Scripture is in Red, Comments are in Black
In the beginning of Hebrews the pronouns can be a bit confusing unless it is read closely and with understanding. For this reason I have included notes in parenthesis () to indicate if the pronouns “he, his, who or whom” is speaking of Jesus the Son or God the Father. I hope this helps simplify the reading.
Hebrews 1:
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, In the past God spoke through prophets.
2 (However God) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he (God) hath appointed heir of all things, by whom (Jesus) also he made the worlds;
3 Who (Jesus) being the brightness of his (God the Father’s) glory, and the express image of his (God the Father’s) person, and upholding all things by the word of his (Jesus’) power, when he (Jesus) had by himself (Jesus) purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty (God the Father) on high: Jesus is the glory of God on earth. Jesus died for our sins and sat down on the right hand of God, however Jesus was also God, as we will see.
4 (Jesus) Being made so much better than the angels, as he (Jesus) hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they (the angels).
5 For unto which of the angels said he (God the Father) at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (Meaning God the Father never said this to any of the angels, only Jesus.)
6 And again, when he (God the Father) bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he (God the Father) saith, And let all the angels of God worship him (Jesus).
7 And of the angels he (God the Father) saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he (God the Father) saith, Thy (Jesus’) throne, O God (the Father calling Jesus God here), is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy (Jesus’) kingdom. Read this last verse carefully again. God the Father is calling the Son of God who is named Jesus: God. How eloquently worded is this? The idea that Jesus and God are one entity is complicated for humans to grasp and understand and many reject this possibility because their minds cannot wrap around the idea. Many forget that God can be whatever He desires to be, however; in this sentence God has clarified and proven beyond doubt that God, the Word and the Holy Ghost are all one and the same yet hold three different offices or positions.
Readers, this is why I declare that many new Bible translations are dangerous. Many new translations have left out a very important verse, which is:
1 John 5: 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. There are other verses, which prove Jesus and God are one but many people try to blame the translation as being wrong. Read the KJV Holy Bible and you will find that God stated this same statement several times in several different ways to insure that there could be no mistake.
If Jesus was not God in the flesh and if there is nothing perfect other than God then Jesus could never have been a perfect sacrifice and could never have covered our sins according to the law. Without a perfect sacrifice there can never be complete forgiveness and therefore animal sacrifices would have to continue forever and none could be saved because the law condemns us all and only grace and the perfect blood sacrifice can set us free.
God did not send His word to us in vain and neither did He send his only Son to die in vain. Jesus was God and perfect or he was not perfect and could not have been a perfect sacrifice. The Bible says Jesus (The Word) is God otherwise none could be saved. We who believe in Jesus will not suffer the second death, simply stated.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Two Witnesses
Bible Knowledge and Understanding: The Witnesses
Scripture is in red and comments are in black
In Revelation 11:3 who are the two witnesses? It has been guessed that they were Elijah and Moses or perhaps some other prophets. IF they are Old Testament prophets as many believe then their identities are obvious. The Bible does not call them by name but scripture shows it is only possible that two certain people can qualify. Here are the clues and proofs.
In Revelation 11:7-8 the two witnesses are killed by the beast, the fact of their death at this time is our first clue.
The second clue is in Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
There were only two people generally known in the Bible who never endured death and as Hebrews 9:27 points out it is appointed unto men to die only once, therefore it follows that the only two men in Biblical history that have not yet suffered death are Enoch and Elijah; thus it has to be these two men. These two were reserved for the last days for a special work that God chose them for. All other prophets (and everyone else) have suffered death once already. None will die twice in the flesh.
Once again I say: IF these two witnesses are Old Testament people then the answer is obvious. It amazes me that there could be any question about this from biblical scholars today. Oh yes, I forget, the Sadducees, Pharisees and scribes (the most scripturally learned men in the time of Jesus) were proven wrong by Jesus many times and in the end times (today) it shall be the same because God will bring low the wisdom of the wise.
Note: Enoch was taken by God in Genesis 5:23-24.
In Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Elijah was taken by a whirlwind into a chariot of fire in 2 Kings 2: 11-12
No death for either was recorded.
By the way there was a third in the Old Testament (a king and priest of the most high God) that never died in the Old Testament: Melchizedek, which brings up an entirely new study which is to follow:
In the previous study we talked about the identity of the only two people generally known to have escaped death in the Old Testament. There is a third that is not generally included into this group. His name is Melchizedek. Just like Enoch and Elijah this Melchizedek will do service in the New Testament and die in the flesh. What is the real identity of Melchizedek? We know this same person appeared many times in the Old Testament. The answer is in:
Hebrews 7:
1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; King of Peace and King of righteous. Note that King is capitalized in both instances indicating this is speaking of God. This is one title of Jesus: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The word Lord here comes from righteousness; which means Priest.
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; this can only be one person; Jesus but made like unto the Son of God more proof here, the only Son of God; Jesus; abideth a priest continually.
These three were taken from the earth in order to do a service for God in the end times. One saw death and resurrection in the New Testament by being crucified on a cross for our sins and the other two are witnesses against the anti-christ and those that follow him. These two are also witnesses for the true scripture and the true Christ whom is still to return.
Christ Jesus paid for our sins and brought the love, truth and grace of God to the earth. The two witnesses will bring accusations against the anti-christ and plagues, drought and death to those who follow the false Christ.
Scripture is in red and comments are in black
In Revelation 11:3 who are the two witnesses? It has been guessed that they were Elijah and Moses or perhaps some other prophets. IF they are Old Testament prophets as many believe then their identities are obvious. The Bible does not call them by name but scripture shows it is only possible that two certain people can qualify. Here are the clues and proofs.
In Revelation 11:7-8 the two witnesses are killed by the beast, the fact of their death at this time is our first clue.
The second clue is in Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
There were only two people generally known in the Bible who never endured death and as Hebrews 9:27 points out it is appointed unto men to die only once, therefore it follows that the only two men in Biblical history that have not yet suffered death are Enoch and Elijah; thus it has to be these two men. These two were reserved for the last days for a special work that God chose them for. All other prophets (and everyone else) have suffered death once already. None will die twice in the flesh.
Once again I say: IF these two witnesses are Old Testament people then the answer is obvious. It amazes me that there could be any question about this from biblical scholars today. Oh yes, I forget, the Sadducees, Pharisees and scribes (the most scripturally learned men in the time of Jesus) were proven wrong by Jesus many times and in the end times (today) it shall be the same because God will bring low the wisdom of the wise.
Note: Enoch was taken by God in Genesis 5:23-24.
In Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Elijah was taken by a whirlwind into a chariot of fire in 2 Kings 2: 11-12
No death for either was recorded.
By the way there was a third in the Old Testament (a king and priest of the most high God) that never died in the Old Testament: Melchizedek, which brings up an entirely new study which is to follow:
In the previous study we talked about the identity of the only two people generally known to have escaped death in the Old Testament. There is a third that is not generally included into this group. His name is Melchizedek. Just like Enoch and Elijah this Melchizedek will do service in the New Testament and die in the flesh. What is the real identity of Melchizedek? We know this same person appeared many times in the Old Testament. The answer is in:
Hebrews 7:
1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; King of Peace and King of righteous. Note that King is capitalized in both instances indicating this is speaking of God. This is one title of Jesus: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The word Lord here comes from righteousness; which means Priest.
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; this can only be one person; Jesus but made like unto the Son of God more proof here, the only Son of God; Jesus; abideth a priest continually.
These three were taken from the earth in order to do a service for God in the end times. One saw death and resurrection in the New Testament by being crucified on a cross for our sins and the other two are witnesses against the anti-christ and those that follow him. These two are also witnesses for the true scripture and the true Christ whom is still to return.
