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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] SOME WOULD RATHER USE OBVIOUS HOXES SUCH AS THE JEHOHANAN HOAX AND THE PITSDWON HOAX THAN ACCEPT REALITY:
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [366B]
Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. 8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? 11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Psalms 94:7 – 11, [AV]
Many of the wicked feel Almighty God who created all there is can not see or hear and by their actions completely give no regard to his existence and Psalms 73:11, [AV] says, “And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?” Yes, they even question his knowledge, but their end as testified to at Proverbs 1:22 - 27, [AV] “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.” Yes, worldly wisdom of the wicked is foolishness to Almighty God (YHWH) as shown at 1 Corinthians 1:19 - 20, [AV] “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”
[2] SOME WOULD RATHER USE OBVIOUS HOXES SUCH AS THE JEHOHANAN HOAX AND THE PITSDWON HOAX THAN ACCEPT REALITY:
INTRODUCTION:
In Archeology and similar pursuits there are many hoaxes by people wanting to make a name for themselves. The most famous of these was,
‘The Piltdown Man was a hoax in which bone fragments were presented as the fossilised remains of a previously unknownearly human. These fragments consisted of parts of a skull and jawbone, said to have been collected in 1912 from a gravel pit at Piltdown, East Sussex, England. The Latin name Eoanthropus dawsoni ("Dawson's dawn-man", after the collectorCharles Dawson) was given to the specimen. The significance of the specimen remained the subject of controversy until it was exposed in 1953 as a forgery, consisting of the lower jawbone of an orangutan deliberately combined with the skull of a fully developed modern human.
The Piltdown hoax is perhaps the most famous paleoanthropological hoax ever to have been perpetrated. It is prominent for two reasons: the attention paid to the issue of human evolution, and the length of time (more than 40 years) that elapsed from its discovery to its full exposure as a forgery.
[source - retrieved from on 11/16/2013] ‘
With respect the obvious Jehohanan Hoax this is readily discernable from the illustration of the find. Any knowledgeable individual would recognize he could not possible have been crucified in that manner.
THE FACTS ON CRUCIFICITION AND THE MEANING OF THE GREEK WORDS ‘STAUROS’ AND ‘XULON’
Specifically as these two words were used in the first Century in both Classical Greek and Koine Greek there is absolutely nothing to indicate a cross or crossbeam as used in the modern day. The following conclusively prove this FACT.
Pay particular attention to what Rev. Dr. Michael T. Welhous, says in NOT A CROSS TO BE FOUND
The book The Non-Christian Cross, by John Denham Parsons, states: “There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros; much less to the effect that it consisted, not of one piece of timber, but of two pieces nailed together in the form of a cross. . . . it is not a little misleading upon the part of our teachers to translate the word stauros as ‘cross’ when rendering the Greek documents of the Church into our native tongue, and to support that action by putting ‘cross’ in our lexicons as the meaning of stauros without carefully explaining that that was at any rate not the primary meaning of the word in the days of the Apostles, did not become its primary signification till long afterwards, and became so then, if at all, only because, despite the absence of corroborative evidence, it was for some reason or other assumed that the particular stauros upon which Jesus was executed had that particular shape.”—London, 1896, pp. 23, 24.
AND,
Was Christ Hung on a Cross?
TO MANY millions of people the answer to this question seems as simple as the three-letter word “Yes”. To serious students of both ancient history and the Bible the answer is even simpler, as simple as the two-letter word “No!” But two answers as far apart as these open up between them a great gulf that all truth seekers must be able to bridge in order to stand on the solid ground of truth.
It is common knowledge in this enlightened age that the Bible was not first set down in English. Consequently, to settle the question as to whether Christ was hung on a cross or not it is necessary to consult the original Hebrew and Greek languages in which the Bible was written. By God’s grace manuscript copies of the original accounts, some of which copies date back to within fifty years of the originals, are available to scholars. Besides these, the original words are defined and explained in dictionaries or lexicons written in modern English, if that is the only language you read. And, in addition, there are dependable encyclopedias, histories, etc., to which reference can be made.
The Catholic Digest magazine, May, 1948, page 108, had the following to say on the subject of the cross: “Long before the birth of Christ the cross was a religious symbol. On the site of ancient Troy discs of baked clay stamped with a cross, were recently discovered. Two similar objects were found at Herculaneum. The Aztecs of ancient Mexico carved the cross on amulets, pottery, and temple walls. Many traces of use of the cross by North American Indians have been discovered. Buddhists of Tibet see in the cross a mark of the footprint of Buddha. The Mongolians draw a cross on paper and place it on the breasts of their dead. Egyptian inscriptions often have the Tau (T) cross. They considered the scarab (beetle) sacred because markings down the back and across the thorax form a T. A cross of this form was used as a support for the arms of Hindu ascetics in India who were wont to sit for days and nights in a Buddhalike attitude. The crux ansata (handled cross) has a loop serving as a handle. For the Egyptians this cross was a symbol of life and in their sign language meant ‘to live.’” See also The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, page 517; the footnote on pages 312, 313, of Gibbon’s History of Christianity, Eckler’s edition, 1891.
But how was the cross a “symbol of life” to the pagans? Well, a father, the male, is life-giver to his children by and through the mother. Hence, those sex-worshiping pagans, under the inspiration of the Devil and his demons, constructed a phallic image of the erected male genitive organ, with a crossbar toward one end to represent the testes. Carrying the symbolism a step further in the crux ansata, the loop on the top, which pious religionists choose to describe as a “handle”, represented the female genitive organ joined to the masculine symbol. That these diabolical facts are true, see the following references: Funeral Tent of an Egyptian Queen, by Villiers Stuart; Masculine Cross and Ancient Sex Worship, by Sha Rocco; Two Babylons, by Alexander Hislop; Essays on the Worship of Priapus, by Richard Payne Knight.
Reference to the original languages in which the Bible was written will show beyond a question of doubt that Christ was never hung on any pagan cross. Hence, the use of the word “cross” in the English-language Bibles is a mistranslation. On this, the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, in its appendix, on pages 768-771, in commenting on Matthew 10:38, where the Greek word ??????? (stau·ros?) first appears and which is translated “cross” in most Bibles, states:
“This is the expression used in connection with the execution of Jesus at Calvary. There is no evidence that the Greek word stau·ros? meant here a ‘cross’ such as the pagans used as a religious symbol for many centuries before Christ to denote the sun-god. On the ancient sculptures of Egypt may be seen representations of their gods bearing the so-called crux an·sa?ta, a T-cross with a loop at the top, it being a phallic symbol of life. In Babylonian inscriptions Tammuz was signified by a heart from which sprang a single or a double cross.
“India, Syria, Persia, as well as Babylon and ancient Egypt, have all yielded objects marked with crosses of various designs, including the swastika among the early Aryans. This betrays the worshiping of the cross to be pagan.
“In the classical Greek the word stau·ros? meant merely an upright stake or pale, or a pile such as is used for a foundation. The verb stau·ro?o meant to fence with pales, to form a stockade or palisade, and this is the verb used when the mob called for Jesus to be impaled. To such a stake or pale the person to be punished was fastened, just as when the popular Greek hero Pro·me?the·us was represented as tied to a stake or stau·ros?. The Greek word which the dramatist Aes?chy·lus used to describe this means to fasten or fix on a pole or stake, to impale, and the Greek author Lucian used a·na·stau·ro?oas a synonym for that word. In the Christian Greek Scriptures a·na·stau·ro?o occurs but once, at Hebrews 6:6. The root verb stau·ro?o occurs more than 40 times, and we have rendered it ‘impale’, with the footnote: ‘Or, “fasten on a stake or pole.’”
“The inspired writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures wrote in the common (koi·ne?) Greek and used the word stau·ros? to mean the same thing as in the classical Greek, namely, a stake or pale, a simple one without a crossbeam of any kind or at any angle. There is no proof to the contrary. The apostles Peter and Paul also use the word xy?lon to refer to the torture instrument upon which Jesus was nailed, and this argues that is was an upright stake without a crossbeam, for that is what xy?lon in this special sense means. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) At Ezra 6:11 we find xy?lonin the Greek Septuagint (1 Esdras 6:31), and there it is spoken of as a beam on which the violator of law was to be hanged, the same as at Luke 23:39; Acts 5:30; 10:39.
“The fact that stau·ros? is translated crux in the Latin versions furnishes no argument against this. Any authoritative Latin dictionary will inform the examiner that the basic meaning of crux is a ‘tree, frame, or other wooden instrument of execution’ on which criminals were impaled or hanged. (Lewis-Short) A cross is only a later meaning of crux. Even in the writings of Livy, a Roman historian of the first century B.C., crux means a mere stake. Such a single stake for impalement of a criminal was called crux simplex, and the method of nailing him to such an instrument of torture is illustrated by the Roman Catholic scholar, Justus Lipsius, of the 16th century. We present herewith a photographic copy of his illustration on page 647, column 2, of his book De Cruce Liber Primus. This is the manner in which Jesus was impaled.
“Religious tradition from the days of Emperor Constantine proves nothing. Says that monthly publication for the Roman Catholic clergy, The Ecclesiastical Review, of September, 1920, No. 3, of Baltimore, Maryland, page 275: ‘It may be safely asserted that only after the edict of Milan, A.D. 312, was the cross used as the permanent sign of our Redemption. De Rossi positively states that no monogram of Christ, discovered in the catacombs or other places, can be traced to a period anterior to the year 312. Even after that epoch-making year, the church, then free and triumphant, contented herself with having a simple monogram of Christ: the Greek letter chi vertically crossed by a rho, and horizontally sometimes, by an iota. [Artwork—Greek characters] The oldest crucifix mentioned as an object of public worship is the one venerated in the Church of Narbonne in southern France, as early as the 6th century.’
“After showing the pagan origin of the cross, The Encyclopædia Britannica, Vol. 7, of edition 11, page 506, says: ‘It was not till the time of Constantine that the cross was publicly used as the symbol of the Christian religion.’ That was but logical, for Emperor Constantine was a worshiper of the pagan sun-god, whose symbol was a cross. Other experts have pointed out that ‘before the fourth century the cross was not used as a Christian emblem in the East any more than in the West’.
“Rather than consider the torture stake upon which Jesus was impaled a relic to be worshiped, the Jewish Christians like Simon Peter would consider it to be an abominable thing. At Galatians 3:13 the apostle Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23 and says: ‘It is written: “Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake.’” Hence the Jewish Christians would hold as accursed and hateful the stake upon which Jesus had been executed. Says the celebrated Jewish authority, Moses Mai·mon?i·des, of the 12th century: ‘They never hang upon a tree which clings to the soil by roots; but upon a timber uprooted, that it might not be an annoying plague: for a timber upon which anyone has been hanged is buried; that the evil name may not remain with it and people should say, “This is the timber on which so-and-so was hanged.” So the stone with which anyone has been stoned; and the sword, with which the one killed has been killed; and the cloth or mantle with which anyone has been strangled; all these things are buried along with those who perished.’ (Apud Casaub. in Baron. Exercitat. 16, An. 34, Num. 134) Says Kalinski in Vaticinia Observationibus Illustrata, page 342: ‘Consequently since a man hanged was considered the greatest abomination—the Jews also hated more than other things the timber on which he had been hanged, so that they covered it also with earth, as being equally an abominable thing.’
“The evidence is, therefore, completely lacking that Jesus Christ was crucified on two pieces of timber placed at a right angle. We refuse to add anything to God’s written Word by inserting the pagan cross into the inspired Scriptures, but render stau·ros? and xy?lon according to the simplest meanings. Since Jesus used stau·ros? to represent the suffering and shame or torture of his followers (Matthew 16:24), we have translated stau·ros? as ‘torture stake’, to distinguish it from xy?lon, which we have translated ‘stake’, or, in the footnote, ‘tree,’ as at Acts 5:30.”
The gulf of speculation having thus been bridged, Christians today stand on the solid ground of provable facts when they emphatically declare that Christ was never hung on a pagan cross of phallic origin.
AND
The words "cross" and "crucify" are mistranslations, a "later rendering," of the Greek words stauros and stauroo. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, STAUROS denotes, primarily, an upright pole or stake. The shape of the two-beamed cross had its origin in ancient Chaldea and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz. In the third century A.D., pagans were received into the apostate ecclesiastical system and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols.
According to The Companion Bible, crosses were used as symbols of the Babylonian Sun-god. The evidence is complete; the Lord was put to death upon an upright stake, not on two pieces of timber placed at an angle.
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, in the Egyptian churches the cross was a pagan symbol of life borrowed by the Christians and interpreted in the pagan manner.
According to Greek dictionaries and lexicons, the primary meaning of stauros is an upright pale, pole, or stake. The secondary meaning of "cross" is admitted to be a "later" rendering. In spite of the evidence, almost all common versions of the Scriptures persist with the Latin Vulgate's crux (meaning cross) as the rendering of the Greek stauros.
The most accepted reason for the "cross" being brought into Messianic worship is Constantine's famous vision of "the cross superimposed on the sun" in A.D. 312. What he saw is nowhere to be found in Scripture. Even after his so-called "conversion," his coins showed an even-armed cross as a symbol for the Sun-god. Many scholars have doubted the "conversion" of Constantine because of the wicked deeds that he did afterwards.
After Constantine had the "vision of the cross," he promoted another variety of the cross, the Chi-Rho or Labarum. This has been explained as representing the first letters of the name Christos (CH and R, or, in Greek, X and P). The identical symbols were found as inscriptions on rock, dating from ca. 2500 B.C., being interpreted as "a combination of the two Sun-symbols." Another proof of its pagan origin is that the identical symbol was found on a coin of Ptolemeus III from 247-222 B.C.
According to An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols, the labarum was also an emblem of the Chaldean sky-god. Emperor Constantine adopted the labarum as the imperial ensign. According to Dictionary of Mythology Folklore and Symbols, the symbol was in use long before Christianity. Chi probably stood for Great Fire or Sun. Rho probably stood for Pater or Patah (Father). The word labarum yields "everlasting Father Sun."
CJB execution-stake SISR stake SSBE torture stake
NWT torture stake
Versions using Cross: AAT, AB, AIV, ANT, BNT, CENT, CEV, CLNT, CNT, CTNT, DHB, DRB, EBR, EDW, EVD, GW, HBME, HBRV, IB, IV, JWNT, KJV, KLNT, KTC, LB, LBP, MCT, MNT, MRB, MSNT, NAB, NAS, NBV, NCV, NEB, NET, NIV, NJB, NKJ, NLT, NLV, NNT, NRS, NSNT, ONT, PRS, REB, RNT, RSV, SARV, SGAT, SNB, SV, TCNT, TEV, TJB, TM, WAS, WET, WNT, WTNT, YLR. [SOURCE - RETRIEVED FROM Melissa ON 11/16/2013]
AND,
The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon
Strong's Number: 4716
Original Word
Word Origin
stauroß
from the base of (2476)
Transliterated Word
TDNT Entry
Stauros
7:572,1071
Phonetic Spelling
Parts of Speech
stow-ros'
Noun Masculine
Definition
1. an upright stake, esp. a pointed one
2. a cross
a. a well known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians; to it were affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the authors and abetters of insurrections, and occasionally in the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasure of the governors, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves
b. the crucifixion which Christ underwent
NAS Word Usage - Total: 27
cross 27
NAS Verse Count
Matthew
5
Mark
4
Luke
3
John
4
1 Corinthians
2
Galatians
3
Ephesians
1
Philippians
2
Colossians
2
Hebrews
1
Total
27
Greek lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament." These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
Thayer and Smith. "Greek Lexicon entry for Stauros". "The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon". . 1999. [SOURCE - RETRIEVED FROM ON 11/16/2013]
AND,
NOT A CROSS TO BE FOUND
Rev. Dr. Michael T. Welhous
One of the reasons why I pursued a degree in Christian ministry, and became an ordained Nondenominational Christian minister, was because I became increasingly disturbed at what I heard coming from the pulpits of the various churches I attended. I had been studying the Scriptures for many years, and it amazed me that the congregations were not hearing the simple truths contained in God’s word. I felt the need to share with people the truth about what the Bible actually says about various things. All to often, people accept what the various members of the clergy state as fact, without questioning it and without taking the time to verify their statements.
Most of these truths are not difficult to understand. They are simple Scriptural facts that are not being conveyed to the people. One such truth is the fact that most English translations of the Bible refer to a “cross,” yet the fact is that the word “cross” is an inaccurate translation of the original Greek word stauros. Simply put, a “cross,” i.e., two intersecting beams of wood, is nowhere to be found in the Bible!
