Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
ONE WEEK
DANIEL 9:26b-27 (NKJV
The people
of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many
for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end
to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation,
which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate."
The people
of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many
for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end
to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation,
which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate."
SEVENTY WEEKS ARE DETERMINED....
Daniel 9:24-27 "Seventy weeks are determined...."
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary defines the Hebrew word translated “week.”
"weeks" Hebrew Word: Transliteration: shabûa? Phonetic Pronunciation:shaw-boo'-ah
Root: properly, pass part of as a denom. of
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2318d Part of Speech: n m Vine's Words: Week
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: week 19 seven 1 [Total Count: 20]
or shabua`, shaw-boo'-ah; also (feminine) shebu`ah, sheb-oo-aw'; properly passive participle of (shaba`) as a denominative of (sheba`); literal sevened, i.e. a week (specifically of years) :- seven, week.
24 "Seventy weeks are determined...
"For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
25 "Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26
"And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off,
but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince
who is to come
Shall destroy the city and sanctuary.
FOR AN INTERPRETATION OF THIS PASSAGE SEE MY BLOG: "REASONS FOR THE SEASONS"
KOINONIKOS
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary defines the Hebrew word translated “week.”
"weeks" Hebrew Word: Transliteration: shabûa? Phonetic Pronunciation:shaw-boo'-ah
Root: properly, pass part of
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2318d Part of Speech: n m Vine's Words: Week
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: week 19 seven 1 [Total Count: 20]
or shabua`, shaw-boo'-ah; also (feminine) shebu`ah, sheb-oo-aw'; properly passive participle of
24 "Seventy weeks are determined...
"For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
25 "Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26
"And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off,
but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince
who is to come
Shall destroy the city and sanctuary.
FOR AN INTERPRETATION OF THIS PASSAGE SEE MY BLOG: "REASONS FOR THE SEASONS"
KOINONIKOS
Sunday, May 24, 2009
YOU HAVE BECOME....
1 Or
do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law),
that
the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
For
the woman
who has a husband
is bound
by the law to her husband
as long as he lives.
But
if the husband dies,
she is released
from the law of her husband.
3 So then
if, while her husband lives,
she marries another man,
she will be called an adulteress;
but if her husband dies,
she is free from that law,
so that she is no adulteress,
though she has married another man.
4 Therefore,
my brethren,
you also have become dead
to the law
through the body of Christ,
that you may be married to another
--to Him who was raised from the dead,
that we should bear fruit to God.
5 For when we were in the flesh,
the sinful passions
which were aroused
by the law
were at work in our members
to bear fruit to death.
6 But now we have been delivered from the law,
having died to what we were held by,
so that we should serve in the newness
of the Spirit
and not in the oldness
of the letter.
7 What shall we say then?
Is the law sin?
Certainly not! On the contrary,...
do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law),
that
the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
For
the woman
who has a husband
is bound
by the law to her husband
as long as he lives.
But
if the husband dies,
she is released
from the law of her husband.
3 So then
if, while her husband lives,
she marries another man,
she will be called an adulteress;
but if her husband dies,
she is free from that law,
so that she is no adulteress,
though she has married another man.
4 Therefore,
my brethren,
you also have become dead
to the law
through the body of Christ,
that you may be married to another
--to Him who was raised from the dead,
that we should bear fruit to God.
5 For when we were in the flesh,
the sinful passions
which were aroused
by the law
were at work in our members
to bear fruit to death.
6 But now we have been delivered from the law,
having died to what we were held by,
so that we should serve in the newness
of the Spirit
and not in the oldness
of the letter.
7 What shall we say then?
Is the law sin?
Certainly not! On the contrary,...
BLESSED IS "THE GOOD GROUND"
16 "But
blessed are your eyes for they see,
and
your ears for they hear;
17 for assuredly,
I say to you that many prophets
and righteous men
desired to see what you see,
and
did not see it,
and to hear what you hear,
and
did not hear it.
