus 12:8 the same night they went out of Egypt not on Passover day.
The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion were on Passover day the fifth day from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem which would make that the 5th day of the week we call Thursday.
Jesus in the house Bethany is a private world of the larger world to which God sent his Son. He loved the world so he sent him as only begotten meaning the word was literally in the house. It is in this sense Jesus accosted Zachaeus," This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."( Luke 19:9). Simon the leper is of the same weight as Zachaeus in that God made man a living soul equally. Truth makes every man born of woman in need of salvation.
Jesus commended the woman "for she hath wrought a good work upon me.". Those who had no business to criticize did for no good reason. She brought the alabaster box and broke it in order to wrought a good work upon him. Jesus understood her service was spot on. This explain the Parable in the preceding chapter.
Jesus was there in his humanity, which St Luke emphasizes in his version. His host is Simon and a Pharisee. So the short colloquy in vv.40-47 establishes this human interaction between the host and him. John's Gospel gives us a clue to his deity instead. "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany" The event and Passover is thus established. The Gospel of Mark sets his version closely similar to that of Matthew. " She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying./Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."( Mark 14:8-9). The importance of service a believer does to another is tantamount to serving the Lord directly. All four gospels include this event. How do we erect memorials in heaven?
"Let brotherly love continue./Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares./Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (He.13:1-3)
From what I can glean from the scriptures, Jesus, when his hour was getting close, he prayed in Mark 14:35 and other verses "take this cup from me". Do you know of other scripture where God might have talked to him about his "powerful resurrected blood" after his death and what effect that this blood, and being resurrected would have on him? I wonder if God talked to him about it. Maybe he didn't. I'm not sure. What do you think? Kathy
You are right, the old (wine bottle) has passed away, and YOU ARE the NEW (bottles of heaven).
Job 38:37 Who can number the CLOUDS (of heaven) .... Mark 14:62 ..... Hebrews 12:1 ...... IN WISDOM? or who can stay the bottles of heaven.
You DIED with Christ, but only Christ arose, YOU were a JOINT HEIR with Christ in the Kingdom of God, Christ is the kingdom of God.
You DIED, only Christ is alive and YOU are the Body of that LIFE, as Christ is the BODY of the LIFE of his Father.
You said you want to lead a LIFE of OBEDIENCE, You DIED, ONLY Christ exist, he is the LIFE, and you the Body, He CAUSES you to do his WILL, Christ, The Body, walks in total obedience to his Father's Life (Spirit); therefore, if and when you come to TRUTH, you walk in total obedience.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of God (resurrected as ONE FLESH), doth not commit sin; for HIS SEED (Christ) remains IN HIM, and he CANNOT SIN, because he is BORN of God (resurrected as ONE FLESH with Christ).
You obey and honour God when you BELIEVE his words.
1 Corinthians 13:12 states: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. This relates to our perception of Christ; but also of course in glory we will see other saints in their eternal bodies as well for the first time. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
For now we do get glimpses; should we take the time to discern them of the Holy Spirit uniquely working in each true saint of God.
In physical appearance we still may look the same at least to the world to our early life when we were still in the world. Our identity is in Christ if indeed we are saved; and we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds ( Romans 12:2). Glorification will give us bodies it would seem like Christ when He could go through walls or doors ( John 20:19); we will be able to eat and drink ( Rev. 19:9; compare with Luke 24:42-43; and Mark 14:25). We will also rule and reign with Christ after returning with Him at Armageddon ( Rev. 19:14; Rev. 2:26-27).
Having no more suffering as promised in Revelation 21:4 and no more death certainly is an encouraging throught. I would submit that understanding the reasons for all of our earthly struggles may be even more poignant than understanding the suffering itself. We can take heart that Christ has His church as a reward; and we also can rejoice (or should) in one another and the time on earth invested in the Body of Christ as well as helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Again; it is rewards that are the variable that we are to strive for as seen in 1 Cor. 9:24-27. I am convinved many who receieve great rewards are relatively unknown at present praying in their closet; giving secretly to missions and serving under the radar. God sees the heart (see Heb. 4:12).
The Bride and the Marriage Supper, many say the Church is the Bride but nowhere in Scripture is the Church called the Bride. There are analogies of how Jesus loves and treats the Church as a man should his wife. In the first verse of 2 Cor. 11 Paul asked them to bear with his folly this suggests what he was to say is allegorical.
If we look at Matt. 26:29Mark 14:25 Jesus is telling the disciples he will not drink of this fruit of the vine until He drinks it new with you in my Father's kingdom, the keyword is new. The Bride of Christ is the New Jerusalem: Rev 21:9-11 She was arrayed in fine linen, the righteousness of saints, the garments clean and spotless of the saints is what she is arrayed in.
Christians are sons of God, Romans 8:141 John 3:2 we are joint-heirs with Christ Romans 8:17Gal. 3:29 we are the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12:27 we are in the body of His flesh Col. 1:22. We are who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb Rev.19:9. Like Jesus said at the Last Supper He will not drink until all is new. The marriage supper is when there is a new heaven and new earth and the New Jerusalem comes out of heaven down to the new earth and all saints from old to the new are the "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!"
We; being the Body of Christ only have individual functions-each part being essential in the ministry of the Holy Spirit coming from Christ in the heavenly places. Christ; of course ( John 3:34-35) had the Spirit without limit. As a member of the Godhead He also wouldn't have had to rely on anything from the Spirit in His own Divinity; but He did when on earth He was strengthened by the Spirit as well as angels in time of greatest struggle (such as after the 40 day fast and Satan's interrogation and in Gethsemene).
When Jesus was stated to know what people were thinking; it seems never to be good. It was a general statement to the Pharisees; where large chunks of scripture were dedicated to rebuke for hypocrisy along with the section for the same treatment for the lawyers of the time. Luke 7:36-50 is a fascinating section where the thoughts of the Pharisee were revealed to Christ; but He chose instead to talk to Peter about how such a "sinner" could be justified and put everyone to shame. The "blasphemy" of Him forgiving her sins trumped all earlier issues no doubt at the end of this section.
