- iris89
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] Why Jesus (Yeshua) Had to Die and Benefit to Mankind
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 471A]
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Psalms 103:3 – 4, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
King David was a righteous man, but not a perfect man. He admitted to the Prophet Nathan that he had sinned as recorded at 2 Samuel 12:13, [AV] “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.” But the prophet let him know that he would not die from his illness, but would strengthen his per Psalms 41:3, [AV] “The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness”
Yes, Almighty God (YHWH) strengthens the broken hearted as revealed at Psalms 147:3, [AV] “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” And the Prophet Micah shows he is a God of tender mercy at Micah 7:18, [AV] “ Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”
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[2] Why Jesus (Yeshua) Had to Die and Benefit to Mankind:
INTRODUCTION:
Some contend that Jesus (Yeshua) did not die and/or did not need to die, but this will be shown to be false in three parts.
THREE PART SHOWING THAT CHRIST HAD TO DIE FOR MANKIND AND THAT HE DID:
FIRST, Let's look at one unbelievers comment on the subject, and then read the facts on same.
<<" willingness of jesus christ to die for our sins
peter and the two sons of zebedee were with jesus christ before the elders of the people and the chief priests came to take him to be crucified. jesus at this point talked to peter and the two sons of zebedee as in matthew 26:38 "then saith he unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." then jesus went a little further away from them and prayed to god as in matthew 26:39 "and 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."
it is very clear from the above verse in matthew 26:39 that jesus had no intention of dying. in this verse it is shown that jesus was praying strongly (matthew mentions jesus repeating this prayer three times) to have this death removed from him. had jesus christ been sent to be crucified, he would not have hesitated to be killed at all. ">>.
WRONG, First, he knew he was going to be betrayed and die as shown by Matthew 26:20-25, "Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said." (Authorized King James Bible; AV)
Second, He also knew that Peter would deny him three times as recorded at Matthew 26: "Then 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.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." (AV)
Third, Then the scripture you mentioned, but in context, Matthew 26:36-46, "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little further, 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.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." (AV)
Which clearly shows Jesus (Yeshua) as an obedient Son that knew he had to die as a ransom sacrifice for all of mankind as shown in his prayer when he said, ", O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." Clearly indicating that he wanted his Father's, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, to be done even if it involved his death as a human.
SECOND, Some believe that Jesus (Yeshua) is His Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, which of course he is not. That is why the Bible calls him the Son of God at many diverse places such as at Matthew 8:29, 14:33, 26:63, 27:40, 27:43, Mark 1:1, 3:11, 15:39, etc. Ones that fail to recognize this fact wrongly believe he is his own Father, but the fleshly side or form. Of course they forget several facts as follows:
[1] No one can see the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, and live as recorded at Exodus 33:20, "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." (AV)
[2] That the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, is invisible; whereas, his Son Jesus (Yeshua) was seen by many, 1 Timothy 1:17 says, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (AV)
[3] And the apostle John said clearly at John 1:18, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." (AV)
THIRD, Now let's consider why Jesus (Yeshua) had to die, and did die by execution by the Romans as recorded at Matthew 27: "And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
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.
36 And sitting down they watched him there;
37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
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?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50 ¶ Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
57 ¶ When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." (AV)
Now why did he have to die? Let's look at why this was necessary. It was because the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, law required like for like.
[1] A ransome price corresponds to the perfect human life lost by Adam's disobedience had to be provided.
1 Timothy 2:5-6, "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony [to be borne] in its own times;" (American Standard Version; ASV)
Philippians 2:5-6, "but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross." (ASV).
1 Corinthians 15:22, "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (ASV).
[2] Christ died to provide a ransom to open the way to everlasting life for all who would believe:
Ephesians 1:3-7, "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ: 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace," (ASV).
John 3:16-18, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." (ASV).
1 John 4:9-10, "Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins." (ASV)
John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. " (ASV).
1 Timothy 2:5-6, "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony [to be borne] in its own times;" (ASV).
[3] The Need of mankind for a ransom to free us from bondage to sin and death:
Romans 5:12, "Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:--" (ASV) as I previously told you.
Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;" (ASV)
Psalms 49:7-9, "None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him; 8 (For the redemption of their life is costly, And it faileth for ever;) 9 That he should still live alway, That he should not see corruption." (ASV).
Psalms 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me." (ASV).
[4] The price paid for release from bondage to sin and death;
Matthew 20:28, "even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (ASV).
Romans 3:24, "By God's grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua." (The Complete Jewish Bible, Jewish Net Testament Publications; TCJB).
Hebrews 2:14-15, "Therefore, since the children share a common physical nature as human beings, he became like them and shared that same human nature; so that by his death he might render ineffective the one who had power over death (that is, the Adversary) 15 and thus set free those who had been in bondage all their lives because of their fear of death." (TCJB).
[5] The ransom was paid by Christ with his human life blood poured out in death:
John 10:11, ""I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (TCJB).
Ephesians 1:7, " In union with him, through the shedding of his blood, we are set free - our sins are forgiven; this accords with the wealth of the grace" (TCJB).
1 Peter 1:18-19, "You should be aware that the ransom paid to free you from the worthless way of life which your fathers passed on to you did not consist of anything perishable like silver or gold; 19 on the contrary, it was the costly bloody sacrificial death of the Messiah, as of a lamb without defect or spot." (TCJB).
Revelations 5:9, "and they sang a new song, "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals; because you were slaughtered; at the cost of blood you ransomed for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nation." (TCJB).
[6] Christ died, not due to sin, but as a sacrifice on behalf of mankind;
Hebrews 7:26 & 9:25-26, "This is the kind of cohen gadol that meets our need - holy, without evil, without stain, set apart from sinners and raised higher than the heavens; " & "Further, he did not enter heaven to offer himself over and over again, like the cohen hagadol who enters the Holiest Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer death many times - from the founding of the universe on. But as it is, he has appeared once at the end of the ages in order to do away with sin through the sacrifice of himself." (TCJB).
1 John 4:10, "Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins." (TCJB).
1 Peter 2:22, "who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" (ASV).
[7] After Christ was resurrected, he presented the value of his sacrifice to his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), in heaven:
Hebrews 9:11-12 & 24, " But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. " & " For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:" (ASV).
Ephesians 5:2, "and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell." (ASV).
Romans 8:34, "who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (ASV).
[8] The Purpose and benefits of the ransom:
Isaiah 53:12, "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (ASV).
Hebrews 2:9, "But we do see Yeshua - who indeed was made for a little while lower than the angels - now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God's grace he might taste death for all humanity. " (TCJB).
Galatians 1:4, "who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from the present evil world-system, in obedience to the will of God, our Father." (TCJB).
CONCLUSION:
So as we can see, those who claim he did not die or a ransom for the wrong committed by Adam are in gross error.
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- iris89
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] FAITH – WHAT IS IT AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 472A]
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
We should seek out the company of the wise and just, and per Proverbs 22:17, [AV] “ Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.” This reality was clearly shown by several of the apostles as testified to at Acts 4:13, [AV] “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
So we today should per Hebrews 10:24, [AV] “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” This because as shown at Proverbs 29:27, [AV] “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO,
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Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
[2] FAITH – WHAT IS IT AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?