18
"Therefore
hear the parable of the sower:
19
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom,
and
does not understand it,
then the wicked one comes
and
snatches away what was sown
in his heart.
This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20
But
he who received the seed on stony places,
this is he who hears the word
and immediately receives it with joy;
21
yet he has no root in himself,
but
endures only for a while.
For
when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word,
immediately
he stumbles.
22
Now he who received seed among the thorns
is he who hears the word,
and the cares of this world
and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word,
and
he becomes unfruitful.
23
But he who received seed on the good ground
is he who hears the word
and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit
and produces:
some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Matt 13:16-23 (NKJV)
blessed are your eyes for they see,
and
your ears for they hear;
17 for assuredly,
I say to you that many prophets
and righteous men
desired to see what you see,
and
did not see it,
and to hear what you hear,
and
did not hear it.
18
"Therefore
hear the parable of the sower:
19
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom,
and
does not understand it,
then the wicked one comes
and
snatches away what was sown
in his heart.
This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20
But
he who received the seed on stony places,
this is he who hears the word
and immediately receives it with joy;
21
yet he has no root in himself,
but
endures only for a while.
For
when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word,
immediately
he stumbles.
22
Now he who received seed among the thorns
is he who hears the word,
and the cares of this world
and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word,
and
he becomes unfruitful.
23
But he who received seed on the good ground
is he who hears the word
and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit
and produces:
some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Matt 13:16-23 (NKJV)
Friday, May 22, 2009
THEREFORE WE MUST GIVE THE MORE HEED.....
Therefore
\ we must give the more earnest heed to the things
we have heard,
lest
we drift away.
For
if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast,
and every transgression
and disobedience
received a just reward,
how shall we escape
if
we neglect so great a salvation,
which at
the first began to be spoken by the Lord,
and was confirmed to us
by those who heard Him,
God also bearing witness
both with signs
and wonders,
with various miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
according to His own will?
Heb 2:1-4 (NKJV)
\ we must give the more earnest heed to the things
we have heard,
lest
we drift away.
For
if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast,
and every transgression
and disobedience
received a just reward,
how shall we escape
if
we neglect so great a salvation,
which at
the first began to be spoken by the Lord,
and was confirmed to us
by those who heard Him,
God also bearing witness
both with signs
and wonders,
with various miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
according to His own will?
Heb 2:1-4 (NKJV)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
THE RIGHT TO BE BORN OF GOD
1 In the beginning
was the Word,
and the Word
was with God,
and the Word
was God.
He was
in the beginning with God.
All things were made
through Him,
and without Him nothing was made
that was made.
In Him was life,
and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.
That was the true Light
which gives light to every man
coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world was made through Him,
and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own,
and His own did not receive Him.
But
as many as received Him,
to them
He gave the right
to become children of God,
to those who believe in His name:
who were born,
not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.
was the Word,
and the Word
was with God,
and the Word
was God.
He was
in the beginning with God.
All things were made
through Him,
and without Him nothing was made
that was made.
In Him was life,
and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.
That was the true Light
which gives light to every man
coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world was made through Him,
and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own,
and His own did not receive Him.
But
as many as received Him,
to them
He gave the right
to become children of God,
to those who believe in His name:
who were born,
not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
"BELIEVE IN ME...."
"Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God,
believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions;
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And
if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that
where I am,
there you may be also.
And where I go you know,
and the way you know...."
"I am the way,
the truth,
and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:1-6 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world
that He gave
His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish
but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son
into the world
to condemn the world,
but that the world
through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him
is not condemned;
but
he who does not believe
is condemned already,
because he has not believed
in the name of the only begotten Son
of God.
And
this is the condemnation,
that the light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practicing evil hates the light
and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed.
But
he who does the truth comes to the light,
that his deeds may be clearly seen,
that they have been done in God."
