Walking in the Spirit-Study on how to see the Lord in others
Let us focus again on the Matthew 16 passage. 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
I am hammering home this concept because it is paramount in understanding who the Lord is; and needed to be understood if anyone is to grow as a true Disciple. Let us examine several problems here. The first problem would be considering that somehow the soul of one of these three prophets was living inside Christ which seems to be the concept here; a sort of "reincarnation"; except for the case of John the Baptist who it appears Herod thought had repossessed Christ after having him killed ( Matthew 14:1-2). The concept of the Holy Ghost manifesting in someone as He did with someone else isn't entirely wrong or unscriptural; we see for instance Elisha having a double portion of the Spirit that Elijah had ( 2 Kings 2:9). John the Baptist also was like Elijah in a way ( Matthew 17:12). This correct analogy of course is NOT what people are saying. This fits in also to those who would call Him teacher or Rabbi. Luke 16:15 warns us that what is honorable among men is an abomination to God. Names and titles mean nothing; neither does human pride. Let us once again examine this concept of exaltation of Pastors.
The easy point to make here is that we should never put men on a pedestal; or substitute worship for God alone to a man.
This doesn't change the fact that we should seek examples to emulate; as it is essential for discipleship.
My last two posts were a general look at accuracy of historical and more recent information as seen through the media and historical accounts. A realistic view of the Bible sees it set apart as having all things necessary for instruction; rebuke; etc as 2 Timothy 3:16 states. We often use other sources such as Foxe's Book of Martyrs to fill in the details; and most of us have the idea that all but one of the original Apostles was martyred. The scripture only mentions James the brother of John killed in Acts 12:2. We can assess from the writings of Paul that he knew his time of departure was at hand; but Acts 28 stops short of his martyrdom. From Christ's words to Peter in John 21:18 as to his fate of martyrdom as well. Whether John in Revelation was boiled in oil unsuccessfully before his Patmos exile is not as far as I know proven.
Often we CAN read into what is not said in scripture. Jesus was basically left out of anything but a bare bones description of his time before His minstry began after John the Baptist baptised Him. I would imagine he was perfect in being a carpenter and all that it entailed but we just need to understand that He fulfilled the law perfectly in His life and ultimately His death.
When we look at Christ's personal prayer life in particular; we see that He knew the importance of withdrawing before certain events and praying all night at times; as He did before picking the Disciples; as well as fasting and prayer which He likely did both practices before upbraiding those who didn't remain proactive in general to be spiritually strong at the casting out of the demon in Matthew 17:21. We don't see ANY indication that any of the Apostles or Disciples prayed before the Resurrection. It doesn't prove it didn't happen but certainly indicates it was probably very deficient.
The Bible clearly does NOT put people but God on display. Even mourning for Moses had to end ( Joshua 1:2).
What is the commandment of God now in the new testament? Not the ten commandments the law of Moses. It is now in Christ Jesus as God turned the show over to his Son Jesus Christ. The law of spirit of life.
Matthew 17:5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Matthew 28:18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
2nd Cor 1:19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Jesus now owns the show. What Paul is talking about in 1st Cor 7:19 circumcision or uncircumcision means nothing any more in the new testament, we are now circumcised in heart and no longer an outward appearence. You are still trying to preach a Jesus that is born of Mary as if he is still here. My Jrsus we know more after the flesh as it is not an outward appearance but an inward one. Your glorifying in appearance and not in the heart
2nd Cor 5:12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
Circumcision or uncircumcision don't matter in the new testament we are one in Christ.
Col 3:[9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
[10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
[11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
The Commandments of Jesus = his words of spirit and life John 6:63. Get out of the old and into the new as old things has passed away and all things have become new.
Don't know where you get your teaching Elijiah serves as a double for the Son. Not bible. John the Baptist had the sane spirit as Elijiah which means he had the same words. Elijiah himself did not come down to John the Baptist, John had the same spirit as Elijiah. Elijiah visited Jesus and he will be coming back with Moses according to Revelation 11:6. Elijiah did not physically serve as a double for Jesus. That is like saying your earthly mother is serving as a double for your sister. It don't work that way. Samething in the bible. It is the spirit of words Elijiah that people had and not his person.
Rev 11:6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Malachi 4:5] Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
[6] And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Matthew 17:10] And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
[11] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
[12] But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
[13] Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Mark 9:4] And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
[5] And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
[6] For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
[7] And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
The most important thing is what JESUS said: Luke 20:35-36
35 But they which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world (next world-the Kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15-18, among other biblical references), and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Revelation 5:10
10 And hast made us unto our GOD kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Matthew 5:5
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Act 1:9-11
9 And when JESUS had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a CLOUD received Him out of their sight. ( Matthew 17:5-5 While JESUS yet spake, behold, a bright CLOUD overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 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.
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
Hebrews 6:4-9
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Perhaps the second set of verses from Hebrews helps to explain the first passage. In some sense; the wicked wish to turn away from all they have been enlightened with which in some sense explains why they can't be renewed into repentance since they have decided with all the evidence given to turn back to their sins. They have in some sense repented from committing to God and turned back to the world; flesh and the Devil being ashamed of what they consider foolish ways of ignorance apart from their own wisdom. Whether repentance can mean turning from God back to wickedness may be questionable; what is scary here is that much like Lucifer all the evidences of God's glory is seen and because of pride is rejected. As Jesus Himself said in John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. WE MUST NOT BE ASHAMED OF GOD'S METHOD to be admitted into heaven; it is the narrow way to life that must be followed ( Matthew 17:13-14). More in next post.
Thank you for your reply. I will first point out where the holy bible doesn't agree with you. As we all understand Christ required faith in order to Heal people Matthew 17:20 KJV, so in essence it was peoples Faith that allowed Christ to heal. Yet, Christ is merciful whereas the law is unmerciful, so Christ understanding that it isn't about "all or nothing" concerning matters of faith therefore Christ requires only a "mustard seed" of faith (i.e. something that will grow into great faith!) Therefore, Christ gives this example: "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 KJV And the man whom Christ was talking to admitted something very Profound: "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24 KJV Then Christ cast out the demon. You see Bennymkje, if what you say is true then any unbelief wouldn't allow Christ to heal someone, yet God is merciful because sometimes The Journey is just as important as The Destination. Remember Grace, for we are under Grace Today, while it is still Today!
If you've never been through the book of Revelation before, you might be interested in knowing that the study of the introduction to the book of Revelation is a study in and of itself.