The cross has become the foremost symbol in Christendom, so this would obviously be disturbing news to many Christians who have crosses hanging on their walls, around their necks, on loved ones graves, in front of their churches, on the alter of their churches, and even mentioned in songs they sing.
The question, however, must be asked: “Since nothing in the ancient Greek manuscripts which were compiled to form the New Testament portion of the Bible, suggests nor implies an instrument composed of two intersecting beams of wood, then where did the term, image, and subsequent symbol come from?”
First, there is no doubt that the Greek word stauros has been inaccurately translated as “cross.” In Classical Greek literature, stauros simply meant “an upright stake or post.” The verb stauroo meant “to fence with pales (stakes), to form a stockade (a barrier constructed from stakes or timbers driven upright into the ground one beside the other).” There is nothing at all found in the Scriptures to suggest a crossbeam of any kind at any angle, therefore, staurosmeans the same thing in the Bible, as it did in Classical Greek writings.
Second, there is another Greek word used by the New Testament writers when describing the execution of Jesus. It is the word xylon, which means “timber,” and by implication “a stick, club or tree.” Notice again that there is nothing to suggest a crossbeam of any kind or at any angle. Consider the following references where xylon occurs, and notice that it is consistently translated “tree.”
Acts 5:30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.”
Acts 10:39 “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews,
and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree.”
Acts 13:29 “And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down
from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.”
Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
1 Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
Interestingly, when we read the Septuagint, which was the Greek translation of the Old Testament written in the same koine, i.e. “common” Greek as the New Testament, we find xylon at Ezra 6:11. There it is spoken of as “timber” on which the violator of the law was to be hanged.
“And a decree has been made by me, that every man who shall alter this word, timber
shall be pulled down from his house, and let him be lifted up and slain upon it, and his
house shall be confiscated.” (Ezra 6:11, The Septuagint – An English Translation)
If we were to read the Bible in the original languages – Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek – we would NEVER have the mental picture of a “cross.” Even when the Bible began to be translated into Latin, translators used the Latin word crux, which also does not specifically suggest a two-beam intersecting instrument.
The Latin dictionary by Lewis and Short states that the meaning of crux was “a tree, frame, or other wooden instruments of execution, on which criminals were impaled or hanged.” In the writings of Livy, who was a Roman historian of the first century B.C., crux means merely a stake.
“[Crucifixion] was an ancient mode of capital punishment, and is said to have been devised by Semiramis. It was in use by the Persians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Carthaginians, Scythians, Greeks, Romans, and ancient Germans. It was a most shameful and degrading punishment, and among the Romans was the fate of robbers, assassins, and rebels. It was especially the punishment of criminal slaves. There were several kinds of crosses used.” (Manners And Customs Of The Bible, James M. Freeman, page 394, paragraph 2.) [Semiramis was a Mesopotamian queen.]
Since there were many kinds of impalement instruments used by the Romans and the other nations, to definitively identify any particular “cross,” and relate to others that it is the exact type of “cross” that Jesus died on, especially given the Scriptural evidence of simply a “stake” and “tree,” is for a clergy member or Bible teacher, irresponsible at best!
In writing to the believers in Galatia, Paul said, “though we [i.e., the apostles], or an angel
from heaven, publicly announce any other gospel to you than that which we have publicly
announced to you, let him be eternally condemned. As we said before, so say I now
again, if any man publicly announce any other gospel to you than that you have received,
let him be eternally condemned.” (Galatians 1:8-9) Given Paul’s exhortation, we must
make every effort NEVER to add anything to God’s word by publicly announcing something
that simply is not what the Bible is announcing. The Bible speaks of the “stake” and the “tree,” NEVER a “cross.” [SOURCE - RETRIEVED FROM ON 11/16/2013]
AND
Where was Jesus put on when he was crucified?
Mohd Elfie Nieshaem Juferi (MENJ) has invested his creativity into creating the following little problem:
In Mark 15: 32, we are told that Jesus was put on a "cross" to be crucified:
Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
The word for "cross" here in Greek is "stauros", which James Strong defined as:
(4716) from the base of 2476; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specifically) a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ: --cross.[1]
Yet in I Peter 2:24, we are told that Jesus was crucified on the "tree":
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
The word for "tree" in Greek is "xulon", and is defined by Strong as:
(3586)from another form of the base of 3582; timber (as fuel or material); by implication a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance: --staff, stocks, tree, wood.[2]
The error here is obvious. The Greek word "stauros" means definitively a "cross". There is no double meaning employed to the word. Whereas the word xulon can be translated interchangeably as "wood", "staff", "tree", etc. but in the case of I Peter 2:24, it is translated as "tree". Now we need to ask why would the word xulon was used in the first place when there is a more definitive word for it, "stauros", if the verse really intends to mean the "cross"?
It is therefore obvious that the word xulon is indeed used for "tree" in I Peter 2:24, and therefore there is a contradiction with Mark 15: 32.
RESPONSE:
The only obvious error is Menj's misreading and manhandling of both the biblical texts and his own lexical sources. He claims that "stauros" definitely means "cross", all the while ignoring the very own lexicon he quotes which states:
(4716) from the base of 2476; A STAKE OR POST (as set upright), i.e. (specifically) A POLE or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ: --cross.[1]
Furthermore, do notice the different meanings given by Thayer's Lexicon for "xulon":
3586 xulon {xoo'-lon}
1) wood
a) THAT WHICH IS MADE OF WOOD
1) AS A BEAM from which any one is suspended, a gibbet, A CROSS
2) a log or timber with holes in which the feet, hands, neck of prisoners were inserted and fastened with thongs
3) a fetter, or shackle for the feet
4) a cudgel, stick, staff
2) a tree
AV - tree 10, staff 5, wood 3, stocks 1; 19 (Source: Blueletter Bible)
Notice how this same word is used elsewhere in the NT:
"‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and CLUBS (xulon) to capture me?’" Mark 14:48
No one assumes that "xulon" here means tree, that is unless of course one wants to claim that the soldiers were armed with actual trees! And:
"Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the STOCKS (xulon)." Acts 16:24
"If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, WOOD (xula), hay or straw." 1 Corinthians 3:12
This demonstrates that "xulon" means different things in different contexts and doesn't always refer to an actual tree. Since Strong's lists "cross" as a plausible meaning of "xulon", this in itself refutes Menj's alleged contradiction.
Second, 1 Peter 2:24 is not the only place where Peter refers to Christ being crucified on ‘a tree’:
"The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead - whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree (epi xulou)." Acts 5:30
"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree (epi xulou)." Acts 10:39
Interestingly, Luke who recorded Peter's speeches in Acts also wrote that Jesus was crucified on a cross (stauros):
"But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify him (staurou)! Crucify him (staurou auton)!’ ... As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross (ton stauron) on him and made him carry it behind Jesus ... When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him (estaurosan auton), along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left." Luke 23:21,26,33
That Luke could mention Jesus being crucified on a cross while recording Peter's statements that Jesus was hanged on a "tree" demonstrates that these Christians saw no problem with these statements. Unlike Menj, they realized that both "stauros" and "xulon" could be used interchangeably in referring to Christ's crucifixion. This is further seen from the Apostle Paul:
"When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree (tou xulou) and laid him in a tomb." Acts 13:29
Paul says that Christ was brought down from the tree. Yet the same Paul speaks of Jesus being crucified on a cross:
"For the message of the cross (tou staurou) is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18
quot;Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross (to skandalon tou staurou) has been abolished." Galatians 5:11
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (en to stauro tou Kuriou hemon 'Iesou Christou ), through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14
Paul clues us in as to why both Peter and he could speak of Christ hanging on a tree:
"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree (epi xulou).’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit." Galatians 3:10-14
The phrase refers to one who is accursed of God for failing to obey the commands. Christ being crucified on a cross was a sign that Christ had become a curse for us since he had become our sin bearer, taking upon himself the punishment that we deserved in order that we who believe may be forgiven by God. In the words of the Apostle Peter:
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree (to xulon), so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." 1 Peter 2:21-25
Messianic Jewish believer, Dr. David H. Stern sums it up best. In his comments on Acts 5:30, Stern writes:
Stake. Greek xulon, which KJV renders "tree" here and four other places (10:39, 13:29; Ga. 3:13; I Ke [Sam- Peter] 2:24), all referring to what Yeshua was hanged on until he died. Yeshua was not hanged on a tree, but on a stavros, usually translated "cross" and in the JNT translated "execution-stake," as explained in Mt 10:38N. The word "xulon" is used instead of stavros in these five placesbecause all of them quote or allude to Deuteronomy 21:22-23, where the Hebrew word is "'etz," normally rendered into Septuagint Greek as "xulon." Both Hebrew 'etz and Greekxulon can mean "tree, wood, stake, stick" depending on context. In Deuteronomy 21:22-23, where the subject is hanging, an 'etz is any piece of wood which a person can be hanged, i.e. a stake (perhaps if metal gallows had existed, a different word would have been used). If Luke had meant a tree and not a stake, the Greeks had a word for it, "dendron," which he could have used but didn't. Therefore, while at Mt 26:47 and Mk 14:48 xulon means "stick," at Lk 23:31 and Rv 18:12 it means "wood," and at Rv 2:7 it has to mean "tree," here it means "stake"... (Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary [Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., Clarksville Maryland, 1996], p. 237; bold emphasis ours)
In light of the preceding considerations, we once again see that Menj has failed to prove a real bonafide contradiction in the Scriptures. His criticisms only expose his lack of understanding regarding the historical and cultural context in which the New Testament was written.
In the service of King Jesus forever, the crucified and risen Lord of eternal glory. Amen. [source - retrieved from on 11/16/2013]
AND,
ull Definition of STAURO-
: cross <stauromedusae> <stauroscope>
Origin of STAURO-
LL, fr. LGk, fr. Gk stauros pale, stake, cross
This word doesn't usually appear in our free dictionary, but the definition from our premium Unabridged Dictionary is offered here on a limited basis. Note that some information is displayed differently in the Unabridged.
To access the complete Unabridged Dictionary, with an additional 300,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary, [SOURCE - RETRIEVED FROM ON 11/16/2013]
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] EVOLUTION DISPROVED BY MATHEMATICS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE:
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [367B]
The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. Ezekiel 37:15 – 17, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
This may seem strange and cause individuals to ask what is the meaning of joining together of the two sticks. Actually this was a message of hope given to the Prophet Ezekiel to let him know that the unification of Israel at that time was to take place where Israel was being restored to Israel. To understand this message, we must understand what the two sticks signified and what Ezekiel wrote on them. On one he wrote, “For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions,” and on the other, “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions.” The symbolic significance of joining the two sticks together symbolized the coming together once more of the ancient nation of Israel
[2] EVOLUTION DISPROVED BY MATHEMATICS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE:
Let's face the fact that you must have a support system there to sustain life once it arrives, and this would be another system that must come into existence simultaneously with life for it to continue once it was created in some manner. As shown, just the possibility of life coming into existence is, as shown by Dr. Roger Penrose, a famous British mathematician and Oxford fellow, is 10 to the 123 a number so large as to stagger the imagination. Or consider: 103 means 1,000, a thousand. 10 to 103 zerosis a number that that has 1 followed by 1000 zeros. If there are six zeros, it's called a million; if nine, a billion; if twelve, a trillion and so on. There is not even a name for a number that has 1 followed by 10 to 123 zeros. And that it is a well known in practical mathematical probability reality that, a probability of 1 in 10 to 50 zeros means "zero probability". Penrose's number is more than trillion trillion trillion times less than that. In short, Penrose's number tells us that the 'accidental" or "coincidental" creation of our universe is an impossibility.
Now let's consider in light of this the possibility of the support system to sustain life once it arrives would also have the same probability and what this means in overall probability terms under mathematical permeations and combinations. If life only has one chance in 10 to 123 zeros of arriving and one chance of the support system being there to sustain it of the same probability, this would mean a joint probability of 10 to 15129 zeros. Therefore, if we have a probability of 1 in 10 to 50 zeros meaning "zero probability" which would mean zero (0) probability of life arriving given that it has 10 to 123 possibility, the possibility of both being there, that is life arriving along with the infrastructure to support it of 10 to 15129 zeros, it is absurd to even consider this even a remote possibility even given infinite time, even more so than 10 to 123 zeros.
Therefore, we can clued at Dr. Roger Pemrose did that that life is the product specific of a Creator (YHWH). How precise the Creator's aim must have been, namely to an accuracy of one part in 10 to123. As Dr. Roger Pemrose noted in his research article on the subject that this is an extraordinary figure. As another writer, Harun Yahya, noted, One could not possibly even write the number down in full in the ordinary denary notation: it would be 1 followed by 10 to 123 successive 0's. Even if we were to write a 0 on each separate proton and on each separate neutron in the entire universe- and we could throw in all the other particles for good measure- we should fall far short of writing down the figure needed.
In fact in order to recognize that the universe is not a "product of coincidences" one does not really need any of these calculations at all. Simply by looking around himself, a person can easily perceive the fact of creation in even the tiniest details of what he sees. How could a universe like this, perfect in its systems, the sun, the earth, people, houses, cars, trees, flowers, insects, and all the other things in it ever have come into existence as the result of atoms falling together by chance after an explosion? Every detail we peer at shows the evidence of God's existence and supreme power. Only people who reflect can grasp these signs.[source - The Equilibrium in the Explosion, by Harun Yahya ]
For further visual proof, just look at the common fig tree, a part of the necessary infrastructure to support life as we know it. The Bible says the following with respect the fig tree in the old testament:
Deuteronomy 8:8 - (Authorized King James; AV)
A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
Judges 9:10 - (AV)
And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
Judges 9:11 - (AV)
But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
1Kings 4:24 - (AV)
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
2Kings 18:31 - (AV)
Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
Psalms 105:33 - (AV)
He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
Proverbs 27:18 - (AV)
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Song of Soloman 2:13 - (AV)
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Isaiah 34:4 - (AV)
And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
Isaiah 36:16 - (AV)
Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
Jermiah 5:17 - (AV)
And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.
Jermiah 8:13 - (AV)
I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
Hosea 2:12 - (AV)
And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.
Hosea 9:10 - (AV)
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
Joel 1:7 - (AV)
He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
Joel 1:12 - (AV)
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
Joel 2:22 - (AV)
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Amos 4:9 - (AV)
I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Micah 4:4 - (AV)
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
The fig tree is one of the marvels of creation that shows that the Creator (YHWH) provided an amazing infrastructure for human life before he created man as stated at Genesis 1:11-12, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, F3 the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good." (AV).
The fig tree is one of the marvels of creation by Almighty God (YHWH). Many evolutionist claim life came about by chance reaction of elements to form low levels of life, but forget that the food for any life form must also be present for life to be sustained. Therefore, the fact that food sources, plants, were available at the right time, when an animal or reptile life form came into existence proves a higher power or intelligence was behind the appearance of life on the planet earth. Also, the right atmosphere must be present or the life form can not continue to exist; many other things must be present for a life form to succeed which the evolutionist conveniently forgot about or failed to take into account; therefore, the only answer is God (YHWH) as stated at Genesis 1:20, "And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven." (American Standard Version; ASV).
The fig tree played a major part in life at the time of Jesus (Yeshua) and he used it in several powerful illustrations such as at Matthew 21:19-21, "And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? 21 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done." (ASV)
The cursing of the fig tree, in Matthew 21:19, is explained by the fact that the fruit of this tree appears before the leaves, and a tree so full of leaves indicated that ripe figs should be there even though it was not yet the regular season. The meaning is then, that when one has the outward show of a good character, without its fruits, he is but a hypocrite, and of no value to the kingdom of God.
The fig tree and its fruit are well known; they were very common in Palastine, and there is mention often made of then in scripture. Our first parents clothed themselves with fig leaves, Genesis 3:7, "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (ASV). The prophet Isaiah gave orders to apply a clump of figs to Hezekiah's boil: at 2 Kings 20:7, "And Isaiah said, Take a cake of figs, And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered." (ASV).
Scientifically the fig is ficus carica. It is a somewhat strange fruit since it is actually a collection of many fruits which grow, not in a flat umbel or from a cluster of stems as many fruits do, but inside of a fleshly receptacle. The outer wall of the fig is actually a stem with a specialized shape. It forms a cavity, in some cases almost closed, in which sprout a number of tiny flowers, some male and some female. In the Smyrna fig, this cavity is almost closed at the bottom end-the end which, in apples or pears, would correspond to the blossom end. And since Smyrnas bear only female flowers, it would seem that they would be doomed to falling, infertile, from the tree each year, for lack of pollination. Which is exactly what does happen without the aid of a specialized wasp, the fig wasp, or Blastophaga psenes, which has been busy fertilizing this type of fig for many centuries in the Old world. It was not unto this was understood and the wasp was imported to this country, that Smyrna figs were successfully grown here.