Let’s look at what the Holy bible says in the subject in two different translations that clearly testify to the same truth in different words:
FAITH IS THE ASSURED EXPECTATION OF WHAT IS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENT DEMONSTRATION OF REALITIES THAT ARE NOT SEEN. 2 For by means of it, the men of ancient times had witness borne to them. 3 By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God’s word, so that what is seen has come into existence from things that are not visible. 4 By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than that of Cain, and through that faith he received the witness that he was righteous, for God approved his gifts, and although he died, he still speaks through his faith. 5 By faith E?noch was transferred so as not to see death, and he was nowhere to be found because God had transferred him; for before he was transferred he received the witness that he had pleased God well. 6 MOREOVER, WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WELL, FOR WHOEVER APPROACHES GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS AND THAT HE BECOMES THE REWARDER OF THOSE EARNESTLY SEEKING HIM. 7 By faith Noah, after receiving divine warning of things not yet seen, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this faith he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that results from faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, although not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the land of the promise as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the very same promise. 10 For he was awaiting the city having real foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith also Sarah received power to conceive offspring, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who made the promise. 12 For this reason, from one man who was as good as dead, there were born children, as many as the stars of heaven in number and as innumerable as the sands by the seaside. 13 In faith all of these died, although they did not receive the fulfillment of the promises; but they saw them from a distance and welcomed them and publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it evident that they are earnestly seeking a place of their own. 15 And yet, if they had kept remembering the place from which they had departed, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they are reaching out for a better place, that is, one belonging to heaven. Therefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called on as their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac—the man who had gladly received the promises attempted to offer up his only-begotten son— 18 although it had been said to him: “What will be called your offspring will be through Isaac.” 19 But he reasoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, and he did receive him from there in an illustrative way. 20 By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and E?sau concerning things to come. [New World Translation Revised; NWTR]
NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 ¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
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.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Douay Rheims Catholic Bible: DRCB)
CONSIDER THE FAITH OF JESUS (YESHUA) AS TESTIFIED TO AT HEBREWS 12:1 – 3:
So, then, because we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also throw off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such hostile speech from sinners against their own interests, so that you may not get tired and give up. [New World Translation Revised; NWTR]
AND THE PROPHET ELIJAH SHOWED GREAT FAITH TO DELIVERING AND UNWANTED MESSAGE TO WICKED KING AHAB, AND BEING SURE THAT ALMIGHTY GOD (YHWH) WOULD TAKE CARE OF HIM PER HIS PROMISE AT 1 KINGS 17:1 – 6,
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. [AUTHORIZED KING JAMES BIBLE; AV]
YES, FAITH IS THE ASSURED EXPECTATION OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENT DEMONSTRATION OF REALITIES THOUGH NOT BEHELD. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT CREDULITY; TO WIT, THAT IS TO BELIEVE SOMETHING WITHOUT EVIDENCE OR JUST BECAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL WANTS IT TO BE SO AS DONE IN MANY FALSE RELIGIONS. GENUINE FAITH REQUIRES BASIC OF FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND EVIDENCE. AS ROMANS 10:10, (NWTR),
For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.
Many individuals fail to have genuine faith do to an accurate knowledge of the Bible. This is a result of failing do to either being taught by false religion or due to not studying the Bible, and/or both.
Romans 3:3 – 4, [AV] makes this clear as follows: “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”
This reality (fact) is made quite clear at Matthew 7:21 - 28, [AV] “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:”
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] Discourse on Quick Proof that the Bible is Divinely Inspired:
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 473A]
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Proverbs 22:19, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
We must trust in Almighty God (YHWH) and not be haughty as stated at Proverbs 18:12, [AV] “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” Yes we must have a reverent fear of the Lord per Psalma 34:9, [AV] “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” So per James 4:10, [AV] “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO,
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
[2] Discourse on Quick Proof that the Bible is Divinely Inspired:
INTRODUCTION:
The proof that the Bible is divinely inspired, unlike Bible knockoffs, is found in the Bible and confirmed by secular history and archeology as you well should know. The Bible was written by over 40 divinely inspired men whom the Creator, God (YHWH), the actual author of the Bible but not the knockoffs, inspired these faithful men to put his thoughts into the words of men. Another proof of course is the amazing candor found in the Bible which is entirely out of line with all other ancient books in which the prophets such as Jonah even recorded their own shortcomings and wrong doings instead of covering them up as was the standard practice of rulers and the false prophets in ancient times.
You will NOT find this candor and honesty in other ancient religious books such as the Rib Veda, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Urial, etc. Nor will you find it in the Bible knockoffs such as the Book of Morman-Joseph Smith never listed his shortcomings, the Quran-Muhammed never listed his shortcomings, the Writings of David Korash of the Branch Dividians-David Korash never listed his shortcomings, etc. Why? Because these were all writings of men and/or of things they had copied from the Bible in distorted form, and not by divinely inspired scribes as were the writers of the Bible who in effect were just secretaries so to speak of the Creator, God (YHWH).
SOME FAIL TO COMPREHEND THE BIBLE WHILE USING BIBLE KNOCKOFFS:
Now with regard to how other none divinely inspired writers such as Joseph Smith and Muhammed 'borrowed' from the Bible is clear when you read either of their work products, i.e., the Book of Mormon or the Quran. With respect the work product of David Korash, unlike the others, he did give credit to the source for his work. Now let's look at a passage in the Bible and the equivalent passage in the Quran so this borrowing with out credit can be clearly seen. Let's look at Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God." (American Standard Version; ASV). Now let's look at the 'borrowed' passage in the Quran at Sura 3:47, "She said, "My Lord, how can I have a son, when no man has touched me?" He said, "GOD thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He simply says to it, `Be,' and it is."
Interestingly although both the Quran's 'Be' and the Bible's (in some translations only) overshadow both refer to exactly the same thing, but use different words, some Muslims do not comprehend this and think overshadow has bad connotations which of course it does not. Both these passages refer to God's (YHWH) using his active force or power referred to in the Bible as Spirit or Holy Spirit to implant the life force of his only begotten Son, that we know as Jesus (Yeshua) into the womb of the virgin Mary as recorded in Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS." (ASV). Now some may not understand just what this force or power of God (YHWH) is so here is a brief explanation.
WHAT FORCE OVERSHADOWED MARY?
Now let's get an understanding of what this power or Spirit or Holy Spirit of God's (YHWH's) is his active force or power and emanates from him and is a force completely controlled by him, and is capable of giving him feedback and gathering for him information.
But first let's see why the Spirit is indeed God's (YHWH's) active force or power from an understanding of the ancient word 'pneu'ma' translated Spirit or Holy Spirit in English. The neuter Koine Greek word for spirit (pneu'ma) is used with the neuter pronoun "it" since it is lacks gender. This fact is conveniently over looked or hidden by most Trinitarian translators of the Bible as admitted in the "New American Bible Catholic Bible," regarding John 14:17: "The Greek word for 'Spirit' is neuter, and while we use personal pronouns in English ('he,' 'his,' 'him'), most Greek MSS [manuscripts] employ 'it.'" So when the Bible uses masculine personal pronouns in connection with pa·ra'kle·tos at John 16:7, 8, it is conforming to rules of grammar, not expressing a doctrine. And in Ancient Hebrew the word here rendered Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, or Spirit which is translated from 'ru'ach' meaning "breath; wind; spirit." In Latin, it is spiritus, and in Sanskrit, 'prana' which means both "breath" and "spirit." And the pertinent definition in the Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary (ISBN 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6) clearly states, (4) <Often Cap.> In the Bible, the creative, animating power or divine influence of God...[etymology-[<Old French, 'espirit' <Latin, 'spiritus' bredth, spirit <'spirare' to breathe]. So we can see it, the Holy Spirit or Spirit is truly God's (YHWH's) active force or power and not a spirit being as are Almighty God (YHWH) and his Son, Jesus (Yeshua). This point is very well made in the New International Version at Luke 1:35, "The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[1] the Son of God." (The New International Version; NIV). Sure shows that the Holy Spirit is nothing but God's (YHWH's) active force.