The "word of knowledge" which seems to be most apparent is the statement to Peter about denying Him. Again; that fit into prophecy as did the running away of everyone in Mark 14:50. Also; the statement of being betrayed was prophetically in scripture along with the whole section of Isaiah 53 and everything else predicted to happen to Him in the crucifixion and later raising from the dead. I can't think of anything offhand that isn't in the Old Testament that Christ revealed; short of the further implications of the law in what was to be the new covenant of grace. The scriptures were further revealed from the concealed passages of hidden meanings in the Old Testament; and will be further still at the Second Coming. What is new is statements of what would happen specifically with Peter in the Book of Acts.
Thank you, brother, for this discussion. I understand the 7-year tribulation rapture doctrine hinges on the prince in Dan. 9:26 and the he in vs. 27 as being the beast/antichrist at the end times. This is in brief my understanding of the 70th week and what Scripture says to me on this very important subject.
Dan. 9:25 says 69 weeks until the Messiah the Prince. Jesus was baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit; the meaning of Messiah is the Anointed One. Vs. 27 "And he shall confirm the covenant" Isaiah 42:6 "with many" Matt. 20:28Matt. 26:28Mark 14:24, "for one week:"
Jesus came and was baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit and John confirmed this John 1:34 The demons knew who He was Mark 3:11 and Andrew told Simon they have found the Messiah, and Philip told Nathanael, John 1:41,45 Jesus said this Luke 4:17-21.
In Luke 3:1-2 we see the time when John was called by God. If we look at history, Tiberius Ceasar, his 15th year would be 26-27 AD. It is considered Jesus was baptized in late summer or early fall. Jesus attended 3 Passovers and was crucified on the fourth in 30-31 AD. John 2:13, John 5:1John 6:4John 19:14.
There is a discussion on John 5:1 whether it is a Passover, but most accept it is. The old manuscripts have "the" in front of the feast leading scholars to conclude that it was probably the Passover feast.
The first Passover would be in 27-28 AD and His crucifixion in 30-31 AD. This would make Jesus's ministry 3.5 years, halfway through the 70th week.
"and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" That is what Jesus's death did. Heb. 10 and when the judgment came in 70 AD the physical act of sacrificing ceased caused by their rejection of Him and crucifying Him.
Hello Leed, You have mentioned several topics here and they are worth discussing. For me today, I will address you inquiry of the one who controls the earth today, it seems that you are implying an evil entity, Satan, is the one who does so.
I agree that Satan is at work in humanity and in the earthly realm to deceive, kill, and bring to destruction anyone he can. But I do not believe that he has any power that has not been allowed him by God. God could have destroyed him at anytime since his rebellion prior to creating humanity. But God has a wise purpose for allowing Satan to continue do harm to humanity and the earth.
Matthew 28:18, Jesus' words, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Ps. 110:1 says of the Messiah, "Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (also referred to in Matt.22:44; Acts 2:34)
Mark 14:62, Jesus states this when asked if He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? "I am. And ye shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." At this, the high priest roe his clothes and accused Jesus of blasphemy.
Eph. 1:19-21 "And What is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this worl, but also in that which is to come."
Leed, these verses (and many others) tell me that Jesus is the Sovereign Ruler of all heaven and earth. He is on His heavenly throne with all power and authority over all this has been created. He will reign until all enemies are put under His feet (vanquished, defeated, and judged). Then Jesus will hand His eternal kingdom and reign over to the Father. ( 1Cor. 15:24-28).
Satan, though named as the 'god of this world' does not control it, God does,
Hi Justjay & thanks for your question. You asked about Mark 14:17-21 about Judas' betrayal of Jesus. In John 17:6-19 (in Jesus' prayer to His Father, just prior to this betrayal by Judas), Jesus prayed for His disciples & in particular v12: "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled". Jesus, of course was referring to Judas as the "son of perdition", but was declaring that Judas, as a disciple, would be lost because of the fulfillment of Scripture.
So yes, God is All-knowing & certainly Jesus knew about Judas' betrayal even before he was appointed amongst the twelve, but through that Divine Knowledge, the prophecy had already been made approx 1000 years earlier (in Psalm 41:9). See also Psalm 55:12-15; Psalm 69:25; and Psalm 109:6-8: these passages also allude to the one who would ultimately betray Jesus. And the Apostle Peter also refers to Psalm 69:25, in his message in Acts 1:20. So yes, this betrayal was pre-ordained, in accordance with prophecy. And there could be other reasons why God permitted/ordained this to happen. Reasons such as proof of the veracity of God's Word & Power, a powerful testimony to the disciples of true discipleship & faithfulness in spite of doubts & Satan's taunts, and even to Judas, of his harboring great sin & allowing it to be manifested to the point of killing the Messiah. Jesus had to die to pay the ransom for our sins, "but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born" ( Matthew 26:24).
Should we then feel sorry for Judas, thinking 'this poor man was ordained to pre-mature death & had not choice in the matter?' No, Judas acted because of his own wickedness (not forced upon him by God); Judas because of his sin, fulfilled the prophecy & Plan of God for him & Jesus' Sacrifice.
Did Jesus eat the Passover? Tradition or scripture? Does it matter? For study not to offend.
Passover Day when the lambs were killed is the 14th of Abib/Nisan. Exodus 12:3-33Leviticus 23:5Numbers 33:1-3Mark 14:12Luke 22:7
The 15th of Abib/Nisan is the first day of the 7-day Unleavened Bread Feast, first day and the last day are Sabbath days, it starts at sundown and is when they ate the Passover and after midnight they left Egypt. Numbers 33:1-3Deuteronomy 16:1-8
From the Last Supper to the burial, Matt. 26:17-75Matt. 27:1-61Mark 14:12-72 Mark 15:1-47Luke 22:1-71Luke 23:1-56John 13:1-38 through John 19:1-42.
This day started at sunset. On this day we have Jesus and his disciples going into the guest chamber, they ate a meal, Jesus initiated the New Covenant, they sang songs, Jesus washed their feet, and they were there for hours. They went to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed, Judas came with the priests and a band of men and officers,
They took Jesus to Annias and Caiaphas and was judged. Then early that morning they took Him to Pilate and Herod and back and they said crucify Him. They nailed Jesus to the cross the 3rd hour, 9 AM, Jesus died at the 9th hour, 3 PM, and was put in the tomb, all this in one day, before the sunset, the 14th of Abib/Nisan Passover day.