However the climate which favors the culture of fig trees is not always cogenial to the fig wasp. In this country the trees may be grown where the temperature does not go below 20 degrees for extended periods. While in its completely dormant state, the tree will sometimes even survive temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees, though after the buds start to swell, they will be damaged at 28 to 30 degrees. The wasps, unfortunately cannot stand this cold.
However, the common fig, in contrast to the Smyrnas fig, produces its fruit asexually and any pollination or seed development which follows is not necessary to the production of fruit. Trees of the San Pedro group produce two crops, the first asexually and the second which must be fertilized by pollen from the caprifig. These two types of trees are recommended for home gardeners, even those who live in mild climates where the wasps can grow.
Fig trees are rapid growing like many tropical plants. Under favorable conditions, cuttings of certain varieties may be raised to tree size and bear a crop in the first year. I believe the easiest to grow for the home gardener are the Brown Turkey, Celeste, and the Green Ischia. When I lived in Charleston, South Carolina, I had two wonderful Celeste fig trees. One grew 20 ft. high and covered one side of a not so beautiful shead.
Besides producing a bountiful crop, fig trees, especially the Brown Turkey and the Celeste make very beautiful additions to the landscape with their large green leaves giving a tropical garden effect; however they will not grow much further north than Durham, North Carolina. If you decide to grow figs, please do NOT give them too much fertilizer, because if you do you will get plenty of leaves, but very little fruit. Also, do NOT grow on soil where cotton has ever been grown as a disease that cotton puts into the ground, cotton root rot, will kill the plant in time. Also supply sufficient water in hot dry weather, but not too much. In reality the tree does not require a lot of attention and few insects bother it extensively.
Once more, with the need of the Smyrnas fig for its relationship with the fig wasp shows the marvels of creation and that evolutionist are in error.
If you decide to grow figs or any of the other fruits I write about, please post your results and suggestions for all to see.
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] COLLECTION OF STATEMENTS BY SCIENTIST AGAINST EVOLUTION.
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [368B]
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalms 34:19, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
A warning is given to the wicked to leave alone the righteous at Proverbs 24:15, [AV] “Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:” We must remain in the faith and encourage others to do the same as shown at Acts 14:22, [AV] “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
And all that lead righteous lives will receive persecution just as Jesus (Yeshua) did as told at 2 Timothy 3:12, [AV] “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” But we will not suffer more persecution than we can endure per 1 Corinthians 10:13, [AV] “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
[2] A COLLECTION OF STATEMENTS BY SCIENTIST AGAINST EVOLUTION.
FIRST - Commentary on Sstudy of Homology
You might be interested in one hole in evolution blown wide open by Dr. Michael Denton as pointed out in a book by Luther D. Sunderland, with respect the study of homology and its impact on showing the short comings of Evolution theory, and it is of course nothing but a theory. What is homology? It is the study of similarities in structures between different types of organisms. Bus as Sunderland makes clear that when the concentration of red blood cells is used, the homology that is man's is more closely related to fish, frogs, and birds than to sheep for example. Therefore the study and development of molecular biology has made possible a comparison of the same cell types in different species thus adding a entire new dimension to homology. This has proved unfortunate for the evolutionist as molecular biology presents great evidence against the arguments for the evolution theory.
Quote:
In molecular biology, proteins of the same type in different organisms can be tested for difference in amino acid makeup. The figure resulting is converted into a percentage. The lower the percentage, the less difference there is between the proteins. Dr. Michael Denton, in experiments with Cytochrome C, a protein that converts food into energy, and hemoglobin, found the following. Cytochrome C Differences Cytochrome C DifferencesBacterium to Six Organisms Silkmoth to Vertebratesto yeast . . . . . . . 69% to lamprey . . . . .27%to wheat . . . . . . . 66% to carp. . . . . . .25%to silkmoth. . . . . . 65% to pigeon. . . . . .26%to tuna. . . . . . . . 65% to turtle. . . . . .25%to pigeon. . . . . . . 64% to horse . . . . . .30%to horse . . . . . . . 64%Cytochrome C Differences Hemoglobin DifferencesCarp to Terrestrial Vertebrates Lamprey to Other Vertebratesto bullfrog. . . . . . 13% to human . . . . . .73%to turtle. . . . . . . 13% to kangaroo. . . . .76%to chicken . . . . . . 14% to chicken . . . . .78%to rabbit. . . . . . . 13% to frog. . . . . . .76%to horse . . . . . . . 13% to carp. . . . . . .75%Dr. Denton states, "There is not a trace at a molecular level of the traditional evolutionary series: fish to amphibian to reptile to mammal. Incredibly man is closer to lamprey than are fish."[sources - Sunderland, Luther D., Darwin's Enigma, Fossils and Other Problems (El Cajon, CA: Master Books, 1988), and EVIDENCES AGAINST EVOLUTION by By Kevin Martin]
As you can readily see you are quite correct when you say the theory of evolution has holes in it.
SECOND - A BIOLOGIST LOOKS AT EVOLUTION/CREATION:
A biologist sent me an email on how he looks at evolution/creation that all should read and learn from as it shows why from a point of reason that he believes in Creation and NOT Evolution:
As a biologist i am often saturated by evolutionary teachings. i dont know much about textual criticism but i do know evolution/creation. so i thought i would share thoughts about what i know:
according to some evolutionary theories our ancestor that branched into the human lineage and chimp lineage existed seven million yrs ago. it is also stated that we have about 3 billion base pairs in our dna which 3% or 90 million is expressed or used. compared to chimps there is only about a 1% difference from our base pairs to theirs.in other words their dna matches ours
by about 99% which accounts for similarities.so only only 1% of 90 mill or about 90,000 base pairs in our dna is really what makes us human.
well to many this proves evolution.it doesn't.according to this there were 90,000 mutations in only 7 mill yrs. all these mutations had to be profitable (mutations are harmful the majority of the time i.e.cancer)they had to be retained and passed on to the next generation.this is so unlikely. if we had a mutation in our pelvis/spinal column that favored pernament upright mvt or a mutation is our skin cells that shed all our chimp hair how did the mutations migraten into our sperm/ovaries. mutations anywhere else would simply die with us. they would have to occur in the sex cells to be passed on. not to mention the present rate of mutation in our sex cells is about 1/10,000 or 1/100,000 generations so it is impossible to have occured in 7 mill yrs. some who try and say evolution is a product of god use this to show only divine intervention could of made such mutations.........i feel this proves it is impossible.
so why do we resemble lower animals? it is simple: we all came from the SAME god and were created by the SAME elements and live in the SAME environment so we should expect such similarities.
now my question: could someone give me a pretty good list of stative verbs or is "was" and "is" the only ones? and what exactly qualifies something as a predicate nominative ? is it simply they are connected by stative verbs? my question stems from a point Broth Stafford made that many examples people use to show the nwt is not faithful to there translation principle of an anarthrous theos are not predicate nominatives and so i want to know what makes something such?................................................thanx
Thus, we see even reasonable men of science thou not knowing much with respect know much about textual criticism still discerns the Truth with respect Creation from what he knows about science and mathmatics.
THIRD – Discovery on Darwin
There are many that think evolution is fact, but many leading scientist strongly disagree with Darwin. Why? Because he is wrong. To learn the truth, go to the following web site:
www.dissentfromdarwin.org
Once you visit this site you will see I am absolutely correct with respect what I posted on creation.
Also, check out the over 500 top scientist that disagree with Darwin and with my contention about creation, go to:
and learn who they are from the "Discovery Institute News"
To learn the facts with respect to whether microevolution can account for macroevolution, go to:
Finally, the Discovery Institute says, "Finally, if you have a Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, computer science, biology, chemistry, or one of the other natural sciences, and you agree with the following statement, "We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged," then please contact us at cscinfo@discovery.org. "
If you have questions you wish to ask of the Discovery Institute, you can reach them on the phone at
206-292-0401
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COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES – Medlar With the Scripture of the Day first.
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [369B]
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; 13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. Psalms 94:12 – 13, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
It is important to learn Almighty God’s (YHWH’s) statues as testified to by Psalms 119:71 – 72, [AV] “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” If we are counted as among the righteous ones loved by God, He will per Hebrews 12:6 - 7, [AV] “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” And Isaiah 54:13, [AV] says, “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Always remember that, 2 Peter 2:9, [AV] “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”
[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Medlar
Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Medlar, is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae. One, Mespilus germanica, is a long-known native of southwest Asia and possibly also southeastern Europe, and the other, Mespilus canescens, was discovered in North America in 1990.
Mespilus germanica features an unusual apple-like fruit that requires bletting to eat; they are not widely eaten today, but were more frequently consumed in the past.
Plant
Mespilus are deciduous large shrubs to small trees growing up to 8 metres (26 ft) tall. The leaves are dark green and elliptic, 6–15 centimetres (2.4–5.9 in) long and 3–4 centimetres (1.2–1.6 in) wide. The leaves turn red in autumn before falling. The five-petaled white flowers, produced in late spring, are hermaphrodite and pollinated by bees. The fruit is a pome, 2–3 centimetres (0.79–1.2 in) in diameter, with wide-spreading persistent sepals giving a "hollow" appearance to the fruit; it is matte brown in M. germanica and glossy red in M. canescens.
History
Mespilus germanica is apparently native only to Southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe, i.e. near the Black Sea coast and western Mediterranean, and Asia Minor, as well as the Caucasus and Northern Iran, but it has an ancient history of cultivation and wild plants exist in a much wider area; it was grown by the ancient Greeks and Romans, beginning in the 2nd century BCE. Mespilus germanica was a very popular fruit in Western Europe during the Victorian era;[citation needed] but has fallen out of favour there.
Related plants
Within subfamily Amygdaloideae, Mespilus is most closely related to Crataegus, Amelanchier, Peraphyllum, and Malacomeles.[2]
The genus Eriobotrya was once considered to be closely related to Mespilus. The loquat, one of several Eriobotrya species, was formerly thought to be closely related to the genus Mespilus, and is still sometimes known in some European countries as a medlar and is still sometimes called the "Japanese Medlar".
Many authors group Mespilus together with Crataegus in a single genus, with species names Crataegus germanica (L.) Kuntze, and Crataegus ×canescens (J. B. Phipps) T. A. Dickinson & E. Y. Y. Lo.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Availability
Medlars are not widely available at present, though one can purchase the fruit and trees of Mespilus germanica from specialists.
Trees
The trees are self-fertilizing and long-lived (they can be hundreds of years old), and saplings are cheaply available by mail order in the UK.
Notes
1. ^ Potter, D., et al. (2007). Phylogeny and classification of Rosaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266(1–2): 5–43. [Referring to the subfamily by the name "Spiraeoideae"]
2. ^ Campbell, C.S.; Evans, R.C.; Morgan, D.R.; Dickinson, T.A.; Arsenault, M.P. (2007). Phylogeny of subtribe Pyrinae (formerly the Maloideae, Rosaceae): Limited resolution of a complex evolutionary history. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266(1–2): 119–145.
3. ^ Scopoli, G.A. 1760. Flora Carniolica Exhibens Plantas Carniolae Indigenas et Distributas in Classes Naturales cum Differentiis Specificis, Synonymis Recentiorum, Locis Natalibus, Nominibus Incolarum, Observationibus Selectis, Viribus Medicis..
4. ^ Castiglioni, L.G. 1790. Luigi Castiglioni's Viaggio travels in the United States of North America 1785-1787 with natural history commentary and Luigi Castiglioni's Botanical Observations: Viaggio negli Stati Uniti dell' America Settentrionalle fatto negli Anni 1785, 1786 e 1787....
5. ^ Moench, C. 1794. Methodus Plantas Horti Botanici et Agri Marburgensis: Reprint with introduction and biography by William T. Stearn. Otto Koeltz Antiquariat, Koenigstein-Taunus.
6. ^ Koch, K. 1869. Dendrologie: Bäume, Sträucher und Halbsträucher, welche in Mittel- un Nord- Europa in Freien kultivirt werden. Verlag von Ferdinand Enke, Erlangen.
7. ^ Kuntze, O. 1891. Revisio generum plantarum. A. Felix, Leipzig.
* ^ Lo, E.; Stefanovi?, S.; Dickinson, T.A. (2007). Molecular reapprasial of relationships between Crataegus and Mespilus (Rosaceae, Pyreae) – Two genera or one? Systematic Botany. 32(3): 596–616. (source - retrieved from on 2/23/2013)
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)
To learn more about the Medlar and see pictures of the fruit, go to,
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON THE LATEST FLAVOR OF WORLDLY WISDOM – EVOLUTION:
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [370B]
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalms 18:2, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
As the Psalmist said at Psalms 3:3, [AV] “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Clearly showing that Almighty God (YHWH) is a shield to the righteous, and will lift them up. Yes, He will deliver them per Psalms 37:40, [AV] “And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” And this is amplified at Psalms 96:11 - 9, [AV] “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” Yes,per Proverbs 2:7, [AV] “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”
[2] DISCOURSE ON THE LATEST FLAVOR OF WORLDLY WISDOM - EVOLUTION:
INTRODUCTION:
Throughout all the ages so called intellectuals have NOT been able to accept the simple fact found at Genesis 1:1, " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (American Standard Version; ASV). They have continually come up with all kinds of theories through the ages that sound plausible at the time, but centuries later are proven false, to deny the obvious that both the earth and all that is on it was the result of creation by intelligent being either directly and/or through is only begotten son as a master worker. Why? They either consciously or unconsciously do not want to admit and/or acknowledge that their very existence is due to special creation by a Creator (YHWH) that we call Almighty God (YHWH) as shown at Genesis 28:3, "And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a company of peoples." (ASV).
Why is this? Because men want to make sense of the world around them, but many do NOT want to admit that there is an intelligent being greater than they are due to pride and ego. As mentioned previously, they have come up with all kinds of theories to explain their existence and the existence and substance of the earth through the centuries. Early on some individuals speculated that mankind came from elsewhere and/or were produced by plants as a form of living 'fruit'; strange as it may seem, even today there are those who still theorize that we came from other planets. In fact, at this very point in time, NASA of the US government is spending a fortune in an attempt to determine if life ever existed on Mars. This is nothing but a veiled attempt to try and prove the Bible in error as they can not state their real purpose publically as the US Constitution's First Amendment states that the government can NOT state or determine religious beliefs, and wisely so.
WITH RESPECT THE EARTH:
With respect the earth, so called intellectuals early on stated that a great turtle gave existence to it and carried it on his back, foolishness true, but this foolish theory was believed by many for centuries and gave birth to a later theory that the earth was flat. This caused most sailors to not stray far from land for fear of falling off of the earth. However, one daring admiral, Christopher Clumbus challenged this theory and found the so called new world. Yet even to this day, there exist a society that still argues the earth is flat, The Flat Earth Society. This group says the following, (1) Why we don't believe the world is round , (2) Scientific data and measurements backing up our claims, and they are now located in California the last I heard. Yet the Bible clearly showed at Isaiah 40:22, "[It is] he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in;" (ASV) . Here God (YHWH) is spoken of as viewing the earth from heaven in terms that are quite similar to the views sent back to earth by the Hubble Space Telescope. Of course, there are the so called intellectuals that will say this scripture is speaking of a flat plane in the form of a circle or otherwise the word globe or sphere would have been used here, but they overlook what the original word was here was the ancient Hebrew word "chug" which means circle or sphere as they had one word for both. One commentator on this said, "Before the time of Columbus, many scientists taught that the earth was flat. However, the Bible contained the truth more than 2,100 years before Columbus. Isaiah the prophet wrote the word of God:
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, . . . Isaiah 40:22. (KJV) (See also Proverbs 8:27.)
Did you notice the expression "circle of the earth?" The original Hebrew word is (chug), which means circle and sphere.5 This Hebrew word contains the scientific truth that the earth is round and is a sphere. Obviously, Isaiah did not" [source - www.oldpaths.com/Archive/.../ch09.html].