It could take several long posts to go over everything, so what I have done is excerpted out some of the main points.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Apostle John. The Apostle John is not John the Baptist.
The Apostle John is mentioned five times in the Book of Revelation: 1:1; 1:4; 1:9; 21:2; 22:8.
The Apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as the sons of Zebedee, found in Matthew 10:2-4.
Jesus gave them the name "The sons of thunder," recorded in Mark 3:17. They always wanted to call fire down from heaven and consume people if they didn't want anything to do with the Lord. There's a lot of "sons of thunder" in the church today!
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus, and spent many special times with the Lord, Matthew 17:1; 26:37.
The Apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death.
What is interesting, in association with the book of Revelation, is that tradition says that around 86 A.D., they tried to execute John by dipping him in burning oil. And after they pulled him out, nothing was wrong with him. And they figured that they couldn't kill him, so they decided to exile him off onto the island of Patmos.
Again, most of the introduction to 3 John will be the same as 1 & 2 John. I will share a couple of pieces of information that will be different. I would like to point out that all of John's writings (other than the gospel of John), are in the Jewish Literature section of the New Testament.
It was written to the Jews, Jewish believers. But that didn't eliminate or cause the Gentiles not to be able to receive from the truth from these letters.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The apostle John. This is not John the Baptist. This is the apostle, John.
The apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as "The Sons of Zebedee" ( Matthew 10:2-4). Jesus gave them the name "The Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17).
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord ( Matthew 17:1; 26:37).
The apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death.
John wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and the Book of Revelation.
And you should keep in mind that even though he wrote the Gospel of John that's at the beginning of the New Testament, the gospel of John was one of the last books written in chronological order. But it was put at the beginning so that all of the gospels could be put together about the earthly ministry of Christ.
Most of this introduction will be the same as I presented in 1 John in which I shared an overall introduction to all three books.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Apostle John. The Apostle John is not John the Baptist.
The Apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as "The Sons of Zebedee" ( Matthew 10:2-4). Jesus gave them the name "The Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17).
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord ( Matthew 17:1; Matthew 26:37).
The Apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death.
John wrote the Gospel of John, I, II and III John, and the Book of Revelation.
II. ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
The Apostle John wrote I, II and III John to the churches of Asia Minor over which John exercised Apostolic leadership in his later years. Most of the recipients of his letters were Jewish believers but the letters were written for all of the believers in the churches.
III. ABOUT THE DATE AND LOCATION:
I John was written sometime in the late 80s or early 90s A.D. It is believed John's letters were written soon after he composed the Gospel of John. All five of John's letters were written from Ephesus where he spent his elder years leading the churches in Asia Minor.
The Apostle John is the author. He is not to be confused with John the Baptist. He is a completely different person. We can get confused with the different people by the name of John in the scriptures. This is the Apostle John, one of the original 12 Apostles.
The Apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as "The Sons of Zebedee" ( Matthew 10:2-4). Zebedee was their father.
Jesus gave them the name "The Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17). As they travelled with Jesus and the other disciples, they were the ones that said if people rejected Christ, they wanted to know if the Lord wanted to call fire down from heaven and consume them. They wanted to be the guys that blow everybody up if they don't believe. So, they're called the "Sons of Thunder" by Jesus.
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord, on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1. Also, in the garden before Jesus died, the three of them were with Him as He was praying in Matthew 26:37.
The Apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death. Tradition says that they tried to kill him by dipping him in burning oil. But when he came out, he wasn't harmed. So, they put him out on the island of Patmos to serve his time out there. And it was on the island of Patmos where he received what we know as the book of Revelation.
John wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2 and 3 John, and the Book of Revelation.
Chris (Hopefully this will post as it is a correction to a comment deleted from the Mod Queue)
Any understanding of the Salvation of OT Believers must take into account these verses.
Matthew 17:1-3 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold THERE APPEARED UNTO THEM MOSES AND ELIAS TALKING WITH HIM.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; FOR GOD TOOK HIM.
2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and ELIJAH WENT UP BY A WHIRLWIND INTO HEAVEN.
These things could happen because the EFFICACY of Christ's Atonement, the payment for their sins, existed from the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, i.e. from CREATION. As we read in Rev 13:8 that Christ was THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Additionally we read in Hebrews 4:1-3 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM {OT Israel}: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: ALTHOUGH THE WORKS { Rev 13:8} WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
And this is the reason that OT Believers could be and were BORN AGAIN just like NT Believers. And when they died physically they went to be with Christ in Heaven in their soul existence, exactly like NT Believers. And they did not go into the never never land of someplace called Hades for centuries.
One Gospel; One Salvation; One application of Salvation; One Destination upon physical death. For OT and NT Believers ALIKE.
Thanks for your input regarding this subject of sin. Your are stating something that most Christians (including myself) have been taught to believe over many years. You stated: But we will not and CANNOT become a sinless personality until we have become "saved" both in SOUL and BODY. If we can't, then why did Jesus give us His Holy Spirit? John3:6-7 1John 3:9. John1:12
I mean no disrespect here, but you are reiterating the mindset of millions of Christians. I accepted this view for years, and didn't begin to question it until recently. Common sense tells me that if we convince ourselves the we CANNOT do something -we can assure ourselves that we will NEVER accomplish our goal. Our goal according to God/Jesus is to stop sinning! John 5:14John 8:11
Matthew 17:20
"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
I believe that our failure to stop sinning is directly related to our faith. If Jesus tells us we can move a mountain he is telling us that we can stop sinning.
David you are saying that we can't stop sinning even with God's Holy Spirit which in direct contradiction to Matt 17:20 with Jesus telling us directly - "nothing shall be impossible unto you" do you believe this? Something that we all need to think about.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST (PART TWO: LUKE 9:37-62)
37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
These verses demonstrate how Jesus was besieged by crowds whenever He appeared. The request is from a man in regard to his only child requesting healing (v. 38-40). The upbraiding by Christ in verse 41 was unclear in whether it represented the lack of faith of the Disciples; the man himself or the crowd in general (perhaps all three). He cast out the demon; and other cross references in Mark 9 and Matthew 17:21 states that prayer and fasting were needed to perform this casting out. Perhaps we see how the previous experience in the beginning of the chapter wasn't enough to make the Disciples proactive; or it made them think that success was guaranteed without proper preparation in prayer (where God may have revealed that He wanted them to fast).