Christ Jesus paid for our sins and brought the love, truth and grace of God to the earth. The two witnesses will bring accusations against the anti-christ and plagues, drought and death to those who follow the false Christ.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Famine is Here
From the KJV Holy Bible
There are many prophecies in the Bible about the end times and one prophecy in particular has arrived. The famine is here and spreading fast. This famine is not about food or water but it is the lack of God’s word or more precisely the lack of the truth of God’s word:
Amos 8:
11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: I know that the response from most readers will be: This man is crazy, God’s word is preached in thousands of churches every day so where is the famine? The famine is for the truth. If what is taught in churches is not the truth then it is NOT the word of God. The basic truths are there in most Christian churches but the majority of ALL churches disagree on hundreds of teachings. Don’t believe me? Let me give a short list of examples:
The rapture theory: some say no rapture, some say pre tribulation and some say mid tribulation and some say post tribulation. This is only about ONE teaching. Then there are the different teachings about speaking in tongues where once again there are multiple divisions on this simple teaching. Even Baptism has separated churches with different ideas about this. The list goes on.
There are literally hundreds of examples. You may ask, so what? Everyone has a right to their own opinion. The “so what” is that the only opinion that counts is God’s true word. Anything taught incorrectly about God’s word can cause Christians to fail God and perhaps be condemned so this is vital to Christianity. Clergy of whatever denomination has the responsibility to make sure what they preach or teach is God’s truth but this is not happening today. Read the two studies at the end of this with a mind open to the Holy Spirit and you may find two examples where your church might be misled or teaching falsely.
All Christian churches should hold the same beliefs if they are truly pleasing Jesus and the proof is in the following verses (Jesus speaking):
John 16:
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
If the Spirit of Truth will guide us (Christians) to all truth then ALL Christians should hear the SAME truth but this is not true in today’s world. If all Christians are baptized in the Holy Spirit why do so many denominations have differing opinions about God’s word? The reality is that many teachers and preachers are listening to mankind or Satan instead of God. How can a person claim to be a true Christian unless that person has a passionate desire for the truth of God’s word beyond any other consideration? Satan twisted the word of God in the Garden of Eden and he has not stopped since, in fact he has improved his mischief. This was the first lesson in the Bible and it is even more important today. If all of today’s Christian churches listen to the Spirit of Truth they ALL would have the same doctrines but they do not. God’s truth is solid and unchanging and unwavering.
God knew where His word would be twisted and to make sure we have the truth God gave enough examples in His word so we could learn and correct the false teachings IF we study and listen. If you are not worried about this then you are in danger already. In God’s word there is unity, not division. In God’s word there is peace not confusion. The truth will set us free, not set Christians against Christians. There can be only ONE church of Jesus but today it is not an “organized” church because Satan has separated the Christians and corrupted the doctrines Jesus gave us. I have heard Christians say: “Let’s just agree to disagree”; that is surrender. Instead it should be said: “I will search for truth and pray you do also but we can search for the truth together”.
We will be guided to the truth; that is one promise straight from Jesus but the promise from Satan is that EVERYONE will be tested with lies, so beware. God is so serious about this that He says He will send strong delusion to those that ignore the Spirit of Truth whereby they will believe the lies of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:11). It is happening all over the world right now. Have you or your church been deluded? It is every Christian’s duty to dig for the truth which means to listen to the Holy Spirit as we study to show ourselves worthy. This may require that we release our pride and arrogance before we can hear the Holy Spirit.
I am going to give two examples where the truth has been twisted. The truth is unmistakable if we listen.
We will start in Matthew 27 where Jesus is hanging on the cross:
Matthew 27:46: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
What is significant about this verse? First of all Jesus clearly spoke this phrase in Hebrew, he was trying to get the attention of the Jews present. Secondly unless Jesus was quoting scripture, He never called His Father “God”. Everywhere else Jesus called God “Father or My Father or The Father”. Why, Because Jesus WAS God. Many theologians and teachers have commented on this verse in many different ways and most I have heard proclaim that God forsook Jesus for a short time and the reasons vary. Many claim it is because Jesus has taken on all the sins of the world and God could not look upon sin. Others say God and sin cannot co-exist. All these sound logical but it is time to ignore the theories and discover the truth.