PRESENT PSEUDO-SCIENCE MASQUERADING AS TRUE SCIENCE:
Of course this foolish pseudo-science masquerading under the label scientific continues into the present time, and continues to mislead and deceive the gullible. The latest flavor of this so called worldly scientific wisdom, really foolishness, is called the theory of evolution. It has more holes in it, of course, than a sieve. What is this latest theory of pseudo-science? Well the American Heritage Dictionary defines evolution as, "A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form. See synonyms at development. 2a. The process of developing. b. Gradual development. 3. Biology a. Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species. b. The historical development of a related group of organisms; phylogeny. 4. A movement that is part of a set of ordered movements. 5. Mathematics The extraction of a root of a quantity." (source - American Heritage Dictionary, 4 edition), but starting with Charles Darwin it became a theory not for incremental changes in life forms, but for the origin of life itself. He postulated that over very long periods of time that by chance occurrence the necessary elements that exist in all life forms came together and life came into existence which of course makes as much sense as saying the necessary elements came together and presto you have a new Ford sedan.
Of course this theory is easily blown to bits with the mathematics of probability as was done by Dr. Roger Penrose, a famous British mathematician and Oxford fellow, and other mathematicians such as Dr. James Coppedge, of the Center for Probability Research in Biology in California, made some amazing calculations like those of Dr. Roger Penrose proved this pseudo-scientific theory impossible. Also, Sir Fred Hoyle, British mathematician and astronomer, was quoted in Nature magazine, November 12, 1981, as saying "The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way (evolution) is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein."[source - Nature Magazine, November 12, 1981]. If this is not enough mathematical holes for this pseudo-scientific theory, Emile Borel, a French scientist and expert in the area of probability, an event on the cosmic level with a probability of less than 1 out of 10, to the 50th power, will not happen, which agrees exactly with the findings of Dr. Roger Penrose. As one can readily be see, evolution theory has flunked based on mathematics alone.
But let's face the fact that you must have a support system there to sustain life once it arrives, and this would be another system that must come into existence simultaneously with life for it to continue once it was created in some manner. As shown, just the possibility of life coming into existence is, as shown by Dr. Roger Penrose, a famous British mathematician and Oxford fellow, previously mentioned, is 10 to the 123 a number so large as to stagger the imagination. Or consider: 103 means 1,000, a thousand. 10 to 103 zeros is a number that that has 1 followed by 1000 zeros. If there are six zeros, it's called a million; if nine, a billion; if twelve, a trillion and so on. There is not even a name for a number that has 1 followed by 10 to 123 zeros. And that it is a well known in practical mathematical probability reality that, a probability of 1 in 10 to 50 zeros means "zero probability". Penrose's number is more than trillion trillion trillion times less than that. In short, Penrose's number tells us that the 'accidental" or "coincidental" creation of our universe is an impossibility.
In fact, one believer in this false pseudo-science even once went so far as to say, "First things first - can people please stop posting this c**p about evolution being scientifically impossible. If ", clearly showing that some have their mind made up, and do not wish to be confused with the facts when they threaten their security blanket of false belief(s).
THE BIBLE ON CREATION:
FIRST, The Bible at Genesis makes the clear comment on how all came into existence in chapter 1 of Genesis, but the believers in pseudo-science say this is metaphorical and not literal like the parables spoken by Jesus (Yeshua) to illustrate points. However, there is NOTHING in the style of text of Genesis chapter 1 to indicate this contention of the believers in pseudo-science as it is clear and straight-forward and not metaphorical. Let's look at Genesis chapter 1 in detail.
Genesis 1:1 says, "n the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (ASV), clearly straight-forward and not metaphorical which is defined as, "a figure of speech which makes an implied comparison between things which are not literally alike," [source - Webster"s New Standard Dictionary published by McLoughlin Brothers, Inc.]. The fact that this chapter is obviously literal and NOT metaphorical can also clearly be seen in the following factual verses showing the creative days, The first creative day, Day 1, being when God (YHWH) caused light to shine on the watery deep that covered the earth, note, the earth as featureless sphere in space had existed for unknown eons of time before God (YHWH) started his creation of it and/or transformation of it into a livable planet, Genesis 1:2-31, "And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
The second creative day, Day 2, being when God (YHWH) caused an expanse to come to be between the earth and the water canopy above, 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
The third creative day, Day 3, being when God (YHWH) caused the dry land to appear above the water and had vegetation created to provide the infrastructure for later higher life forms such as humans.
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. 11 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.
The fourth creative day, Day 4, being when God (YHWH) caused the heavenly luminaries to become discernable within the expanse, through the water canopy. 14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years: 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
The fifth creative day, Day 5, being when God (YHWH) caused the creation of marine and flying creatures. 20 And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind: and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind: and it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind: and God saw that it was good.
The sixth creative day, Day 6, being when God (YHWH) caused the creation of land animals and mankind. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food: 30 and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, [I have given] every green herb for food: and it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." (ASV). Clearly God (YHWH) inspired his scribe, the faithful man Moses (Mosche) to put the thoughts of God (YHWH) into the words of man to literally describe in the words of men the thoughts of God (YHWH).
Of course some pseudo-science scoffers will say this could not have happened within a day, but they overlook what the ancient Hebrew word commonly translated 'day' in English means. But let's us find about the ancient Hebrew often translated 'day' in English, da (yom; hemera):
"DAY - da (yom; hemera), from the International Encyclopedia of the Bible:
This common word has caused some trouble to plain readers, because they have not noticed that the word is used in several different senses in the English Bible. When the different uses of the word are understood the difficulty of interpretation vanishes. We note several different uses of the word:
(1) It sometimes means the time from daylight till dark. This popular meaning is easily discovered by the context, e. g. Genesis 1:5; 8:22, etc. The marked periods of this daytime were morning, noon and night, as with us. See Psalms 55:17. The early hours were sometimes called "the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8). After the exile the day. or daytime was divided into twelve hours and the night into twelve (see Matthew 20:1-12; John 11:9; Acts 23:23); 6 a. m. would correspond to the first hour, 9 a. m. to the third; 12 noon to the sixth, etc. The hours were longer during the longer days and shorter during the shorter days, since they always counted 12 hours between sunrise and sunset.
(2) Day also means a period of 24 hours, or the time from sunset to sunset. In Bible usage the day begins with sunset (see Leviticus 23:32; Exodus 12:15-20; 2 Corinthians 11:25, where night is put before day). See DAY AND NIGHT.
(3) The word "day" is also used of an indefinite period, e. g "the day" or "day that" means in general "that time" (see Genesis 2:4; Leviticus 14:2); "day of trouble" (Psalms 20:1); "day of his wrath" (Job 20:28); "day of Yahweh" (Isaiah 2:12); "day of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10); "day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2);. "day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
(4) It is used figuratively also in John 9:4, where "while it is day" means "while I have opportunity to work, as daytime is the time for work." In 1 Thessalonians 5:5,8, "sons of the day" means spiritually enlightened ones.
(5) We must also bear in mind that with God time is not reckoned as with us (see Psalms 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8).
(6) The apocalyptic use of the word "day" in Daniel 12:11; Revelation 2:10, etc., is difficult to define. It evidently does not mean a natural day. See APOCALYPSE.
(7) On the meaning of "day" in the story of Creation we note (a) the word "day" is used of the whole period of creation (Genesis 2:4); (b) these days are days of God, with whom one day is as a thousand years; the whole age or period of salvation is called "the day of salvation"; see above. So we believe that in harmony with Bible usage we may understand the creative days as creative periods"[source - International Encyclopedia of the Bible]
As can readily be seen, these pseudo-science critics of what the Bible says do not have and/or do not want to admit the facts on the creative day as being a period of time NOT otherwise defined, but definitely a period of thousands of years or longer as shown by meanings #6 and #7 from the International Encyclopedia of the Bible. It literally means a period of time..
This fact, that a creative day is a long period of time is clearly shown by the fact that we are living in the seventh creative day, Day 7, in which God (YHWH) proceeded to rest or desist from his creative works on earth as testified to at Genesis 2:1-3, "And the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made." (ASV).
This fact, that we are still in the 7 th day is clearly shown at Hebrews 4:3-11, " For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he hath said somewhere of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; 5 and in this [place] again, They shall not enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience." (ASV); and at Hebrews 3:17-18, " And with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient?" (ASV).
NOT CHANCE CREATION, BUT ORDERLY WELL PLANNED CREATION.
Whereas, the pseudo-sciences put forth chance occurrence of life which mathematics and other sciences have clearly shown as impossible, the Bible shows an orderly, not chaotic, creation where life forms did not evolve from one type to another but were created suddenly. This is testified to at Job 38:1-11 & 33, "Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, When it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb; 9 When I made clouds the garment thereof, And thick darkness a swaddling-band for it, 10 And marked out for it my bound, And set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; And here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" & "Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens? Canst thou establish the dominion thereof in the earth? " (ASV); and at 1 Corinthians 14:33, "for God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, " (ASV).
Also, this order of creation shows intelligent planning in that the heavenly angels were created before the earth as shown at Job 38:4 & 7, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding." & "When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (ASV).
Clearly, the claim by some pseudo-science believers that the creation account of Genesis chapter 1 is metaphorical is shown to be nothing but wishful thinking on their part by Psalms 33:6, "By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: He layeth up the deeps in store-houses. 8 Let all the earth fear Jehovah: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." (ASV); and also by Nehemiah 9:6, "Thou art Jehovah, even thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee." (ASV); and by Revelation 10:6, "and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer:" (ASV); and Psalms 136:1-9, "Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever. 2 Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever. 3 Oh give thanks unto the Lord of lords; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever: 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever: 5 To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever: 6 To him that spread forth the earth above the waters; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever: 7 To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever:" (ASV).
WHO DID GOD (YHWH) USE AS HIS MASTER WORKER TO ASSIST HIM IN CREATING ALL?
Some believers in the false pseudo-sciences of evolution and the flat earth point to Genesis 1:26, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (ASV), and attempt to use this to back up their false claim that this shows that the account is not literal but metaphorical. But this shows nothing of the kind, he was here speaking with his only begotten son, his first of creation, who God (YHWH) later put his life into the womb of the virgin Mary to be born as our savior, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.
This fact is clearly shown in the Bible in many places, In 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) which clearly shows that God (YHWH) used him as his MASTER WORKMAN with respect to the creation of the heavens and the earth and all living things that are upon the earth.
This fact, that Jesus (YHWH) served as his master worker is clearly and literally testified to at Colossians 1:12-17, "giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; 14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things consist." (ASV) which clearly shows him as "before all things, and in him all things consist" and that his Father (YHWH) used him in the "all things have been created through him, and unto him." And this fact that all things were made through him by God (YHWH) is testified to at Hebrews 1:1-2, "God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in [his] Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds" (ASV); and John 1:3 & 10, "All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made." & "He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not." (ASV).
Clearly these verses show that God (YHWH) created all that exist and used his only begotten son, the first of creation, as his master worker with respect the creation of all else that exist, and not the theory of pseudo-science evolution, and that he created the earth as a sphere and not flat as claimed by another theory of pseudo-science.
However, some of the believers in these false theories of pseudo-science claim the Bible contradicts itself since Isaiah 45:18 says, "For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, the God that formed the earth and made it, that established it and created it not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there is none else." (ASV) which says God (YHWH) created all, or point to Revelation 4:11, "Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created." (ASV); or to Ephesians 3:9, "and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;" (ASV); or Amos 4:13, " For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought; that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the Earth--jehovah, the God of hosts, is his name." (ASV). But is their foolish contention reasonable? NO. This is even actually clearly shown in Revelation 4:11 if one stops to think about it as it says, ", and because of thy will they were, and were created," which clearly shows that others may have done some of the work at his direction. Now what are the real facts on this?
To fully comprehend/understand these scriptures, we must understand Biblical law of agencies often called the Jewish Law of Agencies or Schaliach Principle or their error would probably be self evident to them. But his principle is clearly shown by example at 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus," (Confraternity Edition of The New Testament; CETNT).
Some may find this a difficult concept, but is is similar to someone giving another a Limited Power of Attorney making him an agent to carry out an assigned task as did His Father (YHWH) at 1 Corinthians 15:22-28, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." (Authorized King James Bible; AV), testifies that God (YHWH) had given his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) over all except himself when the scripture says "it is manifest that he is excepted." Clearly showing they were distinct individuals and that the Father (YHWH) was the superior one; hence they are not co-equal.
Actually this is in keeping with an ancient law or custom commonly known as the Jewish Law of Agencies as follows, "Jesus (Yeshua) was God's (YHWH's) appointed agent in accordance with the 'Biblical law of agency' described as, "Scripture mentions something being done by Person A, whilst another mentions it being done by Person B. This is best understood when we grasp the Schaliach Principle, or the Jewish Law of Agency, which is expressed in the dictum, "A person's agent is regarded as the person himself." Therefore any act committed by a duly appointed agent is regarded as having been committed by the principle." [source - The Encyclopedia of the Jewish Religion, R.J.Z. Werblowski and Geoffrey Wigoder]
It is important to understand this law of agencies since this will enhance our understanding of many key texts and protect you from the pseudo-intellegent arguments of evolutionist and flat earthers, such as why the Judges and angels were called "God" (Ex. 21:6; 22:8; Ps. 8:5; 82:1). Many more instances could be provided, but brevity is in order here. John 8:54 drives this law of agency home, "Jesus answered, 'If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God." (CETNT), showing that Jesus (Yeshua) was his Father's (YHWH's) agent, and he sought not his own glory, but glory from his Father (YHWH). Therefore, Jesus (Yeshua) could say as he did at John 11:40, "Jesus said to her, 'Have I not told thee that if thou believe thou shalt behold the glory of God?'" (CETNT). Even Satan the Devil recognized this, Jesus (Yeshua), as God's (YHWH's) agent, 2 Corinthians 4:4, "In their case, the god of this world has blinded their unbelieving minds, that they should not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible); thus he is trying to blind the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from recognizing this truth with such pseudo-science as evolution and the flat earth, and other like false claims and theories. We must be constantly on guard against the imaginations of Satan the Devil and his attempts to get all men to believe God (YHWH) dishonoring doctrines of men such as the pseudo-science theories put forth by claimed intellectual individuals such as evolution and the flat earth, and be noble like the Beroeans, Acts 17:11, "Now these were of a nobler character than those of Thessalonica and they received the word with great eagerness, studying the Scriptures every day to see whether these things were so." (CETNT).
CONCLUSION:
From the foregoing it is clear that God (YHWH) caused all to be created by direct creation as clearly shown by the Bible and by the spontaneous arrival of different life forms on earth. The pseudo-science claims falsely that this came about by evolution over long periods of time and that one form of life evolved into another form. However, neither the Bible and/or physical facts support this theory. As Psalms 10:1-4 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun," (ASV).
Of course, man can not fully understand the creative works of God (YHWH), and God's (YHWH's) arch enemy makes use of this fact to mislead many with pseudo-science which comes as no surprise as it was foretold at 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) . In fact Ecclesiastes 8:17 says, " then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it." (ASV); and Ecclesiastes 11:5 brings this fact 'home', "As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all." (ASV); and Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end." (ASV)
Last, the most exacting of the true sciences, mathematics, as previously mentioned proves the false science of the pseudo-science group to be foolishness as previously stated and here now repeated, the mathematics of probability as was done by Dr. Roger Penrose, a famous British mathematician and Oxford fellow, and other mathematicians such as Dr. James Coppedge, of the Center for Probability Research in Biology in California, made some amazing calculations like those of Dr. Roger Penrose proved this pseudo-scientific theory impossible. Also, Sir Fred Hoyle, British mathematician and astronomer, was quoted in Nature magazine, November 12, 1981, as saying "The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way (evolution) is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein."[source - Nature Magazine, November 12, 1981]. If this is not enough mathematical holes for this pseudo-scientific theory, Emile Borel, a French scientist and expert in the area of probability, an event on the cosmic level with a probability of less than 1 out of 10, to the 50th power, will not happen, which agrees exactly with the findings of Dr. Roger Penrose. As one can readily be see, evolution theory has flunked based on mathematics alone.
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] ISLAM STILL BELIEVES IN GENOCIDE AND IS DEEP INTO HYPOCRISY
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [371B]
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
Yes, we must not follow the evil and unbecoming ways of this wicked system as clearly stated at Romans 12:2, [AV] “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Clearly we must select who our master is to be per Matthew 6:24, [AV] “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Yes, we must continually seek to please Almighty God (YHWH) and not the Devil as highlighted at James 4:4, [AV] “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
[2] ISLAM STILL BELIEVES IN GENOCIDE AND IS DEEP INTO HYPOCRISY
INTRODUCTION:
As is well known, Islam bills itself as a peaceful religion and openly says it is against killing and rape, but actions my members of Islam, present and in the past prove otherwise. In the past, in India, Islam committed genocide on a scale never before seen nor seen since when it forcibly took India, the area that now is Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and made conversions at the proverbial point of the sword. Today it continues its violent and genocidal ways in Darful, Sudan, and in eastern Chad.
