Religious Truths » Scripture of the Day

iris89 · 5/13/2020 2:12 pm

COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES – marang With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [176B]

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. Matthew 7:21 – 23, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

This is a very important scripture as it provides the identity of who is a genuine follower of the Prince of Peace, Jesus (Yeshua) and who is not. The true followers of Christ are those doing the will of his Father, Almighty God (YHWH). Of these loyal ones, Jesus (Yeshua) said, John 17:17-19, [AV] “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” The Apostle Paul cautioned all genuine followers at Colossians 2:8 – 9, [AV] “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Yet most people who claim to be followers of Christ have fallen victim to the philosophy of men.

[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - marang

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus), also called johey oak, green pedalai, madang, tarap, terap, timadang, or breadfruit cousin, is a tree native to Borneo, Palawan, and Mindanao Island . It is closely related to the jackfruit, cempedak, and breadfruit trees.

It is an evergreen tree growing to 25 m tall. The leaves are 16–50 cm long and 11–28 cm broad, similar to the Breadfruit's, but are a little less lobed. Many trees lose the leaf lobing once mature.
As indicated by the scientific name, the fruit has a strong scent, and is considered superior in flavour to both Jackfruit and Cempedak. The scent reminds some of the durian but is not so intense, and is in the thick skin and not the fruit pulp. The taste has hints of a mild creamy,almost juicy banana, and is best when not allowed to ripen thoroughly on the tree. Those ripened on the tree turn a more brownish color and will eventually fall to the ground and easily split open.
The appearance of the fruit can be regarded as an intermediate shape between the jackfruit and the breadfruit. It is round to oblong, 15–20 cm long and 13 cm broad, and weighing about 1 kg. The thick rind is covered with soft, broad spines. They become hard and brittle as the fruit matures. When fully mature the expanding arils stretch the outer rind which often appears lumpy, especially if not all seeds were pollinated. The fruit does not fall to the ground until over-ripe. It may be harvested when full size but still firm, and left to ripen until soft. Marangs change colour to greenish yellow when ripe. The ripe fruit is opened by cutting the rind around, twisting and gently pulling. If overripe they are simply pulled apart. The interior of the fruit is somewhat similar to the jackfruit's, but the color is white and the flesh is usually softer. The core is relatively large, but there are far fewer "rags" and less non-edible parts. Arils are white and the size of a grape, each containing a 15 × 8 mm seed. Once opened, the marang should be consumed quickly (in a few hours), as it loses flavour rapidly and fruit oxidizes. The seeds are also edible after boiling or roasting.
The tree is not cold tolerant (as is the breadfruit). It can grow between latitude 15° north and south, and in coastal regions where temperatures never stay under 7 °C. It is cultivated for its fruit in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and southern Thailand. The species is largely grown for local consumption; the short shelf-life of the fruit limits its wider use.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of Artocarpus can be confusing. The species Artocarpus sericicarpus and Artocarpus sarawakensis, known as the Pedalai, or buah tarap or Pingan or Mountain tarap is very similar to, and often confused with the Marang. Both these species are native to the same areas. However, they are still distinguishable based on their appearances when ripe. The Pedalai has hairs, like a large rambutan, and ripens red. The Pingan is even trickier, because it is the shape of a Marang, and it is an orange. It has smaller kernel sections. The Marang remains greenish when ripe and has very dense, straight green protrusions. [source - retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marang on 5/24/2013]

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].
View this fruit at, https://www.google.com/search?q=marang,+artocarpus+odoratissimus&client=firefox-a&hs=Jpv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8I2fUZytCJC69gSMy4GwBw&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=776

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

iris89 · 5/14/2020 8:40 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON THE DOCTRINE OF NICOLAITANS. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [177B]

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Peter 3:18, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

As Romans 5:12, [AV] “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” This man who gave his life as a ransom for all of obedient mankind was none other than Almighty God’s (YHWH’s) only begotten son, Jesus (Yeshua). He per Hebrews 2:9, [AV] “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” And 1 Corinthians 15:22 and 26, [AV] “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” And “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON THE DOCTRINE OF NICOLAITANS:

Ever wonder what these two scriptures are referring to?

Revelations 2:6, "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." (American Standard Version)

Revelations 2:15, "So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. " (ASV)

Basically the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans was the concept of an elite few holding power over the many and was a self centered carry over from certain Jewish 'sects' or groups that believed they were better than the masses. They carried this superiority concept over when they became Christians. However, true Christianity is opposite the wisdom of the word with respect to leadership and authority, the key here with respect the false Doctrine of the Nicolaitans was with respect to dominion and sovereignty. Whereas, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ taught that the greatest among you would be the servants of their brethren, these ones taught the Spirit of the World. This was made quite clear at Matthew 235-12,: "But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders [of their garments], 6 and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, [even] he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, [even] the Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted." (ASV).. Their teaching was the reverse of that of Jesus (Yeshua) in that it was authoritarian based in keeping with the wisdom of the world.

This is the teaching of the false prophets that seek not those attributes of Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father (HYWH) of love; but seek power for themselves. Believers in the false doctrine of the Nicolaitans see power for themselves and the doctrine is actually a lust for power by the wicked and their attempt to take over all authority within a group or church. It is really an attempt by the false prophets to gain false authority that puts them in a position to be served instead of serve and to be recognized as great or special by many. It is actually a sell out of true belief that forms a basis for a hierarchy in many so-called Christian religions that have a distinct clergy and laity class. It is in reality the doctrine of all religions that are cubic in nature; that is those having a hierarchy that loves to lord it over the masses and receives adulation from them. They bask in their own self delusion and continually ask for money in the name of God (YHWH) with which to line their own pockets.