Now from the study of science and technology we know that with respect a force there can be four possibilities or possibly five applicable questions, which are as follows:
(1) Is it an uncontrolled force?
(2) Is it a controlled force?
(3) Is it controlled, but without feedback?
(4) Is it controlled, but with feedback?
Is it direct or indirect feedback?
However 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 shows it to be a controlled force with feedback that appears to be direct feedback, "But unto us God revealed [them] through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God." (American Standard Version; ASV), clearly showing that the "spirit which is from God," and God "revealed [them] through the Spirit," and uses it to search all things, thus showing it is a controlled spirit capable of feedback. God (YHWH) has complete control over his power or force and can choose its fields of operations as testified to at Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (ASV) clearly showing he can use to lead individuals and that it belongs to him. And John 16:13 clearly shows it as a force, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." Since it is quite clear that it is a controlled force, "shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak,"
Clearly it is a controlled force used by God (YHWH) to do many things as testified to at Acts 10:19-20, "While Peter was meditationg on the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'There are two men looking for you. 20 Get up and go down, and without hesitation go on with them, for I have sent them.'" (The New Testament by Charles B. Williams); And the fact that it is a closely controlled force is further affirmed at Acts 16:6, "And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:" (ASV); And at Acts 13:2-4, "And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus." (ASV); And at Acts 15:28, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:" (ASV) clearly indicating direct feedback to and response by God (YHWH); which is further shown by Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption" (ASV) which once more indicates that is gives direct feedback and it reacts to the feelings of God (YHWH) from which it emanates thus a tightly controlled force or power.
IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE:
But some may ask of what importance has the Bible been through the ages. This will be done in 6 parts borrowed from "Civilization and the Bible."
1) Our entire civilization as we know it is actually built on the ability to store information in one form or another and to pass it on to others for their use. This storage can take many different forms such as books, memory cores and disks, scrolls, clay tablets, writings on stones and artifacts, etc. Storage of the repository of human knowledge and better reasoning ability are the things that set humankind apart from all other species that inhabits this planet. We know what happened in the past and can learn from the past because of our store of knowledge. Without this ability to store knowledge we would not know anything about the Roman Empire, the various ancient dynasties of the Chinese or the scientific findings of the past that we have built on and developed on in a synergistic way to continually advance. This sets us apart from all the other concurrent inhabiting species of this planet; take the common cat, this animal has coexisted with mankind during are entire existence, but it lacks the ability to pass on anything more than the most rudimentary information to the next generation and it has NOT advanced; we see no great cat cities or developments by this species and we never will.
2) Our advancement was made possible by this ability to build on our collective knowledge in a continuing progressive upward path. We name things and this name is accepted as valid my others and our knowledge is added to. Take for example the color we call red, why is it red? It is red only because we collectively decide to use this term for it and to reference it to artifacts such as color chips, vases, etc. that are that color. Could we prove anything is red apart from our collective knowledge of what is red and our artifacts? Definitely not since it is only red due to our collective knowledge and our artifacts. Without our collective knowledge and our artifacts we would be just like the lesser animals having only a here and now existence. Of course there are those among us that differ with our collective knowledge and question the obvious of what we know or have learned as a society. The Flat Earth Society (London and California) maintain that the earth is flat and not round and there are still some primitive people that believe the earth is not only flat but carried by a great turtle through the cosmos and also those who maintain man has never gone to the moon. However, are their beliefs reasonable in the light of knowledge accumulated by society and the artifacts now possessed by society, the answer is a resounding NO.
3) Also, are advancement is built on our ability to classify our knowledge. Many things are as we classify them. These classifications are not intrinsically right or wrong, but a method of ordering our collective knowledge into a coherent form for better understanding. In other words it is humanities attempt to take a group of disconnected information and put it into some order so we can better understand it. Of course one can disagree with classifications used and maintain that standard classifications are inadequate in one way or another, but he/she does thins strictly on the basis of the collective body of human knowledge. For example, take the classifications of several forms of deviant sex, pedophile, homosexual, and heterosexual deviant sex practitioner. Our collective knowledge is that a heterosexual relates to one who has sexual desires toward a member of the opposite gender; a homosexual relates to one who has sexual desires toward a member of his own gender; Pedophilia relates to a sexual perversion in which children, either sex, are the preferred sexual object. Now one could maintain that pedophilias are neither homosexual or heterosexual deviant sex practitioners as they are driven by different behavior motivations, i.e., power and control in addition to sex, than deviant sex practitioners who prefer adults. While their behavior motivations are different, they, depending on the gender of the victim and the perpetrator would be either heterosexual pedophiles or homosexual pedophiles; note, as previously mentioned this classification is apart from the differences in underlying motivation due to how we have collectively set up the classification in our collective body of knowledge.
4) Since God created us and everything else in the universe and new our makeup since he had made us, he caused men under his direction or inspiration to write a collective body of information to tell us of his requirements, laws and principles; of the history of his people with whom he had concluded a covenant with; to tell us salient items to occur in the future, prophecy; and to inspire us. For example, the history given in the Bible was intended to show how when his people kept his laws and principles all went well with them and when they disobeyed how he brought punishment on them. This history also showed how punishment was executed on wicked nations before our modern era. All this was for the purpose of adding to our collective knowledge so we could learn from it and act in an intelligent manner on it if we were so disposed. Whereas, prophecy, the foretelling of history in advance, had basically a two fold purpose of first advising us of what would happen in the future and in most cases why and the second was so we would indeed know that his addition to our collective knowledge was indeed from him and the writers of it were indeed inspired. In fact, one mathematician once took the hundred of scriptures in the old testament concerning Jesus, prophecy related to him, and calculated that the possibility of them all being fulfilled by coincidence was so great as to be mathematically impossible.
In addition to prophecy to show the Bible is inspired and from God is the many recorded eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible and elsewhere that relate to the life and times of Jesus. For example, the accounts written by Josephus, a first century Jewish historian employed by the Romans, clearly acknowledge Jesus (see "The Jewish Antiguities" by Josephus) and many of his activities/accomplishments as do other contemporary historians such as Tacitus, a Roman historian in "The complete works of Tacitus, " and numerous others. "The New Encyclopedia Britannica states: "These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus." The Jews, however, did not accept Jesus and the "Encyclopaedia Judaica says, "The Jews of the Roman period believed [the Messiah] would be raised up by God to break the yoke of the heather..." but they did admit his existance and many of the powerful works he did.
5) Some specific examples of its inspiration were the prophecy at Jeremiah 49:17-18 17 "Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it." Note, Jeremiah's recording was finished by 580 B.C. The prophecy was fulfilled when the Edomites were driven from Palesting during the 2nd century B.C. by Judam Maccabaeus, "The New Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia. There are many more examples such as this that can be found in reference books in all major libraries for any who should care to do further research in the repository of collective knowledge of our civilization.
6) Therefore the Bible is proved as reliable by are repository of collective artifacts, many from archeological discoveries, that verify Biblical facts and details, and our collective repository of recorded knowledge external to the Bible. As previously noted this can be checked out at any major library with a little research on the part of any interested individual who wishes to do his/her homework. [source - Civilization and the Bible by Iris the Preacher 2001].
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] LET'S CONTINUE PROGRESLET'S CONTINUE PROGRESSING IN CHRISTIAN FAITH:
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 474A]
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Psalms 46:1 – 3, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
We must look to Almighty God (YHWH) for our refuge as pointed out by Psalms 62:7, [AV] “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” Yes, He is near to all who seek him as pointed out at Psalms 145:18, [AV] “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
But His day for judging will come unexpectedly to most peoples per 2 Peter 3:10, [AV] “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” More information on this is found at Isaiah 54:10, [AV] “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO,
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
[2] LET'S CONTINUE PROGRESLET'S CONTINUE PROGRESSING IN CHRISTIAN FAITH:
The Devil is very active in throwing tares (weeds) in the way of true Christians who desire to progress, both groups (organizations) and individuals, and to press on to true Christian maturity as testified to at Matthew 13:24-30, "Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? 28 And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." (American Standard Version; ASV).
