Allow me to share an article with you on Biblical hermeneutics.
Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible. Second Timothy 2:15 commands believers to be involved in hermeneutics; "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who correctly handles the word of truth.
The most important law of biblical hermeneutics is that the Bible should be interpreted literally. We are to understand the Bible in its normal or plain meaning, unless the passage is obviously intended to be symbolic or if figures of speech are employed. The Bible says what it means and means what it says. For example, when Jesus speaks of having fed "the five thousand" in Mark 8:19, the law of hermeneutics says we should understand five thousand literally-there was a crowd of hungry people that numbered five thousand who were fed with real bread and fish by a miracle-working Savior.
Any attempt to "spiritualize" the number or to deny a literal miracle is to do injustice to the text and ignore the purpose of language, which is to communicate. Some interpreters make the mistake of trying to read between the lines of Scripture to come up with esoteric meanings that are not truly in the text, as if every passage has a hidden spiritual truth that we should seek to decrypt.
Avoid this type of teaching!
A second crucial law of biblical hermeneutics is that passages must be interpreted historically, grammatically, and contextually. Interpreting a passage historically means we must seek to understand the culture, background, and situation that prompted the text.
A third law of biblical hermeneutics is that Scripture is always the best interpreter of Scripture.
We always compare Scripture with Scripture when trying to determine the meaning of a passage.
The purpose of biblical hermeneutics is to protect us from misapplying Scripture.
In fact,there are two types of famine occurring in the world at this time,material famine is figure of spiritual famine,both are signs of JESUS's coming.
Your post suggests two interestings scenaries for us to meditate.The description below gives us two different aspects of the famine's scenaries.
So,speaking of famine,we can compare how our GOD provides a solution for this terrible event,and how Satan and his partners suggest a solution being them demonic governments,devilish religious guides,idolaters,spiritist/esoterics,among others.
How does our GOD provide the solution for this problem of hunger of bread? Mark 8:11-21:
11The Pharisees came forth and question with JESUS, seeking of him a sign from heaven,tempting Him.
12He sighed deeply in His spirit,and saith,Why doth this generation seek after a sign?verily I say unto you,There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
13And he left them,...
14The disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
15JESUS said:Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,and of the leaven of Herod.
16And they reasoned among themselves,saying,It is because we have no bread.
17JESUS knew it and saith unto them,Why reason ye,because ye have no bread?perceive ye not yet,neither understand?have ye your heart yet hardened?
18Having eyes,see ye not?and having ears,hear ye not?and do ye not remember?
19I brake five loaves among five thousand,how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?They say unto Him,Twelve.
20And the seven among four thousand,how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?they said,Seven.
21JESUS said,How is it that ye do not understand?
ITOH, how does Satan and his partners provide solution for this problem of hunger of bread?
They simply say:Command that stones be made bread.The heart of demonic men are like stone,the world of Devil is full of stones,they suggest for asking for alms,they create beggars. James 5:1-6 combined with Matthew 19:23.
"And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town."
Jesus laid his hand upon the blind man second time and his answer establishes that he was the Christ, the Son of God. His laying hand is very similar to the shadow, an example we have seen in the Acts of the Apostles.(5:15) The shadow of Peter doubling for ' under the shadow of the Almighty." By sending him away Jesus was commanding to live by faith in God who as the Psalmist confesses, "in him will I trust."(Ps.91:1-2).In other words he was ordained to live serving Him so he was to seek fellowship elsewhere and not with the unbelievers. "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure./...Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."(1 Ti.5:22,24)
Calling was universal as the Marriage of the King's Son tells us. "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage./ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests."(Matt.22:9-10). But without righteousness no one will be admitted.
Kingdom of God is not about quantity but of life everlasting. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost./For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men."(Ro.14:17-18)
Jesus at the end of the parable said,"For many are called, but few are chosen."(Matt.22:14). God knows who are his which has no expiry date. In his Son God has foreseen them and the word of God shall see it is fulfilled "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land."( Luke 4:25) See the tag of Three and a half?
"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.
The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.
In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.
Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)
"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him./ And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town"
In Ch.6 :45 we find that after Feeding the Five Thousand Jesus sent his disciples by a ship on the sea of Galilee while he took time out to pray. The miracle of walking on water occurs here. Bethsaida may be the epitome of wicked and adulterous generation Jesus refers to in Ch.8:11-13 "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him./ And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." This also happens about the same lake. St Mark uses the stilling of the boisterous sea by Jesus for a purpose. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased." (6:51) The troubled sea refers to the wicked world and Bethsaida was condemned for their rejection of the Son. For this reason Jesus laid the blind man out of the town.
So what lesson do we take from the healing of the blind? He looks up and saw men walking as trees; isn't this how false teachers declare prosperity and their active faith the means to make them richer? "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."(8:15). Man of flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. So Christ lays his hand again upon him,"After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." When we see Christian nationalism and culture wars about us be certain their blindness is no less.
Bethsaida was renamed as Julia as a sop to the Imperial Rome by the grandson of Herod but it's was condemned to be wiped off from the face of the earth. It is just another name for the cities so judged and named in Re.11:8.
The town Bethsaida in Galilee plays an important role in the ministry of Jesus. A number of miracles have been attributed to him either there or in its environs. This is also happens to be a place Jesus had earmarked for condemnation. "Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes./But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you."(Matt.11:22-23)
Healing of a blind man here as narrated by Mark is unique in that in order to cure him he had to look up, and not about him but straight up. Jesus asks him to look up, "And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking./After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up." (8:24-25)In order to understand its uniqueness we need compare the healing of man with palsy as given by St John. "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had./And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years." ( John 5:4-8)
God sent his word and healed them and from their destructions.(Ps.107:20). So the angel came from above and he represents the cloud of witnesses primarily to see that the word sent out shall prosper in its circuit and never return to him in void. They are also an army as Elisha showed his servant on the eve of a clear and present danger. "And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes,Lord, so that he may see." Then theLordopened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariotsof fire all around Elisha."(2 Ki.6:17).
Jesus would draw the blind man away from the town already under condemnation as mentioned above. The Spirit gives this as a key to the "angel" mentioned in Re.1:1;22:9. He belongs to the world of the Spirit.