This fact with respect to the false prophets of the false Doctrine of Nicolaitans is made readily apparent when we look at the root Koine Greek words from which the word Nicolaitans comes, 'nikao' which means to conquer or overcome, and 'laos' which means people and which the word 'laity' comes from. Thus the two words together indicates the destruction or control of the people and referrs to the earliest form of a class distinction of what we call a priestly or clergy order. As we know, later church history divided the people and permitted the leadership over them of a type which our savior Jesus (Yeshua) never intended or wanted, hence a false doctrine. A good flowing English translation of Nicolaitans in English in my opinion would be, "deceptive control prevailing over the masses." This highlights why the Papal hierarchy of priest and clergy that got its start with the Council of Nicea of 325 AD that was presided over by a pagan Emperor Constantine really implemented the false Doctrine of Nicolaitans into its modern from that prevails over most of the so-called Christians to today.

However, true Christian leadership does not lord it over the people, nor have a hierarchy consisting of a priestly/clergy class and those prevailed over. True Christian leadership is shown by being a servant to the brethren. The Council of Trent stated, , "If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema." So we can see how strongly the false Doctrine of Nicolaitans has overtaken most of the Christian world. This is ungodly spiritual authority that neither Jesus or his apostles ever approved or sanctioned, but was instituted solely by wicked men under control of the god of this system of things per 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)

Most of the so-called Protestant and Orthodox church adopted this false Doctrine of Nicolaitans as shown by the hierarchal arrangement they carried away from the Catholic church. However the separation of a priestly or clergy class separated and distinct from the laity is seen in all of Christendom, the only Christians not having such a separation are the monotheistic Bible is the Standard groups. However this ungodly spiritual authority, the false Doctrine of Nicolaitans, has even spilled over into the unchristian groups such as Islam, the Zoroastrians, Devil Worshipers (no surprise as it comes from the Devil), the Hindus, etc. This Doctrine of Nicolaitans is nothing more than the systematic institutionalization of prideful lust for control, manipulation, domination and unbridled power; power which only belongs to the Creator, Almighty God (YHWH). It is false doctrine that seeks to usurp what rightly only belongs to God (YHWH) and should be avoided by all.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

iris89 · 5/17/2020 9:36 am

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON WHO AND WHEN THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN AND WHO WAS ITS AUTHOR. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [178B]

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:8, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Is important to focus on the meaning of what you are reading in Almighty God’s (YHWH’s) book for our guidance, the Bible; in other words, we must meditate on what we are reading in order to gain an accurate understanding. This is stressed at Psalms 63:6, [AV] “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.” In fact Jesus (Yeshua) meditated a lot and prayed constantly to His Father as shown at Luke 6:12, [AV] “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON WHO AND WHEN THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN AND WHO WAS ITS AUTHOR:

The Bible is very important, it is the Word of God (YHWH), and should be respected as same. The Bible is NOT the product of one committee or strongman like other so called religious books. It has over 40 individual writers who wrote under divine inspiration/guidance much as transcribing secretaries today taking transcription and then later typing it out. In other words, The Bible has only 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 writers can not even stay on track or subject over a period of a few days and/or weeks at most with the original subject. 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.

There are many misguided ones that try and discredit the Bible and put forth so called learned foolishness arguments and false-proofs that amount to nothing but tares per 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). These same misguided ones put forth bogus arguments that we do NOT EVEN KNOW who is the author and/or who was the scribe who wrote this or that book or some other similar misguided false nonsense.

However, we well know not only who wrote the books of the Old Testament and the New Testament, but when they were written, and where they were written in most cases. Of course there are the misguided ones who even when presented with the evidence care not to read it, but keep up with their pseudo-knowledge criticism rather than learn, pretending to know that of which they lack knowledge about.

Now, following are all the books of the Old Testament with their name given first, then who was the main writer of the book [some few books having had very minor parts written by others], approximate time for the completion of the Bible book, and in most cases the location it was written at clearly showing those with their pseudo-knowledge do not know of what they speak. But then they are NOT interested in learning anyhow:

Genesis - Moses - 1513 B.C.E., written in the Wilderness.

Exodus - Moses - 1512 B.C.E., written in the Wilderness.

Leviticus - Moses - 1512 B.C.E., written in the Wilderness.

Numbers - Moses - 1473 B.C.E., either written in the Wilderness or Plains of Moab.

Deuteronomy - Moses - 1473 B.C.E., Plains of Moab.

Joshua - Joshua - about 1450 B.C.E., written in Canaan

Judges - Samuel - about 1100 B.C.E., written in Israel

Ruth - Samuel - about 1090 B.C.E., written in Israel

1 Samuel - Samuel; Gad and Nathan - about 1077 B.C.E., written in Israel

2 Samuel -Gad and Nathan - about 1040 B.C.E., written in Israel

1 Kings - Jeremiah - about 580 B.C.E. - written in Judah and Egypt.

2 Kings - Jeremiah - about 580 B.C.E. - written in Judah and Egypt.

1 Chronicles - Ezra - about 460 B.C.E. - written probably in Jerusalem

2 Chronicles - Ezra - about 460 B.C.E. - written probably in Jerusalem

Ezra - Ezra - about 460 B.C.E. - written in Jerusalem

Nehemiah - Neihemiah - about 443 B.C.E. - written in Jerusalem

Esther - Mordecai - about 474 B.C.E. - written in Shushan, Elam

Job - Moses - about 1473 B.C.E. - written in the wilderness

Psalms - by David and others - about 460 B.C.E. - place written unknown.