In addition, it commits hypocrisy with respect its un-called for attacks on Israel while still illegally occupying land that the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, creator of all there is, gave to Israelites approximately 1,500 BC as recorded at Numbers chapter 34, see same for details. Its hypocrisy is so egregious that when its members fire rockets at Israel and cause injury, death, and property damage that when the IDF of the State of Israel strikes back in an attempt to knock out rocket firing sites, it tries to get the State of Israel condemned by a Security Council resolution which most members either went along with or abstained for political reasons, but one state, the United States had the 'guts' to do what is right and veto the unjust nonsense.[reference - US Vetoes Security Council condemning Israel, By Warren Hoge / The New York Times Published: November 12, 2006]
Now let's look at Islam's current genocide action in Darfur, Sudan, and in eastern Chad committed by Muslim Arabs known as Janjaweed, Islam's current warriors against traditional African religion members and so called Christians.
MUSLIM JANJAWEED WARRIORS COMMIT GENOCIDE IN DARFUR AND CHAD:
Let's look at the current genocide being conducted against traditional African religion members and so called Christians by Islam's warriors which is reminiscent of when Muslim Arabs originally stormed out of Arabia and committed genocide and forced conversions of many people.[reference - several of the books by S. K. Lil, India's greatest historian].
We will first look at what an encyclopedia says with respect this conflict and genocide,
<<" The Darfur conflict is an ongoing armed conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan, mainly between the Janjaweed, a militia group recruited from the tribes of the Abbala (camel-herding Arabs), and the non-Baggara people (mostly land-tilling tribes) of the region. The Sudanese government, while publicly denying that it supports the Janjaweed, has provided arms and assistance and has participated in joint attacks with the group, systematically targeting the Fur, Zaghawa, and Massaleit ethnic groups in Darfur. The conflict began in July 2003. Unlike in the Second Sudanese Civil War, which was fought between the primarily Muslim north and Christian and Animist south, in Darfur most of the residents are Muslim, as are the Janjaweed.[1]
Estimated number of deaths in the conflict have ranged from 50,000 (World Health Organization, September 2004) to 450,000 (Dr. Eric Reeves, 28 April 2006). Most NGOs use 400,000, a figure from the Coalition for International Justice that has since been cited by the United Nations. As many as 2.5 million are thought to have been displaced.[2] (See Counting deaths section, below)
The mass media have described the conflict as both "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide." The U.S. Government has described it as genocide, although the United Nations has declined to do so. (See List of declarations of genocide in Darfur)
After fighting worsened in July and August 2006, on August 31, 2006, the United Nations Security Council approved Resolution 1706 which called for a new 20,000-troop UN peacekeeping force to supplant or supplement a poorly funded, ill-equipped 7,000-troop African Union Mission in Sudan peacekeeping force. Sudan strongly objected to the resolution and said that it would see the UN forces in the region as foreign invaders. The next day, the Sudanese military launched a major offensive in the region. Source" - [Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 11132006]>>.
And,
What Brian Steidle - Washington Post, had to say with respect this conflict and genocide,
<<"The conflict had begun nearly 1 1/2 years earlier and had escalated into a full-scale government-sponsored military operation that, with the support of Arab militias known as the Janjaweed, was aimed at annihilating the African tribes [none Muslims] in the region. And while the cease-fire was supposed to have put a stop to that, on an almost daily basis we would be called to investigate reports of attacks on civilians. We would find men, women and children tortured and killed, and villages burned to the ground.
...
Mihad now represents to me the countless victims of this vicious war, a war that we documented but given our restricted mandate were unable to stop. Every day we surveyed evidence of killings: men castrated and left to bleed to death, huts set on fire with people locked inside, children with their faces smashed in, men with their ears cut off and eyes plucked out, and the corpses of people who had been executed with gunshots to the head. We spoke with thousands of witnesses -- women who had been gang-raped [yet Muslims claim they are against rape, a hollow claim as situation in Darfur shows] and families that had lost fathers, people who plainly and soberly gave us their accounts of the slaughter.
Often we were the witnesses. Just two days after I had taken Mihad's photo, we returned to Alliet. While talking to a government commander on the outskirts of the town, we heard a buzz that sounded like a high-voltage power line. Upon entering the village, we saw that the noise was coming from flies swarming over dead animals and people. We counted about 20 dead, many burned, and then flew back to our camp to write our report. But the smell of charred flesh was hard to wash away.
The conflict in Darfur is not a battle between uniformed combatants, and it knows no rules of war. Women and children bear the greatest burden. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are filled with families that have lost their fathers. Every day, women are sent outside the IDP camps to seek firewood and water, despite the constant risk of rape at the hands of the Janjaweed. Should men be available to venture out of the camps, they risk castration and murder. So families decide that rape is the lesser evil. It is a crime that families even have to make such a choice. Often women are sexually assaulted within the supposed safety of the IDP camps. Nowhere is really safe. If and when the refugees are finally able to return home and rebuild, many women may have to support themselves alone; rape victims are frequently ostracized, and others face unwanted pregnancies and an even greater burden of care.
The Janjaweed militias do not act alone. I have seen clear evidence that the atrocities committed in Darfur are the direct result of the Sudanese government's military collaboration with the militias. Attacks are well coordinated by Sudanese government officials and Arab militias, who attack villages together. Before these attacks occur, the cell phone systems are shut down by the government so that villagers cannot warn each other. Whenever we lost our phone service, we would scramble to identify the impending threat. We knew that somewhere, another reign of terror was about to begin.
Helicopter gunships belonging to the government routinely support the Arab militias on the ground. The gunships fire anti-personnel rockets that contain flashettes, or small nails, each with stabilizing fins on the back so the point hits the target first. Each gunship contains four rocket pods, each rocket pod contains about 20 rockets and each rocket contains about 500 of these flashettes. Flashette wounds look like shotgun wounds. I saw one small child's back that looked as if it had been shredded by a cheese grater. We got him to a hospital, but we did not expect him to live.
...
Those villagers who were able to escape flocked to existing IDP camps, where they would scrounge for sticks and plastic bags to construct shelter from the sun and wind. In even these desperate situations, however, the Sudanese government would not give up its murderous mission. First it would announce the need to relocate an IDP camp and assess the population of displaced people, often grossly underestimating the numbers. Then after international aid organizations had built a new, smaller camp, the government would forcibly relocate the population, leaving hundreds to thousands without shelter. It would bulldoze or drive over the old camps with trucks, often in the middle of the night in order to escape notice. It would then gather up and burn the remaining debris.
The worst thing I saw came last December, when Labado, a village of 20,000 people, was burned to the ground. We rushed there after a rebel group contacted us, and we arrived while the attack was still in progress. At the edge of the village, I found a Sudanese general who explained why he was doing nothing to stop the looting and burning. He said his job was to protect civilians and keep the road open to commercial traffic and denied that his men were participating in the attack. Then a group of uniformed men drove by in a Toyota Land Cruiser. The general said they were just going to get water, but they stopped about 75 yards away, jumped out, looted a hut and burned it. The attacks continued for a week. We have no idea how many people died there but tribal leaders later said close to 100 were missing. [source - By Brian Steidle - Washington Post, Sunday, March 20, 2005; Page B02][ ]>>.
Speaks for itself with respect whether Islam is a peaceful religion or not since the ones committing these atrocities are all members in good standing of Islam and other Islamic nations have intentionally failed to condemn them while they vigorously condemn the State of Israel's defense of itself against Muslim Arab rocket launching individuals in Gaza, which the Secretary General of the United Nations said,
<<" SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS FIRING OF ROCKETS FROM GAZA INTO ISRAEL; CALLS AGAIN ON ISRAEL TO REFRAIN FROM ACTIONS AMOUNTING TO COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT
The following statement was issued today in Accra, Ghana, by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General once again condemns the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, such as the one which struck a school in the town of Ashkelon yesterday. He also calls again on the Government of Israel to refrain from actions that amount to collective punishment of Palestinian civilians, and to ensure delivery of fuel, commodities and other essentials into Gaza.
The Secretary-General again reminds the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority of their obligations under international humanitarian law, regarding protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Secretary-General repeats his call for the immediate release of Corporal Gilad Shalit.
The situation is dangerous and could be explosive. The Secretary-General urges all concerned to step back from the brink."[source - United Nations Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York, July 5, 2006, Secretary-General SG/SM/10552 PAL/2055 ]>>.
And,
Let's consider what UNICEF has to say with respect the genocide and rapes being committed by members of Islam against none members of Islam which clearly shows that Islam is anything but a peaceful religion, and is committing hypocrisy in that it says it is against rape but does not lift its little finger to censure its members committing same, but let Israel do anything and it is quick to condemn them even if what they do is in response to actions by members of Islam, <<"For three years, marauding Janjaweed militia groups have driven Darfur villagers from their homes, stolen their cattle, destroyed wells and burnt buildings. Today, violence against children and their families continues to grow and villagers are flooding into temporary refugee camps across the region at a growing rate.
An estimated 3.4 million people-equivalent to almost 51 percent of the total population in the region-have been affected by the crisis in Darfur. At least 1.3 million children are living in 200 refugee camps as a result.
Darfur's children have borne the brunt of this ongoing conflict. They live in a constant state of fear, according to UNICEF Emergency Communications Officer Gordon Weiss. "They have lost their homes and their families and suffered terrible abuses," he said.
Conditions are deteriorating, In recent weeks, increasing violence has made it extremely difficult for humanitarian workers to continue to effectively respond with needed relief. Acute malnutrition has reached 27 percent in some parts of Darfur and health care systems are failing. Sexual violence against women and children is as widespread as ever, [and people yearn for a place where they can feel safe.
Refugee camps-such as Abu Shouk on the outskirts of Darfur's northern capital El Fashir or the Oure Cassoni Camp in neighboring Chad-are almost the only places where children and adults can receive lifesaving assistance.
At Abu Shouk, UNICEF and partners have provided health clinics and latrines, as well as schools for 13,000 primary aged children. In Chad, women and children fleeing violence across the border in Darfur are given nutrition and medical care. Some have walked for days to get to a camp. When they arrive, they describe how their families were murdered, their homes and communities destroyed.
The world cannot and should not allow this senseless loss of life to continue. UNICEF is calling upon all parties to cease the conflict and protect the families and children."
[source - UNICEF, Update October 2, 2006, ]>>.
And,
Look at what MSN News says on the genocide and rape in Darfur and Chad, by members of Islam, <<"
GOZ BEIDA, Chad - The conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan, which President Bush has labeled genocide, has intensified in recent weeks after a lull that followed a partial peace agreement signed in May.
The attacks by Arab militia, known as janjaweed and said to be backed by the Sudanese government, have spread from Darfur to neighboring Chad where many Darfurians have been seeking refuge. Chad declared a state of emergency on Monday in the capital, N'Djamena, and some areas on the Sudanese border.
NBC News' Ann Curry reports from Goz Beida - a UNHCR refugee camp in Chad giving temporary shelter to 15,000 people - on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan and Chad.
...
What has happened is that there is this firestorm of ethnic cleansing i.e., the genocide of none Muslims], which started as an effort to seize territory, that has spiraled out of control. The violence is widely blamed on the ambitions of the Arab government of Sudan to seize territory... There has been a systematic burning of people's homes, and now some 200,000 Darfurians are living in these squalid refugee camps in Chad and their lives are completely changed.
...
This violence has now escalated. In the last ten days more than 20 villages in Chad have been burned in the same way as the attacks in the Darfur region of Sudan. The perpetrators have come from Sudan, wearing Sudanese military uniforms, and have joined forces with Arabs here in Chad. Now this Arab [Muslims]-on-African violence is moving deep into Chad.
Hundreds of people have been killed in the last ten days and thousands are fleeing. We are hearing every day about villages being lit on fire by these Arab militias, who locals believe have been uniformed and armed by the Sudanese government. The militants are shouting racial epithets, gang-raping women and killing the men.
...
Have you seen evidence of the village attacks in Chad?
Yes. We were in the village of Tama Jour, which was set on fire last Wednesday, and the entire village, which once had 600 people, was still smoldering days later. Everything was burned to the... We saw animals burned, homes completely destroyed and some fires still raging in the fields. We basically saw a place that had once thrived with 600 people that was now completely empty.
We found the villagers about 70 miles away, here in Goz Beida, under a tree. They were just broken. Before they never had to worry too much about having enough to eat because they were very able farmers, but now their children are cold at night, they don't have enough food, and many of them are dying. "[source - MSN , ]>>.
And,
Even the conservative US government has issued statements on the genocide and rape by members of Islam in Darfur and Chad as follows, <<" An Atrocities Documentation Team, assembled at the initiative of the US Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), conducted interviews in Chad in July and August. The team was primarily composed of independent experts recruited by the Coalition for International Justice (CIJ), and also included experts from the American Bar Association (ABA), DRL, and the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) as well as the US Agency for International Development (USAID). INR was responsible for compiling the survey data and producing the final report. USAID met the costs of the CIJ and ABA.
Humanitarian Crisis
As of August 2004, based on available information, more than 405 villages in Darfur had been completely destroyed, with an additional 123 substantially damaged, since February 2003. Approximately 200,000 persons had sought refuge in eastern Chad as of August, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports another 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in western Sudan. The total population of Darfur is 6 million. The lack of security in the region continues to threaten displaced persons. Insecurity and heavy rains continue to disrupt humanitarian assistance. The UN World Food Program provided food to nearly 940,000 people in Darfur in July. Nonetheless, since the beginning of the Darfur food program, a total of 82 out of 154 concentrations of IDPs have received food, leaving 72 locations unassisted. Relief and health experts warn that malnutrition and mortality are likely to increase as forcibly displaced and isolated villagers suffer from hunger and infectious diseases that will spread quickly among densely populated and malnourished populations. The health situation for the 200,000 refugees in Chad is ominous. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in three children in the refugee settlements in Chad is suffering from acute malnutrition and that crude mortality rates are already well above emergency threshold levels (one per 10,000 per day).
Human Rights Crisis
The non-Arab [none Muslim] population of Darfur continues to suffer from crimes against humanity. A review of 1,136 interviews shows a consistent pattern of atrocities, suggesting close coordination between GOS forces and Arab militia elements, commonly known as the Jingaweit (Janjaweed). ("Jingaweit" is an Arabic term meaning "horse and gun.")
Despite the current cease-fire and UN Security Council Resolution 1556, Jingaweit violence against civilians has continued (cease-fire violations by both the Jingaweit and the rebels have continued as well). Media reports on August 10, 16, and 19 chronicled GOS-Jingaweit attacks in Western Darfur. In addition to their work on the survey, the interviewers had the opportunity to speak with newly arrived refugees who provided accounts that tended to confirm press reports of continuing GOS participation in recent attacks. Refugees who fled the violence on August 6 and 8 spoke with the team, providing accounts consistent with media reports: joint GOS military and Jingaweit attacks; strafing by helicopter gun ships followed by ground attacks by the GOS military in vehicles and Jingaweit on horseback; males being shot or knifed; and women being abducted or raped. Respondents reported these attacks destroyed five villages. Multiple respondents also reported attacks on the IDP camp of Arja.
The UN estimates the violence has affected 2.2 million of Darfur's 6 million residents. The GOS claims it has been unable to prevent Jingaweit atrocities and that the international community has exaggerated the extent and nature of the crisis. The GOS has improved international relief access to IDPs in Darfur since July, but problems, including lack of security and seasonal rains, have hampered relief programs. Survey results indicate that most Sudanese refugees state that Jingaweit militias and GOS military forces collaborate in carrying out systematic attacks against non-Arab villages in Darfur. "[source - United States Department of State Publication 11182
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Bureau of Intelligence and Research
September 2004 ]>>.
So as we can clearly see, members of Islam are once more committing genocide and rape against none members of Islam.
GENOCIDE BY ISLAM NOTHING NEW:
Let's briefly look at the greatest genocide of all history that was committed in India by warriors of Islam.
<<"Genocide by Islam. According to Prof. K.S. Lal, the author of the Growth of Muslim population in India, the Hindu population decreased by 80 million between 1000 AD, the year Mahmud Ghazni invaded India and 1525 AD, a year before the battle of Panipat.[58][59].