Yes, I believe we can, if we have Faith in God, and Believe in His words, and we live in His Spirit, Jesus tells us all things are Possible. Matthew 17:201 John 3:5-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:17
Just like the scripture above, we would like to believe it, but we have doubt, and so our unbelief continues to provide Satan the opportunity to sow doubt, and we give him a resting place in our mind, and the ongoing ability to continue to control our mind.
Today, all we hear is a loud and deafening drumbeat from Christians telling other Christians - we can never stop sinning, reinforcing sin contrary to what Jesus tells us what he expects from us. John 8:11 and John 5:14
"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
Today God gives us the same choice that he gave Adam and Eve. Gen 2:16-17 But we continue to eat from the wrong tree.
4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened"....."If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance".
Don't these people realize that they spit in the face of Jesus and threw away their salvation???? There's no 2nd chance for them. Many false preachers/deceivers are in the world, teaching non-Biblical nonsense. I see billions of people sliding down a greased pole to hell.
I cringe whenever I hear of "Christians" who ditched Jesus in favor of Islam, or any other "religion".
Matthew 17:5
"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which (God) said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
Christians get a bad rap. They are commissioned to spread the Word that only Jesus can save humans from their sins. Christians try to warn others that if they don't repent of their sins and seek Jesus, they will go to hell.
As a Christian (but not a very good one) I'm so sick of the wicked and their in-your-face debauchery. Christians are accused of being controlling, hypocritical and hateful. It's so disheartening and exhausting to try to talk to these people. Should I grieve for anyone who knowingly rejects Jesus and dies in their sins??? I'm sure God and Jesus are broken hearted. Somewhere people got the idea that Hell will be one big party. NOT!
May 2, 2023 I Sterling Campbell started a 40 day fast of no food, only water and Spiritual food from Gods Word.
The reason for staring this fast is this; I have been struggling with the sin of lust since I was 8 years old. I asked Jesus Christ into my heart when I was 12 and was baptized. At 17, still struggling with lust, but trying to serve God, I got insnared with the deadly sin of pornography witch coincides with lust. Now at the age of 34 I still struggle in this area. I have tried every way humanly possible to break free from this sin. I have asked for help from God, my friends, my family, a paster that put covalent eyes on my devises but all to no avail. I feel like I'm a lunatic and sore vexed. I looked up the definition for lunatic and it is someone that is a fool. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. I also saw that being a lunatic is one that is epileptic. Epilepsy causes seizures. To witch I have had 2, but it also causes depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, fear, uncontrollable jerking of the arms and legs, temporary confusion, all of what I have had. But do I think this is a disorder? No! I think this is a sin issue. I think the symptoms are from the this sin that is killing me. Puritan pastor John Owen said; "be killing sin or sin will be killing you" In Matthew 17: 15-21 Jesus cures a child that is thought to be a lunatic but is possessed with a devil, and heals him by casting out the devil. And says Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. I am a man that is oppressed by the devil and keeps getting tempted by the devil to give into my own lusts and sin. I have fallen many times and I don't want to fall again. So this is why I am willing to fallow my Lord's example in Luke 4:1-13 I have tried my way and fell, now I will do it Gods way. I will fast for 40 days and pray that God heals me from this.
Can you pray for me that I may stay true to the end?
Appreciate your reply Ronald & thanks. In regards to the transfiguration of Jesus ( Matthew 17:1-4), & to whether it was just a vision that Peter, James, & John had seen or if Moses & Elijah were physically there, I think any view we might hold onto could be endlessly & fruitlessly debated. Had we been told that the disciples physically embraced these two men/spirits or were unable to do so, then we might arrive at a better understanding. And similarly, with the description & destiny of the soul & spirit, a discussion of which never seems to bring out clear irrefutable answers, we may need to hold to our views until further light comes our way.
Re: Matthew 27:50-54 (as also in Matthew 27:63,64: pertaining to Jesus rising from the grave), I see that the same word (in a different form) is used in the Greek. By the way, I wasn't referring to verse 50, Jesus "yielding up the ghost" as to His resurrection, but to the event after His three day entombment.
So when we get to those saints who died & arose (vv 52,53), I understand those verses to show that there were two parts to this event. Firstly in verse 52a, when Jesus yielded up His Spirit on the Cross, simultaneously those specific graves were opened as the veil was rent & the earthquake, etc. But those departed saints remained dead in their graves until verse 52b, 53: "and many bodies of the saints arose and came out of the graves AFTER his resurrection" (at least that's the way I read those verses). This would affirm that Jesus was indeed the 'firstfruits of the resurrection' ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-23), since those saints only arose & came out of their graves (i.e. their resurrection, 'egerthesan') after Jesus first arose. So if I visualize the scene at that time: Jesus appearing to the women & then the disciples & simultaneously these long-departed saints now walking among the populace - this event alone should have sent Jerusalem into some turmoil. Thanks again brother & every blessing.
Hello Ronald. If I may share my thoughts on the Scriptures you shared & hopefully not feeding into a possible ruckus.
a. John 3:10-13. I understand that this speaks about Jesus asserting that it could only be Him Who brought this wonderful Truth (of rebirth) to Nicodemus since none else before Him had done so. He was the One always in Heaven, & as the Word of God now in flesh, He was even greater than the prophets that went before Him ( Hebrews 1:1,2); in that He, the Living Word, brought out the mysterious Truths of Heaven. There was none other that ascended to Heaven in the past, heard such things & then came back to Earth to deliver the message - only Jesus could do it & has done it. So Jesus isn't talking about a resurrection here, but that none has ever done what He has done now (i.e. entering Heaven & returning with this Word).
b. Then what about Enoch, Moses & Elijah? Enoch & Elijah are understood to have been translated at their final day on Earth, i.e. they weren't resurrected (as I understand that a resurrection can only happen after one dies first). Of Moses, it would be difficult to correctly understand his destiny at death; was it just in the grave awaiting resurrection, or into Heaven itself, or maybe as in the account of the rich man & Lazarus, where the spirit & soul temporarily resides in a 'paradise'. The only way that I can understand Moses' coming (in Matthew 17:1-4), is that Moses was released from his paradise, given an outward form (as also Elijah), for the purposes of this transfiguration & then maybe returned from whence he came.
c. And yes, I would agree that for Jesus to be "the firstfruits of them that slept" ( 1 Corinthians 15:20), then no other before Him could have experienced a bodily resurrection; either they were translated or their spirits/souls went into that paradise hold. Then of those who were resurrected post-Jesus' resurrection ( Matthew 27:51-53), we aren't told what became of them after that - we can only speculate.