Proverbs - by Solomon; Agur; and Lemuel - unknown - written in Jerusalem

Ecclesiastes - Solomon and others - about 1000 B.C.E. - written in Jerusalem

Song of Solomon - Solomon and others - about 1020 B.C.E. - written in Jerusalem

Isaiah - Isaiah - about 732 B.C.E. - written in Jerusalem

Jeremiah - Jeremiah - about 580 B.C.E. - written in Jerusalem

Lamentations - Jeremiah - about 607 B.C.E. - written near Jerusalem

Ezekiel - Ezekiel - about 561 B.C.E. - written in Babylon

Daniel - Daniel - about 536 B.C.E. - written in Babylon

Hosea - Hosea - after 754 B.C.E. - written in Samaria (District)

Joel - Joel - about 820 B.C.E. - written in Judah

Amos - Amos - about 803 B.C.E. - written in Judah

Obadiah - Obadiah - about 607 B.C.E. - place written unknown.

Jonah - Jonah - about 844 B.C.E. - place written unknown.

Micah - Micah - about 716 B.C.E. - written in Judah

Nahum - Nahum - about 632 B.C.E. - written in Judah.

Habakkuk - Habakkuk - about 628 B.C.E. - written in Judah.

Zephaniah - Zephaniah - about 648 B.C.E. - written in Judah.

Haggai - Haggai - about 520 B.C.E. - written in rebuilt Jerusalem

Zechariah - Zechariah - about 518 B.C.E. - written in rebuilt Jerusalem

Malachi - Malachi - about 443 B.C.E. - written in rebuilt Jerusalem

Now with respect the New Testament the scribes, divinely inspired writers used by God (YHWH) were few in number and all the books of the New Testament were written between approximately 41 A.D. and 98 A.D with the last three being Revelations, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John, and they were all written by the Apostle John. All of the books of the New Testament were written within the boarders of the Roman Empire. We shall now consider who wrote each book by scribe:

The Apostle Matthew wrote Matthew.

Mark wrote Mark.

The Apostle Luke wrote Luke and Acts.

The Apostle John wrote John, Revelations, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John.

The Apostle Paul wrote Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.

James (the half brother of Jesus (Yeshua)) wrote James.

The Apostle Peter wrote 1 & 2 Peter.

Jude (the half brother of Jesus (Yeshua)) wrote Jude.

The most important thing to remember from this discourse is that Almighty God (YHWH) is the author of the entire Bible, but inspired scribes, divinely inspired individuals, to write down his thoughts in their own words over an extended period of over 1,600 years. That it had one author is quite evident in that it retained harmony, when even most writers can not even stay on track or subject over a period of a few days and/or weeks at most with the original subject, over such a period so great as to almost stagger the imagination. This clearly shows that it was divinely inspired by none other than God (YHWH).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

iris89 · 5/19/2020 12:06 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON WHAT IS FAITH. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [179B]

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? Job 39:26, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

As the great Bible scholar Matthew Poole said, “Doth the hawk fly in so singular a manner, so strongly and steadily, so constantly and unweariedly, so swiftly and speedily, so regularly and cunningly, to catch her prey, by thy wisdom; didst thou inspire her with that wisdom?” with respect Job 39:26. Clearly shows that Almighty God (YHWH) provided the hawk with power and instinct, and as Job 38:32 – 33, [AV] says, “Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? 33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?” Clearly showing Job, that He had set the limits of ability of all he created in the animal world.

[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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iris89 · 5/21/2020 5:20 pm

COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES – Arrowhead/Wapato With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [180B]

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, the Bible provides guidance in all things and the principles apply to all things, many of which did NOT exist when the Bible was written such as smoking and recreational drug use which are harmful to the body are clearly covered at 2 Corinthians 7:1, [Williams New Testament Translation], “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

[2] AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Arrowhead/Wapato

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Maranta spp. and Sagittaria spp., Arrowhead/Wapato.

Abundance: uncommon
What: tubers, young leaves, young flower stalks
How: boiled, roasted
Where: marshes, water
When: tubers all year, best in late fall and early winter; young leaves in early summer; flower stalks well before flower buds have opened.
Nutritional Value: carbohydrates
Dangers: Beware the similar-looking arrow arum, (Peltandra virginica) plant which has an arrowhead-shaped leaf and produces tubers same as Sagittaria species.

Found in marshes, rivers, lakes and ponds, the arrowhead plant’s distinctive leaf and flowers are easy to spot. Most arrowhead plants have three-pointed leaves shape like an arrowhead, with either the top point bigger and broader than or the same as the two downward pointing points. The vein pattern in the leaves of Sagittaria species is palmate, which means the leaves have numerous thick veins running from the stem out to the tips and sides. THIS PAMATE VENATION IS IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH THE EDIBLE SAGITTARIA FROM TOXIC ARUM SPECIES.

Traditionally arrowroot tubers are freed from the mud by tearing them from the roots while walking barefoot in the water. The tubers float to the surface where the can be collected. They are prepared for eating by first peeling the bitter outer skin, followed by cooking any way you would cook a potato. The young leaves are harvested and boiled before they've had a chance to unroll/unfurl. The flower stalk is cooked like asparagus but it must be harvested before its flower buds have opened. Note, any plants harvested from water must be cooked to avoid imbibing any toxic pathogens.

Note that arrowhead tubers do not store very well, unlike traditional potatoes. If you want to keep them make sure you are storing only perfect, undamaged tubers and place them in moist, clean sand in a cool, dark place.