In Luke 22:14-16 Jesus told them He was not going to eat this Passover with them. In John 18:28 they would not go in the hall, they would be defiled because they have not eaten the Passover, and later that day they had to catch the blood and put it on the altar.
The Passover meal was eaten after sunset and before midnight, the 15th of Abib/Nisan, Jesus was in the tomb.
Jesus was the Passover Lamb and the First and the Last. He was nailed to the cross at the same time the first Tamid Lamb was sacrificed, all the sin sacrifices were put on top and He died at the same time the last Tamid Lamb was sacrificed and put on top.
You can read in Matthew 26:27 the other disciples asked, :Lord, is it I? Same for Mark 14:19, Luke 22:23. John 13:21-27 gives the most information about the response of the other disciples. But the question of who it might be was quickly shown to be Judas (verse 27).
Agree with GiGi here. This is not at all well written Alex. You get to explain a little better.
When Jesus was here on Earth, He was not bound. The Holy Spirit was bound to Jesus. Because He Himself says. It is for your benefit that I pass away. Then He will send the Comforter to us. Thru? John 16:7
What He had to do was to be obedient to Our Father God. Don't you think Jesus suffered during His time here on earth? In Gethsemane just before He was captured. Prayed He so earnestly that He sweated blood. Mark 14:35-36 Luke 22:44 Those Jews who are not in Israel but scattered around the times of World War II and before it. These were collected at least in Europe as the attackers made ghettos. All of these had free will to accept Jesus. And get the Holy Spirit. Just like us these days. So neither you nor I know if it was right Jesus saved people in the concentration camps. It's entirely possible it was. Yet they praised the Lord in their hearts, minds, and bodies. Even though hunger took them and famine was in the midst of those with diseases and worse, they had their faith in God. The Jews are God's people and have never lost sight of God. It is also why we should pray for them, pray for peace, and so on. It is our duty Alex. Our ministry is actually preaching the gospel also to Jews and not always just other Gentiles.
If it hadn't been for the Jews, we wouldn't have gotten the Bible, the Word that came alive to us. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ who managed to be obedient all His days! Hallelujah Amen. Thank you dear Jesus, And not just a man but one who also overcame death! Hence Christ.
Hope you can figure this out and not spread falsehoods in here on the web. Jesus himself spoke of the wheat. The wheat is the best grain true. There we can get nice good bread. Making beautiful cakes and biscuits. Sauces and porridges. Maybe even get fat. Matthew 13
Please Repent and come back to the truth. Luke 1 chapter. Stay strong in the word of God and never give up. gbu
My understanding 1 Thess. 4:16-17 is the same event as Matt. 24:30-311 Cor. 15:52 and verses in Revelation (the second coming of Jesus). In Revelation John covers different aspects of the same events in different chapters not in order. Rev. 10:7 in the days of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God should be finished.
Rev. 11:15-19, the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet, "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord." This is the same event as we see in Rev. 19:11-16. All of these are the same event, the last trumpet sounds to announce His coming and the first resurrection who will reign with Jesus on earth, not carried to heaven.
When Jesus returns and the armies which were in heaven that followed, are angels, the saints were not in heaven. Matt. 25:31Matt. 13:39Mark 13:26-27. The resurrected chosen and faithful from around the world will meet Jesus in the air on the way down to Israel and Jerusalem.
Then we see the bowls of wrath in Rev. 16. In Rev. 19:17-18 the angel called the fowls to the supper of the great God. Rev. 19:19-21 The battle of Armageddon. Then the beast and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire, Satan is chained in the bottomless pit, and those in the first resurrection will reign with Jesus for one thousand years.
The marriage of the Lamb, the marriage supper, the bride, and the bride of the Lamb is only mentioned in Revelation. Rev. 19:7Rev. 21:2Rev 21:9Rev. 22:17. When? It will be after all is made new, and where? It will be on the new earth. Jesus said this at the Last Supper, Matt. 26:29, Mark 14:25, and what the Spirit and bride said in Rev. 22:17.
I know my understanding may be different than yours and others, I could say more but this should show my understanding of this. I am thankful for this site and the brothers and sisters on it to be able to respectfully discuss the Bible.
Whether or not you believe in God, this message is a "must-read"!
Throughout time, we can see how we have been strategically conditioned coming to this point where we are on the verge of a cashless society. Did you know that Jesus foretold of this event almost 2,000 years ago?
In the last book of the Bible, Revelation 13:16-18, we read,
"He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles-- Revelation 19:20) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."
Speaking to the last generation, this could only be speaking of a cashless society. Why's that? Revelation 13:17 states that we cannot buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast. If physical money was still in use, we could buy or sell with one another without receiving the mark. This would contradict scripture that states we need the mark to buy or sell!
These verses could not be referring to something purely spiritual as scripture references two physical locations (our right hand or forehead) stating the mark will be on one "OR" the other. If this mark was purely spiritual, it would indicate both places, or one--not one OR the other!
This is where it really starts to come together. It is amazing how accurate the Bible is concerning the implantable RFID microchip. This is information from a man named Carl Sanders who worked with a team of engineers to help develop this RFID chip:
"Carl Sanders sat in seventeen New World Order meetings with heads-of-state officials such as Henry Kissinger and Bob Gates of the C.I.A. to discuss plans on how to bring about this one-world system. The government commissioned Carl Sanders to design a microchip for iden
You said you "want to believe" but then declared "no!" then ask for help?
Jesus encountered a man (family, members) facing a similar dilemma. Mark 9:24, the account in context seemingly starts in : Mark 9:14-29.
The question that I ask you, is what are you having trouble believing?
It's ok to ask GOD to help you overcome disbelief. I had struggled years ago with Jonah 2, because cartoon animation had influenced my thinking. I could only imagine an unbelievable Disney Character inside a whale. Someone said to me something like 'you have to believe all the Bible or none' I prayed GOD would help me. Then one day I heard a report of a man being discovered inside the belly of a fish, fully intact, on a documentary channel. I then heard more than one account.