The first truth to discover is what does Jesus say about being forsaken? Would The Father forsake Jesus? Let’s look in:
John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Even though the apostles scattered once Jesus was arrested Jesus knew the Father was going to be with Him through all the pain and agony. Jesus knew the Father would not leave Him nor forsake Him. How can anyone deny this fact? Jesus IS God as it says in: 1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (Note: This verse is corrupted or changed in most newer translations, warning here) There is only ONE God but He can be whatever He desires to be, ergo the great I Am. Now let’s bring in common sense. First: God said He would never leave us nor forsake us (sinners) so how could He forsake His only begotten son? Secondly: God forsaking Jesus is the same as Jesus saying why have I forsaken myself? Jesus is part of the Godhead, He IS God in the flesh body. The reality and truth is that Jesus was quoting Psalm 22:1.
Jesus was still teaching while hanging on the cross showing that prophesy was being fulfilled at that very moment. Teaching in His agony just as He did when tempted by Satan in the wilderness where once again Jesus (God) was facing sin (Satan). Proof is to follow:
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
This was written hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth in a flesh body and Psalm 22 describes a huge portion of what Matthew 27 speaks about. As you notice Jesus clearly speaks this phrase in Hebrew. If the Jews know their Bible AND LISTEN they would recognize this statement and remember what Psalm 22 is all about. Even in His agony Jesus was teaching, hoping some in the crowd would understand what He was saying. Back to Matthew:
Matthew 27: 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. This is written in:
Psalm 22: 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. Sound familiar?
Now more from Psalm 22:
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. Most of the crowd was this way toward Jesus on the cross. (There is sarcasm from the crowd here) In Matthew the crowd even thought Jesus was calling for Elias. These people were blind to the truth.
4 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. His shoulder joints and were pulled out of joint and His heart is failing. Jesus shed blood and water when He was thrust through with the spear ergo; poured out like water His life escaped Him.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. His strength was leaving Him and He was thirsty and they gave Him vinegar mixed with gall.
16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. The dogs mentioned here are enemies and the wicked were all around (those of Satan). No one can miss the connection of Jesus being pierced in His hands and feet.
Psalm 22 tells exactly what Jesus was going to experience when He would be placed on the cross, prophecy fulfilled once again. Of course most of the crowd missed this teaching because their eyes and ears were closed to the truth. Are YOUR eyes and ears closed? This also shows that Jesus knew beforehand what kind of death He would experience.
This is the end of part one of this study. In part two of this study we will discover a verse that has been misinterpreted by MANY preachers and teachers, even Bible colleges and universities.
The Famine is HERE
Part 2
We will begin with the verse that is in question and then show where the subject of the verse has been misunderstood.
Matthew 26:39
And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. This sounds like Jesus was worried about Himself but the truth is deeper than that. Many who read this verse assume that Jesus is talking about hanging on the cross or taking on all the sins of the world but nothing Jesus says confirms this. Never assume anything about the Word of God especially if it takes away from the Godhood of Christ and this thought does. We need to discover what the subject of this verse is for complete understanding. Taking a verse out of context loses all truth. First we will look a similar verse that connects to this one. John 12: 27 is the connection.
John 12:25-27.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. This is the cup and the choice that the apostles will face and it will be because they will follow Jesus that they will drink of this cup. This is the choice to follow Jesus boldly and possibly suffer torture and death or deny Him to save their lives.
26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. The apostles (and all Christians) will need to follow Jesus in many ways including death. Jesus loves His apostles and it is because they follow Him that they will be placed in jeopardy thus His sorrow and heaviness for THEM. The next verse is the connection.