TOXIC MIMIC: ARROW ARUM PLANT
Arrow arum plants (Peltandra virginica) grow in wetlands, and have a leaves-with the same arrowhead-shape as the edible Sagittaria, as well as similar tubers. All parts of the arum plants are filled with calcium oxalate which will cause painful burning sensations in the lips, mouth, and throat if eaten. To tell the difference between arrowhead plants and Arum arrowhead plants look at the pattern of veins in the leaves. Toxic arrow Arum leaves have only three main veins, one each running out from the center out to the points of its leaf. From these three main veins branch out smaller veins, much like you see in a "normal" leaf of other plants. The edible arrowhead leaf has many veins radiating out from the center of the leaf where it connects to the stem, making it kind of look like a spider. These veins meet up again at the tips/points of the Sagittaria leaf. [source - retrieved from http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/arrowroot_20.html on 3/15/2015]

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].

View at http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/arrowroot_20.html

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iris89 · 5/23/2020 2:13 pm

COMBINATION OF[1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON EXCESS AND GLUTTONY With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [181B]

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:18, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

It is imperative that we run from fornication which is a sin against one’s own body. This is clearly highlighted at Joshua 1:7 – 9, [AV] “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON EXCESS AND GLUTTONY

INTRODUCTION:

We all know if one eats too much food or consumes too much alcohol he/she is NOT feeling or acting his/her best. Drunk drivers and/or drivers under the control of other substances are actually responsible for approximately half the road fatalities in the United States. But excess in any of these areas are also contrary to the Word of God, the Bible. In ancient times under the Law Covenant, before the new covenant ushered in by Jesus (Yeshua), it was a sin so bad as to merit the death penalty as revealed at Deuteronomy 21:20-21, " and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." (American Standard Version; ASV). Now gluttony is excessive and uncontrolled preoccupation with food and drink. It includes excessive and uncontrolled eating and drinking. Excessive drinking and/or use of other substances that produce similar or worse results is a venial sin if it causes partial loss of reason, and/or complete loss of reason. We overcome gluttony by the consistent practice of temperance, and by reflecting on Jesus' words at John 6:27 " Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed." (American Standard Version; ASV).

OUR LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD (YHWH):

The Bible clearly shows that the gift of life came from God (YHWH) and that our bodies can therefore be called the temple of God (YHWH) as testified to at 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, "Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye." (ASV). This being the case, we are responsible for taking good care of it. Any excess with respect eating, drinking, illicit drug use, etc. will be doing willful damage to your body which God (YHWH) has given you; this will make you an ungrateful person in God's (YHWH's) site since you are not striving to take care of what he has given you, your life.

Gluttony, any excess with respect eating, drinking, illicit drug use, etc., is actually a form of greed. It is greed relating specifically to food which is
an object eaten or drunk by living things. The term food also includes liquid drinks such as wine and other drinks that can do the body harm if taken in excess. Food is the main source of energy and/or nutrition and is usually of animal or plant origin; but in excess or of the wrong type it can be a vile poison to the body. To take in excess of food or drink would be doing willful damage to the temple of God (YHWH). The fact that our body, since it is a gift is considered by God (YHWH) to be his temple is further testified to at Hebrews 13:7-9 when it says, ""Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; 20 for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body." (ASV)

Now that it has been shown that our bodies are considered by our Creator, God (YHWH) to be his temple, it behooves us NOT to eat or drink in excess and thereby do damage to his temple.

EXCESS WITH RESPECT FOOD:

The Bible makes it clear at many places that excess with respect food and drinks is an abomination before God (YHWH). At Proverbs 23:19-21 we are specifically warned against over eating and/or drinking, "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe [a man] with rags." (ASV); and this admission is affirmed at Proverbs 20:1, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise." (ASV)

In fact, the Bible warns that the time for loose conduct of this sort has passed at 1 Peter 4:1-3, "Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries." (ASV).

Now of course this definitely does not mean one is to abstain from food or drink, but only that one is to practice moderation with respect to food and drink. There are those who condemn the use of wine altogether, but this would only be so for those individuals who have no self control and/or who are adversely affected by it in any quantity no matter how small. Strange as it may seem to some, the first miracle of Jesus (Yeshua) was actually the turning of water into fine wine for a wedding feast he was attending as recorded at John 2:1-11, "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. 9 And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, 10 and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when [men] have drunk freely, [then] that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him." (ASV). Evidently, the individuals at this wedding were not drinking to excess. Of course some will say, this was not wine the Bible was speaking of, but that the word wine meant grape juice, but this is not reasonable as shown by Mark 2:22, "And no man putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the wine will burst the skins, and the wine perisheth, and the skins: but [they put] new wine into fresh wine-skins." (ASV).

The point being, the drinking of a little wine is not in itself wrong as long as it does not effect your reason or poison your body as clearly affirmed at Proverbs 23:29-32, "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder." (ASV), but the over indulgence or immoderation with respect wine and/or other alcoholic beverages or any food or drink that in excess can poison either the mind or the body.

In Jesus' (Yeshua's) day there were those who criticized him for drinking a little wine, but these same type also criticized John the Baptist for not drinking a little wine, a catch 22 situation, in your are judged wrong either way as shown by Luke 7:33-34, "For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a demon. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!" (ASV). In fact one Apostle told another to take a little (small amount) of wine as it was good for his stomach condition, 1 Timothy 5:23, "Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." (ASV).

However, one should not drink or eat anything that will stumble another person as testified to at 1 Timothy 3:8, "Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" (ASV); and at Romans 14:15-21, " For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. 19 So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. 20 Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [to do anything] whereby thy brother stumbleth." (ASV). Why so, let's consider 1 Corinthians 8:7-13, " Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak. 10 For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble." (ASV).