If I may offer another perspective on this, we see Jesus saying this also in Matthew 16:28, and Mark 9:1. If you notice, after all three presentations, it immediately goes into the transfiguration of Christ. Matthew ends at Verse 28, but as soon as you go to Matthew 17:1, it talks about the transfiguration. It's the same thing right after Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27.
When Jesus said, "there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God," I believe He was speaking of Peter, James, and John. They were the ones who Jesus took with Him up into the mountain to pray. They were the ones that were there to witness the transfiguration of Jesus.
Luke 9:29 tells us that as he was praying, the fashion (literally outward appearance) of his countenance (or face), was altered. In the Greek text, it just uses the word HETEROS. His face became different. But even with the Greek word HETEROS, meaning different in kind than He was before, it wasn't a physical change. It was a physical change into a spiritual change. Matthew uses the word metamorphosis, meaning completely transformed. In the Greek text, it just uses the word HETEROS. His face became different.
Now in Matthew Chapter 16, it is unfortunate that Verse 28 was placed in Chapter 16 because Verse 28 goes with Verse 1. Sometimes bible commentaries will stop at the end of Chapter 16 and do a five-page presentation of what Verse 28 means. All they had to do is say go to Verse 1, that there are some standing here that will not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming.
Matthew 17:12 says, but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they willed. Likewise shall they do to the Son of man, He shall suffer these things.
So Jesus said, indeed Elijah shall come first and restore all things, and that Elijah is come already. Very confusing, and that doesn't answer any questions. He will come and he has come. I'm sure the disciples are going Huh?
In John 1:21, the religious leaders sent delegates out to John's baptism and they asked him who are you? John says I'm not the Christ. In Verse 21, they said are you Elijah? And he said, no.
In Matthew 11:14, we see that John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question, are you the Messiah or do we look for another?
And after His disciples left, He told the crowd that if you can receive it, John the Baptist is Elijah which was to come. What a lot of confusion here!
The key is found in Luke 1:17 when the angel Gabriel was speaking to Zacharias and he said that when John comes, he will come in the spirit and power of Elijah.
So he will not be Elijah the person, but he will have the same spirit and the same ministry as Elijah. Now what that means is that Elijah has come, but he as a person will come in the future.
And many, including myself, hold that in the book of Revelation, one of the two witnesses that witness in Jerusalem during the tribulation is Elijah coming to introduce the coming of Christ.
Both he and the other witness perform the same miracles and signs as Moses and Elijah did. But Elijah the person will come first.
That's why every year at the Passover meal, a Jewish family will leave an empty chair at the Passover table. It's because they believe that Passover time is when Elijah is going to come and announce the second coming of Christ. So they leave a chair vacant for him.
Very interesting how Jewish customs line up with things we study in scripture!
A question : do you have faith , in God and in Jesus ? I'm guessing yes , so , why haven't you moved a mountain ? For many years I beat myself up over this , Matthew 17:20 , Matthew 21:21 , Mark 11:23 , John 4:21 . Obviously , I don't have even a tiny mustard grain of faith ! It's only quite recently that I realised that Jesus is using a metaphor . The mountain represents those trials and tribulations that I have in my daily life , my worries my fears my insecurities that come from paying too much attention to the things of this life . Then of course I had to rethink a few other things , once I had realised and accepted that , Jesus sometimes used metaphors , this has opened up my mind to all kinds of possibilities . Further study is required ! Guess what ? Further study is always required ! We are used to metaphors in the Bible especially in the book of Revelation but I hadn't really thought about Jesus using them , parables yes , metaphors ? Took me longer to recognise them . The Bible never stops teaching us new things , this is how it works , it opens up slowly , the more effort you put in and the more your heart and mind are open to it , the more it reveals . It doesn't matter how long we have been reading it , it doesn't matter how many times we've read it , it doesn't matter how great we think our knowledge and understanding is , there's still got good stuff in there to teach us . This is why we need to be careful about how we receive others , they may now something that we don't know yet , we may now something that they don't know yet , we must not discourage open discussion , we must not close our eyes and ears to each other . May God bless us all with open eyes , ears , minds and hearts , to receive His Word from each other with humility and patience and love .
Be of good cheer Sister Sherry, by the very fact that you are seeking a relationship with God is what is compelling you to study as you are doing. In his word Jesus said "come and learn of me, my burden is easy and my yoke is light." Jesus also said in Matthew 17:20 that if your faith is even that of a grain of mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to you. Ask the Holy Spirt to come to you and he will council and comfort you and you will have great faith. I stand in agreement with you that you will have abundant life and grace with God Almighty through his son Jesus Christ, our savior Amen.
Just what is the definition of the kingdom of heaven? It is a very difficult term for the simple reason that all sorts of theological divisions are current on this particular point. Frankly, I feel it can be reduced to the lowest common denominator and be made very simple. What is the kingdom of heaven? It is the reign of the heavens over the earth. And when that takes place, you have the kingdom of heaven here upon this earth. In the measure to which the kingdom of heaven reigns on this earth today, you have it here. For instance, where there is a life yielded to Him and doing His will, there is the kingdom of heaven right here upon this earth - even today.
Let us go back to the Book of Genesis and pick up a verse to determine if this is consistent with Scripture. In Genesis 1:26, which records God's creation of man, God says:
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The key here is the little word "dominion." God says that He is creating man that he might have dominion. God not only created Adam a human being, but He created him a king and gave him a dominion, and that sovereignty was over this earth. Adam was to rule it. He had authority over all creatures on this earth. He could speak as the Lord Jesus spoke when He said to Peter, "Go down to the sea, catch a fish, and you will find money to pay our taxes in the fish's mouth" (see Matthew 17:24-27). And Peter went down, caught a fish, and found in its mouth the tax money. Why? Because that fish was obeying Jesus Christ. I believe Adam could have said to the wind, "Blow," or, "Stop blowing," and it would have obeyed him. I believe Adam could have commanded it to rain on the back forty, and it would have rained on the back forty.
I think you, yourself have to determine how & if you fast. By your faith.
Isaiah 58, Galatians 2:6, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:5-7,
The problem, you've stated you have is considered 'high blood sugar' usually less sugar intake is better for your body. Less food would be less sugar, but that means don't take the same insulin amounts. You should talk about it with the people you're trusting that diagnosed you & prescribed medicine to you, if you're taking insulin.