This parable of Jesus (Yeshua) is of Great importance for all open minded person really wanting to know the truth as it states a very important principle and/or fact; A person who does not want to be with a group that is drifting ever further from the truth of God's (YHWH's) word. Now what do I mean by that? Let's examine two types of groups, that you could call the wheat and the tares [weeds]; There are two types of change going on among all groups that call themselves Christian, one toward a purer organization that is drawing ever closer to perfection, which of course can not be complete until the kingdom of our savior Jesus (Yeshua) is in full power per 1 Corinthians the 15 th chapter; then there is the other type of change we see taking place in so called mainstream religion, that of going in the opposite direction, becoming more pagan and debased with time as shown by the recent appointment of an avowed Sodomite as a Bishop by one of the so called mainstream groups and the retaining of a female minister who married her lady by another so called mainstream group. This process has been accelerating ever since the Council of Nicea of 325 A.D. Honest hearted ones open your eyes and see reality, change is taking place in all groups, and this is great if it is change to bring an organization ever closer to the principles and concepts of Biblical truths, the wheat group, but very bad if it leads a group to become ever further away from the principles and concepts of Biblical truths, that is known as going apostate or tares [weeds].
Likewise, as the Bible clearly shows, if a group (organization) or and individual does not continue to progress toward true Christian maturity and purity, even what they have will be taken form them and they will progress ever onward to ever greater apostasy and wrong doing; they will continue in an ever downward spiral. This is clearly shown by Jesus" (Yeshua's) illustration found at Matthew 25:14-33, "`For -- as a man going abroad did call his own servants, and did deliver to them his substance, 15 and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several ability, went abroad immediately. 16 `And he who did receive the five talents, having gone, wrought with them, and made other five talents; 17 in like manner also he who [received] the two, he gained, also he, other two; 18 and he who did receive the one, having gone away, digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 `And after a long time cometh the lord of those servants, and taketh reckoning with them; 20 and he who did receive the five talents having come, brought other five talents, saying, `Sir, five talents thou didst deliver to me; lo, other five talents did I gain besides them. 21 `And his lord said to him, Well done, servant, good and faithful, over a few things thou wast faithful, over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord. 22 `And he who also did receive the two talents having come, said, Sir, two talents thou didst deliver to me; lo, other two talents I did gain besides them. 23 `His lord said to him, Well done, servant, good and faithful, over a few things thou wast faithful, over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord. 24 `And he also who hath received the one talent having come, said, Sir, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering from whence thou didst not scatter; 25 and having been afraid, having gone away, I hid thy talent in the earth; lo, thou hast thine own! 26 `And his lord answering said to him, Evil servant, and slothful, thou hadst known that I reap where I did not sow, and I gather whence I did not scatter! 27 it behoved thee then to put my money to the money-lenders, and having come I had received mine own with increase. 28 `Take therefore from him the talent, and give to him having the ten talents, 29 for to every one having shall be given, and he shall have overabundance, and from him who is not having, even that which he hath shall be taken from him; 30 and the unprofitable servant cast ye forth to the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth. 31 `And whenever the Son of Man may come in his glory, and all the holy messengers with him, then he shall sit upon a throne of his glory; 32 and gathered together before him shall be all the nations, and he shall separate them from one another, as the shepherd doth separate the sheep from the goats, 33 and he shall set the sheep indeed on his right hand, and the goats on the left." (Young's Literal Translation; YLT). So let's not be the "unprofitable servant", but per Matthew 25:34, the good servant, "34 `Then shall the king say to those on his right hand, Come ye, the blessed of my Father, inherit the reign that hath been prepared for you from the foundation of the world;" (YLT), and press on to Christian maturity, purity, and good works.
Let's look at the various types on most BBs. First there is:
1) The poster type who post "so what" type of items that do not progress to true Christian maturity and purity!
Their comments go something like this, in the past the view of vaccination was yak, yak, yak; or the Watchtower of December 1895 said, yak, yak, yak; or some other "so what" from the past as they fail to recognize forward progression.
2) The elitist type!
My I am highly educated and imply they are better than others, clearly forgetting that our Lord and savior had NO DIPLOMAS.
3) The psycho analyst!
Mind control is yak, yak, yak, and seek to apply it wrongly to true Christians who are progressing to maturity and purity in Bible truths.
4) The always negative type!
My mind is made up, please, please, do not confuse me with facts, thanks.
5) The true Christian progressive type who wishes to press on toward Christian maturity and purity in Bible truths.
Let's continue learning more and making progressive changes as we go along on our journey to greater Christian maturity and purity.
6) The apostate progressive type who will continue to progress or spiral ever downward into greater apostasy and wrong doing.
Let's appoint known practitioners of Sodomy and other forms of deviant sex to the office of Bishop, Cardinal, or Minister; and live a hedonistic life. Also, let's pick on the true Christian progressive type who wishes to press on toward true Christian maturity and purity as we view them as unacceptable.
Now which will you be? If you are the true Christian progressive type, you will seek to press on to true Christian maturity and purity, and for that type I am contemplating on providing a 'scripture of the day' to assist them with regard to learning Bible truths in 'bite-sized' bits, is everyone in agreement? I would use the Authorized King James, AV, all most exclusively since almost all have this translation and can easily follow.
Also, I once wrote the following scriptural commentary that shows what to look for with respect the Devils work to assist all in resisting him:
Luke 22:31
" And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"
Thoughts on the Scripture of the Day on the Devil:
The Bible shows that Satan the Devil is the chief adversary of Jehovah God and of all who worship the true God. The name Satan was given to him because of his becoming a resistor of God. Satan is also known as the Devil, because he is the foremost slanderer of God. Satan is described as the original serpent, evidently because of his using a serpent in Eden to deceive Eve, and for this reason 'serpent' came to signify 'deceiver.' In the book of Revelation, the symbolism of a devouring dragon is also applied to Satan.
How can we know whether such a spirit person actually exist? The Bible is the chief source of evidence. There he is repeatedly referred to by name [Satan 52 times, Devil 33 times]. Eyewitness testimony as to Satan's existence is also recorded there. Who was the eyewitness? Jesus Christ, who lived in heaven before coming to the earth, repeatedly spoke of that wicked one by name, see The Scripture of the Day- Luke 22:31, " And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." (Luke 10:18 AV), " Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:41 AV).
What the Bible says about Satan the Devil makes sense. The evil that mankind experiences is far out of proportion to the malice of the humans involved. The Bible's explanation of Satan's origin and his activities makes clear why, despite the desire of the majority to live in peace, mankind has been plagued with hatred, violence, and war for thousands of years and why this has reached such a level that it now threatens to destroy all mankind.
If there really were no Devil, accepting what the Bible says about him would not bring lasting benefits to a person. In many instances, however, persons who formerly dabbled in the occult or who belonged to groups practicing spiritism report that they were at that time greatly distressed because of hearing 'voices' from unseen sources, being thus 'possessed' by spirit beings. Relief was gained when they learned what the Bible says about Satan and his demons, applied the Bible's counsel to shun spiritistic practices, and sought God's help in prayer.
Believing that Satan exist does not mean accepting the many distorted ideas about his appearance and a fiery hell. The Bible gives no such description of him. Instead of teaching a fiery hell, the Bible clearly says that " For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5 AV).