In fact, the Catholic Encyclopedia, had this to say about gluttony. "Gluttony (From Lat. gluttire, to swallow, to gulp down), the excessive indulgence in food and drink. The moral deformity discernible in this vice lies in its defiance of the order postulated by reason, which prescribes necessity as the measure of indulgence in eating and drinking. This deordination, according to the teaching of the Angelic Doctor, may happen in five ways which are set forth in the scholastic verse: "Prae-propere, laute, nimis, ardenter, studiose" or, according to the apt rendering of Father Joseph Rickably: too soon, too expensively, too much, too eagerly, too daintily. Clearly one who uses food or drink in such a way as to injure his health or impair the mental equipment needed for the discharge of his duties, is guilty of the sin of gluttony. It is incontrovertible that to eat or drink for the mere pleasure of the experience, and for that exclusively, is likewise to commit the sin of gluttony. Such a temper of soul is equivalently the direct and positive shutting out of that reference to our last end which must be found, at least implicitly, in all our actions. At the same time it must be noted that there is no obligation to formerly and explicitly have before one's mind a motive which will immediately relate our actions to God. It is enough that such an intention should be implied in the apprehension of the thing as lawful with a consequent virtual submission to Almighty God. Gluttony is in general a venial sin in so far forth as it is an undue indulgence in a thing which is in itself neither good nor bad. Of course it is obvious that a different estimate would have to be given of one so wedded to the pleasures of the table as to absolutely and without qualification live merely to eat and drink, so minded as to be of the number of those, described by the Apostle St. Paul, "whose god is their belly" (Phil., iii, 19). Such a one would be guilty of mortal sin. Likewise a person who, by excesses in eating and drinking, would have greatly impaired his health, or unfitted himself for duties for the performance of which he has a grave obligation, would be justly chargeable with mortal sin. St. John of the Cross, in his work "The Dark Night of the Soul" (I, vi), dissects what he calls spiritual gluttony. He explains that it is the disposition of those who, in prayer and other acts of religion, are always in search of sensible sweetness; they are those who "will feel and taste God, as if he were palpable and accessible to them not only in Communition but in all their other acts of devotion." This he declares is a very great imperfection and productive of great evils" [source-The Catholic Encyclopedia].

CONCLUSION:

Since we are the temple of God (YHWH) as shown by the scriptures, it is imperative that if we want to win God's (YHWH's) approval that we do not over eat or drink to where the food or drink will do harm to our body and/or use substances that can do harm in the amount used to the body. This is made quite clear with respect alcoholic beverages at Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;" (ASV). Remember the warning given at 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (ASV).

Likewise we do not want to drink or consume any substance in any excessive quantity that will effect our reason, and endanger not only ourselves but potentially others. We should be loving our neighbors as shown by Jesus (Yeshua) at Matthew 22:36-40, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second like [unto it] is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets." (ASV). For example, the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages will not only poison our bodies which are the temple of God (YHWH), but if one then, due to poor judgment, drives a car in an impaired state, he/she is not showing love to his neighbor, i.e., driving under the influence of some substance which takes away reason.

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iris89 · 5/25/2020 9:16 am

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON THE 'GREAT CROWD'. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[[ NOTE: FOR AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE ON THE BIBLE, RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE, RARE FRUIT TREES, AND DISINGENUOUS COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY, GO TO:
http://religioustruthsbyiris89.free-forums.org ]]

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [182B]

But men who keep planning to get rich fall into temptations and snares and many foolish, hurtful desires which plunge people into destruction and ruin. 1 Timothy 6:9

And as 1 Timothy 6:10 - 12 states, [AV] “For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and some men in reaching after riches have wandered from the faith and pierced their hearts with many a pang. 11 But you, as a man of God, must be fleeing always from these things; you must constantly strive for uprightness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Keep up the good fight for the faith. Keep your hold on eternal life, to which God called you, when before many witnesses you made the good profession of faith.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON THE 'GREAT CROWD':

The term 'great crowd' or large crowd or multitude depending on translation which, in itself, is quite common in the New Testament and is used in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is used with regard to large groups of persons who heard Jesus (Yeshua) Christ's public teaching such as at Matthew 14:14, " Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick."(The Good News Translation; GNT); and Matthew 20:29, " And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him."(Revised Standard Version; RSV).

Also, another use is how it is used at Revelation 19:1 after the vision of the destruction of the symbolic Babylon the Great, where the Apostle John heard, "After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,"(RSV). Which of course referred to a 'great crowd' or multitude in heaven, i.e., referring to all the spiritual sons of God (YHWH), the angels, etc.

However, in Revelations 7:9-12, " After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne and the ancients and the four living creatures. And they fell down before the throne upon their faces and adored God, 12 Saying: Amen. Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honour and power and strength, to our God, for ever and ever. Amen."(Douay Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB). The identification of this 'great crowd' is quite different than the one in Matthew or the one in Revelation 19:1. With regard to this great crowd, the Apostle John saw in his vision were out of every nation, peoples, and tongues thus identifying this great crows as earthly as there are no tribes, nations, peoples, etc. in heaven. Further the scripture shows, these ascribe their salvation to God (YHWH), and to the Lamb, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, his son as they stand before God's (YHWH's) throne. They are the ones that have come out of the great tribulation as revealed in Revelation. They serve God (YHWH), and he spreads his symbolic tent over them. All their hunger and thirst are to be ended and every tear is to be widped from their eyes as Jesus (Yeshua)(the Lamb of God (YHWH) per John 1:29, " The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him; and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who taketh away the sin of the world."(DRCB), guides them to the waters of life per Revelation 7:9-12, previously quoted.