27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour (question): but for this cause came I unto this hour. I think Jesus is making this pretty clear, He definitely is not praying to the Father this time, He is teaching the apostles the same thing He was teaching in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter and the other apostles need to understand that their souls may be troubled because of their desire to deny Christ so as to avoid death and torture, but they need to watch and avoid this temptation and follow the will of God instead. In the end times many will be faced with this decision. Now we can clearly find the subject of Matthew 26:39 (our main subject). Before anyone jumps the gun wait until Matthew 26:41 where Jesus says; “the spirit is truly willing but the flesh is weak” because that will bring all this together. Now back to the subject of the prayer in of Gethsemane from the beginning:
Matthew 26:
31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Jesus was the target of attack as long as He walked with the apostles. After He was arrested the apostles scattered and Peter in particular denied Christ. This is the subject of the prayer in Gethsemane, the apostles denying Jesus.
32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Peter later failed his claim three times. This is the subject of the prayer Jesus will make.
34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. This is a warning about the future. Still the same subject which will become clear soon.
35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. They all were all wrong because they did not yet understand the weakness of the flesh. We need to understand this because we may be tested also.
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. The teaching is about to begin so open your minds to the Holy Spirit.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Point: Whenever Jesus went to pray to the Father He went to be alone as He instructed us to do in Matthew 6:6. Therefore why did Jesus take Peter, James and John with Him? Jesus did not need them for protection because He knew when the “Priests” would arrive to arrest Him. The answer is that by this prayer He was about to teach them and they needed to hear. Bear with me on this.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Yes Jesus was sorrowful but not because of Himself, God cannot be self-pitying, that is a human trait and if we lower God to human standards we have already failed God. Jesus was sorrowful because of the tribulations and temptations His apostles were to go through after His death and resurrection because they would follow Him and become targets and could follow the weakness of the flesh and deny Him. Proof will follow if you have patience. Another point: In the New Testament God or Jesus repeated some statements three times. These were for instruction and edification and for emphasis. Three stand out: One was the prayer we are studying here, one was where in a vision God lowered a sheet to Peter and was told to kill and eat unclean beasts (Acts 10:11-16) and the third was when Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved Him and to “feed my sheep” (John 21:16-18). Jesus did not need to repeat Himself to the Father but to man He does.
39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. As a side point: the only time Jesus prayed with an audience was for instruction and edification for those listening such as when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-43). The decision that Jesus would hang on the cross for our sins was made millennia ago. To believe that at the last moment Jesus (God) would have second thoughts about the main reason He came to the earth is ludicrous and that thought takes away from the Godhood and perfection of Jesus. This was God’s plan from the beginning and only Satan could make it sound as if Jesus had second thoughts or pitied Himself. SHAME on anyone who could believe Jesus was so weak. He came here for us voluntarily, NOT by force. Jesus was PREPARED and KNEW what was to happen and ACCEPTED that fact.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Note that Jesus says this in particular to Peter. Jesus wanted the apostles to remain awake so they would hear the prayer and understand that they would go through times that would try their souls and that whatever was to happen God would understand if they were afraid but nevertheless they should follow the will of God beyond their fleshly impulses. Hold with me, proof is still to come.
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. As we know Peter will deny Christ three times. The apostles need to understand they will be tempted to deny Christ at times so as to avoid torture and death but they must follow the will of the Father. This is why Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This is clarified elsewhere as in Galatians 5:
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. The temptation of the flesh in this instance is to flee to avoid persecution or death if they openly follow and teach Christ. The spirit wars with the flesh because the flesh seeks safety and preservation; the Spirit seeks God’s will and truth. Peter denied Christ even before he was threatened. This is why Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak and pointed out this fact to Peter.
As a final note about this let’s go to: Mark 10:38-39:
38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: We know the “cup” that Jesus drank of, a beating and crucifixion. Jesus is telling them to watch and learn because if they are to enter the Kingdom of God they may be threatened with beatings or death if they preach and teach the Gospel of Christ.
We are not to be pew potatoes blindly following what we are told by governing church bodies, man’s traditions and Satan. It is God’s truth we need; anything else is a denial of Christ and a cause for our destruction. It is up to us if we desire to be with Christ. If we believe the lies then we are following Satan and we may receive Satan’s reward. I have shown only two examples where many churches have been deluded with false teachings. There are many more my friends so in everything you have been taught search for the truth.