SING IN CHRISTIAN FAITH:
The Devil is very active in throwing tares (weeds) in the way of true Christians who desire to progress, both groups (organizations) and individuals, and to press on to true Christian maturity as testified to at Matthew 13:24-30, "Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? 28 And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." (American Standard Version; ASV).
This parable of Jesus (Yeshua) is of Great importance for all open minded person really wanting to know the truth as it states a very important principle and/or fact; A person who does not want to be with a group that is drifting ever further from the truth of God's (YHWH's) word. Now what do I mean by that? Let's examine two types of groups, that you could call the wheat and the tares [weeds]; There are two types of change going on among all groups that call themselves Christian, one toward a purer organization that is drawing ever closer to perfection, which of course can not be complete until the kingdom of our savior Jesus (Yeshua) is in full power per 1 Corinthians the 15 th chapter; then there is the other type of change we see taking place in so called mainstream religion, that of going in the opposite direction, becoming more pagan and debased with time as shown by the recent appointment of an avowed Sodomite as a Bishop by one of the so called mainstream groups and the retaining of a female minister who married her lady by another so called mainstream group. This process has been accelerating ever since the Council of Nicea of 325 A.D. Honest hearted ones open your eyes and see reality, change is taking place in all groups, and this is great if it is change to bring an organization ever closer to the principles and concepts of Biblical truths, the wheat group, but very bad if it leads a group to become ever further away from the principles and concepts of Biblical truths, that is known as going apostate or tares [weeds].
Likewise, as the Bible clearly shows, if a group (organization) or and individual does not continue to progress toward true Christian maturity and purity, even what they have will be taken form them and they will progress ever onward to ever greater apostasy and wrong doing; they will continue in an ever downward spiral. This is clearly shown by Jesus" (Yeshua's) illustration found at Matthew 25:14-33, "`For -- as a man going abroad did call his own servants, and did deliver to them his substance, 15 and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several ability, went abroad immediately. 16 `And he who did receive the five talents, having gone, wrought with them, and made other five talents; 17 in like manner also he who [received] the two, he gained, also he, other two; 18 and he who did receive the one, having gone away, digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 `And after a long time cometh the lord of those servants, and taketh reckoning with them; 20 and he who did receive the five talents having come, brought other five talents, saying, `Sir, five talents thou didst deliver to me; lo, other five talents did I gain besides them. 21 `And his lord said to him, Well done, servant, good and faithful, over a few things thou wast faithful, over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord. 22 `And he who also did receive the two talents having come, said, Sir, two talents thou didst deliver to me; lo, other two talents I did gain besides them. 23 `His lord said to him, Well done, servant, good and faithful, over a few things thou wast faithful, over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord. 24 `And he also who hath received the one talent having come, said, Sir, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering from whence thou didst not scatter; 25 and having been afraid, having gone away, I hid thy talent in the earth; lo, thou hast thine own! 26 `And his lord answering said to him, Evil servant, and slothful, thou hadst known that I reap where I did not sow, and I gather whence I did not scatter! 27 it behoved thee then to put my money to the money-lenders, and having come I had received mine own with increase. 28 `Take therefore from him the talent, and give to him having the ten talents, 29 for to every one having shall be given, and he shall have overabundance, and from him who is not having, even that which he hath shall be taken from him; 30 and the unprofitable servant cast ye forth to the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth. 31 `And whenever the Son of Man may come in his glory, and all the holy messengers with him, then he shall sit upon a throne of his glory; 32 and gathered together before him shall be all the nations, and he shall separate them from one another, as the shepherd doth separate the sheep from the goats, 33 and he shall set the sheep indeed on his right hand, and the goats on the left." (Young's Literal Translation; YLT). So let's not be the "unprofitable servant", but per Matthew 25:34, the good servant, "34 `Then shall the king say to those on his right hand, Come ye, the blessed of my Father, inherit the reign that hath been prepared for you from the foundation of the world;" (YLT), and press on to Christian maturity, purity, and good works.
Let's look at the various types on most BBs. First there is:
1) The poster type who post "so what" type of items that do not progress to true Christian maturity and purity!
Their comments go something like this, in the past the view of vaccination was yak, yak, yak; or the Watchtower of December 1895 said, yak, yak, yak; or some other "so what" from the past as they fail to recognize forward progression.
2) The elitist type!
My I am highly educated and imply they are better than others, clearly forgetting that our Lord and savior had NO DIPLOMAS.
3) The psycho analyst!
Mind control is yak, yak, yak, and seek to apply it wrongly to true Christians who are progressing to maturity and purity in Bible truths.
4) The always negative type!
My mind is made up, please, please, do not confuse me with facts, thanks.
5) The true Christian progressive type who wishes to press on toward Christian maturity and purity in Bible truths.
Let's continue learning more and making progressive changes as we go along on our journey to greater Christian maturity and purity.
6) The apostate progressive type who will continue to progress or spiral ever downward into greater apostasy and wrong doing.
Let's appoint known practitioners of Sodomy and other forms of deviant sex to the office of Bishop, Cardinal, or Minister; and live a hedonistic life. Also, let's pick on the true Christian progressive type who wishes to press on toward true Christian maturity and purity as we view them as unacceptable.
Now which will you be? If you are the true Christian progressive type, you will seek to press on to true Christian maturity and purity, and for that type I am contemplating on providing a 'scripture of the day' to assist them with regard to learning Bible truths in 'bite-sized' bits, is everyone in agreement? I would use the Authorized King James, AV, all most exclusively since almost all have this translation and can easily follow.
Also, I once wrote the following scriptural commentary that shows what to look for with respect the Devils work to assist all in resisting him:
Luke 22:31
" And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"
Thoughts on the Scripture of the Day on the Devil:
The Bible shows that Satan the Devil is the chief adversary of Jehovah God and of all who worship the true God. The name Satan was given to him because of his becoming a resistor of God. Satan is also known as the Devil, because he is the foremost slanderer of God. Satan is described as the original serpent, evidently because of his using a serpent in Eden to deceive Eve, and for this reason 'serpent' came to signify 'deceiver.' In the book of Revelation, the symbolism of a devouring dragon is also applied to Satan.
How can we know whether such a spirit person actually exist? The Bible is the chief source of evidence. There he is repeatedly referred to by name [Satan 52 times, Devil 33 times]. Eyewitness testimony as to Satan's existence is also recorded there. Who was the eyewitness? Jesus Christ, who lived in heaven before coming to the earth, repeatedly spoke of that wicked one by name, see The Scripture of the Day- Luke 22:31, " And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." (Luke 10:18 AV), " Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:41 AV).
What the Bible says about Satan the Devil makes sense. The evil that mankind experiences is far out of proportion to the malice of the humans involved. The Bible's explanation of Satan's origin and his activities makes clear why, despite the desire of the majority to live in peace, mankind has been plagued with hatred, violence, and war for thousands of years and why this has reached such a level that it now threatens to destroy all mankind.
If there really were no Devil, accepting what the Bible says about him would not bring lasting benefits to a person. In many instances, however, persons who formerly dabbled in the occult or who belonged to groups practicing spiritism report that they were at that time greatly distressed because of hearing 'voices' from unseen sources, being thus 'possessed' by spirit beings. Relief was gained when they learned what the Bible says about Satan and his demons, applied the Bible's counsel to shun spiritistic practices, and sought God's help in prayer.
Believing that Satan exist does not mean accepting the many distorted ideas about his appearance and a fiery hell. The Bible gives no such description of him. Instead of teaching a fiery hell, the Bible clearly says that " For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5 AV).
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES. With the Scripture of the Day first.