GOD is amazing at how HE can help us overcome anything. John 8:32, James 1:5,
If you're wondering about Jesus, raising from the grave read John 16:31-33, John 16 whole chapter = this was a written account of a witness, that: Jesus knew all these things were going to happen to him, even the very witness writing this would abandon him._._ beforehand. Matthew 26:32, Mark 14:28, Luke 24:34,
Also Luke 1:1-3, these people were unafraid to die for this truth: Acts 7:59,
How to pray & how to endure through crisis = Luke 22:40, Matthew 6, Luke 11, Romans 8:26-39,
Psalms 139, (remember the guy that wrote that, had to live in caves for a time, while fleeing unjust persecution,) Jesus himself had to encourage himself knowing while everyone else would abandon Him, GOD would not. John 16:32,33,
Mark 14:38, Mark 11:13-26, Luke 21:36, Hebrews 13:3,5,6,
Luke 18, John 14:16,
2Timothy 2:3, 2Timothy 4:5, Matthew 24:13, Romans 8:18,
Today's sermon discussed aspects such as the verse saying that there is no more marriage in heaven. ( Mark 12:25). That seems cut and dry but everything else seemed to drift too much into what we enjoy here on earth (such as recreation; endless delicious meals etc.) My earlier comments reflected on service in heaven; which most believers in Christ should acknowledge (unlike those who don't look into the scriptures and think we are all floating on clouds someplace).
My issue is not that we won't have those pleasures in heaven; but again reflects what I said earlier that all the focus is on serving Him and rejoicing in Him. Christ surely has anticipated sitting down and drinking the "fruit of the vine" which He will do no more until He is in heaven with us ( Mark 14:25). That would presumably be at the Great supper of the Lamb but certainly could occur at other times as well. That surely does indicate that there will be fellowship among saints and Christ as well as with each other. There are also such things as unique names given to us that no one else knows but God and that person ( Rev. 2:17); and Revelation 19:10 also states the same for Christ Himself.
While it isn't necessarily wrong to reflect on what enjoyment of heaven will be like in our new Resurrection bodies; we shouldn't be so enamored with it that we drift away from rejoicing in the harvest; as well as the attributes of God. We also will be ruling and reigning on the earth; but won't be overtaken by all the unprecedented riches that the kings of the earth bring as tribute to the Lord. Heaven; of course will be ON earth (in terms of the heavenly city itself; that is). For God to restore His creation that surely also will be a thing to behold. Again; without salvation men's minds still won't be able to dissuaded from eventual rebellion despite 1000 years of material blessings on earth; since sin will still be present until the new earth.
Thanks for your comment. I have no argument at all with your comment in any way. However, I think this "certain" young man has significance. Could it be that he is mentioned again in other places and again not identified? There's nothing in my belief that hinges on this one word of this one scripture and I have no desire to argue or disagree with anyone. I'm just curious and have always wondered about this "certain young man" in this passage. He was following Jesus in the literal sense and the other young men laid hold on him, but not anyone else. The disciples were there and they did not lay hold on them. What was unique or what did this one young man do that caused them to attempt to lay hold on him? Where did he flee to? Just curious.
This story is about Jesus Christ, my Saviour. I have no desire to get away from that - just curious in that there's nothing at all insignificant in the scriptures.
The young man realized he had received another Jesus !
It's why Christ would say ! Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
A great falling away occurs!
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the 2nd advent) shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasy) first. No fly by's
"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely./And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him./And they laid their hands on him, and took him."
God is love and it has a token: a sign such as what the Word become flesh indicates by the virgin birth. A kiss is also a token as the Song of Solomon describes the sensation, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, Therefore do the virgins love thee."(The S.1:2-4). All the tokens of love, like overtones in music flow out when love is expressed between Christ and the bride. Fruits of the Spirit are equally felicitous analogy to love of God for Man. Moses expressed it thus: "For my name is in him."(Ex.22:21) Christ earned a name above every other name, which like precious ointment blesses the embrace which not for once but for ever more. "It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;."(Ps.133:2).
Against this we read that Judas kissed his master he was followed by men with murder in their eyes. So Jesus, "Said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?"(v.48)
Psalm 133 compares the blessings come down as a precious ointment so brotherly love is a synonym for unity. When Judas kissed it was pushing the panic button that "And they all forsook him, and fled." Mark mentions of one disciple, "And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:/And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked"(vv.50-52)
Till May I shall be taking time out so my posts shall be few and far between.
"But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all."
This was what bravado where oath of man falls contrary to the sovereignty of the word so a mighty warrior like Jephthah is shown as wimp and St Peter proved to be no less. Jesus showed why. " Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(13:31). Jesus as the fulfilment of Law places all events consequently in his deity as well as in his humanity. "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil./For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." At the outset of his earthly he presented the doctrine of his Father and condemned the doctrine of man as coming from the devil. (John8:44). From the manner the disciples could not understand him the Spirit shows why. It is not the words themselves as the controversy over KJV or other translations have raked up but the simple reason their flesh was weak. Even in our times imposter church keeps man from loving God with all might and will all their heart. "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."(John8:43) They literally follow the scriptures and flat earthers for example, they may quote," It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth," Does that mean the earth is one? (Is.40:22).
"In thee is the fountain of life" Jesus said "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life./.... Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."(John6:63-65; Ps.36:9) In the same night the disciples will fail their master at Gethsemane and forsake him. "My word " speaks of Christ's spirit of obedience and was for the glory of God. So abiding life means walking with him and understanding His will concerning us. That is true Light
"But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."
The Spirit presents us a seemingly minor detail but it has a great spiritual importance. For one association of the Son is set there. Fellowship of God was not with any other than his Son. Whosoever believed in him were blessed in his Son (Ep.1:3).As Word become flesh the twelve apostles were men chosen by the Father was recorded in the scriptures. Joseph did not choose Galilee but God the Father chose it for his Son."Being warned of God in a dream, he (Joseph) turned aside into the parts of Galilee:/And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matt.2:22-23).
Nazareth is a small town in the hill country of Galilee while Jerusalem belongs to Judea.
Most of his disciples were from Galilee so we have this hint from the Holy Spirit why he went beforehand into Galilee
Secondly Jesus 'shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go' is already mentioned by Prophet Ezekiel."And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch ofthatgate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof."(Ez.46:8)
"Behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;/Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."(Ac.1:10-11). He however warned his disciples not to leave Jerusalem is for no other reason than setting coordinates of his throne in heaven with 'his body" and the right hand of the most high in heaven is called New Jerusalem. Consequently the city of the great King (Matt.5:35) fits nicely with David from whose loins his humanity took shape. David calls him his Lord , the Lord of lords and King of kings. (Re.19:16)
By literal approach do we really get the role of place names right?