John 3:16-21 (NKJV)
KOINONIKOS
you believe in God,
believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions;
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And
if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that
where I am,
there you may be also.
And where I go you know,
and the way you know...."
"I am the way,
the truth,
and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:1-6 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world
that He gave
His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish
but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son
into the world
to condemn the world,
but that the world
through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him
is not condemned;
but
he who does not believe
is condemned already,
because he has not believed
in the name of the only begotten Son
of God.
And
this is the condemnation,
that the light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practicing evil hates the light
and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed.
But
he who does the truth comes to the light,
that his deeds may be clearly seen,
that they have been done in God."
John 3:16-21 (NKJV)
KOINONIKOS
Friday, May 8, 2009
THE FIRST AND THE LAST
"Listen to Me, O Jacob,
And Israel, My called:
I am He,
I am the First,
I am also the Last.
Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens;
When I call to them, They stand up together
Isaiah 48:12-13 (NKJV)
"I am the Alpha
and the Omega,
the Beginning
and the End,"
says the Lord,
"who is and who was
and who is to come,
the Almighty."
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
saying,
"I am the Alpha
and the Omega,
the First
and the Last,"
Rev 1:5-11 (NKJV)
And Israel, My called:
I am He,
I am the First,
I am also the Last.
Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens;
When I call to them, They stand up together
Isaiah 48:12-13 (NKJV)
"I am the Alpha
and the Omega,
the Beginning
and the End,"
says the Lord,
"who is and who was
and who is to come,
the Almighty."
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
saying,
"I am the Alpha
and the Omega,
the First
and the Last,"
Rev 1:5-11 (NKJV)
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
.Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
'I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.' "
Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
Who would form a god or mold an image That profits him nothing?
Surely all his companions would be ashamed;
And the workmen, they are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together,
Let them stand up;
Yet they shall fear,
They shall be ashamed together.
The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals,
Fashions it with hammers,
And works it with the strength of his arms.
Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails;
He drinks no water and is faint.
The craftsman stretches out his rule,
He marks one out with chalk;
He fashions it with a plane,
He marks it out with the compass,
And makes it like the figure of a man,
According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.
He cuts down cedars for himself, And takes the cypress and the oak;
He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest.
He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.
Then it shall be for a man to burn,
For he will take some of it and warm himself; Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread;
Indeed he makes a god and worships it;
He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
....he makes into a god,
His carved image.
He falls down before it and worships it,
Prays to it and says,
"Deliver me, for you are my god!"
They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see,
And their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
....And shall I make the rest of it an abomination?
Shall I fall down before a block of wood?"
..."Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
Isaiah 44:6-22 (NKJV)
KOINONIKOS
'I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.' "
Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
Who would form a god or mold an image That profits him nothing?
Surely all his companions would be ashamed;
And the workmen, they are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together,
Let them stand up;
Yet they shall fear,
They shall be ashamed together.
The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals,
Fashions it with hammers,
And works it with the strength of his arms.
Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails;
He drinks no water and is faint.
The craftsman stretches out his rule,
He marks one out with chalk;
He fashions it with a plane,
He marks it out with the compass,
And makes it like the figure of a man,
According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.
He cuts down cedars for himself, And takes the cypress and the oak;
He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest.
He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.
Then it shall be for a man to burn,
For he will take some of it and warm himself; Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread;
Indeed he makes a god and worships it;
He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
....he makes into a god,
His carved image.
He falls down before it and worships it,
Prays to it and says,
"Deliver me, for you are my god!"
They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see,
And their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
....And shall I make the rest of it an abomination?
Shall I fall down before a block of wood?"
..."Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
Isaiah 44:6-22 (NKJV)
KOINONIKOS
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
JERUSALEM--O' JERUSALEM
Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV)
Seventy weeks are determined..."For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
"Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
"And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
Daniel 9:24-26 (NKJV)
"Seventy weeks are determined...."