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 475A]
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. Psalms 146:3, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
Man can not himself save whether he is of the nobility or the lower class and this reality is driven home at Psalms 62:9, [AV] “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.” Therefore, we should per Psalms 118:9, [AV] “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” And echoed at Psalms 118:8, [AV] “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
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[2] Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Modiola caroliniana, Carolina Bristle Mallow.
Abundance: plentiful
What: leaves
How: tea
Where: yards, fields, wastelands
When: spring, summer, fall, winter
Nutritional Value: minor
Creeping through the grass of unkempt yards and just about anywhere else where other plant life doesn't tower over it, Carolina Bristle Mallow is found all over Texas...or at least anywhere there's enough rainfall to support grass. The plant looks and feels unappealing, with it's coarse, scratchy leaves and stiff, hairy stem. While this plant looks a bit like the highly nutritious Malva neglecta, Carolina Bristle Mallow is unrelated and doesn't have a similar high vitamin, mineral, and protein content. In fact, it's not even in the Malvaceae family but rather the lone member of it's own unique genus, Modiola.
It's not a plant one adds to salads nor is there any record of anyone cooking it. It's only common use is to make a refreshing cold tea by soaking the leaves in water for a couple of hours.
In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].
To view plant, go to,
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Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to www.jw.org!
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] Discourse on Not Saved By 'Dead' Faith:
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 476A]
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Isaiah 28:14 – 15, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
Yes, many are likewise scornful today just as they were in Habakkuk’s day as shown at Habakkuk 1:10, [AV] ” And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.” But these ones will not escape Almighty God (YHWH) wrath as prophesied by Isaiah 28:18, [AV] “And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.” And in the Lord’s day, today there is no peace as foretold in Ezekiel 13:16, [AV] “To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.” Yes, all who trust in man shall be desolated per Isaiah 31:1, [AV] “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO,
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To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
[2] Discourse on Not Saved By 'Dead' Faith:
INTRODUCTION:
Many believe that they can be saved by faith alone, but forget and/or do not realize that 'live' faith will lead to action and is not just a passive entity. Also, they forget that true faith is a fruitage of God's (YHWH's) spirit as clearly shown by Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity," (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB). They argue that faith alone can save which is true, but conveniently forget that a 'live' faith leads to action as shown by James 2:17, "So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself." (DRCB).
ARGUMENTS AND SCRIPTURES OF THOSE CLAIMING FAITH ALONE IS SUFFICIENT:
Here are some of the actual arguments with accompanying scriptures put forth by those claiming that faith alone is sufficient:
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.
Eph 1:12 - 14 ...so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, may be to the praise of his glory. And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) - when you believed in Christ - you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God's own possession to the praise of his glory.
Eph. 2:8, 9 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not of works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, by being rooted and grounded in love,
Phil 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
1 Tim 1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.
2 Tim 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Pet 2:6, 7 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious;"
2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1 John 5:4, 5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
[note, as best I can tell, they took these quotes either from the Holman Christian Standard Bible and/or the Web Bible as they did NOT have the intellectual honesty to state the translation]"
THE FACTS, THE BIBLICAL TRUTHS:
Of course faith is absolutely necessary, and the Apostles gave emphasis to this fact in their writings as many of the Jews believed they could gain salvation by works alone which is of course NOT possible. First of all you must have faith or works are clearly of no value. Second, if you have true deep faith, it will also cause you to have works as clearly if you have faith, you will make known to others the truth as your faith will drive you to do so. Let's not forget Romans 10:12-21, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same [Lord] is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: 13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding will I anger you. 20 And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. 21 But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (American Standard Version; ASV); and Matthew 24:14 says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come." (ASV). And as the Bible clearly says at James 2:21-26, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. 24 Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. 25 And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." (ASV); clearly showing Abraham had works" (ASV); and this same truth is testified to at James 2:17, "Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself." (ASV), and we both know for faith to be of any value it must be 'alive' and NOT 'dead.' Enough said, I hope you see this Bible truth that faith must be alive to be of any value. This point is clearly made at 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: " (ASV). Be like the eunuch at Acts 8:26-31, "But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him." (ASV), and start realizing the need to not only know what the Bible says, but to comprehend it as well. I stand ready to assist you.
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Re: Scripture of the Day
SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 477A]
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Matthew 24:21 - 22, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
And as Revelation 7:13 – 14, [AV] says of the ones coming out of this tribulation, “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” But, before this occurs Daniel 12:1 shows there will be, [AV] “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO,
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To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON WHAT IS FAITH
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 477A]
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Matthew 24:21 - 22, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
And as Revelation 7:13 – 14, [AV] says of the ones coming out of this tribulation, “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” But, before this occurs Daniel 12:1 shows there will be, [AV] “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RELIGION AND THE BIBLE, GO TO,
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
To enjoy an online Bible study called “Follow the Christ” go to,
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. "Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of his prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible today, and go to WWW.JW.ORG!
[2] DISCOURSE ON WHAT IS FAITH:
INTRODUCTION:
Let's consider the definition of faith as given at Hebrews 11:1-3, "Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. 2 For therein the elders had witness borne to them. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear." (American Standard Version; ASV). True faith is NOT credulity which is the willingness to believe something without sound evidence or because one wants to. Genuine faith requires a basic or fundamental knowledge and acquaintance with sound evidence, and not a follow along the crowd type of belief in some false myth. It requires a heartfelt appreciation of what is indicated by the evidence; therefore as brought out in Romans 10:8-11, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame." (ASV), clearly showing that to have real faith, we must have accurate knowledge.
WHY MANY LACK ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE:
First, faith is a fruitage of God's (YHWH's) spirit that God (YHWH) gladly gives to those who seek it as revealed by Galatians 5:22, " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness," (ASV); and reaffirmed at Luke 11:13, " If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (ASV). Therefore individuals without faith are not seeking that spirit, or they are doing so for incorrect purposes and/or are resisting its operation.
Second, many lack accurate Bible knowledge; therefore, they lack God's (YHWH's) spirit as shown by 2 Timothy 3:16-17, " Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. 17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (ASV); and this is reaffirmed at 2 Samuel 23:1-3, " Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse saith, And the man who was raised on high saith, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: 2 The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, And his word was upon my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God," (ASV). This lack of knowledge is caused by failure to study the Bible and/or the dependence on others such as a minister or a priest to tell you about the Word of God (YHWH) instead of the individual studying it for himself. Unfortunately many have been taught the ideas and doctrines of men instead of those of God (YHWH) as found in the Bible as brought out by Matthew 15:3-9, "And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given [to God]; 6 he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching [as their] doctrines the precepts of men." (ASV).
Third, many are disillusioned with religion. Why? Because they have seen the hypocrisy of the mainstream religions which claim to teach the word of God (YHWH) but instead teach the ideas and doctrines of man, and always want more money. However, many honest hearted individuals have seen through this hypocracy and recognize the bad fruitage of the practices of these groups as brought out at Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (ASV).
Fourth, some do NOT understand God's (YHWH's) permission of wickedness. That is they do not understand why God (YHWH) permits wickedness and consequently blame him for all the bad things that take place. They fail to realize that man's inclination toward badness is not from God (YHWH), but is the result of the rebellion of Adam brought on by God's (YHWH's) arch enemy, Satan the Devil as shown at Romans 5:12, "Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:--" (ASV); in fact, many may not even be aware of the existence of Satan as shown by 1 John 5:19, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one." (ASV); and affirmed at Revelation 12:12, "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time." (ASV). These ones are unaware of the issue of universal sovereignty and do not grasp the fact that God's (YHWH's) patience down till this time affords them an undeserved opportunity for salvation per Romans 2:1-4, "Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. 3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (ASV); or 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (ASV). Likewise they fail to realize that God (YHWH) has a set time to destroy the wicked and even his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) does not, per Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" (ASV).