"And they all forsook him, and fled."
In continuation to the previous post Jesus knew beforehand that his disciples would flee from him in 'the evil hour. As it was written of him in the scriptures they were also written and in the same quote from Zachariah we read thus, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." The eleven disciples are 'the sheep' mentioned there. By the principle of Association the little ones include us as well. We received the gospel of salvation as 'the little ones'. We were called before the worlds began but how did we receive it?"and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;/And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen"(1 Co.1:27-28)
God chose man and not nations. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."( 1 Co.10:11)These are examples for our spiritual instruction
The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"(1 Co.12:7) This shall explain the Law of Gradation where all things are held together in Christ. Moses doubled for Jesus and how the Spirit has organised his going up the mount we have here in v.26. "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." The mount of Olives is a sign. Jesus was taken in because as the word of God had foreshadowed the evil hour was to manifest, as the golden calf leading to the imposter church of our times, and many other events all these leading to the final battle. (Re.19). These kangaroo events teach us, "There is nothing new under the sun.(Ec.1:9)"
"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)
"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body."
One noticeable feature of the breaking bread is missing here. While feeding the Five Thousand we read thus, " And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them." (6:41) He looked up to heaven and blessed, and brake." Significance of the heaven is defined in this space. The Spirit calls it upper room. His presence there was as the Son and he symbolically brought the disciples to be with him. In his passion and death it was to be discontinued till he drank fruit of the vine with them new. Breaking bread shall be no more loaded with spiritual symbolism as is now. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."( 1 John 3:2)
"And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it./And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many./Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Drinking fruit of the vine in the kingdom of God is new because Christ who is our life dies no more. Instead we as many branches to the true vine is more closer in spirit to the Song of Solomon. "I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste./He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."(S. of S :2:3-4) There shall no more blood or any violence but love. So the ensign of the Spirit the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world shall be held aloft indicating our spiritual bodies.
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
This upper room has been prepared for a special occasion. Who had it prepared for Jesus? In the Gospel of St John Jesus assured his disciples, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."( John 14:3). "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (He.3:4) As with the colt for his Son to go to Jerusalem God had provided all thing for life and godliness for his Son. God had appointed himas the heir of all things.
When Jesus said of foxes having holes and the birds their nests he was stating his own case as a man. In the world each one is so particular to flaunt their fashionable address God chose the upper room, and the Spirit has not given as one except that whatever God chose was in his Power and glory.
Jesus assured "My Father and I are one" and wherever he walked and abode signaled his Father to testify. "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(1:11). Psalmist refers to this relationship of the Father. "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Ps.139:8)
The Last supper enacted in that upper room evokes for us the same betrayal when Satan betrayed the trust of the Most High. For this reason Jesus refersto Judas as the son of perdition. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." ( John 17:12)
We have several instances where what are presented before us is a kangaroo word in terms of the eternal Word. Thus the alabaster box is a kangaroo word for the woman who prepared the body of the Son for his burial. Ezekiel thus ingesting the roll that God gave him becomes a double for the Son. "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1)
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)
All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)
How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.
What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).
The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)
The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:/Of sin, because they believe not on me."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.
In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)
In John 12:1-16 this is 6 days before Passover and Jesus rides into Jerusalem the next day which would be the 10th, the day the lambs are taken up five days before Passover day which is called today Palm Sunday.
Each day is recorded in Matthew 21 through Matthew 27:56 Mark 11:1 through Mark 15:41 Luke 19:28 through Luke 23:49 John 12:1 through John 19:37.
On the 1st day of the week, we call Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and returned to Bethany in the evening to lodge.
The second day shows Jesus going to Jerusalem and returning to Bethany.
The third day is two days before Passover Matthew 26:2 Mark 14:1.
On the fourth day, Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus and toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover. God commanded it to be eaten inside the city walls but they did not eat the Passover, Luke 22:15-16.
When the sun went down the fourth day what we call Wednesday is the beginning of Passover day the 14th of Nisan the day the Passover lambs are killed, Mark 14:12 Luke 22:7. What confuses things is then and now Passover day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is referred to as an eight-day feast. Passover day is a preparation day for the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread not part of the seven-day feast.
The lambs were killed on the 14th in the evening, the time when the sun starts to go down, any time after noon and before the sun sets. The Passover is eaten the night of the 15th the first day of the seven-day feast which is a holy convocation/Sabbath Exodus 12:8 the same night they went out of Egypt not on Passover day.
The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion were on Passover day the fifth day from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem which would make that the 5th day of the week we call Thursday.
God bless,
RLW
Jesus in the house Bethany is a private world of the larger world to which God sent his Son. He loved the world so he sent him as only begotten meaning the word was literally in the house. It is in this sense Jesus accosted Zachaeus," This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."( Luke 19:9). Simon the leper is of the same weight as Zachaeus in that God made man a living soul equally. Truth makes every man born of woman in need of salvation.
Jesus commended the woman "for she hath wrought a good work upon me.". Those who had no business to criticize did for no good reason. She brought the alabaster box and broke it in order to wrought a good work upon him. Jesus understood her service was spot on. This explain the Parable in the preceding chapter.
Jesus was there in his humanity, which St Luke emphasizes in his version. His host is Simon and a Pharisee. So the short colloquy in vv.40-47 establishes this human interaction between the host and him. John's Gospel gives us a clue to his deity instead. "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany" The event and Passover is thus established. The Gospel of Mark sets his version closely similar to that of Matthew. " She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying./Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."( Mark 14:8-9). The importance of service a believer does to another is tantamount to serving the Lord directly. All four gospels include this event. How do we erect memorials in heaven?
"Let brotherly love continue./Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares./Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (He.13:1-3)
Your getting closer to understanding.
You are right, the old (wine bottle) has passed away, and YOU ARE the NEW (bottles of heaven).
Job 38:37 Who can number the CLOUDS (of heaven) .... Mark 14:62 ..... Hebrews 12:1 ...... IN WISDOM? or who can stay the bottles of heaven.
You DIED with Christ, but only Christ arose, YOU were a JOINT HEIR with Christ in the Kingdom of God, Christ is the kingdom of God.