How Jesus presented the loaves in the Feeding of Five Thousand is different than in the Four Thousand. Mark presents the Son of man, "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed" (6:41). His humanity is revealed here. He looks up to heaven so when he gathers the 12 baskets of broken loaves it is the testimony of the word become flesh. Compare it with the Four Thousand,-"And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people."(8:6-7) As the Son he gave thanks or blessed them. He does not look up to heaven as in other case. The Spirit is very particular as draw a distinction between the Son (the heaven) and the Son of man (the earth). In short the body of the scriptures revolve about two loci, from his deity and from his humanity respectively.
It is also noteworthy that the Spirit has given us this short colloquy in order to instruct us the point we make in these posts:
"When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve./ And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.? And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?" (8:19-21) For those who approach his word superficially the Spirit asks ,"How is it that ye do not understand?"
Feeding of the Thousand is given in all four of the gospels but second 'miracle' is reported by Evangelist Matthew and Mark. The former presents, "and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."(Matt.15:32). It is identical with Mark's version. Both treat the multiplying loaves of bread as distinct from the other where the number Three and Seven establish it as the testimony of the Son.
Four Thousand who were filled signifies the body, so the quote from the Hebrews apply to them. "Behold I and the children which God hath given me." Isaiah applied it in his own case,"Behold, I and the children whom theLordhath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from theLordof hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.:(Is.8:18). The narrative mode of Min and Max mode is a variation of the kangaroo word. God set his sons as a sign before Israel so both their names specifically signified the will of God. It shall be fulfilled in entirety in the end times.(4x1000) where one thousand refers to latter days. Thus Isaiah and the writer to the Hebrews are setting total direction of mankind in term of the word of God.
Jesus was concerned for the multitude and did not want to send them away fasting lest they should faint on the way. Isaiah annotate his concern, "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."(59:13). The number Three nails this messianic prophecy on the Son.
The command numbers fix the role of the Son and the Son of man accordingly so the word of God is inerrant. Consequently seven loaves and seven baskets seven pillars, seven days have their niche in the salvation saga.
As a teacher of the Word the Spirit exhorts anyone who does interpreting the word to keep note of the thrust of his argument. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." Comparing apples with pears are for the glory of man and not for God."Instruction in righteousness" is fighting according to the rules. 2 Ti.3:16
"All things were created by him, and for him:/And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Col.1:16-19)
Here is another example. Jesus Christ warns the Laodicean church,"And anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see".(Re.3:18) Ministry reconciliation of Jesus we have in this healing at Bethsaida, of a blind man,"And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking./After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." ( Mark 8:24-25). If foolish shepherds use the word of God to bilk their congregation we can appreciate this comparison spiritual with spiritual. Christ's warning to the church holds true even now.
Coming back to Jesus as the Good shepherd we have "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."(Ze.13:7). What reconciles it to Jesus is the preceding verse. "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." These wounds did not make him retaliate but he cried at the cross. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."( Luke 23:34). The word of reconciliation does its perfect work with word of his grace which as St Paul says, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."(Ac.20:32)
Mark 8:30 is one of several verses indicating Christ told people including the Disciples NOT to tell anyone who He was (namely; the Son of God). He spoke in Parables to hide things from all except those called and chosen (see Matthew 13:10).
When we survey the narrative of the Gospels it leaves us dumbfounded as to how anyone could not realize who Christ was. After all John the Baptist after baptizing a large amount of the entire population including the Pharisees warning them of who was to come identified Christ ( John 1:32 and recorded in Luke 3:22 as being accompanied by a voice from heaven). Only the Spirit could reveal this truth as we see in Matthew 16:17.
There are several reasons for this blindness. One is the god of this world who is mentioned as blinding men to the truth as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 4:4. The second was in the hidden counsels of God more than likely (See Deut. 29:29). If the wicked knew who He was they would have stopped it because it would have led to their guilt in the act and He would inevitably be Resurrected. Satan also may have not been involved because it would mean His defeat as prophesied in Genesis 3:15 (although he is insane enough to ignore what he probably should have known). Israel should have recognized that the suffering servant would also come back as conquering king. They would have waited until He established that Kingdom on earth without having a heart to truly worship Him; reminiscent of the group who finally rebels at the end of the Millennium period.
We need to squarely face this fact in terms of how the unregenerate view Christ. Any affinity one may have for Jesus apart from the grace of God bringing repentance is from a false Christ in our imaginations which inevitably brings a works based attempt at salvation or considering Him a great teacher or Prophet as was the case of those in Matthew 16:14. Church is the congregation of the Holy not a social club for comfort.
As humans He created, we cannot attain to His infinite and boundless Holiness, but in Christ we will become perfected in the life to come to have perfect holy humanity without sin any longer. The angels are also holy and without sin, but they are creatures and thus not holy in the sense of being separate
Friend, its not God's holiness that in dispute here, but our inheritance in Christ, now in this life.
The holy, innocent, pure, blameless, unreproachable life of Christ is our inheritance Rom 8:29 becoming partakers of His Divine Nature, the Fruits of His Spirit which against such there is no law, In Christ, the Father withholds nothing of Himself from us, for Luke 12:32
Its is a perfection of holiness that can be added too, as one grows in knowledge & understanding through the appearance of Grace in our hearts 2Cor 4:6,7
It's known, felt, consummated & possess in this life & is rewarded in the next. 2 Timothy 4:7,8
Christ prayer is answered John 17:21-24
Holiness is none other than being engrafted into God, union & oneness with Him in heart, mind & soul, for He along is Holy
This is the greatness of the salvation Christ purchase, that Hebrews declares "ought not to be neglected".
For 1Thessalonians 4:72Thessalonians 2:13,14
G4047 Obtaining: acquisition, possession (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation, peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.
Concerning angels Mark 8:28
G40- most holy, consecrated
They are separated, Rev 19:10 "I am thy fellowservant, & of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus, worship God"
Your quote is unscriptural,
you are advocating a life of continuous in sin & repentance for life term, there's no fellowship, union or knowing Him in this state according to Scriptures, this teaching becomes a stumbling block to the babes in Christ, Whom God is leading in the Way of holiness, your directly contradicting the teaching of Christ who says deny self & "sin not" & put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
These are but a tiny sampling of what God declares about His WORD, the BIBLE.
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the WORDS of my mouth.
Psalms 119:151,152 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are TRUTH. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke 1:1,2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD;
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the WORD of God, and keep it.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.
Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the WORD of God and prevailed.
Acts 12:24 But the WORD of God grew and multiplied.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
It is clear from Mark 8 and numerous other passages that Christ had crowds following Him everywhere. This; no doubt was a large part of the reason He couldn't rest His head any place.