Fifth, the lives of many are dominated by fleshly desires and viewpoints, and thes ones lack any real faith since they have devoted themselves to the pursuit of other interest and hedonism. They may say they believe the Bible, but really do not have a heartfelt appreciation of it as shown by 1 Chronicles 28:9, "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." (ASV). In other cases they have failed to nourish their faith and have let unrighteous desires dominate every inclination of their heart, and have drawn away from God (YHWH) as shown by Hebrews 3:12, "Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:" (ASV).
DOCTRINE DOES NOT SAVE, ONLY ACCURATE FAITH DOES:
Of course doctrine does not save, but faith does as shown by Jesus (Yeshus) at Matthew 6:30, "But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?"(American Standard Version; ASV). But faith must be with respect true and not false doctrine or it is just credulity as shown clearly by 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. " (ASV). This point was made at Acts 17:23, "For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you." (ASV); these people had strong faith, but it was misplaced, hence, it was just credulity and nothing more. There is a correct way followed by few, and a wrong way followed by the majority as pointed out by the Apostle Paul at Acts 2414, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;" (ASV); and reinforced at Acts 27:23, "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve," (ASV). To have correct faith in the truth and not unresponsive faith in credulity we must have accurate knowledge as clearly shown at Romans 12:2, "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (ASV).
JESUS' (YESHUA'S) EXAMPLE OF FAITH IN HIS FATHER (YHWH):
Jesus (Yeshua) who was the first of God's (YHWH's) creation had complete faith and loyalty to his Father (YHWH). When he was tempted by his Father's (YHWH's) arch enemy, he resisted all temptations as shown in Matthew 4:1-11, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered. 3 And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (ASV).
Interestingly, for untold eons of time he had existed with his Father (YHWH) in heaven and had been his master worker with respect all else of creation as revealed by Proverbs 8:22-31, "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him, [as] a master workman; And I was daily [his] delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men." (ASV); but had NOT been granted eternal life by his Father (YHWH) until he had proven himself faithful under trial.
This fact is clearly revealed at John 5:24-30, " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: 27 and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. 30 I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (ASV); and Jesus (Yeshua) himself testified to this fact, that he lives because of his Father (YHWH) at John 6:57-58, "As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever." (ASV). Thus by his own words, Jesus (Yeshua) was NOT originally eternal like his Father (YHWH), but was given life eternal by his Father (YHWH) after he had proven his faith in his Father (YHWH) under test; likewise, we must build up our faith and endure under test and we will be granted life eternal as clearly shown by John 6:57-58, previously quoted.
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] Explanation of Mark 7:24-29
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 478A]
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31 – 32, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
This scripture that if Almighty God (YHWH) is with you is highlighted at Psalms 118:6, [AV] “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” And the fact that He provided His own son, Jesus (Yeshua) is testified to at many places in the scriptures, one notable place being John 3:16, [AV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Yes, He provided His son as a sacrifice to release all obedient mankind from inherited sin as testified to a Romans 3:25, [AV] “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” This clearly shows that the true God loves us as declared at Ephesians 2:4, [AV] “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”
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[2] Explanation of Mark 7:24-29:
INTRODUCTION:
Before considering Mark 7:24-29, it is important to realize that the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, is no respecter of persons as he created all of mankind not just one particular group. This point that he is no respecter of persons, a discriminator, was clearly made at Acts 10:34-35 by the Apostle Luke as follows, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
EXPLANATION OF MARK 7:24-29:
To understand this scripture, we first must know what his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, who sent Jesus (Yeshua), the Isa, to earth with a specific assignment stated at Matthew 15:24, "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (AV); however, because of his great love and compassion for mankind, he was moved to assist her, nevertheless as recorded at Mark 7:24-29, "Mark 7:24-30, "And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. 25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed." (AV).
This was not the only time was persuaded to deviate from his specific assignment from his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, but another similar case is reported by the Apostle Matthew at Matthew 15:21-28, "Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." (AV).
CONCLUSION:
The true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, is no respecter of persons, discriminator, but finds all doing his will and serving him in obedience acceptable regardless of what race
and/or nationality they are.
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Re: Scripture of the Day
COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] A Check on the Word Hell
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [VOL. 479A]
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalms 27:11, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
The Prophet Jeremiah mentioned how conditions would be, and the need for qualified teachers at 1 Kings 8:36, [AV] “Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.” And,
Psalms 25:4, [AV] “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.” Highlighted the need to be shown the ways of the Lord. But the Prophet Isaiah showed that all the obedient followers of Almighty God (YHWH) would be per Isaiah 54:13, [AV] “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
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[2] A Check on the Word Hell
INTRODUCTION:
Many have different concepts of what hell is, but let's consider what the original words commonly translated 'hell' meant in the specific ancient languages.
MEANINGS OF THE WORD 'HELL' IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGES:
First, <<"A word used in the King James Version (as well as in the Catholic Douay Version and most older translations) to translate the Hebrew she´ohl' and the Greek hai'des. In the King James Version the word "hell" is rendered from she´ohl' 31 times and from hai'des 10 times. This version is not consistent, however, since she´ohl' is also translated 31 times "grave" and 3 times "pit." In the Douay Version she´ohl' is rendered "hell" 64 times, "pit" once, and "death" once.
In 1885, with the publication of the complete English Revised Version, the original word she´ohl' was in many places transliterated into the English text of the Hebrew Scriptures, though, in most occurrences, "grave" and "pit" were used, and "hell" is found some 14 times. This was a point on which the American committee disagreed with the British revisers, and so, when producing the American Standard Version (1901) they transliterated she´ohl' in all 65 of its appearances. Both versions transliterated hai'des in the Christian Greek Scriptures in all ten of its occurrences, though the Greek word Ge'en·na (English, "Gehenna") is rendered "hell" throughout, as is true of many other modern translations.
Concerning this use of "hell" to translate these original words from the Hebrew and Greek, Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (1981, Vol. 2, p. 187) says: "HADES . . . It corresponds to 'Sheol' in the O.T. [Old Testament]. In the A.V. of the O.T. [Old Testament] and N.T. [New Testament], it has been unhappily rendered 'Hell.'"[source - , Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words ]>>.
Second, <<"Collier's Encyclopedia (1986, Vol. 12, p. 28) says concerning "Hell": "First it stands for the Hebrew Sheol of the Old Testament and the Greek Hades of the Septuagint and New Testament. Since Sheol in Old Testament times referred simply to the abode of the dead and suggested no moral distinctions, the word 'hell,' as understood today, is not a happy translation."
It is, in fact, because of the way that the word "hell" is understood today that it is such an unsatisfactory translation of these original Bible words." [source - Collier's Encyclopedia (1986, Vol. 12, p. 28)>>.
Third, <<"Webster's Third New International Dictionary, unabridged, under "Hell" says: "fr[om] . . . helan to conceal." The word "hell" thus originally conveyed no thought of heat or torment but simply of a 'covered over or concealed place.' In the old English dialect the expression "helling potatoes" meant, not to roast them, but simply to place the potatoes in the ground or in a cellar." [source - Webster's Third New International Dictionary]>>.
Fourth, <<"The meaning given today to the word "hell" is that portrayed in Dante's Divine Comedy and Milton's Paradise Lost, which meaning is completely foreign to the original definition of the word. The idea of a "hell" of fiery torment, however, dates back long before Dante or Milton." [references - Dante's Divine Comedy and Milton's Paradise Lost]>>.
Fifth, <<"The Grolier Universal Encyclopedia (1971, Vol. 9, p. 205) under "Hell" says: "Hindus and Buddhists regard hell as a place of spiritual cleansing and final restoration." [source - The Grolier Universal Encyclopedia}>>.