You DIED, only Christ is alive and YOU are the Body of that LIFE, as Christ is the BODY of the LIFE of his Father.
You said you want to lead a LIFE of OBEDIENCE, You DIED, ONLY Christ exist, he is the LIFE, and you the Body, He CAUSES you to do his WILL, Christ, The Body, walks in total obedience to his Father's Life (Spirit); therefore, if and when you come to TRUTH, you walk in total obedience.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of God (resurrected as ONE FLESH), doth not commit sin; for HIS SEED (Christ) remains IN HIM, and he CANNOT SIN, because he is BORN of God (resurrected as ONE FLESH with Christ).
You obey and honour God when you BELIEVE his words.
God Bless YOU!
1 Corinthians 13:12 states: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. This relates to our perception of Christ; but also of course in glory we will see other saints in their eternal bodies as well for the first time. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
For now we do get glimpses; should we take the time to discern them of the Holy Spirit uniquely working in each true saint of God.
In physical appearance we still may look the same at least to the world to our early life when we were still in the world. Our identity is in Christ if indeed we are saved; and we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds ( Romans 12:2). Glorification will give us bodies it would seem like Christ when He could go through walls or doors ( John 20:19); we will be able to eat and drink ( Rev. 19:9; compare with Luke 24:42-43; and Mark 14:25). We will also rule and reign with Christ after returning with Him at Armageddon ( Rev. 19:14; Rev. 2:26-27).
Having no more suffering as promised in Revelation 21:4 and no more death certainly is an encouraging throught. I would submit that understanding the reasons for all of our earthly struggles may be even more poignant than understanding the suffering itself. We can take heart that Christ has His church as a reward; and we also can rejoice (or should) in one another and the time on earth invested in the Body of Christ as well as helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Again; it is rewards that are the variable that we are to strive for as seen in 1 Cor. 9:24-27. I am convinved many who receieve great rewards are relatively unknown at present praying in their closet; giving secretly to missions and serving under the radar. God sees the heart (see Heb. 4:12).
Part two
The Bride and the Marriage Supper, many say the Church is the Bride but nowhere in Scripture is the Church called the Bride. There are analogies of how Jesus loves and treats the Church as a man should his wife. In the first verse of 2 Cor. 11 Paul asked them to bear with his folly this suggests what he was to say is allegorical.
If we look at Matt. 26:29 Mark 14:25 Jesus is telling the disciples he will not drink of this fruit of the vine until He drinks it new with you in my Father's kingdom, the keyword is new. The Bride of Christ is the New Jerusalem: Rev 21:9-11 She was arrayed in fine linen, the righteousness of saints, the garments clean and spotless of the saints is what she is arrayed in.
Christians are sons of God, Romans 8:14 1 John 3:2 we are joint-heirs with Christ Romans 8:17 Gal. 3:29 we are the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12:27 we are in the body of His flesh Col. 1:22. We are who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb Rev.19:9. Like Jesus said at the Last Supper He will not drink until all is new. The marriage supper is when there is a new heaven and new earth and the New Jerusalem comes out of heaven down to the new earth and all saints from old to the new are the "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!"
What a glorious site that will be.
This is my understanding different as it may be.
God bless,
RLW
We; being the Body of Christ only have individual functions-each part being essential in the ministry of the Holy Spirit coming from Christ in the heavenly places. Christ; of course ( John 3:34-35) had the Spirit without limit. As a member of the Godhead He also wouldn't have had to rely on anything from the Spirit in His own Divinity; but He did when on earth He was strengthened by the Spirit as well as angels in time of greatest struggle (such as after the 40 day fast and Satan's interrogation and in Gethsemene).
When Jesus was stated to know what people were thinking; it seems never to be good. It was a general statement to the Pharisees; where large chunks of scripture were dedicated to rebuke for hypocrisy along with the section for the same treatment for the lawyers of the time. Luke 7:36-50 is a fascinating section where the thoughts of the Pharisee were revealed to Christ; but He chose instead to talk to Peter about how such a "sinner" could be justified and put everyone to shame. The "blasphemy" of Him forgiving her sins trumped all earlier issues no doubt at the end of this section.
The "word of knowledge" which seems to be most apparent is the statement to Peter about denying Him. Again; that fit into prophecy as did the running away of everyone in Mark 14:50. Also; the statement of being betrayed was prophetically in scripture along with the whole section of Isaiah 53 and everything else predicted to happen to Him in the crucifixion and later raising from the dead. I can't think of anything offhand that isn't in the Old Testament that Christ revealed; short of the further implications of the law in what was to be the new covenant of grace. The scriptures were further revealed from the concealed passages of hidden meanings in the Old Testament; and will be further still at the Second Coming. What is new is statements of what would happen specifically with Peter in the Book of Acts.
Thank you, brother, for this discussion. I understand the 7-year tribulation rapture doctrine hinges on the prince in Dan. 9:26 and the he in vs. 27 as being the beast/antichrist at the end times. This is in brief my understanding of the 70th week and what Scripture says to me on this very important subject.
Dan. 9:25 says 69 weeks until the Messiah the Prince. Jesus was baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit; the meaning of Messiah is the Anointed One. Vs. 27 "And he shall confirm the covenant" Isaiah 42:6 "with many" Matt. 20:28 Matt. 26:28 Mark 14:24, "for one week:"
Jesus came and was baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit and John confirmed this John 1:34 The demons knew who He was Mark 3:11 and Andrew told Simon they have found the Messiah, and Philip told Nathanael, John 1:41,45 Jesus said this Luke 4:17-21.
In Luke 3:1-2 we see the time when John was called by God. If we look at history, Tiberius Ceasar, his 15th year would be 26-27 AD. It is considered Jesus was baptized in late summer or early fall. Jesus attended 3 Passovers and was crucified on the fourth in 30-31 AD. John 2:13, John 5:1 John 6:4 John 19:14.
There is a discussion on John 5:1 whether it is a Passover, but most accept it is. The old manuscripts have "the" in front of the feast leading scholars to conclude that it was probably the Passover feast.
The first Passover would be in 27-28 AD and His crucifixion in 30-31 AD. This would make Jesus's ministry 3.5 years, halfway through the 70th week.