24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
Mistry to the crowds: Healings; feedings and Parables
What is noteworthy in Christ's ministry is His technique of aligning men's thoughts to the proper focus; that being Christ's purpose. The Parables acted as teaching of who Christ was; in a manner that would only reveal it to those who God draws to Him. Mark 8:30 is one example of Christ admonishing Peter on that subject. In God's Providence; when the truth WAS revealed it would either be to those who God drew; OR it would be given to those who clearly were rejecting Him (Pharisees); which would only elicit hatred and attempted assassinations (which would no doubt fit into His destiny of being captured; rejected and crucified). This is a very sobering thought to ponder; namely that information about who Christ is is never sufficient for conversion without God drawing a man. Jesus escaped man's attempts to kill Him until the proper hour; but also He didn't want to be worshipped as King of the Jews to be a conquering hero because His own people couldn't see the suffering servant prophecy that needed to be fulfilled first. We see how this worked when the crowds shouted "Hosanna" the beginning of His last week on earth; then before it was over were shouting "crucify Him." ( John 19:6). Also as we see a few verses later ( Mark 8:33) Satan was working in Peter to try to stop Him from going to the cross. The cross is an offense to man; and we should look at it's beauty and horror in one picture of this event as it pertains to our atonement and justification by crushing God's son ( Isaiah 53:10).
When looking at the life of Paul ( 2 Cor. 12:17) or that of Job (focusing on chapter 1 and 2 with ramifications through the rest of the book) we see how Satan was actively interfering with and causing suffering for two great men of God. As we know Peter also was given thoughts from Satan ( Mark 8:33); and I recently brought up how that was very soon after something was revealed directly from the Holy Spirit; namely Christ's Divinity ( Matt. 16:17).
These verses give us two major concepts to ponder; first that those who are truly serving the Lord are going to be attacked; and secondly that in a way as a part of the suffering promised to us ( 2 Timothy 3:12) we can be assured that we are one of His own.
That ties into the series I am planning to put forth on assurance of salvation; but I am going to focus on this theme for a moment. I believe that it is fundamental in understanding Ephesians 6:12 and in general to how spiritual oppression and attacks shouldn't be ignored as what we will experience. In fact; all those who oppose us are more or less in league with the god of this world ( 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Peter 4:12-19).
Okay; I am going to pursue this one avenue (I prevaricated above). Satan is the accuser of the brethren ( Rev. 12:10). Since He often begins with the mind dangling the carrot of temptations and the like; then accusing us when we succumb to it brings thoughts that we have of being lost; unworthy; or an overall fear as a result of his minions affecting us. We need to differentiate between a Holy Spirit conviction of John 16:8 and that of our accuser. Also; when we sin and don't seek forgiveness Satan acts as a usurper with the legal authority we have opened up and this is allowed by the Lord oftentimes to buffet us. There is a difference between embracing a lifestyle of sin and momentary lapses. Remember that worldly sin brings death; Godly sorrow leads to repentance. ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
Thanks for asking that good question David0920 concerning our understanding & use of correct biblical hermeneutics.
Biblical hermeneutics then, is the study of the principles and methods of correctly interpreting the text of the Bible. In 2 Timothy 2:15 we see this instruction to properly read & understand the Bible & this is the sole purpose of biblical hermeneutics.
1. The most important rule of biblical hermeneutics is that the Bible should be interpreted literally. We are to understand the Bible in its normal or plain meaning, UNLESS the passage is obviously intended to be symbolic or if figures of speech are used (as you shared about several accounts in The Revelation). The Bible says what it means and means what it says. For e.g., when Jesus spoke of having fed "the five thousand" ( Mark 8:19), the law of hermeneutics says we should understand five thousand literally: there was a crowd of hungry people that numbered five thousand who were fed with real bread and fish by a miracle-working Savior. Any attempt to "spiritualize" the number or to deny a literal miracle is to do injustice to the text and ignore the purpose of language, which is to communicate. Of course, there are lessons to be learned from that event, lessons which you mentioned, but before we arrive at those personal lessons & applications, we must ensure we actually understand what the Bible is saying & not replace words with other words, e.g. the fish or people to mean something else that God wants to tell us.
Some make the mistake of trying to read between the lines of Scripture to come up with esoteric meanings (i.e. only a special few are blessed to understand it), that are not really found in the text, as if every passage has a hidden spiritual truth that we should seek to decipher & then connect the dots. Biblical hermeneutics keeps us faithful to the intended meaning of Scripture and prohibits our allegorizing Bible verses that ought to be understood literally.
Lemme just ramble a bit.... Mark 8:22....Remember the blind man cd not see clearly under the 1st anointing....The blindman is the Church that cannot see clearly under early Church Doctrine...Thats y there are so many different Churches on every corner....None of them cd see clearly under early Church doctrine...Even Paul says we see like thru a glass darkly....The early Church was the same they cd not see clearly...Paul writes i hear there are divisions among you....Simply b/c they cd not see clearly UNDER EARLY Church Doctrine....We all need that 2 nd anointing....My lil Children of whom i travail IN BIRTH AGAIN A 2ND TIME....in birth til Christ is formed in you...It was not till the 2 nd coming when the woman gives birth to THE MANCHILD the Kingdom Gal 4 :19 ....Thats y there is so much confusion in this room no body can see clearly under the written word....The lesser light....The H.G. as the manchild that is gonna rule all nations is the living word the greater light...Remember the 2 nd wine was the best wine on the 3 rd day...But the blindman saw clearly under the 2 nd anointing....The 2 nd coming...When God will pour out of his spirit on ALL FLESH....The gift of the H.G....Which is that lil Child that is gonna rule all nations....The Kingdom does not come till the woman births the Children... Micah 5:3...The Kingdom does not come till the woman births the manchld.. REV 12 :5
Even Bathsheba had to travail a 2 nd time b/f...The great king Solomon was born...The Granson who God wanted to build the temple...Not David the son but Solomon the Granson...Which is the H.G. The 3 rd person that is gonna build his temple in our hearts and minds....As our bodies are the temple of God under the H.G. this New Covenant. in his blood ...And Jesus tells us a greater then Solomon is here..Impling a greater temple will be built under this new covenant in our hearts and minds ...via the H.G. That Child of Promise...Our new hearts and new spirits are the New Heaven n Earth.
No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
A relationship with Jesus is ALL we need No matter what you believe or who you are. For He said "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world & loose his soul?" Mark 8:36. More helpful verses..