The dey to the identification of this great crowd is actually found within the description of them in Revelation 1:9-12, previously quoted, and in an obvious parallel passage at Revelation 7:15-17, " Therefore, they are before the throne of God: and they serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them. 16 They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."(DRCB). Which as previously mentioned speaks of them being guided to fountains of water of life, and of God's (YHWH's) wiping every tear from their eyes. There is a parallel passage at Revelation 21:2-4, " And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men: and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people: and God himself with them shall be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more. Nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away."(DRCB), in which we find, God's (YHWH's) tent being with mankind, his wiping every tear from their eyes, and death being no more.

The vision there presented is concerning persons NOT in heaven, from where the "New Jerusalem" comes down from as revealed in Revelation 21:1-2, " I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone: and the sea is now no more. 2 And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."(DRCB).

This poses the question: If the 'great crowd' are individuals who gain salvation and remain on the earth, how could they be said to be 'standing before God's (YHWh) throne' as stated in Revelation 7:9 previously quoted? Now, the position of 'standing' is sometimes used in the Bible to indicate the holding of a favored or approved position in the eyes of the one in whose presence the individual or group stands, see Psalms 5:5, Proverbs 22:29, Luke 1:19, etc. In fact, in Revelations 6:15-17, " And the kings of the earth and the princes and tribunes and the rich and the strong and every bondman and every freeman hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of mountains: 16 And they say to the mountains and the rocks: Fall upon us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of their wrath is come. And who shall be able to stand?" (DRCB) the kings of the earth and all other ones are depicted as seeking to hide themselves from God (YHWH) who is seated on his throne as they could NOT stand before him, compare this with Luke 21:36, " Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come and to stand before the Son of man."(DRCB).

It is thus indicated that this 'great crowd' is formed of individuals who have been preserved during that time of wrath and who are able to 'stand' as approved by God (YHWH) and the Lamb.

In fact, the Lamb's guiding them to fountains of water of life finds a parallel at Revelation 22:17, " And the spirit and the bride say: Come. And he that heareth, let him say: Come. And he that thirsteth, let him come. And he that will, let him take the water of life, freely."(DRCB), see also Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:7-9, and 21:9-11. This invitation to take life's water free presented by the heavenly 'bride' class is obviously open to an unlimited number of persons, anyone that wishes. Unnumbered as the 'great crowd' in the vision of Revelation 7:9; thereby harmonizing with Revelation 22:17. Thus, the sum of the evidence represent all who stand approved at the time of the 'great tribulation' and are preserved alive on earth in keeping with Zechariah 3:10, " In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree."(Authorized King James; AV).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

iris89 · 5/28/2020 8:57 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON CULTS AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST JESUS' FOLLOWERS. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[[ NOTE: FOR AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE ON THE BIBLE, RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE, RARE FRUIT TREES, AND DISINGENUOUS COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY, GO TO: https://religioustruthsbyi.createaforum.com/index.php ]]
[note: there was a problem with the url given the other day]

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [183B]

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

And this thought is amplified at Psalms 103:14 - 18, [AV] “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” Clearly showing that all man does is in vain glory, but that Almighty God (YHWH) knows us well and will show merch to those doing his will.

[2] DISCOURSE ON CULTS AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST JESUS' FOLLOWERS:

Let's first look at how the dictionary, Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, defines a CULT as follows: (noun)
1. A system of religious rites and observances; the cult of Aphrodite. 2. Zealous devotion to a person, ideal, or thing. 3. The object of this devotion.
The distinguishing features of a cult that are exclusive to cults are:
1 - A charismatic or appointed leader or prophet for which infallibility, either all the time or under special conditions is claimed on the basis of direct communications with a deity or on the basis of ex Cathedra (from the chair of Peter).
2 - Zealous devotion/dedication to a point beyond reason where the end justifies the mean, and such atrocities as genocide, burning others at the stake, giving members or others poison to drink, vicious bombings, etc. are conducted at the leaders direction or instigation. These terrible actions are4 not seen as wrong by the true cultist of which many claim and believe they are winning God's (YHWH's) approval by such wicked acts; of course they are not.
3 - The rejection of the authority of the Bible in favor of their own writings by men and/or unauthorized additions to the Bible Canon of Apocrypha or other books and/or parts of books of very doubtful character such as the Book of Mormon, etc.
4 - The making of their own prophecies instead of sticking to and trying to understand the prophecies that God (YHWH) inspired and had over 40 faithful men write down.
5 - The prophesizing or predicting of dates for the culmination of the end times when even Jesus (Yeshua) was not given the date by his Father (YHWH), see 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." (American Standard Version; ASV).
6 - An unreasonable attention and/or demand for money without justification of need and amassing of property in excess of that needed for religious functions such as the ownership of a gun factory in Italy that makes military rifles.
Unfortunately, there are those individuals that try and paint groups they do not like as cults when infact the group is NOT a cult. In other words, they use the term in a wrong manner to falsely accuse the innocent in complete violation of Jesus' (Yeshua's) statement at Matthew 22:37-40, "And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second like [unto it] is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets." (ASV)..
This anti-Christian act should not be a surprise to the true Christians, the obedient footstep followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ who look to him for their salvation. The Apostle Paul was falsely accused as shown at Acts 24:12-15, " and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 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; 15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust." (ASV); And at Acts 24:1-9, "Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. 4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart [thither] shortly. 5 Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him. 6 And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove; 8 while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all. 9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?" (ASV). So should true Christians be surprised when they are falsely accused, of course not at the Devil maneuvers those he has already ensnared to do his dirty work as shown at Ephesians 6:12, "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. " (ASV).
Therefore, all true footstep followers of the lamb, Jesus, should be ready to answer false accusers as shown at 1 Peter 3:15-18, "but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing." (ASV). Remember that the Apostle Paul foretold the end times would be difficult at 2 Timothy 3:1-3, "But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good," (ASV).
Therefore true followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ will be subject to attack and false accusations by those controlled by Satan; in fact, this type of action will be an identifying feature of those mentioned at 2 Timothy 3:1-3, previously quoted. This is vividly shown at Mark 14:55-59, "Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not. 56 For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together. 57 And there stood up certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. 59 And not even so did their witness agree together." (ASV). When this occurred to the savior of true Christians, the Son of God (YHWH), Jesus (Yeshua); so sure it will also occur to his true followers. In fact, the identifying feature of true Christians will be they will be subject to false accusations and persecution as testified to a 2 Timothy 3:12-13, "Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (ASV). Remember, what occurred to Stephen a disciple of Jesus (Yeshua) our savior as recorded at Acts 7:58-60, "and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [the Lord], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (ASV). This has always been the way of Satan and those who he has gained the mastery over as testified to at Psalms 27:12, "Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries: For false witnesses are risen up against me, And such as breathe out cruelty." (ASV).
Remember, the first century true Christians suffered for Christ, not for any misdeeds, but for being who they were.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