Sixth, <<"Islamic tradition considers it as a place of everlasting punishment." The idea of suffering after death is found among the pagan religious teachings of ancient peoples in Babylon and Egypt. Babylonian and Assyrian beliefs depicted the "nether world . . . as a place full of horrors, . . . presided over by gods and demons of great strength and fierceness." Although ancient Egyptian religious texts do not teach that the burning of any individual victim would go on forever, they do portray the "Other World" as featuring "pits of fire" for "the damned." [source references -The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria, by Morris Jastrow, Jr., 1898, p. 581; The Book of the Dead, with introduction by E. Wallis Budge, 1960, pp. 135, 144, 149, 151, 153, 161, 200]>>.
Seventh, <<""Hellfire" has been a basic teaching in Christendom for many centuries. It is understandable why The Encyclopedia Americana (1956, Vol. XIV, p. 81) said: "Much confusion and misunderstanding has been caused through the early translators of the Bible persistently rendering the Hebrew Sheol and the Greek Hades and Gehenna by the word hell. The simple transliteration of these words by the translators of the revised editions of the Bible has not sufficed to appreciably clear up this confusion and misconception." Nevertheless, such transliteration and consistent rendering does enable the Bible student to make an accurate comparison of the texts in which these original words appear and, with open mind, thereby to arrive at a correct understanding of their true significance." [source - The Encyclopedia Americana (1956, Vol. XIV, p. 81)]>>.
NOW LET'S LOOK AT THE WORD 'GEHENNA' OFTEN TRANSLATED AS 'HELL':
<<"(Ge·hen'na) [Gr. form of the Heb. Geh Hin·nom', "Valley of Hinnom"].
This name appears 12 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures, and whereas many translators take the liberty to render it by the word "hell," a number of modern translations transliterate the word from the Greek ge'en·na.-Mt 5:22, Ro, Mo, ED, NW, BC (Spanish), NC (Spanish), also the footnotes of Da and RS.
The deep, narrow Valley of Hinnom, later known by this Greek name, lay to the S and SW of ancient Jerusalem and is the modern-day Wadi er-Rababi (Ge Ben Hinnom). (Jos 15:8; 18:16; Jer 19:2, 6; see HINNOM, VALLEY OF.) Judean Kings Ahaz and Manasseh engaged in idolatrous worship there, which included the making of human sacrifices by fire to Baal. (2Ch 28:1, 3; 33:1, 6; Jer 7:31, 32; 32:35) Later, to prevent such activities there in the future, faithful King Josiah had the place of idolatrous worship polluted, particularly the section called Topheth.-2Ki 23:10.
No Symbol of Everlasting Torment. Jesus Christ associated fire with Gehenna (Mt 5:22; 18:9; Mr 9:47, 48), as did the disciple James, the only Biblical writer besides Matthew, Mark, and Luke to use the word. (Jas 3:6) Some commentators endeavor to link such fiery characteristic of Gehenna with the burning of human sacrifices that was carried on prior to Josiah's reign and, on this basis, hold that Gehenna was used by Jesus as a symbol of everlasting torment. However, since Jehovah God expressed repugnance for such practice, saying that it was "a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart" (Jer 7:31; 32:35), it seems most unlikely that God's Son, in discussing divine judgment, would make such idolatrous practice the basis for the symbolic meaning of Gehenna. It may be noted that God prophetically decreed that the Valley of Hinnom would serve as a place for mass disposal of dead bodies rather than for the torture of live victims. (Jer 7:32, 33; 19:2, 6, 7, 10, 11) Thus, at Jeremiah 31:40 the reference to "the low plain of the carcasses and of the fatty ashes" is generally accepted as designating the Valley of Hinnom, and a gate known as "the Gate of the Ash-heaps" evidently opened out onto the eastern extremity of the valley at its juncture with the ravine of the Kidron. (Ne 3:13, 14) It seems obvious that such "carcasses" and "fatty ashes" are not related to the human sacrifices made there under Ahaz and Manasseh, since any bodies so offered would doubtless be viewed by the idolaters as "sacred" and would not be left lying in the valley.
Therefore, the Biblical evidence concerning Gehenna generally parallels the traditional view presented by rabbinic and other sources. That view is that the Valley of Hinnom was used as a place for the disposal of waste matter from the city of Jerusalem. (At Mt 5:30 Ph renders ge'en·na as "rubbish heap.") Concerning "Gehinnom," the Jewish commentator David Kimhi (1160-1235?), in his comment on Psalm 27:13, gives the following historical information: "And it is a place in the land adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw there unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones is called parabolically Gehinnom."
Symbolic of Complete Destruction. It is evident that Jesus used Gehenna as representative of utter destruction resulting from adverse judgment by God, hence with no resurrection to life as a soul being possible. (Mt 10:28; Lu 12:4, 5) The scribes and Pharisees as a wicked class were denounced as 'subjects for Gehenna.' (Mt 23:13-15, 33) To avoid such destruction, Jesus' followers were to get rid of anything causing spiritual stumbling, the 'cutting off of a hand or foot' and the 'tearing out of an eye' figuratively representing their deadening of these body members with reference to sin.-Mt 18:9; Mr 9:43-47; Col 3:5; compare Mt 5:27-30.
Jesus also apparently alluded to Isaiah 66:24 in describing Gehenna as a place "where their maggot does not die and the fire is not put out." (Mr 9:47, 48) That the symbolic picture here is not one of torture but, rather, of complete destruction is evident from the fact that the Isaiah text dealt, not with persons who were alive, but with "the carcasses of the men that were transgressing" against God. If, as the available evidence indicates, the Valley of Hinnom was a place for the disposal of garbage and carcasses, fire, perhaps increased in intensity by the addition of sulfur (compare Isa 30:33), would be the only suitable means to eliminate such refuse. Where the fire did not reach, worms, or maggots, would breed, consuming anything not destroyed by the fire. On this basis, Jesus' words would mean that the destructive effect of God's adverse judgment would not cease until complete destruction was attained.
Figurative Use. The disciple James' use of the word "Gehenna" shows that an unruly tongue is itself a world of unrighteousness and that one's whole round of living can be affected by fiery words that defile the speaker's body. The tongue of such a one, "full of death-dealing poison" and so giving evidence of a bad heart condition, can cause the user to be sentenced by God to go to the symbolic Gehenna.-Jas 3:6, 8; compare Mt 12:37; Ps 5:9; 140:3; Ro 3:13.
The Biblical use of Gehenna as a symbol corresponds to that of "the lake of fire" in the book of Revelation.-Re 20:14, 15; " [source - Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1]>>.
CONCLUSION:
We must consider what the original writer, scribe used by the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, to put the thoughts of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, into the words of man intended when considering words found in the Bible. Why? Because they, not translations and/or mistranslation, are inspired. The fact that the Bible is NOT the product of one committee or strongman. It has over 40 individual writers who wrote under divine inspiration/guidance putting the thoughts of God (YHWH) into the words of men much as transcribing secretaries today taking transcription and then later typing it out. In other words one real author, God (YHWH), and many scribes each of whom wrote in his own style over a period of approximately 1,600 years. All of what people call or consider inconsistencies are really not such, but most often just a problem of translation and/or understanding, i.e., lack of understanding of what the original writer writing in his own language and culture meant/said in his original writing. What is remarkable, is the writers over such a period of time all wrote in harmony when even most posters on threads on this forum can not even stay on track or subject over a period of a few days and/or weeks at most with the original subject of the thread. This fact of harmony over a period so great as to almost stagger the imagination shows that it had one guiding force or author who divinely inspired its writers as humans of their own volition can not keep on track over short periods of time.
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