John 3:11-21, 5:24, 10:28, Isaiah 49:15&16, 53:10, Luke 18:14 & 17 and so many more yet I have studying to do. God bless & be with each & everyone of you.
"Stress makes you believe everything has to happen right now. Faith Reassures you that everything will happen in Gods timing.!
I agree. It sure seems like Christians are eager to disobey Jesus and what He spoke in Matthew 28:19. Coming up with every possible rationalization to not follow Jesus's words while at the same time claiming to be a Jesus follower. God is the judge and sure He is big and powerful enough to make exceptions and allow anyone in paradise He wants, like the thief on a cross, maybe someone on their death bed who decides to follow Jesus. But why would someone whose goal is to follow Jesus work so hard to NOT follow Jesus? Ashamed? Embarrassed? Mark 8:38Matthew 10:32-33 It seems like a Christian that just doesn't agree with THAT part of Christianity, but the rest of it? Seems like an enormous risk to take in my opinion, almost like a heart of pride and rebellion has something to do with this resistance.
Acts 2:38 - some silently add a "Do NOT..." in front of this verse. Could satan be involved in this? He sure likes deceiving Christians into doing the opposite of what Jesus tells them.
John 14:15 - Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments. Does someone who doesn't obey Jesus truly love Jesus then?
The cross is an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. instrument of crucifixion)
[The "cross" Mark 8:34 is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord's power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ's disciples, believers are to hold true - even when attacked by the ungodly.]
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
The cross is a symbol for Christ followers , used figuratively for the (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower .
Bible has the final authority in all manner of faith and practice. I encourage everyone to read only what God says, which is forever settled-The Bible is the finish revelation of God. Maybe you need to memorize the Bible then read whatever book you want to read to know they are in line with the word of God. The Bible is complete to show you current circumstances and listen only to saved fellow believers' advices.
2 Peter 1:19-21
Jeremiah 23:29-31
Jeremiah 14:14-15
1 Corinthians 13:9-10
2 Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) If you want to see 20/20 vision, it is all written in the Bible.
Titus 1:9-11
Beware:
Matthew 16:6
Matthew 16:11-12
Mark 8:15
Luke 12:1
Colossians 2:8
2 Timothy 3:13
Revelation 20:10
Glory to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:34 .....Whosoever will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up HIS CROSS daily, and follow me.
John 19:17 And he BEARING HIS CROSS went forth to a place called the skull ....
The CROSS, that Christ bore and the cross we bear is not made of WOOD.
Simon bore the WOODEN CROSS; that sinful flesh DIED ON: Christ cross, and our cross, is much heavier; it takes the KNOWLEDGE of the Father to bear that cross.
It has to do with the person's faith, not with Jesus' power. Initially the blind man's faith was not adequate to get a total healing from Jesus. But after he saw people like trees his faith was lifted up to get a complete healing. It doesn't have to do with Jesus' power but with the person's faith. Jesus used that man to teach us how important is one's faith if they want to get something from God Without faith one gets nothing from God. So have faith in your heart.
The message being brought out in Mark Chapter 8 can be understood by what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, where he says that now we see through a glass darkly, dimly. Everything is blurred. Obscure. But when we see Him face to face, then we will know all things.
And so it is interesting that Jesus healed him to a point where he could see things in a blurred fashion, and then healed him so that he could see all things clearly. And that's what Messiah does.
When we see Him face-to-face, He's going to make all things clear. And Jesus said I am the one.
In fact, there were many things that the Jews would celebrate, and they said we don't know the meaning of a lot of these things, but when Messiah comes, He's going to show us.
So Jesus is showing them that with my power, you'll be able to see in this life, even though it will be dimly, it will be blurred, but then when you see me face to face, I'll make all things clear to you.
Here's what took place with the healing of this man. In Mark 8:22, Jesus comes to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man to Him and besought Him to touch the man.
Here's another instance where they said we want you to touch him. They can't just trust Him to say it. They want Jesus to touch him. But it was important to them for Jesus to touch him according to a Jewish custom.
In Verse 23, Jesus took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town. You see, Jesus was not a sensationalist. He led him out of town; and when He had spit on his eyes, He put his hands upon him, and asked him if he saw anything.
Now spitting was not just your normal spittoon and tobacco type spitting, but to the Jews, spitting was a sign of extraction. Even in judgment, they would spit on the ground.
But for the blind, it was interesting that they actually spit on their eyes, because the blind person does not know what you are doing. And if you spit on his eyes, he knows that you are going to extract the blindness. So Jesus put His hands on him and asked him if he saw anything.
The man looked up and said, I see men as trees, walking. He had blurred vision. What's going on here? Didn't Jesus heal him correctly? Well, there are some Jewish customs and doctrine that is being presented here.
Mark 8:25 says, "After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." This makes it seem as it took Jesus two attempts to heal this man, but there's a message being presented here.
The Jews believed that man, the human being, has two kinds of vision. And Paul brought this out in 1 Corinthians 13:12, which was the Jewish version of vision. In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, now we see through a glass darkly, dimly. Everything is blurred. Obscure.
But when we see Him face to face, then we will know all things.
Mark 8:22-26, this seems to be the same account witnessed by John: John 9, whole chapter, note: Exodus 4:11, & John 9:1,3,32,33,39,
Matthew 9:27-31, notice: Mark 10:47-52, this guys "faith, immediately" Luke 18:35-43, notice, the situation you referred to: John 9:35-39,
Psalms 146:8, Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5,6, Isaiah 42:1-21, here in: Matthew 11:5, Luke 7:22, Jesus pointed out the fulfilled prophecy in those ancient scriptures. Matthew 15:31,
Mark 6:1-6,
The mind is a powerful thing, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:23,24, Mark 16:17,
Luke 8:49-50, even death Jesus said "fear not: believe only" ._.
Was it the man's doubt?
Was it an example to not give up, keep trying, keep seeking the miraculous, healings? To encourage us to press on, keep believing, keep trying. (?) or all the above._.
Imagine; if you can the God of the Universe and beyond time itself humbled to live; breathe and die as a man. He truly suffered as our High Priest; but didn't sin. ( 1 Peter 4:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16). He was able to know the hearts of all men; hence didn't need to analyze whether they would be responsive or not to the Word and therefore spoke things in light of that based on whoever He was addressing. However; specific rebuke toward individuals was focused on His Disciples; most notably Peter with the famous statement "get behind me Satan." ( Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33). This was shortly after His statement that Peter's understanding of His being the Son of God was only revealed from God ( Matthew 16:17). There was no misunderstanding in the demon world when they were cast out as to who Christ was. He therefore was operating in the Spirit realm; and based all His conversations and actions on those efforts.