I guess the first act of faith in fasting for you could be, eating healthy. Cut out unnecessary sugars.
Several fellowships do a 15 day no desserts. Some turn off TV, radio etc to take time to listen to GOD. Usually all fasts reading the Bible & praying more. Turning from sin, like things that displease GOD. Like abusing someone's own body: 1Corinthians 6:9-10,11, Romans 14:22,23, Philippians 3:9,
Hebrews 11,
Interestingly the Bible mentions taking off Kingly garments & putting on sackcloth with fasting: 1Kings 21:27, Daniel 9:3, Isaiah 37:1, Jonah 3:5-10,
(this is the chapter Daniel 9, that the fellowship, takes the 'no dessert' fast from.)
Matthew 6, praying & asking Luke 11:1-13,
Then extreme fasts, for extreme situations: Books of Esther, Matthew 17:14-21,
Let us focus again on the Matthew 16 passage. 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
I am hammering home this concept because it is paramount in understanding who the Lord is; and needed to be understood if anyone is to grow as a true Disciple. Let us examine several problems here. The first problem would be considering that somehow the soul of one of these three prophets was living inside Christ which seems to be the concept here; a sort of "reincarnation"; except for the case of John the Baptist who it appears Herod thought had repossessed Christ after having him killed ( Matthew 14:1-2). The concept of the Holy Ghost manifesting in someone as He did with someone else isn't entirely wrong or unscriptural; we see for instance Elisha having a double portion of the Spirit that Elijah had ( 2 Kings 2:9). John the Baptist also was like Elijah in a way ( Matthew 17:12). This correct analogy of course is NOT what people are saying. This fits in also to those who would call Him teacher or Rabbi. Luke 16:15 warns us that what is honorable among men is an abomination to God. Names and titles mean nothing; neither does human pride. Let us once again examine this concept of exaltation of Pastors.
The easy point to make here is that we should never put men on a pedestal; or substitute worship for God alone to a man.
This doesn't change the fact that we should seek examples to emulate; as it is essential for discipleship.
My last two posts were a general look at accuracy of historical and more recent information as seen through the media and historical accounts. A realistic view of the Bible sees it set apart as having all things necessary for instruction; rebuke; etc as 2 Timothy 3:16 states. We often use other sources such as Foxe's Book of Martyrs to fill in the details; and most of us have the idea that all but one of the original Apostles was martyred. The scripture only mentions James the brother of John killed in Acts 12:2. We can assess from the writings of Paul that he knew his time of departure was at hand; but Acts 28 stops short of his martyrdom. From Christ's words to Peter in John 21:18 as to his fate of martyrdom as well. Whether John in Revelation was boiled in oil unsuccessfully before his Patmos exile is not as far as I know proven.
Often we CAN read into what is not said in scripture. Jesus was basically left out of anything but a bare bones description of his time before His minstry began after John the Baptist baptised Him. I would imagine he was perfect in being a carpenter and all that it entailed but we just need to understand that He fulfilled the law perfectly in His life and ultimately His death.
When we look at Christ's personal prayer life in particular; we see that He knew the importance of withdrawing before certain events and praying all night at times; as He did before picking the Disciples; as well as fasting and prayer which He likely did both practices before upbraiding those who didn't remain proactive in general to be spiritually strong at the casting out of the demon in Matthew 17:21. We don't see ANY indication that any of the Apostles or Disciples prayed before the Resurrection. It doesn't prove it didn't happen but certainly indicates it was probably very deficient.
The Bible clearly does NOT put people but God on display. Even mourning for Moses had to end ( Joshua 1:2).
Matthew 17:5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Matthew 28:18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
2nd Cor 1:19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Jesus now owns the show. What Paul is talking about in 1st Cor 7:19 circumcision or uncircumcision means nothing any more in the new testament, we are now circumcised in heart and no longer an outward appearence. You are still trying to preach a Jesus that is born of Mary as if he is still here. My Jrsus we know more after the flesh as it is not an outward appearance but an inward one. Your glorifying in appearance and not in the heart
2nd Cor 5:12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
Circumcision or uncircumcision don't matter in the new testament we are one in Christ.
Col 3:[9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
[10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
[11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
The Commandments of Jesus = his words of spirit and life John 6:63. Get out of the old and into the new as old things has passed away and all things have become new.
Rev 11:6] These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Malachi 4:5] Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
[6] And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Matthew 17:10] And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
[11] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
[12] But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
[13] Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Mark 9:4] And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
[5] And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
[6] For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
[7] And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
From Adam till the present, what is the SIN that separates man from God.
UNBELIEF
Adam didn't believe God's word.
National Israel didn't believe God's word.
Promised Israel today doesn't believe God's Word.
Paul was struggling with this same sin, UNBELIEF.
Romans 11:32 For God HATH concluded THEM ALL (including Paul) in UNBELIEF, that he may have MERCY ON ALL.
Proverbs 16:6 By MERCY and TRUTH iniquity (unbelief) is PURGED.
1 Timothy 1:13 Who (Paul) was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in UNBELIEF.
Romans 11:30 For YE in times past HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, yet have now obtained mercy because of their UNBELIEF.
Mark 9:24 .... Lord ....help thou my UNBELIEF .......
Matthew 17:20 ...because of your UNBELIEF .....
Every SIN is CAUSED by UNBELIEF.
God Bless YOU!
The most important thing is what JESUS said: Luke 20:35-36
35 But they which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world (next world-the Kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15-18, among other biblical references), and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Revelation 5:10
10 And hast made us unto our GOD kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Matthew 5:5
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Act 1:9-11
9 And when JESUS had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a CLOUD received Him out of their sight. ( Matthew 17:5-5 While JESUS yet spake, behold, a bright CLOUD overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 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.
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
Hebrews 6:4-9
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Perhaps the second set of verses from Hebrews helps to explain the first passage. In some sense; the wicked wish to turn away from all they have been enlightened with which in some sense explains why they can't be renewed into repentance since they have decided with all the evidence given to turn back to their sins. They have in some sense repented from committing to God and turned back to the world; flesh and the Devil being ashamed of what they consider foolish ways of ignorance apart from their own wisdom. Whether repentance can mean turning from God back to wickedness may be questionable; what is scary here is that much like Lucifer all the evidences of God's glory is seen and because of pride is rejected. As Jesus Himself said in John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. WE MUST NOT BE ASHAMED OF GOD'S METHOD to be admitted into heaven; it is the narrow way to life that must be followed ( Matthew 17:13-14). More in next post.