Contact information:
tn.photo@gmail.com
There are many prophecies in the Bible about the end times and one prophecy in particular has arrived. The famine is here and spreading fast. This famine is not about food or water but it is the lack of God’s word or more precisely the lack of the truth of God’s word:
Amos 8:
11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: I know that the response from most readers will be: This man is crazy, God’s word is preached in thousands of churches every day so where is the famine? The famine is for the truth. If what is taught in churches is not the truth then it is NOT the word of God. The basic truths are there in most Christian churches but the majority of ALL churches disagree on hundreds of teachings. Don’t believe me? Let me give a short list of examples:
The rapture theory: some say no rapture, some say pre tribulation and some say mid tribulation and some say post tribulation. This is only about ONE teaching. Then there are the different teachings about speaking in tongues where once again there are multiple divisions on this simple teaching. Even Baptism has separated churches with different ideas about this. The list goes on.
There are literally hundreds of examples. You may ask, so what? Everyone has a right to their own opinion. The “so what” is that the only opinion that counts is God’s true word. Anything taught incorrectly about God’s word can cause Christians to fail God and perhaps be condemned so this is vital to Christianity. Clergy of whatever denomination has the responsibility to make sure what they preach or teach is God’s truth but this is not happening today. Read the two studies at the end of this with a mind open to the Holy Spirit and you may find two examples where your church might be misled or teaching falsely.
All Christian churches should hold the same beliefs if they are truly pleasing Jesus and the proof is in the following verses (Jesus speaking):
John 16:
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
If the Spirit of Truth will guide us (Christians) to all truth then ALL Christians should hear the SAME truth but this is not true in today’s world. If all Christians are baptized in the Holy Spirit why do so many denominations have differing opinions about God’s word? The reality is that many teachers and preachers are listening to mankind or Satan instead of God. How can a person claim to be a true Christian unless that person has a passionate desire for the truth of God’s word beyond any other consideration? Satan twisted the word of God in the Garden of Eden and he has not stopped since, in fact he has improved his mischief. This was the first lesson in the Bible and it is even more important today. If all of today’s Christian churches listen to the Spirit of Truth they ALL would have the same doctrines but they do not. God’s truth is solid and unchanging and unwavering.
God knew where His word would be twisted and to make sure we have the truth God gave enough examples in His word so we could learn and correct the false teachings IF we study and listen. If you are not worried about this then you are in danger already. In God’s word there is unity, not division. In God’s word there is peace not confusion. The truth will set us free, not set Christians against Christians. There can be only ONE church of Jesus but today it is not an “organized” church because Satan has separated the Christians and corrupted the doctrines Jesus gave us. I have heard Christians say: “Let’s just agree to disagree”; that is surrender. Instead it should be said: “I will search for truth and pray you do also but we can search for the truth together”.
We will be guided to the truth; that is one promise straight from Jesus but the promise from Satan is that EVERYONE will be tested with lies, so beware. God is so serious about this that He says He will send strong delusion to those that ignore the Spirit of Truth whereby they will believe the lies of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:11). It is happening all over the world right now. Have you or your church been deluded? It is every Christian’s duty to dig for the truth which means to listen to the Holy Spirit as we study to show ourselves worthy. This may require that we release our pride and arrogance before we can hear the Holy Spirit.
I am going to give two examples where the truth has been twisted. The truth is unmistakable if we listen.
We will start in Matthew 27 where Jesus is hanging on the cross:
Matthew 27:46: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
What is significant about this verse? First of all Jesus clearly spoke this phrase in Hebrew, he was trying to get the attention of the Jews present. Secondly unless Jesus was quoting scripture, He never called His Father “God”. Everywhere else Jesus called God “Father or My Father or The Father”. Why, Because Jesus WAS God. Many theologians and teachers have commented on this verse in many different ways and most I have heard proclaim that God forsook Jesus for a short time and the reasons vary. Many claim it is because Jesus has taken on all the sins of the world and God could not look upon sin. Others say God and sin cannot co-exist. All these sound logical but it is time to ignore the theories and discover the truth.