There are unsaid things as well. When the deaf and dumb demon was cast out; Jesus told His disciples in the midst of others that prayer and fasting were necessary to carry out that particular deliverance ( Matthew 17:19-21). This would indicate Christ's preparation for that event along with other times He had reasons to be up well before dawn and late at night with prayer. Knowledge was not necessary but reliance on the Holy Spirit above; and trust in God throughout the process. Since He is our High Priest; he willingly gave up doing anything in His own Divinity so He could be an example of how we are to live trusting entirely on God in our limited state. He still needs to be seen because of having the "Spirit without measure" ( John 3:34). Not acting is as much an example of God's character as actions; when we see that Christ's Divinity would have allowed access to more than 12 legions of angels; which could undoubtably have destroyed everyone at the crucifixion.
Allow me to share an article with you on Biblical hermeneutics.
Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible. Second Timothy 2:15 commands believers to be involved in hermeneutics; "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who correctly handles the word of truth.
The most important law of biblical hermeneutics is that the Bible should be interpreted literally. We are to understand the Bible in its normal or plain meaning, unless the passage is obviously intended to be symbolic or if figures of speech are employed. The Bible says what it means and means what it says. For example, when Jesus speaks of having fed "the five thousand" in Mark 8:19, the law of hermeneutics says we should understand five thousand literally-there was a crowd of hungry people that numbered five thousand who were fed with real bread and fish by a miracle-working Savior.
Any attempt to "spiritualize" the number or to deny a literal miracle is to do injustice to the text and ignore the purpose of language, which is to communicate. Some interpreters make the mistake of trying to read between the lines of Scripture to come up with esoteric meanings that are not truly in the text, as if every passage has a hidden spiritual truth that we should seek to decrypt.
Avoid this type of teaching!
A second crucial law of biblical hermeneutics is that passages must be interpreted historically, grammatically, and contextually. Interpreting a passage historically means we must seek to understand the culture, background, and situation that prompted the text.
A third law of biblical hermeneutics is that Scripture is always the best interpreter of Scripture.
We always compare Scripture with Scripture when trying to determine the meaning of a passage.
The purpose of biblical hermeneutics is to protect us from misapplying Scripture.
God bless.
In fact,there are two types of famine occurring in the world at this time,material famine is figure of spiritual famine,both are signs of JESUS's coming.
Your post suggests two interestings scenaries for us to meditate.The description below gives us two different aspects of the famine's scenaries.
So,speaking of famine,we can compare how our GOD provides a solution for this terrible event,and how Satan and his partners suggest a solution being them demonic governments,devilish religious guides,idolaters,spiritist/esoterics,among others.
How does our GOD provide the solution for this problem of hunger of bread? Mark 8:11-21:
11The Pharisees came forth and question with JESUS, seeking of him a sign from heaven,tempting Him.
12He sighed deeply in His spirit,and saith,Why doth this generation seek after a sign?verily I say unto you,There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
13And he left them,...
14The disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
15JESUS said:Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,and of the leaven of Herod.
16And they reasoned among themselves,saying,It is because we have no bread.
17JESUS knew it and saith unto them,Why reason ye,because ye have no bread?perceive ye not yet,neither understand?have ye your heart yet hardened?
18Having eyes,see ye not?and having ears,hear ye not?and do ye not remember?
19I brake five loaves among five thousand,how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?They say unto Him,Twelve.
20And the seven among four thousand,how many baskets full of fragments took ye up?they said,Seven.
21JESUS said,How is it that ye do not understand?
ITOH, how does Satan and his partners provide solution for this problem of hunger of bread?
They simply say:Command that stones be made bread.The heart of demonic men are like stone,the world of Devil is full of stones,they suggest for asking for alms,they create beggars. James 5:1-6 combined with Matthew 19:23.
"And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town."
Jesus laid his hand upon the blind man second time and his answer establishes that he was the Christ, the Son of God. His laying hand is very similar to the shadow, an example we have seen in the Acts of the Apostles.(5:15) The shadow of Peter doubling for ' under the shadow of the Almighty." By sending him away Jesus was commanding to live by faith in God who as the Psalmist confesses, "in him will I trust."(Ps.91:1-2).In other words he was ordained to live serving Him so he was to seek fellowship elsewhere and not with the unbelievers. "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure./...Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."(1 Ti.5:22,24)
Calling was universal as the Marriage of the King's Son tells us. "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage./ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests."(Matt.22:9-10). But without righteousness no one will be admitted.
Kingdom of God is not about quantity but of life everlasting. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost./For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men."(Ro.14:17-18)
Jesus at the end of the parable said,"For many are called, but few are chosen."(Matt.22:14). God knows who are his which has no expiry date. In his Son God has foreseen them and the word of God shall see it is fulfilled "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land."( Luke 4:25) See the tag of Three and a half?
"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.
The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.
In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.
Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)
"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him./ And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town"
In Ch.6 :45 we find that after Feeding the Five Thousand Jesus sent his disciples by a ship on the sea of Galilee while he took time out to pray. The miracle of walking on water occurs here. Bethsaida may be the epitome of wicked and adulterous generation Jesus refers to in Ch.8:11-13 "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him./ And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." This also happens about the same lake. St Mark uses the stilling of the boisterous sea by Jesus for a purpose. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased." (6:51) The troubled sea refers to the wicked world and Bethsaida was condemned for their rejection of the Son. For this reason Jesus laid the blind man out of the town.
So what lesson do we take from the healing of the blind? He looks up and saw men walking as trees; isn't this how false teachers declare prosperity and their active faith the means to make them richer? "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."(8:15). Man of flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. So Christ lays his hand again upon him,"After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." When we see Christian nationalism and culture wars about us be certain their blindness is no less.
Bethsaida was renamed as Julia as a sop to the Imperial Rome by the grandson of Herod but it's was condemned to be wiped off from the face of the earth. It is just another name for the cities so judged and named in Re.11:8.