One can safely add another 20 million Hindus to this list to account for the number that were killed during the Mughal rule or the rule of the Muslim rulers in the Deccan plateau. By all known accounts of world history, as pointed out by Koenard Elst in his book the Negationism in India, destruction of about 100 million hindus is perhaps the biggest holocaust in the whole world history."[60]
Clearly showing that the Muslims were responsible for the greatest genocide in all of human history, but let's look at more facts with respect this crime against humanity.
Historian Will Durant wrote his book The Story of Civilization:, <<"The Mohammadan conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precarious thing, whose delicate complex of order and liberty, culture and peace may at any time be overthrown by barbarians invading from without or multiplying within."[61].
References:
[58] Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India (1973) by K.S. Lil, India's greatest historian.
[59] The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India. New Delhi, Aditya Prakashan, 1992. [1] (ISBN 81851790304, ISBN 81-85689-03-2, ISBN 81-85689-03-2) also by K.S. Lil.
[60] The biggest holocaust in world history by Jayaram V.
[61] source - "The Story of Civilization, " by Will Durant the great American historian
[source - Large Religions are False Religions - Their Fruitage by Iris-the-Preacher 2006, and can be read at,
]>>.
So as we can see, genocide and rape have been standard operating procedures (SOP) of Islam since its inception and remain so today.
CONCLUSION:
As has been shown, genocide and rape have always been standard operating procedures (SOP) by some members of Islam, and other members consistently fail to condemn it or give back what has been taken.
Also, Islam not blames Israel for what they cause as clearly shown in this article. In fact, even the Crusades they blame on Christians were in reality caused by Islam itself, let's briefly look at the facts.
<<"Also, members of Islam incorrectly blame the Catholic church for the Crusades, but conveniently overlook the fact that they, members of Islam actually lit the fuse for the Crusades, i.e., they conveniently ignore cause and effect[reference - Islam Does Not Know Difference Between Cause and Effect or Result: by Iris the Preacher, 2006]>>.
How so? Let's look at history, <<" Let's look at what was really the cause of the Crusades that Islam blames on apostate (counterfeit) Christians, and a usual Islam is found to be responsible and the fuse lighter. Now here are the facts, <<" Most of Islam blames the apostate (counterfeit) Christians for the Crusades, but in reality Islam caused the Crusades which were the effect or result or consequences of a malicious wrong act by Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. How so? Well simple, in 1009 this Caliph sacked the pilgrimage hospice in Jerusalem and destroyed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was later rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor, but this event was remembered in Europe and was the spark or cause for the crusades.
Now let's look at what an encyclopedia says, <<" This background in the Christian West must be matched with that in the Muslim East. Muslim presence in the Holy Land goes back to the initial Arab conquest of Palestine [[They stole land that did not belong to them from the Hebrews and others.]]in the 7th century. [b]This did not interfere much with pilgrimage to Christian holy sites or the security of monasteries and Christian communities in the Holy Land of Christendom, and western Europeans were not much concerned with the loss of far-away Jerusalem when, in the ensuing decades and centuries, they were themselves faced with invasions by Muslims and other hostile non-Christians such as the Vikings and Magyars. However, the Muslim armies' successes were putting strong pressure on the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Empire.
A turning point in western attitudes towards the east came in the year 1009, when the Fatimid caliph of Cairo, al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, had the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem destroyed. His successor permitted the Byzantine Empire to rebuild it under stringent circumstances, and pilgrimage was again permitted, but many stories began to be circulated in the West about the cruelty of Muslims toward Christian pilgrims; these stories then played an important role in the development of the crusades later in the century.
The immediate cause of the First Crusade was Alexius I's appeal to Pope Urban II for mercenaries to help him resist Muslim advances into territory of the Byzantine Empire. In 1071, at the Battle of Manzikert, the Byzantine Empire had been defeated, and this defeat led to the loss of all but the coastlands of Asia Minor (modern Turkey)[[Another land theft.]]. Although the East-West Schism was brewing between the Catholic Western church and the Greek Orthodox Eastern church, Alexius I expected some help from a fellow Christian. However, the response was much larger, and less helpful, than Alexius I desired, as the Pope called for a large invasion force to not merely defend the Byzantine Empire but also retake Jerusalem."[source - Islam Protest Hearing The Truth: by Iris-the-Preacher 2006, and can be read at,
or
or
or
[4 post down]]>>.
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] SEQUEL TO RELIGION OF PEACE THAT LOVES WAR
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [373B]
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? 4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? 5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Psalms 94:3 – 6, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
Way back in ancient Israel, one Psalmist wondered how long the wicked would be prevailing, and said Psalms 74:10, [AV] “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?” Yes he was per Psalms 73:3, [AV] “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” But these wicked ones will NOT met a good end as shown by Psalms 31:17 – 18, [AV] “Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” Of the religious leaders of the wicked ones, Jeremiah 10:21, [AV] says, “For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.”
[2] SEQUEL TO RELIGION OF PEACE THAT LOVES WAR:
INTRODUCTION:
In the original article, I carefully detailed a history of war and land grabbing greed by the religion that claims to be a religion of peace using only encyclopedias, Bible dictionaries, and Muslim web site sources such as , and got falsely accused of lying and distorting history and current events. In this sequel to Religion of Peace That Loves War the current wrong actions of Islam and its disregard of human rights and lustful desire will be documented with respect current events directly from current news accounts from renown international news services and newspapers to avoid once more being falsely accused of lying and/or distorting which I never do.
Now let's look at an article from the New York Times of 06/29/2006 that speaks for itself with respect who is trying to provoke war:
<<" Hamas Provokes a Fight
Published: June 29, 2006
The Palestinians who futilely threw up sand berms on Gaza's main roads to deflect Israeli troop movements were building their defenses in the wrong direction. The responsibility for this latest escalation rests squarely with Hamas, whose military wing tunneled into Israel on Sunday, killed two Israeli soldiers and kidnapped another. This was a follow-up to a declaration earlier this month by Hamas's political leadership that the group's 16-month intermittent cease-fire would no longer be observed.
Under the circumstances, an Israeli military response was inevitable. It should also be as restrained as possible. Israel does not seem to want to reoccupy Gaza, but its reported detention of several cabinet ministers in the West Bank is unsettling. Bitterness and distrust on both sides are sure to increase, and the already dim prospects for a return to peace negotiations will diminish even further.
Ironically, Hamas has chosen this bleak moment to finally endorse a document that implicitly recognizes Israel within its pre-1967 borders. In a different context that would represent progress. But in a week in which Hamas's military wing has crossed those very borders, it is hard to draw much encouragement.
The renewed presence of Israeli forces in Gaza may give a short-term boost to Hamas's local popularity. But once the immediate adrenaline rush wears off, the Palestinians who elected Hamas, and the Arab nations on which it now depends for financial survival, need to survey the wreckage and draw the obvious conclusions. When Hamas was only an opposition movement, its provocative behavior was a major impediment to peace. As a governing party, it is far worse.
Contrary to the hopes of many outsiders, five months in government has failed to educate Hamas to the reality of the world the Palestinians live in. Hamas has merely assumed the political privileges of power without accepting the minimal responsibilities that go with it.
If things go on like this, Palestinians can look forward to endless rounds of reckless Hamas provocations and inexorable Israeli responses. That is why things must not be allowed to go on like this. It is not just Israel that needs to be delivering that message to Hamas."
[source - Editorial - The New York Times on June 29, 2006 ]
Says it all.
THE CRIMINAL ACT AND UNPROVOKED ATTACK:
Now, as the New York Times of June 29, 2006, previously quoted showed that this was an unprovoked attack where, <<" The responsibility for this latest escalation rests squarely with Hamas, whose military wing tunneled into Israel on Sunday, killed two Israeli soldiers and kidnapped another.">>. This was clearly murder of two without provocation on their part and an unjustified kidnapping of a third individual, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, 19 by individuals bent on committing a criminal act, by sleight.
Not only was this a act in defiance of law and order, but part of a larger lust for violence as shown by the Associated Press as follows: <<" Militants threaten to kill Jewish settler
AP - [06/27/2006]
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A Palestinian militant group on Wednesday threatened to kill an abducted Jewish settler if Israel doesn't stop its raid on the Gaza Strip. The Popular Resistance Committees, which has claimed responsibility for abducting both the settler and an Israeli army corporal, said in a statement that "we are running out of patience."[source - Associated Press in article of 06/27/2006 called, "Militants threaten to kill Jewish settler]
Of course this was a conspiracy in which, believe it or not, the Palestine government was actively involved; hence, guilty as accessories after the fact. This fact was NOT lost on the government of Israel or the world community. Not only did the Palestine government NOT arrest the criminals guilty of these egregious crimes, they even refused to return the kidnapped individual, and the Israel government responded accordingly to their being accessories after the fact to the crime as shown in what the government said as reported by Reuthers: <<" Hamas demands end to raids
Reuters - [06/30/2006]
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Friday demanded Israel halt a Gaza offensive if it wanted to free a captured soldier and said the Hamas-led government would not give way to force. Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza, setting ablaze the Interior Ministry offices, on the third day of a military operation aimed at bringing home the army corporal who was seized in a cross-border raid on Sunday." [source - Reuthers article of 06/30/2006, Hamas demands end to raids].>>. Openly going in opposition of the rule of law, and as will be shown, suffering the consequences for throwing their lot in with the criminals and becoming criminal after-the-fact accessories to the crime.
THE FULL STORY OF THE PALESTINE GOVERNMENT BECOMING AFTER-THE-FACT ACCESSORIES TO THE CRIME:
<<"By IBRAHIM BARZAK, of the Associated Press [06/30/2006]
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Friday that Israel's offensive in Gaza - including the kidnappings of some of his Cabinet ministers - was part of a premeditated plan to bring down the Hamas-led government.
Haniyeh said he was in contact with Arab, Muslim and European leaders to try to resolve the crisis, "but this Israeli military escalation complicates matters and makes it more difficult."
Shalit was captured Sunday when Gaza militants tunneled under the border, attacking an Israeli outpost and killing two other soldiers.
Mohammed Nazal, a Syria-based member of the Hamas politburo, told The Associated Press on Friday that Israel is not serious about negotiating Shalit's release.
"Israel is negotiating by fire," he said. "They're buying time until they can locate the soldier through intelligence and then try to free him."
A few hours before Haniyeh spoke, Israeli jet fighters destroyed the offices of his interior minister in Gaza, intensifying an air invasion while delaying a broad ground offensive.
On Friday evening, an Israeli aircraft attacked a vehicle in Gaza City that the military said was carrying militants. Witnesses said a missile exploded next to the car, wounding three occupants.
In the past 24 hours, Israel's air force struck roads, bridges and a power plant in Gaza. The army also has fired hundreds of artillery shells.
The United Nations said the destruction of the power plant had pushed Gaza to the edge of a humanitarian crisis, and the International Committee of the Red Cross said its officials were asking Israeli authorities to lift the Gaza blockade for shipments of food and medicine.
Palestinian security officials said an Israeli soldier was shot and wounded in clashes near the long-closed airport in southern Gaza. The army said it was investigating that claim.
While thousands of troops are massed along the Israel-Gaza border waiting for the go-ahead to invade the crowded coastal area, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said militants had agreed to Shalit's conditional release, but Israel had not accepted the terms.
Israeli officials said they did not know of such an agreement. But a senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the secrecy of the diplomacy, said the planned ground offensive was delayed after Egypt requested that mediators be given a chance to resolve the crisis.
However, other officials denied the delay was due to Egypt, saying the crisis required both military pressure and withholding force when necessary.
"The prime minister is managing the campaign while seeing all the balances, including the diplomatic one. You need to exhaust all options," said Tzahi Hanegbi, head of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee.
Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz called for leaders with influence on the Hamas government to pressure it to release Shalit.
"The quicker this is done the better it will be. If the soldier will be returned and the Qassam (rocket) fire will be halted, we will also return our soldiers to their bases," Peretz was quoted as saying in the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot.
He was referring to homemade, inaccurate rockets fired at Israel by Palestinian militants.
There has been no sign of life from Shalit since his abduction. The Popular Resistance Committees - one of the groups holding him - revealed no information about his condition in a statement Thursday but insisted on swapping him for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel has rejected that demand.
In the pre-dawn attack on the Interior Ministry, Hamas minister Said Siyam's office went up in flames when a missile struck his fourth-floor room. The ground floor office of Siyam's bodyguard also was destroyed, while the first, second and third floors - where passports and ID cards are printed - were untouched. No casualties were reported.
The Interior Ministry is nominally in charge of the Palestinian security forces, but President Mahmoud Abbas stripped it of much of its authority in a power struggle after Hamas won January parliamentary elections. The Israeli military said the ministry was "a meeting place to plan and direct terror activity."
In a separate strike, three Israeli missiles hit the office of hard-line Interior Ministry official Khaled Abu Hilal, who heads a pro-Hamas militia. Palestinian police and Hamas militiamen guarding the nearby Foreign Ministry fled immediately after that, fearing their building would be next, witnesses said. Haniyeh's office and Abbas' house are a few hundred yards from the Interior Ministry.
Haniyeh and nearly all his Cabinet members had not been seen since Shalit's kidnapping, fearing they could be killed or arrested.
In an unprecedented punishment Friday, Israel's Interior Ministry revoked the Jerusalem residency rights of four senior Hamas officials, officials said. The measure takes away their right to live in the holy city and travel within Israel freely...
On Friday, the army said it attacked a group trying to fire an anti-tank missile at forces in southern Gaza. Mohammed Abdel Al, 25, of the Islamic Jihad militant group, was killed, making him the first casualty in the Israeli offensive. In the Jebaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, three Fatah-affiliated gunmen were wounded in what they said was a fight against undercover Israeli forces. Israel denied it had ground forces in the area.
"The only activity is air and artillery," army spokesman Capt. Jacob Dallal. Israeli ground troops have entered southern Gaza but have not yet penetrated the north.
The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed in a Gaza news conference Friday that it kidnapped a 22-year-old Israeli soldier in Nablus. However, the army said it was unaware of a new abduction.
In another development, Israeli troops exchanged gunfire with militants at a cemetery in the West Bank city of Nablus. Palestinian security officials said one militant was killed, but the army said two militants died."[source - Associated Press, IBRAHIM BARZAK, [06/30/2006]]..
Now as has been shown by the above news item, the Palestine government has become full accessories-after-the-fact in this crime and now are reaping the consequences. This is made clear beyond a doubt by what Hamas high official Mohammed Nazal told the Associated Press (AP), as brought out previously in the article by Ibrahim Barzak of the AP, "that Israel is not serious about negotiating Shalit's release.
"Israel is negotiating by fire," he said. "They're buying time until they can locate the soldier through intelligence and then try to free him." So their part in the crime is undeniable. Also, there is no reason for Israel to negotiate as the Palestine government has the legal responsibility to free him and imprison the criminals, but instead has joined them, speaks for itself.
CONCLUSION:
The Palestine government is now crying crocodile tears and claiming that the government of Israel is trying to bring their government down, but they have neither returned the kidnapped victim nor imprisoned the criminals, murders and kidnappers. Instead they have joined with them as accessories after-the-fact.
The Canadian government has called for them to do the right thing as shown in, <<" Canada calls for return of kidnapped Israeli soldier [06/30/2006]
OTTAWA (AFP) - Canada has asked for the return of an Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian militants in the
Gaza Strip to quell unrest in the region, a senior official said.
"Canada has been in communication with the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to encourage a return to peace and calm. That begins, we think, with the return of Corporal (Gilad) Shalit ... and a respect for law and order," said the official.
"We want to be sure that people respect the rights of settlers and others to live in peace in the region," he added.
The official spoke during a technical briefing ahead of a Canada-US summit in Washington and asked not to be named.
Palestinian militants tunnelled under an Israeli checkpoint on Sunday and launched an attack that killed two soldiers. They also abducted Shalit, 19, taking him into the territory.
Israel responded by sending troops into the tiny territory, from which it withdrew in September last year, to recover the kidnapped soldier.
The Israeli military also destroyed key bridges, knocked out Gaza's sole power station and arrested 64 Hamas members, including a third of the Palestinian cabinet and a large number of lawmakers."[source - OTTAWA (AFP), Canada calls for return of kidnapped Israeli soldier [06/30/2006]]
Now why should the government of Israel NOT bring down a criminal government that seeks and lust for violence and not peace as this kidnapping and three murders clearly shows in that they have become criminal accessories after-the-fact to the crimes?
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COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Melilotus officinalis With the Scripture of the Day first.