iris89 · 5/28/2020 9:09 pm

COMBINATION OF (1) THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY, (2) Video – Help Others, AND (3) THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - mandarin    With the Scripture of the Day first.

[[ NOTE: FOR AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE ON THE BIBLE, RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE, RARE FRUIT TREES, AND DISINGENUOUS COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY, GO TO: https://religioustruthsbyi.createaforum.com/index.php ]]
[note: there was a problem with the url given the other day]

[1]   SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [183-ONE HALF B)

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:   1 Corinthians 10:23 – 25, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, while many things may be lawful, we first must consider out of love our doing them how it may effect others as shown at Colossians 3:12 - 15, [AV] “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Remember we should always show love to others as Almighty God (YHWH) showed to us per 1 John 4:19, [AV] “We love him, because he first loved us.”

FOR AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY WHERE YOU CAN LEARN FOR FREE:

Who Jehovah, Jesus, and the angles are,

How the Bible can help a person,

Why God created humans,

Why suffering and evil exist.

How Jehovah intends to end suffering and death,

About the coming resurection,

How failed human governments will be replaced by God’s Kingdom

GO TO https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/online-lessons/

(2) Help Others, go to:

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/children/become-jehovahs-friend/videos/help-others/

[3]   THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - mandarin

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Mandarin orange, also known as the mandarin or mandarine , is a small citrus tree (Citrus reticulata) with fruit resembling other oranges. The mandarin orange gained its name from the bright orange robes worn by the mandarins, public officials in imperial China. When exporting began, local Mandarin oranges were named after their port of origin. Mandarin oranges are usually eaten plain or in fruit salads. Specifically reddish-orange mandarin cultivars can be marketed as tangerines, but this is not a botanical classification.
The tree is more drought-tolerant than the fruit. The mandarin is tender, and is damaged easily by cold. It can be grown in tropical and subtropical areas. Varieties
The mandarin orange is a variety of the orange family. Cultivars and crosses between the original mandarin and other citrus fruits include:
* Satsuma (Citrus unshiu), a seedless variety, of which there are over 200 cultivars, such as Owari and mikan; the source of most canned mandarins, and popular as a fresh fruit due to its ease of consumption
* Owari, a well-known Satsuma cultivar which ripens during the late fall season
* Clementine, sometimes known as a "Christmas orange", as its peak season is December; becoming the most important commercial Mandarin orange form, having displaced mikans in many markets
* Tangerine sometimes known as "Dancy Mandarin"
Tangor, also called the temple orange, a cross between the Mandarin orange and the common sweet orange; its thick rind is easy to peel and its bright orange pulp is sour-sweet and full-flavored
Canned and peeled mandarin orange segments.
The mandarin is easily peeled with the fingers, starting at the thick rind covering the depression at the top of the fruit, and can be easily split into even segments without squirting juice. This makes it convenient to eat, as utensils are not required to peel or cut the fruit.
Canned mandarin segments are peeled to remove the white pith prior to canning; otherwise, they turn bitter. Segments are peeled using a chemical process. First, the segments are scalded in hot water to loosen the skin; then they are bathed in a lye solution which digests the albedo and membranes. Finally, the segments undergo several rinses in plain water.
Biological characteristics
Citrus fruits are usually self-fertile (needing only a bee to move pollen within the same flower) or parthenocarpic (not needing pollination and therefore seedless, such as the satsuma).
Blossoms from the Dancy cultivar are one exception. They are self-sterile, and therefore must have a pollinator variety to supply pollen, and a high bee population to make a good crop. The fruit is oblate.
Medicinal uses
In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried peel of the fruit is used in the regulation of ch'i, and also used to treat abdominal distension, to enhance digestion, and to reduce phlegm.   Mandarins have also been used in ayurveda (traditional medicine of India). (source - retrieved from   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_orange on 1/21/2013)
To see pictures, go to  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Citrus_reticulata

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].

Mandarin is a group name for a class of oranges with thin, loose peel, which have been dubbed "kid-glove" oranges. These are treated as members of a distinct species, Citrus reticulata Blanco. The name "tangerine" could be applied as an alternate name to the whole group, but, in the trade, is usually confined to the types with red-orange skin. In the Philippines all mandarin oranges are called naranjita. Spanish-speaking people in the American tropics call them mandarina. (source - retrieved from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mandarin_orange.html on 1/21/2013)

How this tree and other plants absorb water from the ground.   Plants have developed an effective system to absorb, translocate, store, and utilize water. Plants contain a vast network of conduits, which consists of xylem and phloem tissues. These conducting tissues start in the roots and continue up through the trunks of trees, into the branches and then into every leaf. Phloem tissue is made of living elongated cells that are connected to one another and responsible for translocating nutrients and sugars (carbohydrates), which are produced by leaves for energy and growth. The xylem is also composed of elongated cells but once the cells are formed, they die. The walls of the xylem cells still remain intact and serve as an excellent peipline to transport water from the roots to the leaves.