"weeks" Hebrew Word: shaw-boo'-ah
Root: properly, pass part of as a denom. of
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2318d Part of Speech: n m Vine's Words: Week
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: week 19 seven 1 [Total Count: 20]
or shabua`, shaw-boo'-ah; also (feminine) shebu`ah, sheb-oo-aw'; properly passive participle of (shaba`) as a denominative of (sheba`); literal sevened, i.e. a week (specifically of years) :- seven, week. —Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
In the Septuagint LXX–the Greek Old Testament translation used by Paul.
“Messiah” is translated Xristou. which is transliterated “Christ” in English.
Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV)
Seventy weeks are determined..."For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
"Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
"And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
Daniel 9:24-26 (NKJV)
"Seventy weeks are determined...."
"weeks" Hebrew Word: shaw-boo'-ah
Root: properly, pass part of
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2318d Part of Speech: n m Vine's Words: Week
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: week 19 seven 1 [Total Count: 20]
or shabua`, shaw-boo'-ah; also (feminine) shebu`ah, sheb-oo-aw'; properly passive participle of
In the Septuagint LXX–the Greek Old Testament translation used by Paul.
“Messiah” is translated Xristou. which is transliterated “Christ” in English.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:12-14 (NKJV)
And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."
Heb 1:7-12 (NKJV)
John 1:1
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:12-14 (NKJV)
And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."
Heb 1:7-12 (NKJV)
IN THE BEGINNING
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:12-14 (NKJV)
And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:12-14 (NKJV)
And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
SEVENTY YEARS...
“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words....
Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah25:8,11; 29:10-12
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Daniel 9:1-2
Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision....
and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah25:8,11; 29:10-12
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Daniel 9:1-2
Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision....
and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN IS MUCH MORE THAN MOUTHING THE RIGHT FORMULA OF WORDS. And it’s much more than a feel-good frame of mind. It’s also much more than an entrance requirement to a club-like social group.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Some may insist that the Apostle Paul was a revolutionary with radical ideas spreading a religion with strict Pauline puritanical morals. The letter to Rome Church is generally accepted as most expressive of the Christian Belief. Here is a continuation of the above quote:
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Roman Letter 12:1-3.
Another letter, among the first letters that Paul wrote to Gentile believers, follows the same spirit of self-humility and peaceful community:
“Concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
At the time of Paul’s letter, the Christians at Thessalonica were suffering a terrible persecution for their belief.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Some may insist that the Apostle Paul was a revolutionary with radical ideas spreading a religion with strict Pauline puritanical morals. The letter to Rome Church is generally accepted as most expressive of the Christian Belief. Here is a continuation of the above quote:
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Roman Letter 12:1-3.
Another letter, among the first letters that Paul wrote to Gentile believers, follows the same spirit of self-humility and peaceful community:
“Concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
At the time of Paul’s letter, the Christians at Thessalonica were suffering a terrible persecution for their belief.
MUCH MORE
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN IS MUCH MORE THAN MOUTHING THE RIGHT FORMULA OF WORDS. When we first hear the Gospel from someone, we usually are asked to repeat some word phrases, and that is all there is to it. Jesus talked about hearing the word, and responding to it.
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” MATTHEW 13:19-23
This is called the “Parable of the Sower,” but a more apt name might be “Parable of the Ground.” For seed to work, the ground has to have some kind of tending especially if the ground has been hardened or full of rocks, or full of thorns and weeds.
In brief, this is really a two way process. Obviously, the hearer must hear and understand the words the speaker is saying, and the speaker must say the words the hearer can understand.. This is actually something called communication–that word comes from a root word:”commune.” On the other hand, a person is going to have to start moving the rocks out and digging the brush up for any seed to sprout and grow. If the seed just lays on hardpan soil it won’t even have any life.
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” MATTHEW 13:19-23
This is called the “Parable of the Sower,” but a more apt name might be “Parable of the Ground.” For seed to work, the ground has to have some kind of tending especially if the ground has been hardened or full of rocks, or full of thorns and weeds.