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [374B]
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
He has appointed his only begotten son, Jesus (Yeshua) as this judge and of him Psalms 96:13, [AV] says, “Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” Indeed the Father, Almighty God (YHWH) will judge no man, but put this son in charge of that per John 5:22, [AV] “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” And as Jesus (Yeshua) told Martha at John 11:25, [AV] “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” Showing he was not only the judge, but had the power to resurrect all that believed in him.
[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Melilotus officinalis
Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Melilotus officinalis, Sweet Clover
Abundance: common
What: flowers, seeds, leaves
How: flowers in tea, seeds raw or roasted then ground into flour, leaves in salads or cooked
Where: Neglected areas, fields, yards
When: late winter through summer
Nutritional Value: starch in the seeds, protein in the leaves
Hop clovers have the same three-leaf shape as regular clover but the plant itself grows upright to over a foot tall. Its leaves and small yellow flowers look similar to those found on the prostrate Black Medic plant. Its young leaves can be eaten raw but can be slightly tough. The small yellow flowers can be used to make a sweet clover tea. These flowers eventually form individual seedpods each containing one seed. These seeds can be eaten raw or roasted then ground into flour. Like most seeds they can also be boiled into a porridge or gruel.
Like other clovers, hops clover can fix atmospheric nitrogen, turning it into a form usable by other plants. For this reason it is a good "weed" to let grow in your garden as it will fertilize nearby plants.
In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].
To view pictures of this plant, go to,
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DIGITAL BOOK ON OUR SAVIOR JESUS (YESHUA)
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [375B]
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
He has appointed his only begotten son, Jesus (Yeshua) as this judge and of him Psalms 96:13, [AV] says, “Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” Indeed the Father, Almighty God (YHWH) will judge no man, but put this son in charge of that per John 5:22, [AV] “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” And as Jesus (Yeshua) told Martha at John 11:25, [AV] “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” Showing he was not only the judge, but had the power to resurrect all that believed in him
[2] DIGITAL BOOK ON OUR SAVIOR JESUS (YESHUA):
Note: I can be reached at iris89cheerful@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION:
This discourse will of necessity be rather lengthy as it is intended to cover Jesus' (Yeshua's) life up to when he returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of his Father (YHWH) per John 6:62, "`What' then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?" (American Standard Version; ASV), so he could, per Ephesians 1:20-22, "which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly `places', 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church," (ASV).
It is intended to assist all sincere ones as a study aid in true 'Sola Scriptura' format to gain a better understanding of the Bible. To that end over 40 different Bibles have been referred to at various places to assist all with regard to being comfortable with many different Bibles. The two most quoted Bibles were the American Standard Version (ASV) and the Webster Bible by Noah Webster (WB). The Webster Bible is a 'take-off' from the Authorized King James (AV), but with the English upgraded to a more modern English language form.
It was written in true 'Sola Scripture' format so as to let the Bible interpret or express itself in keeping with 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (WB). Now please be like those in Berea, per Acts 17:11, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (WB).
I recommend studying this discourse by major part and/or sub-part of a major part as it is NOT light reading material, but very informative and intense reading material. Do NOT attempt to read it all at once or you will fail to really comprehend the important material being discussed. Your salvation may depend on what you learn about Bible truths from it. Note, references are either given right in the text or at the end of the section.
Also, there is no question that Jesus (Yeshua) is divine, what else could a spirit individual be if he was the only begotten Son of Almighty God (YHWH)? If you do not believe this, you will probably gain little from this discourse.
I TIME OF BIRTH AND DEATH OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS (YESHUA):
Time of Birth, and Length of Ministry:
There are many opinions with respect to when Jesus (Yeshua) was born and the length of his ministry, but the best available facts show he was born in the time frame of September-October [Jewish month of Ethanim] in the year 2 B.C., and was baptized about the same time of the year in 29 C.E., and died about 3:00 p.m. on Friday, the 14 th. Day of the Jewish month of Nisan [March-April], of the year 33 C.E. Now what is the basis for these dates?
As it happened, Jesus (Yeshua) was born approximately sic months after the birth of his relative, John the Baptizer, during the rule of the pagan Roman Emperor Caesar Sugustus who rained from 31 B.C. to 14 C.E., and the Syrian governorship of Quirinius, and toward the close of the reign of Herod the Great over Judea per Matthew 2:1 & 13-15 & 19-23, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying," and "13 Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son." And "But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life. 21 And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned [of God] in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee, 23 and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene." (ASV). The Apostle Luke also testified to these facts at Luke 1:24-32, "And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon [me], to take away my reproach among men. 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord [is] with thee. 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (ASV); And at Luke 2:1-7, "Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (ASV).
Relationship to Death of Herod:
Now his birth can be affixed to Herod's death even though the date of Herod's death is a debated one, there are many indicators pointing to 1 B.C.. Let's look at some of the intervening events between the time of Jesus' (Yeshua's) birth and Herod's death. They were: (1) Jesus' (Yeshua's) circumcision on the eighth day per Luke 2:21, "And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." (ASV); (2) taken to the temple 40 days after birth per Luke 2:22-23, " And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord)," (ASV), as foretold at Leviticus 12:1-5 & 8, "And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman conceive seed, and bear a man-child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of the impurity of her sickness shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 And she shall continue in the blood of [her] purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. 5 But if she bear a maid-child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her impurity; and she shall continue in the blood of [her] purifying threescore and six days.", And "And if her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons; the one for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean." (ASV); (3) the journey of astrologers to Bethlehem [the three kings of Spanish tradition] per Matthew 2:1-11, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come forth a governor, who shall be shepherd of my people Israel. 7 Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found [him,] bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. 9 And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (ASV); (4) His parents flight to Egypt with him per Matthew 2:13-15, "Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son." (ASV); (5) and the slaughter of all boys under two years in district of Bethlehem under orders of Herold when he found out that the Astrologers were not going to lead him to Jesus (Yeshua) so he could kill him per Matthew 2:16-18, "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 18 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not." (ASV) would allow the time required for these intervening events between his birth and that of Herod's death which is indicated to be in 1 B.C.
Relationship to John the Baptist:
Luke 3:1-3 gives further basis for the previously given dates as follows, "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the highpriesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins;" (ASV) which proves that John the Baptizer started preaching and baptizing during the 15 year of the reign of pagan Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar. This 15 th. Year started at the latter half of 28 C.E. to approximately August-September of 29 C.E. At an indicated age of 30 years, Jesus (Yeshua) went to John and got baptized and started his ministry. This was in strict compliance with the covenant requiring those going into sanctuary service by at least 30 years of age as affirmed at Numbers 4:1-3 & 22-23 & 29-30, "And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses, 3 from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting." (ASV), and "22 Take the sum of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families; 23 from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to wait upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting", and "29 As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them by their families, by their fathers' houses; 30 from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth upon the service, to do the work of the tent of meeting." (ASV). On the basis of John's birth occurring 30 years before he began his ministry in Tiberius' 15 th. Year.
Jewish Scholars in Agreement:
While there is quite a wide consensus of opinion that Yeshua was born at some time during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), or Succot (Tabernacles), the timing can be narrowed down to Succot, in the opinion of this author, because of the abundance of historical and traditional associations which surround it. It should be noted that all of these festivals normally occur in the Autumn, or during the September or October time-frame, but it varies from year to year because the Jewish calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and doesn't track with the Gregorian calendar.
The calculation of the time of Yeshua's birth begins with Z'chariyahu (Zechariah), the father of Yochanan (John) the Baptist. According to Luke 1:5 he was a priest of the order of Aviyah. He was performing his duties, burning incense in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), when an angel appeared and said his wife Eli-Sheva would conceive and bear a son, and he would be called Yochanan (John). [source, "Messiahmas? On the Birth Date of Jesus of Nazareth" by Uri Marcus]
Secular Research Source:
Nowadays, most serious Bible students and scholars agree in that Jesus was not born on December 25th. Why? It is simple. Because the shepherds had their flocks in open field [1] which implies a date prior to October. And having in mind that the reason why Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, traveled to Jerusalem in order to be taxated. No competent Roman administrator would require registration involving travel during the season when Judea was impassable. [2]
SEE PART 2
PART 2
Who decided December 25th as Jesus' birthdate? The early Christian church did not celebrate Jesus' birth, and therefore the exact date has not been preserved in festivals. The first recorded mention of December 25th is in the Calendar of Philocalus (354 A.D.) which assumed Jesus' birth to be Friday, December 25, 1 A.D. December 25th was officially proclaimed by the church fathers in 440 A.D. as a sincretism between the new religion of the Roman Empire and the tradition of the Roman holiday of Saturnalia, observed near the winter solstice, which was among the many pagan traditions inherited from the earlier Babylonian priesthood. [3]
So the, just when was Jesus born? Although the Bible doesn't explicitly identify the birthday of our Lord, many scholars have developed diverse opinions as to the likely birthday of Jesus.
The Year of Jesus' Birth In the other hand, the year of Jesus' birth is broadly accepted as 4 B.C., primarily from erroneous conclusions derived from Josephus' recording of an eclipse, assumed to be on March 13, 4 B.C., "shortly before Herod died." There are a number of problems with this, in addition to the fact that it was more likely the eclipse to happened on December 29, 1 .B.C. Considerable time elapsed between Jesus' birth and Herod's death since the family fled to Egypt to escape Herod' edict and they didn't return until after Herod's death.[4] Furthermore, Herod died on January 14, 1 B.C. [5]
Fact: Tertullian, (born about 160 A.D.) stated that Augustus began to rule 41 years before the birth of Jesus and died 15 years after that event. [6] Augustus' died on August 19, 14 A.D., placing Jesus' birth at 2. B.C. [7] Fact: Tertullian also notes that Jesus was born 28 years after the death of Cleopatra in 30 B.C., which is consistent with a date of 2 B.C.
Fact: Iraneus, born about a century after Jesus, also notes that the Lord was born in the 41st year of the reign of Augustus. Since Augustus began his reign in the autumn of 43 B.C., this also appears to substantiate the birth in 2 B.C.
Fact: Eusebius (264-340 A.D.), the "Father of Church History," ascribes it to the 42nd year of the reign of Augustus and the 28th from the subjection of Egypt on the death of Anthony and Cleopatra. [8] The 42nd year of Augustus ran from the autumn of 2 B.C. to the autumn of 1 B.C. The subjugation of Egypt into the Roman Empire occurred in the autumn of 30 B.C. The 28th year extended from the autumn of 3 B.C. to the autumn of 2 B.C. the only date that would meet both of these constraints would be the autumn of 2 B.C. [144000.net/birth.htm][references for secular research: (1) Luke 2:8. (2) Matthew 24:20. (3) Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, Loizeaux, Neptune NJ, 1916. (4) Matthew 2:15, 19-22. (5) Magillath Ta'anith, an ancient Jewish scroll contemporary with Jesus. (6) Tert. adv Judaeous, c.8. (7) No year 0 between B.C. and A.D. (8) Eccle. Hist., i.5. 9.]
II PREHUMAN EXISTANCE OF JESUS:
How He Is The Only-Begotten Son:
Why is Jesus (Yeshua) called the only begotten Son of God (YHWH) when in reality there are many sons of God (YHWH)? John 1:14 states, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." (ASV); And at John 3:16-18, " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." (ASV); And at 1 John 4:9, "Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him." (ASV); now this does not mean that the other created spirit beings were not also God's (YHWH's) sons, as they are also called sons as affirmed at Genesis 6:2, "that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose." (ASV); And at job 1:6, "Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them" (ASV); And at Job 38:4-7, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (ASV); And at Job 2:1, "Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah." (ASV). So what makes Jesus (Yeshua) unique?
He is unique by virtue of his being the only direct creation by Almighty God (YHWH), thus making him different from all others of God's (YHWH's) sons, allof whom were created or begotten by god (YHWH) through that firstborn Son, Jesus (Yeshua). Therefore, Jesus was God's (YHWH) 'only-begotten Son' in a very special sense just as Isaac was Abraham's 'only-begotten son' in a special sense even though he already had a son, Ishamel, but not by his wife Sarah as testified to at Hebrews 11:17, "By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten [son];" (ASV); And at Genesis 16:15, "And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bare, Ishmael." (ASV).
Of course some will say begotten does not mean create, but they never quantify what it means. They have to consider the facts which are (1) the Bible says at Revelation 3:14, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:" (ASV); (2) the meaning of the word create which is "To cause to come into existence; originate" [Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, ISBN #s 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6, and most other standard English dictionaries]; (3) That humans create by means of copulation as did Abraham in the creation or begetting of his son, Isaac, as shown in Hebrews 11:17 and Genesis 16:15, quoted previously; whereas, the Bible makes no mention of a Mrs. God (YHWH). Therefore, God (YHWH) creates differently, obviously, from man. He always existed as shown at Psalms 90:2, "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. " (ASV); And at Psalms 93:2, "Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting." (ASV); and at Job 36:26, "Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable." (ASV); And at 1 Timothy 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (ASV). Of course another way of looking at the verb beget is to look at its synonyms and its definition which are (1) To procreate; be the father of. (2) To cause to be; occasion [Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, ISBN #s 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6, and most other standard English dictionaries]. Now that makes it clear one of its meanings is to cause to be same as for create. If that is not clear enough for some, let's consider the definition of its synonym as given above, procreate which means by definition (1) To engender or beget (offspring), (2) To originate; produce; and at its ethnology from Latin, [- before + creare to create> ] which leaves no doubt that it means to create as does the other synonym, engender which by definition means (1) To cause to exist; give rise to; produce. (2) beget, (3) To come into being; and its ethnology from Latin [- in + genus, generis race] [Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, ISBN #s 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6, and most other standard English dictionaries].
Of course some critics say that having been created makes Jesus (Yeshua) inferior, but the Bible shows the exact opposite at Philippians 2:1-11, "If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, 2 make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 [doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; 4 not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (ASV). Obviously all thinking people should believe the Bible and not accept the opinions of man.
Master workman in Keeping With Jewish Law of Agencies:
The Jewish Law of Agencies which is basically as follows, "Jesus (Yeshua) was God's (YHWH's) appointed agent in accordance with the 'Biblical law of agency' described as, "Scripture mentions something being done by Person A, whilst another mentions it being done by Person B. This is best understood when we grasp the Schaliach Principle, or the Jewish Law of Agency, which is expressed in the dictum, "A person's agent is regarded as the person himself." Therefore any act committed by a duly appointed agent is regarded as having been committed by the principle." (The Encyclopedia of the Jewish Religion, R.J.Z. Werblowski and Geoffrey Wigoder). Now that we know what the Jewish Law of Agencies is, let's see how it applies to Jesus (Yeshua).
First it is necessary to understand that Jesus (Yeshua) is often referred to as the 'Word' as shown at John 1:114, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." (ASV); And at 1 John 1:1, "That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life " (ASV); And at Revelation 19:13, "And he [is] arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God." (ASV). That which is said about the Word in the New Testament fits remarkably the description of 'wisdom' in the Old Testament given at 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). There wisdon is personified, and represented as able to speak and act per Proverbs 8:1, "Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice?" (ASV). In fact it was understood by many Christian writers of the early centuries of the C.E. that this section referred symbolically to God's (YHWH) Son, Jesus (Yeshua) in his pre-human state. Thus, in view of the scriptures already considered, there is no denying that the Son, Jesus (Yeshua) was 'produced' by God (YHWH) 'as the "beginning of his way, Before his works of old" or the earliest of his achievements very long ago and was beside God (YHWH) as his agent or master worker during the creation of the earth as described in Proverbs just quoted. Hebrew, like modern day Spanish, assigns gender to its nouns, and the word for 'wisdom' is always in the feminine gender. Thus, this would remain the case even when is personified and therefore would not rule out wisdom's being used in a figurative way to represent God's firstborn Son, Jesus (Yeshua). It is to be remembered that the title "gohe'leth"or "Kohelet" or congregator in English that Solomon applied to himself at Ecclesiastes 1:1, "The words of Kohelet, the son of David, king in Yerushalayim" (Hebrew Names Version of World English Bible ), and this word also is in the feminine gender.
God's (YHWH's) own wisdom was shown in creation at Proverbs 3:19-20, "Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew." (ASV), but only through his Son, Jesus (Yeshua); this is also shown at 1 Corinthians 8:6, "yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him." (ASV). Likewise God's (YHWH's) purpose toward mankind is made manifest through his Son; therefore the Apostle John could say that Jesus (Yeshua) represents per 1 Corinthians 1:24 & 30, "but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (ASV); And at "30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:" (ASV); And at 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, "but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, [even] the [wisdom] that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: 8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:" (ASV); And at Proverbs 18-21, "Riches and honor are with me; [Yea], durable wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice; 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries. " (ASV). Thus as we can see that Jesus (Yeshua) Christ has become to us wisdom from God, and also righteousness and sanctification and a release by ransom.