The first truth to discover is what does Jesus say about being forsaken? Would The Father forsake Jesus? Let’s look in:
John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Even though the apostles scattered once Jesus was arrested Jesus knew the Father was going to be with Him through all the pain and agony. Jesus knew the Father would not leave Him nor forsake Him. How can anyone deny this fact? Jesus IS God as it says in: 1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (Note: This verse is corrupted or changed in most newer translations, warning here) There is only ONE God but He can be whatever He desires to be, ergo the great I Am. Now let’s bring in common sense. First: God said He would never leave us nor forsake us (sinners) so how could He forsake His only begotten son? Secondly: God forsaking Jesus is the same as Jesus saying why have I forsaken myself? Jesus is part of the Godhead, He IS God in the flesh body. The reality and truth is that Jesus was quoting Psalm 22:1.
Jesus was still teaching while hanging on the cross showing that prophesy was being fulfilled at that very moment. Teaching in His agony just as He did when tempted by Satan in the wilderness where once again Jesus (God) was facing sin (Satan). Proof is to follow:
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
This was written hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth in a flesh body and Psalm 22 describes a huge portion of what Matthew 27 speaks about. As you notice Jesus clearly speaks this phrase in Hebrew. If the Jews know their Bible AND LISTEN they would recognize this statement and remember what Psalm 22 is all about. Even in His agony Jesus was teaching, hoping some in the crowd would understand what He was saying. Back to Matthew:
Matthew 27: 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. This is written in:
Psalm 22: 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. Sound familiar?
Now more from Psalm 22:
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. Most of the crowd was this way toward Jesus on the cross. (There is sarcasm from the crowd here) In Matthew the crowd even thought Jesus was calling for Elias. These people were blind to the truth.
4 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. His shoulder joints and were pulled out of joint and His heart is failing. Jesus shed blood and water when He was thrust through with the spear ergo; poured out like water His life escaped Him.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. His strength was leaving Him and He was thirsty and they gave Him vinegar mixed with gall.
16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. The dogs mentioned here are enemies and the wicked were all around (those of Satan). No one can miss the connection of Jesus being pierced in His hands and feet.
Psalm 22 tells exactly what Jesus was going to experience when He would be placed on the cross, prophecy fulfilled once again. Of course most of the crowd missed this teaching because their eyes and ears were closed to the truth. Are YOUR eyes and ears closed? This also shows that Jesus knew beforehand what kind of death He would experience.
This is the end of part one of this study. In part two of this study we will discover a verse that has been misinterpreted by MANY preachers and teachers, even Bible colleges and universities.
The Famine is HERE
Part 2
We will begin with the verse that is in question and then show where the subject of the verse has been misunderstood.
Matthew 26:39
And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. This sounds like Jesus was worried about Himself but the truth is deeper than that. Many who read this verse assume that Jesus is talking about hanging on the cross or taking on all the sins of the world but nothing Jesus says confirms this. Never assume anything about the Word of God especially if it takes away from the Godhood of Christ and this thought does. We need to discover what the subject of this verse is for complete understanding. Taking a verse out of context loses all truth. First we will look a similar verse that connects to this one. John 12: 27 is the connection.
John 12:25-27.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. This is the cup and the choice that the apostles will face and it will be because they will follow Jesus that they will drink of this cup. This is the choice to follow Jesus boldly and possibly suffer torture and death or deny Him to save their lives.
26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. The apostles (and all Christians) will need to follow Jesus in many ways including death. Jesus loves His apostles and it is because they follow Him that they will be placed in jeopardy thus His sorrow and heaviness for THEM. The next verse is the connection.