In brief, this is really a two way process. Obviously, the hearer must hear and understand the words the speaker is saying, and the speaker must say the words the hearer can understand.. This is actually something called communication–that word comes from a root word:”commune.” On the other hand, a person is going to have to start moving the rocks out and digging the brush up for any seed to sprout and grow. If the seed just lays on hardpan soil it won’t even have any life.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
WANT SOME KIND OF ASSURANCE?
“ Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”’
How could anyone feel any more assured of his salvation than this man? The man was going to be with Jesus in Paradice. That man has to be the most blessed of men in history. How could anyone have more assurance? The Bible tells us Jesus Christ is God.
What can anyone do to win that kind of promise from God?
The irony of this was that this man had absolutely no opportunity to do anything. He was pinned to a cross several feet off the ground. There was no way he could come down and be baptized or join a church. He wasn’t able to obey any commandment, and he wasn’t able to discuss the theology or think about it. He had to be in terrible pain, and he would be dead in a few hours..
Maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy. No, he said himself, he was on the cross because he deserved the cross. So this was a criminal worthy of dying on a cross. He was at the absolute bottom of the barrel of unworthiness. He had to have spent much of his life doing the wrong things–the most unlikely candidate for Paradise or of Heaven..
The only path for him was to look across to Jesus and ask Him: “Jesus remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” When he looked into face of Jesus Christ, he looked at the only person capable of saving him. The only person that can promise us Paradise or heaven
Jesus Christ said to him: ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”’
Jesus Christ uses a word that means exactly that “assuredly the truth,’–this Greek is often transliterated “amen.”
In another place, John 3:17-18, Jesus says to anyone who listens: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Do you want assureance of eternal life?
How could anyone feel any more assured of his salvation than this man? The man was going to be with Jesus in Paradice. That man has to be the most blessed of men in history. How could anyone have more assurance? The Bible tells us Jesus Christ is God.
What can anyone do to win that kind of promise from God?
The irony of this was that this man had absolutely no opportunity to do anything. He was pinned to a cross several feet off the ground. There was no way he could come down and be baptized or join a church. He wasn’t able to obey any commandment, and he wasn’t able to discuss the theology or think about it. He had to be in terrible pain, and he would be dead in a few hours..
Maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy. No, he said himself, he was on the cross because he deserved the cross. So this was a criminal worthy of dying on a cross. He was at the absolute bottom of the barrel of unworthiness. He had to have spent much of his life doing the wrong things–the most unlikely candidate for Paradise or of Heaven..
The only path for him was to look across to Jesus and ask Him: “Jesus remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” When he looked into face of Jesus Christ, he looked at the only person capable of saving him. The only person that can promise us Paradise or heaven
Jesus Christ said to him: ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”’
Jesus Christ uses a word that means exactly that “assuredly the truth,’–this Greek is often transliterated “amen.”
In another place, John 3:17-18, Jesus says to anyone who listens: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Do you want assureance of eternal life?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
TO CHRISTIAN LEADERS
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of ... hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..., but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher....
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us....
You therefore...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard...among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure£ hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 2 TIMOTHY 1:6-14, 2:1-7
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of ... hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..., but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher....
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us....
You therefore...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard...among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure£ hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 2 TIMOTHY 1:6-14, 2:1-7
CHRISTIANS BORN TWICE
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
One night a good religious man, by the name of Nicodemus, said to Jesus Christ: “Rabbi we know you are from God from your actions–no one can do these things unless God is with him.”
Nicodemus was a member of Israel’s highest religious court, and this should have been quite an endorsement to some rising religous figure. However Jesus cut right through the facade.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
One night a good religious man, by the name of Nicodemus, said to Jesus Christ: “Rabbi we know you are from God from your actions–no one can do these things unless God is with him.”
Nicodemus was a member of Israel’s highest religious court, and this should have been quite an endorsement to some rising religous figure. However Jesus cut right through the facade.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
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