Thank you for your reply. I will first point out where the holy bible doesn't agree with you. As we all understand Christ required faith in order to Heal people Matthew 17:20 KJV, so in essence it was peoples Faith that allowed Christ to heal. Yet, Christ is merciful whereas the law is unmerciful, so Christ understanding that it isn't about "all or nothing" concerning matters of faith therefore Christ requires only a "mustard seed" of faith (i.e. something that will grow into great faith!) Therefore, Christ gives this example: "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 KJV And the man whom Christ was talking to admitted something very Profound: "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24 KJV Then Christ cast out the demon. You see Bennymkje, if what you say is true then any unbelief wouldn't allow Christ to heal someone, yet God is merciful because sometimes The Journey is just as important as The Destination. Remember Grace, for we are under Grace Today, while it is still Today!
THE INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION:
If you've never been through the book of Revelation before, you might be interested in knowing that the study of the introduction to the book of Revelation is a study in and of itself.
It could take several long posts to go over everything, so what I have done is excerpted out some of the main points.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Apostle John. The Apostle John is not John the Baptist.
The Apostle John is mentioned five times in the Book of Revelation: 1:1; 1:4; 1:9; 21:2; 22:8.
The Apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as the sons of Zebedee, found in Matthew 10:2-4.
Jesus gave them the name "The sons of thunder," recorded in Mark 3:17. They always wanted to call fire down from heaven and consume people if they didn't want anything to do with the Lord. There's a lot of "sons of thunder" in the church today!
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus, and spent many special times with the Lord, Matthew 17:1; 26:37.
The Apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death.
What is interesting, in association with the book of Revelation, is that tradition says that around 86 A.D., they tried to execute John by dipping him in burning oil. And after they pulled him out, nothing was wrong with him. And they figured that they couldn't kill him, so they decided to exile him off onto the island of Patmos.
Again, most of the introduction to 3 John will be the same as 1 & 2 John. I will share a couple of pieces of information that will be different. I would like to point out that all of John's writings (other than the gospel of John), are in the Jewish Literature section of the New Testament.
It was written to the Jews, Jewish believers. But that didn't eliminate or cause the Gentiles not to be able to receive from the truth from these letters.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The apostle John. This is not John the Baptist. This is the apostle, John.
The apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as "The Sons of Zebedee" ( Matthew 10:2-4). Jesus gave them the name "The Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17).
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord ( Matthew 17:1; 26:37).
The apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death.
John wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and the Book of Revelation.
And you should keep in mind that even though he wrote the Gospel of John that's at the beginning of the New Testament, the gospel of John was one of the last books written in chronological order. But it was put at the beginning so that all of the gospels could be put together about the earthly ministry of Christ.
Most of this introduction will be the same as I presented in 1 John in which I shared an overall introduction to all three books.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Apostle John. The Apostle John is not John the Baptist.
The Apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as "The Sons of Zebedee" ( Matthew 10:2-4). Jesus gave them the name "The Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17).
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord ( Matthew 17:1; Matthew 26:37).
The Apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death.
John wrote the Gospel of John, I, II and III John, and the Book of Revelation.
II. ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS:
The Apostle John wrote I, II and III John to the churches of Asia Minor over which John exercised Apostolic leadership in his later years. Most of the recipients of his letters were Jewish believers but the letters were written for all of the believers in the churches.
III. ABOUT THE DATE AND LOCATION:
I John was written sometime in the late 80s or early 90s A.D. It is believed John's letters were written soon after he composed the Gospel of John. All five of John's letters were written from Ephesus where he spent his elder years leading the churches in Asia Minor.
NOW FOR THE INTRODUCTION TO 1, 2, & 3 JOHN.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Apostle John is the author. He is not to be confused with John the Baptist. He is a completely different person. We can get confused with the different people by the name of John in the scriptures. This is the Apostle John, one of the original 12 Apostles.
The Apostle John had a brother by the name of James. They were known as "The Sons of Zebedee" ( Matthew 10:2-4). Zebedee was their father.
Jesus gave them the name "The Sons of Thunder" ( Mark 3:17). As they travelled with Jesus and the other disciples, they were the ones that said if people rejected Christ, they wanted to know if the Lord wanted to call fire down from heaven and consume them. They wanted to be the guys that blow everybody up if they don't believe. So, they're called the "Sons of Thunder" by Jesus.
John, Peter, and James were the inner circle of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord, on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1. Also, in the garden before Jesus died, the three of them were with Him as He was praying in Matthew 26:37.
The Apostle John was the only original apostle not to die a martyr's death. Tradition says that they tried to kill him by dipping him in burning oil. But when he came out, he wasn't harmed. So, they put him out on the island of Patmos to serve his time out there. And it was on the island of Patmos where he received what we know as the book of Revelation.
John wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2 and 3 John, and the Book of Revelation.
Any understanding of the Salvation of OT Believers must take into account these verses.
Matthew 17:1-3 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold THERE APPEARED UNTO THEM MOSES AND ELIAS TALKING WITH HIM.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; FOR GOD TOOK HIM.
2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and ELIJAH WENT UP BY A WHIRLWIND INTO HEAVEN.
These things could happen because the EFFICACY of Christ's Atonement, the payment for their sins, existed from the FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, i.e. from CREATION. As we read in Rev 13:8 that Christ was THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Additionally we read in Hebrews 4:1-3 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM {OT Israel}: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: ALTHOUGH THE WORKS { Rev 13:8} WERE FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
And this is the reason that OT Believers could be and were BORN AGAIN just like NT Believers. And when they died physically they went to be with Christ in Heaven in their soul existence, exactly like NT Believers. And they did not go into the never never land of someplace called Hades for centuries.
One Gospel; One Salvation; One application of Salvation; One Destination upon physical death. For OT and NT Believers ALIKE.