The town Bethsaida in Galilee plays an important role in the ministry of Jesus. A number of miracles have been attributed to him either there or in its environs. This is also happens to be a place Jesus had earmarked for condemnation. "Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes./But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you."(Matt.11:22-23)
Healing of a blind man here as narrated by Mark is unique in that in order to cure him he had to look up, and not about him but straight up. Jesus asks him to look up, "And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking./After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up." (8:24-25)In order to understand its uniqueness we need compare the healing of man with palsy as given by St John. "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had./And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years." ( John 5:4-8)
God sent his word and healed them and from their destructions.(Ps.107:20). So the angel came from above and he represents the cloud of witnesses primarily to see that the word sent out shall prosper in its circuit and never return to him in void. They are also an army as Elisha showed his servant on the eve of a clear and present danger. "And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes,Lord, so that he may see." Then theLordopened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariotsof fire all around Elisha."(2 Ki.6:17).
Jesus would draw the blind man away from the town already under condemnation as mentioned above. The Spirit gives this as a key to the "angel" mentioned in Re.1:1;22:9. He belongs to the world of the Spirit.
How Jesus presented the loaves in the Feeding of Five Thousand is different than in the Four Thousand. Mark presents the Son of man, "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed" (6:41). His humanity is revealed here. He looks up to heaven so when he gathers the 12 baskets of broken loaves it is the testimony of the word become flesh. Compare it with the Four Thousand,-"And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people."(8:6-7) As the Son he gave thanks or blessed them. He does not look up to heaven as in other case. The Spirit is very particular as draw a distinction between the Son (the heaven) and the Son of man (the earth). In short the body of the scriptures revolve about two loci, from his deity and from his humanity respectively.
It is also noteworthy that the Spirit has given us this short colloquy in order to instruct us the point we make in these posts:
"When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve./ And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.? And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?" (8:19-21) For those who approach his word superficially the Spirit asks ,"How is it that ye do not understand?"
Feeding of the Thousand is given in all four of the gospels but second 'miracle' is reported by Evangelist Matthew and Mark. The former presents, "and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."(Matt.15:32). It is identical with Mark's version. Both treat the multiplying loaves of bread as distinct from the other where the number Three and Seven establish it as the testimony of the Son.
Four Thousand who were filled signifies the body, so the quote from the Hebrews apply to them. "Behold I and the children which God hath given me." Isaiah applied it in his own case,"Behold, I and the children whom theLordhath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from theLordof hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.:(Is.8:18). The narrative mode of Min and Max mode is a variation of the kangaroo word. God set his sons as a sign before Israel so both their names specifically signified the will of God. It shall be fulfilled in entirety in the end times.(4x1000) where one thousand refers to latter days. Thus Isaiah and the writer to the Hebrews are setting total direction of mankind in term of the word of God.
Jesus was concerned for the multitude and did not want to send them away fasting lest they should faint on the way. Isaiah annotate his concern, "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."(59:13). The number Three nails this messianic prophecy on the Son.
The command numbers fix the role of the Son and the Son of man accordingly so the word of God is inerrant. Consequently seven loaves and seven baskets seven pillars, seven days have their niche in the salvation saga.
As a teacher of the Word the Spirit exhorts anyone who does interpreting the word to keep note of the thrust of his argument. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." Comparing apples with pears are for the glory of man and not for God."Instruction in righteousness" is fighting according to the rules. 2 Ti.3:16
"All things were created by him, and for him:/And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Col.1:16-19)
Here is another example. Jesus Christ warns the Laodicean church,"And anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see".(Re.3:18) Ministry reconciliation of Jesus we have in this healing at Bethsaida, of a blind man,"And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking./After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." ( Mark 8:24-25). If foolish shepherds use the word of God to bilk their congregation we can appreciate this comparison spiritual with spiritual. Christ's warning to the church holds true even now.
Coming back to Jesus as the Good shepherd we have "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."(Ze.13:7). What reconciles it to Jesus is the preceding verse. "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." These wounds did not make him retaliate but he cried at the cross. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."( Luke 23:34). The word of reconciliation does its perfect work with word of his grace which as St Paul says, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."(Ac.20:32)
Mark 8:30 is one of several verses indicating Christ told people including the Disciples NOT to tell anyone who He was (namely; the Son of God). He spoke in Parables to hide things from all except those called and chosen (see Matthew 13:10).
When we survey the narrative of the Gospels it leaves us dumbfounded as to how anyone could not realize who Christ was. After all John the Baptist after baptizing a large amount of the entire population including the Pharisees warning them of who was to come identified Christ ( John 1:32 and recorded in Luke 3:22 as being accompanied by a voice from heaven). Only the Spirit could reveal this truth as we see in Matthew 16:17.
There are several reasons for this blindness. One is the god of this world who is mentioned as blinding men to the truth as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 4:4. The second was in the hidden counsels of God more than likely (See Deut. 29:29). If the wicked knew who He was they would have stopped it because it would have led to their guilt in the act and He would inevitably be Resurrected. Satan also may have not been involved because it would mean His defeat as prophesied in Genesis 3:15 (although he is insane enough to ignore what he probably should have known). Israel should have recognized that the suffering servant would also come back as conquering king. They would have waited until He established that Kingdom on earth without having a heart to truly worship Him; reminiscent of the group who finally rebels at the end of the Millennium period.
We need to squarely face this fact in terms of how the unregenerate view Christ. Any affinity one may have for Jesus apart from the grace of God bringing repentance is from a false Christ in our imaginations which inevitably brings a works based attempt at salvation or considering Him a great teacher or Prophet as was the case of those in Matthew 16:14. Church is the congregation of the Holy not a social club for comfort.
As humans He created, we cannot attain to His infinite and boundless Holiness, but in Christ we will become perfected in the life to come to have perfect holy humanity without sin any longer. The angels are also holy and without sin, but they are creatures and thus not holy in the sense of being separate
Friend, its not God's holiness that in dispute here, but our inheritance in Christ, now in this life.
The holy, innocent, pure, blameless, unreproachable life of Christ is our inheritance Rom 8:29 becoming partakers of His Divine Nature, the Fruits of His Spirit which against such there is no law, In Christ, the Father withholds nothing of Himself from us, for Luke 12:32
Its is a perfection of holiness that can be added too, as one grows in knowledge & understanding through the appearance of Grace in our hearts 2Cor 4:6,7
It's known, felt, consummated & possess in this life & is rewarded in the next. 2 Timothy 4:7,8
Christ prayer is answered John 17:21-24
Holiness is none other than being engrafted into God, union & oneness with Him in heart, mind & soul, for He along is Holy
This is the greatness of the salvation Christ purchase, that Hebrews declares "ought not to be neglected".