The main driving force of water uptake and transport into a plant is transpiration of water from leaves through specialized openings called stomata. Heat from the sun causes the water to evaporate, setting this ‘water chain’ in motion. The evaporation creates a negative water vapor pressure. Water is pulled into the leaf to replace the water that has transpired from the leaf. This pulling of water, or tension, occurs in the xylem of the leaf. Since the xylem is a continuous water column that extends from the leaf to the roots, this negative water pressure extends into the roots and results in water uptake from the soil. [adapted from: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=follow-up-how-do-trees-ca ]

Clearly this clever water transport system shows a superior intelligence of the Creator (YHWH).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

iris89 · 5/30/2020 12:04 pm

COMBINATION OF[1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON REVELATION 22:12-13:. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [184B]

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Almighty God’S (YHWH’S) as found in the Bible makes it clear that all mankind lacks perfection an sins. This is made abundantly clear st Ecclesiastes 7:20 - 22, [AV] “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.” Yes, we need His forgiveness to be counted worthy to live in His Kingdom that Jesus (Yeshua) taught all to pray for at Matthew 6:9 – 10, [AV] “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON REVELATION 22:12-13:

INTRODUCTION:

Let’s first look at the two scriptures in several different Bible versions/translations:

“12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” (Revelation 22:12-13 AV – Authorized King James Version)

“12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” .” (Revelation 22:12-13 ASV – American Standard Version of 1901)

“12 Lo! I come speedily, and my reward is with me, to render unto each one as, his, work is.
13 I, am the A and the Z, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13 Rothrham)

BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA ON REVELATION 22:12-13:

The International Standard Encyclopedia of the Bible says:

ALPHA AND OMEGA

al'-fa, o'-me-ga, o-me'-ga (Alpha and Omega = A and O):

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, hence, symbolically, "beginning and end"; in Revelation "The Eternal One" in Revelation 1:8 of the Father, in Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13 of the Son. Compare Theodoret, Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, iv. 8:

"We used alpha down to omega, i.e. all." A similar expression is found in Latin (Martial, v.26). Compare Aretas (Cramer's Catenae Graecae in New Testament) on Revelation 1:8 and Tertullian (Monog, 5): "So also two Greek letters, the first and last, did the Lord put on Himself, symbols of the beginning and the end meeting in Him, in order that just as alpha rolls on to omega and omega returns again to alpha, so He might show that both the evolution of the beginning to the end is in Him and again the return of the end to the beginning." Cyprian, Testim, ii.1; vi.22, iii.100, Paulinus of Nola Carm. xix.645; xxx.89; Prudentius, Cathem., ix.10-12. In Patristic and later literature the phrase is regularly applied to the Son. God blesses Israel from 'aleph to taw (Leviticus 26:3-13), but curses from waw to mem (Leviticus 26:14-43). So Abraham observed the whole law from 'aleph to taw. Consequently, "Alpha and Omega" may be a Greek rendering of the Hebrew phrase, which expressed among the later Jews the whole extent of a thing.

CONCLUSION:

In these two scriptures we are dealing with the symbolic meaning to the use of the first letter of the Koine Greek alphabet, Alpha, and the last letter, omega. As the International Bible Dictionary of the Bible states, it means the '‘beginning and end’ and shows how in Revelation 1:8 this phase is applied to the Father (YHWH) “6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:6-8 AV). Here we note it says, “6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” clearly here referring to two individuals, God the Father (YHWH), and his God the Son (Yeshua or YHWH saves) . The term Alpha and Omega in “8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Which is made clearer in the Rothrham Bible as “8 I, am, the A, and, the Z, saith the Lord,—the, God who Is, and who Was, and who is Coming, The Almighty.”
Clearly showing he has no beginning in keeping with “2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Revelation 1:8 ASV), which is quite different from how this same phrase is later used at Revelation 21:6 and 22:13 to apply to the Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) who had a beginning as shown by “ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” (Revelation 3:14 AV); he was the first created thing with regard to all that was created.

To get a clear understanding of Revelation 22:13, we need to look at it in contest as follows:

“9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and sleepermongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:9-16 AV)

We note that Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) or one of his angels is quoted by the Apostle John as saying, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” [these being the Angels he was given authority over to carry out his assignment at 1 Corinthians 15:27-28.]. Since Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) had a beginning as shown “ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” (Revelation 3:14 AV) and “15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;” (1 Colossians 1:15-19 AV). Clearly Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) is separate individual from his Father (YHWH) as the scripture states, “. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;” which makes plain that his Father (YHWH) was pleased that “all fulness dwell” in his faithful Son. Also, the scripture brings out in what manner Alpha and Omega properly applies to the Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) when it states, “15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Where it shows that after his creation by his Father (YHWH), he, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) worked along with his Father in creating all of the remainder of creation in the entire universe. His, the Son’s Alpha and Omega symbolic application is further made clear in “17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Thus he is the Alpha in the sense he helped create all else except himself and the Omega as his Father (YHWH) has given him immortality for being faithful, and this is made certain by “. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

So here we see a faithful Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) had been given authority over all by his Father (YHWH) with the “, it is manifest that he is excepted” exception of himself. This subjection to his Father (YHWH) is clearly shown by the faithful Son’s statements, “ Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” (John 5:19 AV) and “ Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 AV).

Those denying that Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) is not the faithful only begotten Son of Almighty God (YHWH) and not God (YHWH) are thus clearly committing blasphemy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYS AT https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/

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