"and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" That is what Jesus's death did. Heb. 10 and when the judgment came in 70 AD the physical act of sacrificing ceased caused by their rejection of Him and crucifying Him.
See part 2
I agree that Satan is at work in humanity and in the earthly realm to deceive, kill, and bring to destruction anyone he can. But I do not believe that he has any power that has not been allowed him by God. God could have destroyed him at anytime since his rebellion prior to creating humanity. But God has a wise purpose for allowing Satan to continue do harm to humanity and the earth.
Matthew 28:18, Jesus' words, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Ps. 110:1 says of the Messiah, "Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (also referred to in Matt.22:44; Acts 2:34)
Mark 14:62, Jesus states this when asked if He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? "I am. And ye shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." At this, the high priest roe his clothes and accused Jesus of blasphemy.
Eph. 1:19-21 "And What is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this worl, but also in that which is to come."
Leed, these verses (and many others) tell me that Jesus is the Sovereign Ruler of all heaven and earth. He is on His heavenly throne with all power and authority over all this has been created. He will reign until all enemies are put under His feet (vanquished, defeated, and judged). Then Jesus will hand His eternal kingdom and reign over to the Father. ( 1Cor. 15:24-28).
Satan, though named as the 'god of this world' does not control it, God does,
So yes, God is All-knowing & certainly Jesus knew about Judas' betrayal even before he was appointed amongst the twelve, but through that Divine Knowledge, the prophecy had already been made approx 1000 years earlier (in Psalm 41:9). See also Psalm 55:12-15; Psalm 69:25; and Psalm 109:6-8: these passages also allude to the one who would ultimately betray Jesus. And the Apostle Peter also refers to Psalm 69:25, in his message in Acts 1:20. So yes, this betrayal was pre-ordained, in accordance with prophecy. And there could be other reasons why God permitted/ordained this to happen. Reasons such as proof of the veracity of God's Word & Power, a powerful testimony to the disciples of true discipleship & faithfulness in spite of doubts & Satan's taunts, and even to Judas, of his harboring great sin & allowing it to be manifested to the point of killing the Messiah. Jesus had to die to pay the ransom for our sins, "but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born" ( Matthew 26:24).
Should we then feel sorry for Judas, thinking 'this poor man was ordained to pre-mature death & had not choice in the matter?' No, Judas acted because of his own wickedness (not forced upon him by God); Judas because of his sin, fulfilled the prophecy & Plan of God for him & Jesus' Sacrifice.
Passover Day when the lambs were killed is the 14th of Abib/Nisan. Exodus 12:3-33 Leviticus 23:5 Numbers 33:1-3 Mark 14:12 Luke 22:7
The 15th of Abib/Nisan is the first day of the 7-day Unleavened Bread Feast, first day and the last day are Sabbath days, it starts at sundown and is when they ate the Passover and after midnight they left Egypt. Numbers 33:1-3 Deuteronomy 16:1-8
From the Last Supper to the burial, Matt. 26:17-75 Matt. 27:1-61 Mark 14:12-72 Mark 15:1-47 Luke 22:1-71 Luke 23:1-56 John 13:1-38 through John 19:1-42.
This day started at sunset. On this day we have Jesus and his disciples going into the guest chamber, they ate a meal, Jesus initiated the New Covenant, they sang songs, Jesus washed their feet, and they were there for hours. They went to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed, Judas came with the priests and a band of men and officers,
They took Jesus to Annias and Caiaphas and was judged. Then early that morning they took Him to Pilate and Herod and back and they said crucify Him. They nailed Jesus to the cross the 3rd hour, 9 AM, Jesus died at the 9th hour, 3 PM, and was put in the tomb, all this in one day, before the sunset, the 14th of Abib/Nisan Passover day.
In Luke 22:14-16 Jesus told them He was not going to eat this Passover with them. In John 18:28 they would not go in the hall, they would be defiled because they have not eaten the Passover, and later that day they had to catch the blood and put it on the altar.
The Passover meal was eaten after sunset and before midnight, the 15th of Abib/Nisan, Jesus was in the tomb.
Jesus was the Passover Lamb and the First and the Last. He was nailed to the cross at the same time the first Tamid Lamb was sacrificed, all the sin sacrifices were put on top and He died at the same time the last Tamid Lamb was sacrificed and put on top.
Hopefully, this is enough to study.
God bless,
RLW
Mark 14:22 - And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
Matthew Chapter 26:27 - And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Thank you Jesus
You can read in Matthew 26:27 the other disciples asked, :Lord, is it I? Same for Mark 14:19, Luke 22:23. John 13:21-27 gives the most information about the response of the other disciples. But the question of who it might be was quickly shown to be Judas (verse 27).
When Jesus was here on Earth, He was not bound. The Holy Spirit was bound to Jesus. Because He Himself says. It is for your benefit that I pass away. Then He will send the Comforter to us. Thru? John 16:7
What He had to do was to be obedient to Our Father God. Don't you think Jesus suffered during His time here on earth? In Gethsemane just before He was captured. Prayed He so earnestly that He sweated blood. Mark 14:35-36 Luke 22:44 Those Jews who are not in Israel but scattered around the times of World War II and before it. These were collected at least in Europe as the attackers made ghettos. All of these had free will to accept Jesus. And get the Holy Spirit. Just like us these days. So neither you nor I know if it was right Jesus saved people in the concentration camps. It's entirely possible it was. Yet they praised the Lord in their hearts, minds, and bodies. Even though hunger took them and famine was in the midst of those with diseases and worse, they had their faith in God. The Jews are God's people and have never lost sight of God. It is also why we should pray for them, pray for peace, and so on. It is our duty Alex. Our ministry is actually preaching the gospel also to Jews and not always just other Gentiles.
If it hadn't been for the Jews, we wouldn't have gotten the Bible, the Word that came alive to us. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ who managed to be obedient all His days! Hallelujah Amen. Thank you dear Jesus, And not just a man but one who also overcame death! Hence Christ.
Hope you can figure this out and not spread falsehoods in here on the web. Jesus himself spoke of the wheat. The wheat is the best grain true. There we can get nice good bread. Making beautiful cakes and biscuits. Sauces and porridges. Maybe even get fat. Matthew 13
Please Repent and come back to the truth. Luke 1 chapter. Stay strong in the word of God and never give up. gbu
My understanding 1 Thess. 4:16-17 is the same event as Matt. 24:30-31 1 Cor. 15:52 and verses in Revelation (the second coming of Jesus). In Revelation John covers different aspects of the same events in different chapters not in order. Rev. 10:7 in the days of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God should be finished.