Thanks for your input regarding this subject of sin. Your are stating something that most Christians (including myself) have been taught to believe over many years. You stated: But we will not and CANNOT become a sinless personality until we have become "saved" both in SOUL and BODY. If we can't, then why did Jesus give us His Holy Spirit? John3:6-7 1John 3:9. John1:12
I mean no disrespect here, but you are reiterating the mindset of millions of Christians. I accepted this view for years, and didn't begin to question it until recently. Common sense tells me that if we convince ourselves the we CANNOT do something -we can assure ourselves that we will NEVER accomplish our goal. Our goal according to God/Jesus is to stop sinning! John 5:14 John 8:11
Matthew 17:20
"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
I believe that our failure to stop sinning is directly related to our faith. If Jesus tells us we can move a mountain he is telling us that we can stop sinning.
David you are saying that we can't stop sinning even with God's Holy Spirit which in direct contradiction to Matt 17:20 with Jesus telling us directly - "nothing shall be impossible unto you" do you believe this? Something that we all need to think about.
GBU
37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
These verses demonstrate how Jesus was besieged by crowds whenever He appeared. The request is from a man in regard to his only child requesting healing (v. 38-40). The upbraiding by Christ in verse 41 was unclear in whether it represented the lack of faith of the Disciples; the man himself or the crowd in general (perhaps all three). He cast out the demon; and other cross references in Mark 9 and Matthew 17:21 states that prayer and fasting were needed to perform this casting out. Perhaps we see how the previous experience in the beginning of the chapter wasn't enough to make the Disciples proactive; or it made them think that success was guaranteed without proper preparation in prayer (where God may have revealed that He wanted them to fast).
Yes, I believe we can, if we have Faith in God, and Believe in His words, and we live in His Spirit, Jesus tells us all things are Possible. Matthew 17:20 1 John 3:5-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:17
Just like the scripture above, we would like to believe it, but we have doubt, and so our unbelief continues to provide Satan the opportunity to sow doubt, and we give him a resting place in our mind, and the ongoing ability to continue to control our mind.
Today, all we hear is a loud and deafening drumbeat from Christians telling other Christians - we can never stop sinning, reinforcing sin contrary to what Jesus tells us what he expects from us. John 8:11 and John 5:14
"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
Today God gives us the same choice that he gave Adam and Eve. Gen 2:16-17 But we continue to eat from the wrong tree.
GBU
4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened"....."If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance".
Don't these people realize that they spit in the face of Jesus and threw away their salvation???? There's no 2nd chance for them. Many false preachers/deceivers are in the world, teaching non-Biblical nonsense. I see billions of people sliding down a greased pole to hell.
I cringe whenever I hear of "Christians" who ditched Jesus in favor of Islam, or any other "religion".
Matthew 17:5
"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which (God) said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
Christians get a bad rap. They are commissioned to spread the Word that only Jesus can save humans from their sins. Christians try to warn others that if they don't repent of their sins and seek Jesus, they will go to hell.
As a Christian (but not a very good one) I'm so sick of the wicked and their in-your-face debauchery. Christians are accused of being controlling, hypocritical and hateful. It's so disheartening and exhausting to try to talk to these people. Should I grieve for anyone who knowingly rejects Jesus and dies in their sins??? I'm sure God and Jesus are broken hearted. Somewhere people got the idea that Hell will be one big party. NOT!
The reason for staring this fast is this; I have been struggling with the sin of lust since I was 8 years old. I asked Jesus Christ into my heart when I was 12 and was baptized. At 17, still struggling with lust, but trying to serve God, I got insnared with the deadly sin of pornography witch coincides with lust. Now at the age of 34 I still struggle in this area. I have tried every way humanly possible to break free from this sin. I have asked for help from God, my friends, my family, a paster that put covalent eyes on my devises but all to no avail. I feel like I'm a lunatic and sore vexed. I looked up the definition for lunatic and it is someone that is a fool. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. I also saw that being a lunatic is one that is epileptic. Epilepsy causes seizures. To witch I have had 2, but it also causes depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, fear, uncontrollable jerking of the arms and legs, temporary confusion, all of what I have had. But do I think this is a disorder? No! I think this is a sin issue. I think the symptoms are from the this sin that is killing me. Puritan pastor John Owen said; "be killing sin or sin will be killing you" In Matthew 17: 15-21 Jesus cures a child that is thought to be a lunatic but is possessed with a devil, and heals him by casting out the devil. And says Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. I am a man that is oppressed by the devil and keeps getting tempted by the devil to give into my own lusts and sin. I have fallen many times and I don't want to fall again. So this is why I am willing to fallow my Lord's example in Luke 4:1-13 I have tried my way and fell, now I will do it Gods way. I will fast for 40 days and pray that God heals me from this.
Can you pray for me that I may stay true to the end?
Re: Matthew 27:50-54 (as also in Matthew 27:63,64: pertaining to Jesus rising from the grave), I see that the same word (in a different form) is used in the Greek. By the way, I wasn't referring to verse 50, Jesus "yielding up the ghost" as to His resurrection, but to the event after His three day entombment.
So when we get to those saints who died & arose (vv 52,53), I understand those verses to show that there were two parts to this event. Firstly in verse 52a, when Jesus yielded up His Spirit on the Cross, simultaneously those specific graves were opened as the veil was rent & the earthquake, etc. But those departed saints remained dead in their graves until verse 52b, 53: "and many bodies of the saints arose and came out of the graves AFTER his resurrection" (at least that's the way I read those verses). This would affirm that Jesus was indeed the 'firstfruits of the resurrection' ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-23), since those saints only arose & came out of their graves (i.e. their resurrection, 'egerthesan') after Jesus first arose. So if I visualize the scene at that time: Jesus appearing to the women & then the disciples & simultaneously these long-departed saints now walking among the populace - this event alone should have sent Jerusalem into some turmoil. Thanks again brother & every blessing.
a. John 3:10-13. I understand that this speaks about Jesus asserting that it could only be Him Who brought this wonderful Truth (of rebirth) to Nicodemus since none else before Him had done so. He was the One always in Heaven, & as the Word of God now in flesh, He was even greater than the prophets that went before Him ( Hebrews 1:1,2); in that He, the Living Word, brought out the mysterious Truths of Heaven. There was none other that ascended to Heaven in the past, heard such things & then came back to Earth to deliver the message - only Jesus could do it & has done it. So Jesus isn't talking about a resurrection here, but that none has ever done what He has done now (i.e. entering Heaven & returning with this Word).
b. Then what about Enoch, Moses & Elijah? Enoch & Elijah are understood to have been translated at their final day on Earth, i.e. they weren't resurrected (as I understand that a resurrection can only happen after one dies first). Of Moses, it would be difficult to correctly understand his destiny at death; was it just in the grave awaiting resurrection, or into Heaven itself, or maybe as in the account of the rich man & Lazarus, where the spirit & soul temporarily resides in a 'paradise'. The only way that I can understand Moses' coming (in Matthew 17:1-4), is that Moses was released from his paradise, given an outward form (as also Elijah), for the purposes of this transfiguration & then maybe returned from whence he came.
c. And yes, I would agree that for Jesus to be "the firstfruits of them that slept" ( 1 Corinthians 15:20), then no other before Him could have experienced a bodily resurrection; either they were translated or their spirits/souls went into that paradise hold. Then of those who were resurrected post-Jesus' resurrection ( Matthew 27:51-53), we aren't told what became of them after that - we can only speculate.