SEE PART 3
PART 3
Not a Co-Creator:
Jesus (Yeshua) took part with respect the creative works, but this did NOT make him a co-Creator along with his Father (YHWH). Why not? Because all the power for creation came from God through his Holy Spirit, or active force as shown by Genesis 1:1-2, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (ASV); And at Psalms 33:6, "By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." (ASV). Of course some may object and have different views with regard to what the Holy Spirit is, but let's look at the facts. The "New American Bible Catholic Bible," says in a footnote regarding John 14:17: "The Greek word for 'Spirit' is neuter, and while we use personal pronouns in English ('he,' 'his,' 'him'), most Greek MSS [manuscripts] employ 'it.'" So when the Bible uses masculine personal pronouns in connection with pa·ra'kle·tos at John 16:7, 8, it is conforming to rules of grammar, not expressing a doctrine. And in Ancient Hebrew the word here rendered Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, or Spirit which is translated from 'ru'ach' meaning "breath; wind; spirit." In Latin, it is spiritus, and in Sanskrit, 'prana' which means both "breath" and "spirit." Thus God (YHWH) is the source of all life, all animate creation, both visible and invisible, as shown at Psalms 36:9, "For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light." (ASV). Thus all of creation including his only begotten Son owes their lives to him. Thus, rather than being a co-Creator with his Father (YHWH), Jesus (Yeshua) was the agent or instrumentality through whom God (YHWH), the Creator, worked using him as his 'master worker.' Jesus (Yeshua) himself gave credit to his Father (YHWH) for all of creation, see Matthew 19:4-6, "And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made [them] from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (ASV).
Prehuman Existance of Jesus (Yeshua):
Let's look at Jesus' (Yeshua's) existence before he came to earth to be born of a virgin per Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. 19 Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: 23 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus." (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB). Jesus (Yeshua) spoke of his prehuman heavenly life before coming to earth at John 3:13, "And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven." (DRCB); And at John 6:38, "Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me." (DRCB) which shows he was sent down to earth by his Father (YHWH); And John 8:23, "And he said to them: You are from beneath: I am from above. You are of this world: I am not of this world." (DRCB) clearly showing in his own words where he came from; And at John 8:42, " Jesus therefore said to them: If God were your Father, you would indeed love me. For from God I proceeded and came. For I came not of myself: but he sent me." (DRCB) here he tells specifically who his Father is; And John 8:52, "The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death for ever." (DRCB). Jesus (Yeshua) was with his Father (YHWH) from the beginning of creation since he was, as previously shown, the first of God's creation and used in the creation of all else per 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); And this fact was also shown at Colossians 1:15-22, " who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in 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 was the good pleasure [of the Father] that in him should all the fulness dwell; 20 and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, [I say], whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 22 yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him:" (ASV); And at Revelation 3:14, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:" (ASV), thus the scriptures identify the 'Word' or 'Logos' as God's (YHWH's) first creation, his firstborn Son.
Therefore, as just shown, Jesus (Yeshua) was truly the Son of his Father (YHWH) who gave him life. This is shown to be clearly a fact at John 6:56-57, " He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. 57 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." (ASV). Therefore, if the estimates of the age of the universe made recently by scientist are anywhere near correct, Jeusu' existence as a spirit creature started many thousands of millions of years before the creation of the first human, and this is indicated also at Micah 5:2, "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." (ASV). Thus this firstborn spirit Son was used by his Father (YHWH) in the creation of all else as revealed at John 1:3, "All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made." (ASV), And at Colossians 1:16-17, "for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things consist." (ASV). Included in the things that his Father (YHWH) empowered him to create would be the millions of other spirit sons of God's (YHWH's) heavenly family per Revelation 5:11, " And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;" (ASV). This is also highlighted with the creation of menkind when Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father (YHWH) were discussing it at Genesis 1:26, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (ASV).
Why the Title, "The Word":
This name or title identifies the function that God's (YHWH's) firstborn Son would perform for his Father (YHWY). This is first revealed at Exodos 4:16, where God (YHWH) speaks to his servant Moses about his brother, "And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him as God." (ASV). As God's (YHWH's) spokesman on earth, Aaron served as the mouth for Moses; likewise the Word, or Logos, who became Jesus (Yeshua) did likewise for his Father (YHWH). God (YHWH) used his Son to give instructions and information to others of his family of spirit sons, and also used him to deliver his message to humans on earth as his spokesman. This is testified to at John 7:16-17, "Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or [whether] I speak from myself." (ASV); And at John 12:50, "And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak." (ASV); And at John 18:37, " Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." (ASV).
While some texts refer to God (YHWH) as though directly speaking to humans, others make it clear that he did so through his son or angelic representatives in keeping with the Jewish Law of Agencies previously discussed. Some relevant scriptures are Exodus 3:2-4, "And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I." (ASV), which compares with Acts 7:30-35, "And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came a voice of the Lord, 32 I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him hath God sent [to be] both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush." (ASV). Reasonably, in most such cases God (YHWH) spoke through the word.
III JESUS' (YESHUA'S) BIRTH ON EARTH:
Let's face it, Jesus' (Yeshua's) birth and the circumstances surrounding it were very different from any other. Angels had appeared on the earth to men in human form that they had materialized for the occasion before Jesus (Yeshua), but had then dematerialized after finishing their assignment as shown at Genesis 19:1, "And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth;" (ASV), and else where. However, in doing so they only maintained their materialized human form for a little while; now with the case of God's (YHWH's) only begotten Son, his life force was to be transferred into the womb of a young Jewish lady, Mary. This would be an unprecedented occurrence as always before in human history, all children had been conceived in imperfection and with inherited sin, but this time, this was NOT to be the case.
Now how did this all come about? For answers we turn to the Bible at Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS." (ASV); This is reaffirmed at Luke 1:30-35, "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God." (ASV). Thus, Jesus (Yeshua) was different that the angels who had materialized temporarily in the past, but had remained angels. Jesus (Yeshua) came to earth by being born as a human, the man Jesus (Yeshua), and to reside among mankind. John testifies at John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." (ASV); For this reason the 'Word' or 'Logos' as Jesus (Yeshua) was known by could call himself 'the Son of man.' As stated at John 1:51, "And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (ASV); And at John 3:14-15, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; 15 that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life." (ASV).
SEE PART 4
PART 4
Of course, some doubters and critics point to the expression 'resided among mankind' and claim this shows Jesus (Yeshua) was not a true human, but only an incarination. However, this does not 'wash' with how the Apostle Peter used a similar expression about himself at 2 Peter 1:13-14, "And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me." (ASV).
Why was this transfer of Jesus' (Yeshua's) life force to the womb of Mary and his subsequent birth as a human necessary? Let's look at Galatians 4:4, "but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law," (ASV) which indicates this was necessary in order for the child that was born to retain his identity as the same individual who had resided in heaven as the 'Word' or 'Logos', and only is this way could he have, also, been the actual son of Mary. This was important with respect fulfillment of prophesy since the Messiah or savior was to be a genuine descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and King David and hence a legitimate heir of the divine promises made to them as he would be since Mary was a genuine descendant of all of them, her forefathers. Therefore he could fulfill the divine promises made to them at Genesis 22:15-18, "And the angel of Jehovah called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said, By myself have I sworn, saith Jehovah, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, 17 that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore. And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Because thou hast obeyed my voice." (ASV); And at Genesis 26:24, "And Jehovah appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father. Fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake." (ASV); And at Genesis 28:10-14, "And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set. And he took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed. And behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac. The land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. And in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (ASV); And at Genesis 49:10, "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come: And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be." (ASV); And at 2 Samuel 7:8, "Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over my people, over Israel;" (ASV); And at 2 Samuel 7:11-16, "and `as' from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will cause thee to rest from all thine enemies. Moreover Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will make thee a house. 12 When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 15 but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16 And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (ASV).
While Mary was a descendant of the sinner Adam, and therefore imperfect and sinful, Mary's firstborn could be perfect and free from sin due to his father being Almighty God (YHWH). From what is revealed in the Bible, it appears that the perfect individual male life force, God (YHWH), causing the conception canceled out any imperfection existent in Mary's ovum through his active force the Holy Spirit. However, whatever the case, the operation of God's (YHWH) Holy Spirit at this time guaranteed the success of God's (YHWH's) purpose [for more information on this Holy Spirit, see details in "Not a Co-Creator" in section II]. This is just as the angel Gabriel explained to Mary as shown at Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God." (ASV).
In that it was Almighty God's (YHWH's) active force or Holy Spirit that made the birth possible, Jesus (Yeshua) owed his human life to his heavenly Father (YHWH), and not to any man such as his adoptive father Joseph as testified to at Matthew 2:13-15, "Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son." (ASV); And at Luke 3:23, "And Jesus himself, when he began `to teach', was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the `son' of Heli," (ASV). Therefore as stated at Hebrews 10:5, "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;" (ASV), God (YHWH) prepared a body for him; therefore, his conception was truly "undefiled, separated from sinners," as testified to at Hebrews 7:26, "For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" (ASV): And at John 8:46, "Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?" (ASV); And at 1 Peter 2:21-22, "For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" (ASV).
Though he was perfect in physical form, his Father's (YHWH's) message of truth and righteousness that Jesus (Yeshua) boldly proclaimed made him repulsive and despicable in the eyes of the bigots and hypocritical opposers that falsely claimed he was an agent of Beelzebub, or a man possessed of a demon or a blasphemous fraud per Matthew 12:24, "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons." (ASV); And at Matthew 27:39-43, "And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 In like manner also the chief priests mocking `him', with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. 43 He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God." (ASV); And at John 8:48, "Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?" (ASV); And at John 15:17-25, "These things I command you, that ye may love one another. 18 If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before `it hated' you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But `this cometh to pass', that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause." (ASV). For Jesus' (Yeshua's) true followers today, they experience the same type of treatment and false accusations that their leader and savior experienced in his day on earth. Obviously, if you are not experiencing persecution of some sort or another for openly telling others about God's (YHWH's) today, you are in error and not telling the truth. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 brings this point home as follows, "But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. 15 For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; 16 to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (ASV), which makes it clear true Christian preachers of the word of God (YHWH) would be a "sweet savor" for those receptive to God (YHWH); but an odor of death to those rejecting their message.
PART 2 OF “DIGITAL BOOK ON OUR SAVIOR JESUS (YESHUA’ WILL BE CONTINUED IN VOL 376B.
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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] PROPHECY ABOUT JESUS (YESHUA):
[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [376B]
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. Psalms 83:18, [authorized King James Bible; AV]
Yes, He is supreme over the entire earth and the entire solar system, but many do not realize this reality as acknowledged by the Psalmist at Psalms 59:12 – 13, [AV] “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.” He is the most high as shown at Exodus 6:3, [AV] “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” And further testified to at Psalms 92:8, [AV] “But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.” He is the ultimate ruler everywhere as shown by Daniel 4:17, [AV] “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”
[2] PROPHECY ABOUT JESUS (YESHUA):
The prophecy that was written in the Old Testament was written hundreds of years before Jesus (Jeshua or YHWH saves) was even born and not after he was born. This has been proved by the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls and many other ancient parchments, etc. Some of these prophecies and their fulfillment. See, “ He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.” (Psalms 34:20 AV)[compare, 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.] which was quite interesting as in the Roman method of execution of none Romans by crucifixion the bones of those were usually broken to hasten death, but Jesus’s bones were not as he was already dead when the Roman guard checked him. As we know he was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver and this was foretold at “ And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” (Zechariah 11:12 AV). [compare, “ And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:15 AV)] Likewise it was foretold that they would divide up his garments “ They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (Psalms 22:18 AV). [compare to “ And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” (Matthew 27:35 AV)]. “ Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalms 41:9 AV) [compare, “ I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” (John 13:18 AV)]. “ They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Psalms 69:21 AV)[compare, “ They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.” (Matthew 27:34 AV)]. “1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,” (Psalms 2:1-2 AV)[compare, “ And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.” (Luke 23:12 AV)].
Also, “ For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalms 16:10 AV)[compare, “ He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,” (Luke 24:6 AV)]. “ I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6 AV)[compare, “ And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.” (Mark 14:65 AV)]
Some ask what makes the Bible different from other books, but I will answer here with respect the Bible what makes it different from other so called “holy Books.”
1) It was written under divine inspiration by over 40 men chosen by Almighty God (YHWH) as an instruction guide for all of mankind that he had created.
2) It accurately foretold future events with exact detail 100 of years in advance. For example, Isaiah was written app. 732 B.C.E., but it accurately foretold events that would occur during Jesus’ life, see the above plus check out:
Anointed with the Spirit. Ps 45:7. Is 11:2; 61:1.
Fulfilled: Mt 3:16. Jn 3:34. Ac 10:38.
Born of a virgin. Is 7:14.
Fulfilled: Mt 1:18. Lk 2:7.
Buried with the rich. Is 53:9.
Fulfilled: Mt 27 :57-60.
Called Immanuel. Is 7:14.
Fulfilled: Mt 1:22-23.
Chief cornerstone of the church. Is 28:16.
Fulfilled: 1 P 2:6-7.
Conversion of the Gentiles to him. Is 11:10; 42:1.
Fulfilled: Mtl:17,21. Jn 10:16. Ac 10:45,47.
Death. Is 53:12.
Fulfilled: Mt 27:50.
Entering on his public ministry. Is 61:1-2.
Fulfilled: Lk4:16-21,43.
Flesh not seeing corruption. Ps 16:10.
Fulfilled: Ac 2:31.
Hated by the Jews. Ps 69:4. Is 49:7.
Fulfilled: Jn 15:24-25.
Intercession for his murderers. Is 53:12.
Fulfilled: Lk 23:34.
Meekness and want of ostentation. Is 42:2.
Fulfilled: Mt 12:15-16, 19.
Ministry commencing in Galilee. Is 9:1-2.
Fulfilled: Mt 4:12-16, 23.
Numbered with the transgressors. Is 53:12.
Fulfilled: Mk 15:28.
Patience and silence under sufferings. Is 53:7.
Fulfilled: Mt 26:63; 27:12-14.
Poverty. Is 53:2.
Fulfilled: Mk 6:3. Lk9:58.
Rejected by his brethren. Ps 69:8. Is 63:3.
Fulfilled: Jn 1:11;7:3.
Resurrection. Ps 16:10. Is 26:19.
Fulfilled: Lk 24:6,31,34.
A stone of stumbling to the Jews. Is 8:4.
Fulfilled: Ro 9:32.1 P 2:8.
Suffering for others. Is 53:4-6, 12. Dn 9:26.
Fulfilled: Mt 20:28.
Tenderness and compassion. Is 40:11; 42:3.
Fulfilled: Mt 12:15,20. He 4:15.
Visage marred. Is 52:14; 53:3.
Fulfilled: Jn 19:5.
Without guile. Is 53:9.
Fulfilled: 1 P 2:22.
Working miracles. Is 35:5-6.
Fulfilled: Mt 11:4-6. Jn 11:47.
Zeal. Ps 69:9.
Fulfilled: Jn 2:17
And this is just from one book of the Bible OT, Isaiah. Others are similar, let’s just consider one example from the first book of the Bible, Genesis, written in 1513 B.C.E.
Seed of Isaac. “ And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” (Genesis 21:12 AV)[compare, “17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” (Hebrews 11:17-19 AV).
See also,
Coming at a set time. Gn 49:10. Dn 9:24-25.
Fulfilled: Lk 2:1.
Seed of Abraham. Gn 17:7; 22:18.
Fulfilled: Gl 3:16.
Seed of the woman. Gn 3:15.
Fulfilled: Gl 4:4.
As can readily be seen from the short list of fulfilled prophecy above, the Bible is the only “Holy Book” that is really the word of God (YHWH) and all the other ones are only frauds and counterfeits.
Second with respect the virgin birth of Jesus many prophecies were fulfilled, a few of them follow:
He would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea: Prophecy = “ But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2 AV)
Fulfillment = “1 ¶ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:1-6 AV)
A virgin would give birth, Prophecy = “ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 AV),
Fulfillment = “ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23 AV)
A barren women in her old age would have a son, Prophecy = “ And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.” (Judges 13:3 AV)
Fulfillment = “30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.” (Luke 1:30-36 AV). Note, this group of scriptures goes from where Mary, a virgin, was told she would have a child who would be called the Son of the Highest and that her barren cousin would have a child.
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