For 1Thessalonians 4:7 2Thessalonians 2:13,14
G4047 Obtaining: acquisition, possession (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation, peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.
Concerning angels Mark 8:28
G40- most holy, consecrated
They are separated, Rev 19:10 "I am thy fellowservant, & of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus, worship God"
Your quote is unscriptural,
you are advocating a life of continuous in sin & repentance for life term, there's no fellowship, union or knowing Him in this state according to Scriptures, this teaching becomes a stumbling block to the babes in Christ, Whom God is leading in the Way of holiness, your directly contradicting the teaching of Christ who says deny self & "sin not" & put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
These are but a tiny sampling of what God declares about His WORD, the BIBLE.
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the WORDS of my mouth.
Psalms 119:151,152 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are TRUTH. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke 1:1,2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD;
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the WORD of God, and keep it.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.
Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the WORD of God and prevailed.
Acts 12:24 But the WORD of God grew and multiplied.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
It is clear from Mark 8 and numerous other passages that Christ had crowds following Him everywhere. This; no doubt was a large part of the reason He couldn't rest His head any place.
24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
Mistry to the crowds: Healings; feedings and Parables
What is noteworthy in Christ's ministry is His technique of aligning men's thoughts to the proper focus; that being Christ's purpose. The Parables acted as teaching of who Christ was; in a manner that would only reveal it to those who God draws to Him. Mark 8:30 is one example of Christ admonishing Peter on that subject. In God's Providence; when the truth WAS revealed it would either be to those who God drew; OR it would be given to those who clearly were rejecting Him (Pharisees); which would only elicit hatred and attempted assassinations (which would no doubt fit into His destiny of being captured; rejected and crucified). This is a very sobering thought to ponder; namely that information about who Christ is is never sufficient for conversion without God drawing a man. Jesus escaped man's attempts to kill Him until the proper hour; but also He didn't want to be worshipped as King of the Jews to be a conquering hero because His own people couldn't see the suffering servant prophecy that needed to be fulfilled first. We see how this worked when the crowds shouted "Hosanna" the beginning of His last week on earth; then before it was over were shouting "crucify Him." ( John 19:6). Also as we see a few verses later ( Mark 8:33) Satan was working in Peter to try to stop Him from going to the cross. The cross is an offense to man; and we should look at it's beauty and horror in one picture of this event as it pertains to our atonement and justification by crushing God's son ( Isaiah 53:10).
When looking at the life of Paul ( 2 Cor. 12:17) or that of Job (focusing on chapter 1 and 2 with ramifications through the rest of the book) we see how Satan was actively interfering with and causing suffering for two great men of God. As we know Peter also was given thoughts from Satan ( Mark 8:33); and I recently brought up how that was very soon after something was revealed directly from the Holy Spirit; namely Christ's Divinity ( Matt. 16:17).
These verses give us two major concepts to ponder; first that those who are truly serving the Lord are going to be attacked; and secondly that in a way as a part of the suffering promised to us ( 2 Timothy 3:12) we can be assured that we are one of His own.
That ties into the series I am planning to put forth on assurance of salvation; but I am going to focus on this theme for a moment. I believe that it is fundamental in understanding Ephesians 6:12 and in general to how spiritual oppression and attacks shouldn't be ignored as what we will experience. In fact; all those who oppose us are more or less in league with the god of this world ( 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Peter 4:12-19).
Okay; I am going to pursue this one avenue (I prevaricated above). Satan is the accuser of the brethren ( Rev. 12:10). Since He often begins with the mind dangling the carrot of temptations and the like; then accusing us when we succumb to it brings thoughts that we have of being lost; unworthy; or an overall fear as a result of his minions affecting us. We need to differentiate between a Holy Spirit conviction of John 16:8 and that of our accuser. Also; when we sin and don't seek forgiveness Satan acts as a usurper with the legal authority we have opened up and this is allowed by the Lord oftentimes to buffet us. There is a difference between embracing a lifestyle of sin and momentary lapses. Remember that worldly sin brings death; Godly sorrow leads to repentance. ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
Thanks for asking that good question David0920 concerning our understanding & use of correct biblical hermeneutics.
Biblical hermeneutics then, is the study of the principles and methods of correctly interpreting the text of the Bible. In 2 Timothy 2:15 we see this instruction to properly read & understand the Bible & this is the sole purpose of biblical hermeneutics.
1. The most important rule of biblical hermeneutics is that the Bible should be interpreted literally. We are to understand the Bible in its normal or plain meaning, UNLESS the passage is obviously intended to be symbolic or if figures of speech are used (as you shared about several accounts in The Revelation). The Bible says what it means and means what it says. For e.g., when Jesus spoke of having fed "the five thousand" ( Mark 8:19), the law of hermeneutics says we should understand five thousand literally: there was a crowd of hungry people that numbered five thousand who were fed with real bread and fish by a miracle-working Savior. Any attempt to "spiritualize" the number or to deny a literal miracle is to do injustice to the text and ignore the purpose of language, which is to communicate. Of course, there are lessons to be learned from that event, lessons which you mentioned, but before we arrive at those personal lessons & applications, we must ensure we actually understand what the Bible is saying & not replace words with other words, e.g. the fish or people to mean something else that God wants to tell us.
Some make the mistake of trying to read between the lines of Scripture to come up with esoteric meanings (i.e. only a special few are blessed to understand it), that are not really found in the text, as if every passage has a hidden spiritual truth that we should seek to decipher & then connect the dots. Biblical hermeneutics keeps us faithful to the intended meaning of Scripture and prohibits our allegorizing Bible verses that ought to be understood literally.
Even Bathsheba had to travail a 2 nd time b/f...The great king Solomon was born...The Granson who God wanted to build the temple...Not David the son but Solomon the Granson...Which is the H.G. The 3 rd person that is gonna build his temple in our hearts and minds....As our bodies are the temple of God under the H.G. this New Covenant. in his blood ...And Jesus tells us a greater then Solomon is here..Impling a greater temple will be built under this new covenant in our hearts and minds ...via the H.G. That Child of Promise...Our new hearts and new spirits are the New Heaven n Earth.
No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
Philippians 2:1-15, Colossians 1:10-29 ,
Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
John 3:11-21, 5:24, 10:28, Isaiah 49:15&16, 53:10, Luke 18:14 & 17 and so many more yet I have studying to do. God bless & be with each & everyone of you.