Lisalou,
If I may offer another perspective on this, we see Jesus saying this also in Matthew 16:28, and Mark 9:1. If you notice, after all three presentations, it immediately goes into the transfiguration of Christ. Matthew ends at Verse 28, but as soon as you go to Matthew 17:1, it talks about the transfiguration. It's the same thing right after Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27.
When Jesus said, "there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God," I believe He was speaking of Peter, James, and John. They were the ones who Jesus took with Him up into the mountain to pray. They were the ones that were there to witness the transfiguration of Jesus.
Luke 9:29 tells us that as he was praying, the fashion (literally outward appearance) of his countenance (or face), was altered. In the Greek text, it just uses the word HETEROS. His face became different. But even with the Greek word HETEROS, meaning different in kind than He was before, it wasn't a physical change. It was a physical change into a spiritual change. Matthew uses the word metamorphosis, meaning completely transformed. In the Greek text, it just uses the word HETEROS. His face became different.
Now in Matthew Chapter 16, it is unfortunate that Verse 28 was placed in Chapter 16 because Verse 28 goes with Verse 1. Sometimes bible commentaries will stop at the end of Chapter 16 and do a five-page presentation of what Verse 28 means. All they had to do is say go to Verse 1, that there are some standing here that will not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming.
Matthew 17:12 says, but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they willed. Likewise shall they do to the Son of man, He shall suffer these things.
So Jesus said, indeed Elijah shall come first and restore all things, and that Elijah is come already. Very confusing, and that doesn't answer any questions. He will come and he has come. I'm sure the disciples are going Huh?
In John 1:21, the religious leaders sent delegates out to John's baptism and they asked him who are you? John says I'm not the Christ. In Verse 21, they said are you Elijah? And he said, no.
In Matthew 11:14, we see that John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question, are you the Messiah or do we look for another?
And after His disciples left, He told the crowd that if you can receive it, John the Baptist is Elijah which was to come. What a lot of confusion here!
The key is found in Luke 1:17 when the angel Gabriel was speaking to Zacharias and he said that when John comes, he will come in the spirit and power of Elijah.
So he will not be Elijah the person, but he will have the same spirit and the same ministry as Elijah. Now what that means is that Elijah has come, but he as a person will come in the future.
And many, including myself, hold that in the book of Revelation, one of the two witnesses that witness in Jerusalem during the tribulation is Elijah coming to introduce the coming of Christ.
Both he and the other witness perform the same miracles and signs as Moses and Elijah did. But Elijah the person will come first.
That's why every year at the Passover meal, a Jewish family will leave an empty chair at the Passover table. It's because they believe that Passover time is when Elijah is going to come and announce the second coming of Christ. So they leave a chair vacant for him.
Very interesting how Jewish customs line up with things we study in scripture!
I hope this helps!
Hopefully this is also helpful
Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:1-29,
Proverbs 14:5,25, John 8,
Revelation 12:19,
Hopefully these are helpful
Part 3.
Just what is the definition of the kingdom of heaven? It is a very difficult term for the simple reason that all sorts of theological divisions are current on this particular point. Frankly, I feel it can be reduced to the lowest common denominator and be made very simple. What is the kingdom of heaven? It is the reign of the heavens over the earth. And when that takes place, you have the kingdom of heaven here upon this earth. In the measure to which the kingdom of heaven reigns on this earth today, you have it here. For instance, where there is a life yielded to Him and doing His will, there is the kingdom of heaven right here upon this earth - even today.
Let us go back to the Book of Genesis and pick up a verse to determine if this is consistent with Scripture. In Genesis 1:26, which records God's creation of man, God says:
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The key here is the little word "dominion." God says that He is creating man that he might have dominion. God not only created Adam a human being, but He created him a king and gave him a dominion, and that sovereignty was over this earth. Adam was to rule it. He had authority over all creatures on this earth. He could speak as the Lord Jesus spoke when He said to Peter, "Go down to the sea, catch a fish, and you will find money to pay our taxes in the fish's mouth" (see Matthew 17:24-27). And Peter went down, caught a fish, and found in its mouth the tax money. Why? Because that fish was obeying Jesus Christ. I believe Adam could have said to the wind, "Blow," or, "Stop blowing," and it would have obeyed him. I believe Adam could have commanded it to rain on the back forty, and it would have rained on the back forty.
See Part 4.
I think you, yourself have to determine how & if you fast. By your faith.
Isaiah 58, Galatians 2:6, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:5-7,
The problem, you've stated you have is considered 'high blood sugar' usually less sugar intake is better for your body. Less food would be less sugar, but that means don't take the same insulin amounts. You should talk about it with the people you're trusting that diagnosed you & prescribed medicine to you, if you're taking insulin.
I guess the first act of faith in fasting for you could be, eating healthy. Cut out unnecessary sugars.
Several fellowships do a 15 day no desserts. Some turn off TV, radio etc to take time to listen to GOD. Usually all fasts reading the Bible & praying more. Turning from sin, like things that displease GOD. Like abusing someone's own body: 1Corinthians 6:9-10,11, Romans 14:22,23, Philippians 3:9,
Hebrews 11,
Interestingly the Bible mentions taking off Kingly garments & putting on sackcloth with fasting: 1Kings 21:27, Daniel 9:3, Isaiah 37:1, Jonah 3:5-10,
(this is the chapter Daniel 9, that the fellowship, takes the 'no dessert' fast from.)
Matthew 6, praying & asking Luke 11:1-13,
Then extreme fasts, for extreme situations: Books of Esther, Matthew 17:14-21,
Hopefully these are helpful
Jesus also addressess fasting: Matthew 6:16-18, Luke 18:7-14, Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29,
Hopefully this is helpful