Rev. 11:15-19, the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet, "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord." This is the same event as we see in Rev. 19:11-16. All of these are the same event, the last trumpet sounds to announce His coming and the first resurrection who will reign with Jesus on earth, not carried to heaven.
When Jesus returns and the armies which were in heaven that followed, are angels, the saints were not in heaven. Matt. 25:31 Matt. 13:39 Mark 13:26-27. The resurrected chosen and faithful from around the world will meet Jesus in the air on the way down to Israel and Jerusalem.
Then we see the bowls of wrath in Rev. 16. In Rev. 19:17-18 the angel called the fowls to the supper of the great God. Rev. 19:19-21 The battle of Armageddon. Then the beast and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire, Satan is chained in the bottomless pit, and those in the first resurrection will reign with Jesus for one thousand years.
The marriage of the Lamb, the marriage supper, the bride, and the bride of the Lamb is only mentioned in Revelation. Rev. 19:7 Rev. 21:2 Rev 21:9 Rev. 22:17. When? It will be after all is made new, and where? It will be on the new earth. Jesus said this at the Last Supper, Matt. 26:29, Mark 14:25, and what the Spirit and bride said in Rev. 22:17.
I know my understanding may be different than yours and others, I could say more but this should show my understanding of this. I am thankful for this site and the brothers and sisters on it to be able to respectfully discuss the Bible.
I hope this answers your questions,
God bless,
RLW
Throughout time, we can see how we have been strategically conditioned coming to this point where we are on the verge of a cashless society. Did you know that Jesus foretold of this event almost 2,000 years ago?
In the last book of the Bible, Revelation 13:16-18, we read,
"He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles-- Revelation 19:20) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."
Speaking to the last generation, this could only be speaking of a cashless society. Why's that? Revelation 13:17 states that we cannot buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast. If physical money was still in use, we could buy or sell with one another without receiving the mark. This would contradict scripture that states we need the mark to buy or sell!
These verses could not be referring to something purely spiritual as scripture references two physical locations (our right hand or forehead) stating the mark will be on one "OR" the other. If this mark was purely spiritual, it would indicate both places, or one--not one OR the other!
This is where it really starts to come together. It is amazing how accurate the Bible is concerning the implantable RFID microchip. This is information from a man named Carl Sanders who worked with a team of engineers to help develop this RFID chip:
"Carl Sanders sat in seventeen New World Order meetings with heads-of-state officials such as Henry Kissinger and Bob Gates of the C.I.A. to discuss plans on how to bring about this one-world system. The government commissioned Carl Sanders to design a microchip for iden
You said you "want to believe" but then declared "no!" then ask for help?
Jesus encountered a man (family, members) facing a similar dilemma. Mark 9:24, the account in context seemingly starts in : Mark 9:14-29.
The question that I ask you, is what are you having trouble believing?
It's ok to ask GOD to help you overcome disbelief. I had struggled years ago with Jonah 2, because cartoon animation had influenced my thinking. I could only imagine an unbelievable Disney Character inside a whale. Someone said to me something like 'you have to believe all the Bible or none' I prayed GOD would help me. Then one day I heard a report of a man being discovered inside the belly of a fish, fully intact, on a documentary channel. I then heard more than one account.
GOD is amazing at how HE can help us overcome anything. John 8:32, James 1:5,
If you're wondering about Jesus, raising from the grave read John 16:31-33, John 16 whole chapter = this was a written account of a witness, that: Jesus knew all these things were going to happen to him, even the very witness writing this would abandon him._._ beforehand. Matthew 26:32, Mark 14:28, Luke 24:34,
Also Luke 1:1-3, these people were unafraid to die for this truth: Acts 7:59,
John 20:29, Mark 16,
Hopefully these are helpful
Psalms 139, (remember the guy that wrote that, had to live in caves for a time, while fleeing unjust persecution,) Jesus himself had to encourage himself knowing while everyone else would abandon Him, GOD would not. John 16:32,33,
Mark 14:38, Mark 11:13-26, Luke 21:36, Hebrews 13:3,5,6,
Luke 18, John 14:16,
2Timothy 2:3, 2Timothy 4:5, Matthew 24:13, Romans 8:18,
Hopefully these help you
Today's sermon discussed aspects such as the verse saying that there is no more marriage in heaven. ( Mark 12:25). That seems cut and dry but everything else seemed to drift too much into what we enjoy here on earth (such as recreation; endless delicious meals etc.) My earlier comments reflected on service in heaven; which most believers in Christ should acknowledge (unlike those who don't look into the scriptures and think we are all floating on clouds someplace).
My issue is not that we won't have those pleasures in heaven; but again reflects what I said earlier that all the focus is on serving Him and rejoicing in Him. Christ surely has anticipated sitting down and drinking the "fruit of the vine" which He will do no more until He is in heaven with us ( Mark 14:25). That would presumably be at the Great supper of the Lamb but certainly could occur at other times as well. That surely does indicate that there will be fellowship among saints and Christ as well as with each other. There are also such things as unique names given to us that no one else knows but God and that person ( Rev. 2:17); and Revelation 19:10 also states the same for Christ Himself.
While it isn't necessarily wrong to reflect on what enjoyment of heaven will be like in our new Resurrection bodies; we shouldn't be so enamored with it that we drift away from rejoicing in the harvest; as well as the attributes of God. We also will be ruling and reigning on the earth; but won't be overtaken by all the unprecedented riches that the kings of the earth bring as tribute to the Lord. Heaven; of course will be ON earth (in terms of the heavenly city itself; that is). For God to restore His creation that surely also will be a thing to behold. Again; without salvation men's minds still won't be able to dissuaded from eventual rebellion despite 1000 years of material blessings on earth; since sin will still be present until the new earth.
This story is about Jesus Christ, my Saviour. I have no desire to get away from that - just curious in that there's nothing at all insignificant in the scriptures.
It's why Christ would say ! Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
A great falling away occurs!
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the 2nd advent) shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasy) first. No fly by's