"Stress makes you believe everything has to happen right now. Faith Reassures you that everything will happen in Gods timing.!
Acts 2:38 - some silently add a "Do NOT..." in front of this verse. Could satan be involved in this? He sure likes deceiving Christians into doing the opposite of what Jesus tells them.
John 14:15 - Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments. Does someone who doesn't obey Jesus truly love Jesus then?
The cross is an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. instrument of crucifixion)
[The "cross" Mark 8:34 is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord's power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ's disciples, believers are to hold true - even when attacked by the ungodly.]
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
The cross is a symbol for Christ followers , used figuratively for the (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower .
If your referring to New Jerusalem Revelation 21,
But it's not a day nor hour we, nor the angels know Matthew 24:34-36,
Hopefully this is helpful
2 Peter 1:19-21
Jeremiah 23:29-31
Jeremiah 14:14-15
1 Corinthians 13:9-10
2 Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) If you want to see 20/20 vision, it is all written in the Bible.
Titus 1:9-11
Beware:
Matthew 16:6
Matthew 16:11-12
Mark 8:15
Luke 12:1
Colossians 2:8
2 Timothy 3:13
Revelation 20:10
Glory to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Words for THOUGHT:
Mark 8:34 .....Whosoever will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up HIS CROSS daily, and follow me.
John 19:17 And he BEARING HIS CROSS went forth to a place called the skull ....
The CROSS, that Christ bore and the cross we bear is not made of WOOD.
Simon bore the WOODEN CROSS; that sinful flesh DIED ON: Christ cross, and our cross, is much heavier; it takes the KNOWLEDGE of the Father to bear that cross.
God Bless YOU!
spread that Jesus Christ was a holy Man. Now even to this day in the middle east a holy mans spittle is believed to have
healing power so the times when Jesus Christ used spittle was because God told him to. If someone was not healed
immediately it had nothing to do with gods power it had everything to do with the unbelief he was surrounded by. When he
raised lazarus from the dead nobody believed he was going to do it that's why he wept and also that's why he said out loud
I know my father always hears me and then said out loud Lazarus come forth. Nothing has changed people still don't believe
God can move that big.
John,
The message being brought out in Mark Chapter 8 can be understood by what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, where he says that now we see through a glass darkly, dimly. Everything is blurred. Obscure. But when we see Him face to face, then we will know all things.
And so it is interesting that Jesus healed him to a point where he could see things in a blurred fashion, and then healed him so that he could see all things clearly. And that's what Messiah does.
When we see Him face-to-face, He's going to make all things clear. And Jesus said I am the one.
In fact, there were many things that the Jews would celebrate, and they said we don't know the meaning of a lot of these things, but when Messiah comes, He's going to show us.
So Jesus is showing them that with my power, you'll be able to see in this life, even though it will be dimly, it will be blurred, but then when you see me face to face, I'll make all things clear to you.
Here's what took place with the healing of this man. In Mark 8:22, Jesus comes to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man to Him and besought Him to touch the man.
Here's another instance where they said we want you to touch him. They can't just trust Him to say it. They want Jesus to touch him. But it was important to them for Jesus to touch him according to a Jewish custom.
In Verse 23, Jesus took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town. You see, Jesus was not a sensationalist. He led him out of town; and when He had spit on his eyes, He put his hands upon him, and asked him if he saw anything.
Now spitting was not just your normal spittoon and tobacco type spitting, but to the Jews, spitting was a sign of extraction. Even in judgment, they would spit on the ground.
But for the blind, it was interesting that they actually spit on their eyes, because the blind person does not know what you are doing. And if you spit on his eyes, he knows that you are going to extract the blindness. So Jesus put His hands on him and asked him if he saw anything.
The man looked up and said, I see men as trees, walking. He had blurred vision. What's going on here? Didn't Jesus heal him correctly? Well, there are some Jewish customs and doctrine that is being presented here.
Mark 8:25 says, "After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." This makes it seem as it took Jesus two attempts to heal this man, but there's a message being presented here.
The Jews believed that man, the human being, has two kinds of vision. And Paul brought this out in 1 Corinthians 13:12, which was the Jewish version of vision. In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, now we see through a glass darkly, dimly. Everything is blurred. Obscure.
But when we see Him face to face, then we will know all things.
I need more space so I will send a part 2.
Matthew 9:27-31, notice: Mark 10:47-52, this guys "faith, immediately" Luke 18:35-43, notice, the situation you referred to: John 9:35-39,
Psalms 146:8, Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5,6, Isaiah 42:1-21, here in: Matthew 11:5, Luke 7:22, Jesus pointed out the fulfilled prophecy in those ancient scriptures. Matthew 15:31,
Mark 6:1-6,
The mind is a powerful thing, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:23,24, Mark 16:17,
Luke 8:49-50, even death Jesus said "fear not: believe only" ._.
Was it the man's doubt?
Was it an example to not give up, keep trying, keep seeking the miraculous, healings? To encourage us to press on, keep believing, keep trying. (?) or all the above._.
Imagine; if you can the God of the Universe and beyond time itself humbled to live; breathe and die as a man. He truly suffered as our High Priest; but didn't sin. ( 1 Peter 4:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16). He was able to know the hearts of all men; hence didn't need to analyze whether they would be responsive or not to the Word and therefore spoke things in light of that based on whoever He was addressing. However; specific rebuke toward individuals was focused on His Disciples; most notably Peter with the famous statement "get behind me Satan." ( Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33). This was shortly after His statement that Peter's understanding of His being the Son of God was only revealed from God ( Matthew 16:17). There was no misunderstanding in the demon world when they were cast out as to who Christ was. He therefore was operating in the Spirit realm; and based all His conversations and actions on those efforts.
There are unsaid things as well. When the deaf and dumb demon was cast out; Jesus told His disciples in the midst of others that prayer and fasting were necessary to carry out that particular deliverance ( Matthew 17:19-21). This would indicate Christ's preparation for that event along with other times He had reasons to be up well before dawn and late at night with prayer. Knowledge was not necessary but reliance on the Holy Spirit above; and trust in God throughout the process. Since He is our High Priest; he willingly gave up doing anything in His own Divinity so He could be an example of how we are to live trusting entirely on God in our limited state. He still needs to be seen because of having the "Spirit without measure" ( John 3:34). Not acting is as much an example of God's character as actions; when we see that Christ's Divinity would have allowed access to more than 12 legions of angels; which could undoubtably have destroyed everyone at the crucifixion.