27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour (question): but for this cause came I unto this hour. I think Jesus is making this pretty clear, He definitely is not praying to the Father this time, He is teaching the apostles the same thing He was teaching in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter and the other apostles need to understand that their souls may be troubled because of their desire to deny Christ so as to avoid death and torture, but they need to watch and avoid this temptation and follow the will of God instead. In the end times many will be faced with this decision. Now we can clearly find the subject of Matthew 26:39 (our main subject). Before anyone jumps the gun wait until Matthew 26:41 where Jesus says; “the spirit is truly willing but the flesh is weak” because that will bring all this together. Now back to the subject of the prayer in of Gethsemane from the beginning:
Matthew 26:
31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Jesus was the target of attack as long as He walked with the apostles. After He was arrested the apostles scattered and Peter in particular denied Christ. This is the subject of the prayer in Gethsemane, the apostles denying Jesus.
32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Peter later failed his claim three times. This is the subject of the prayer Jesus will make.
34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. This is a warning about the future. Still the same subject which will become clear soon.
35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. They all were all wrong because they did not yet understand the weakness of the flesh. We need to understand this because we may be tested also.
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. The teaching is about to begin so open your minds to the Holy Spirit.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Point: Whenever Jesus went to pray to the Father He went to be alone as He instructed us to do in Matthew 6:6. Therefore why did Jesus take Peter, James and John with Him? Jesus did not need them for protection because He knew when the “Priests” would arrive to arrest Him. The answer is that by this prayer He was about to teach them and they needed to hear. Bear with me on this.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Yes Jesus was sorrowful but not because of Himself, God cannot be self-pitying, that is a human trait and if we lower God to human standards we have already failed God. Jesus was sorrowful because of the tribulations and temptations His apostles were to go through after His death and resurrection because they would follow Him and become targets and could follow the weakness of the flesh and deny Him. Proof will follow if you have patience. Another point: In the New Testament God or Jesus repeated some statements three times. These were for instruction and edification and for emphasis. Three stand out: One was the prayer we are studying here, one was where in a vision God lowered a sheet to Peter and was told to kill and eat unclean beasts (Acts 10:11-16) and the third was when Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved Him and to “feed my sheep” (John 21:16-18). Jesus did not need to repeat Himself to the Father but to man He does.
39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. As a side point: the only time Jesus prayed with an audience was for instruction and edification for those listening such as when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-43). The decision that Jesus would hang on the cross for our sins was made millennia ago. To believe that at the last moment Jesus (God) would have second thoughts about the main reason He came to the earth is ludicrous and that thought takes away from the Godhood and perfection of Jesus. This was God’s plan from the beginning and only Satan could make it sound as if Jesus had second thoughts or pitied Himself. SHAME on anyone who could believe Jesus was so weak. He came here for us voluntarily, NOT by force. Jesus was PREPARED and KNEW what was to happen and ACCEPTED that fact.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Note that Jesus says this in particular to Peter. Jesus wanted the apostles to remain awake so they would hear the prayer and understand that they would go through times that would try their souls and that whatever was to happen God would understand if they were afraid but nevertheless they should follow the will of God beyond their fleshly impulses. Hold with me, proof is still to come.
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. As we know Peter will deny Christ three times. The apostles need to understand they will be tempted to deny Christ at times so as to avoid torture and death but they must follow the will of the Father. This is why Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This is clarified elsewhere as in Galatians 5:
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. The temptation of the flesh in this instance is to flee to avoid persecution or death if they openly follow and teach Christ. The spirit wars with the flesh because the flesh seeks safety and preservation; the Spirit seeks God’s will and truth. Peter denied Christ even before he was threatened. This is why Jesus said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak and pointed out this fact to Peter.
As a final note about this let’s go to: Mark 10:38-39:
38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: We know the “cup” that Jesus drank of, a beating and crucifixion. Jesus is telling them to watch and learn because if they are to enter the Kingdom of God they may be threatened with beatings or death if they preach and teach the Gospel of Christ.
We are not to be pew potatoes blindly following what we are told by governing church bodies, man’s traditions and Satan. It is God’s truth we need; anything else is a denial of Christ and a cause for our destruction. It is up to us if we desire to be with Christ. If we believe the lies then we are following Satan and we may receive Satan’s reward. I have shown only two examples where many churches have been deluded with false teachings. There are many more my friends so in everything you have been taught search for the truth.
Contact information:
tn.photo@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)