Human nature

Creation of the earth and man #22 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #6 Spirits, spiritual bodies and illusory perception

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016Christadelphians12 Comments

When the Lord Jesus said,

“A spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have”,

he did not mean to say that a spiritual body had not; but a spirit such as they thought they saw.

“They supposed they had seen a spirit.”

In the received reading the same word, πνευ̂μα, is used here as in the text which speaks of Jesus as “the Lord the Spirit”; but evidently, not in the same sense. Indeed, the reading in Griesbach’s edition of the original text is clearly the correct one. The word rendered spirit is properly φάντασμα, a phantom or mere optical illusion; and not πνευ̂μα, spirit.* When Jesus walked upon the sea both Matthew {a Matthew 14:26} and Mark {b Mark 6:49} make use of the same phrase as Luke, and say that the disciples when they saw him, “supposed they had seen a spirit, and they cried out for fear”. In both these places the word is phantasma, and not pneuma.

Having affirmed that man stands related to two kinds of body, the apostle gives us to understand, that in the arrangements of God the spiritual system of things is elaborated out of the animal, and not the animal out of the spiritual. The natural world is the raw material, as it were, of the spiritual; the bricks and mortar, so to speak, of the mansion which is to endure for ever. In relation to human nature, two men are presented as its types in the two phases it is to assume. These Paul styles “the First Adam”, and “the Last Adam”, or “the first man”, and “the second man”. The former, he terms “earthy”; because he came from the ground, and goes thither again: and, the latter, “the Lord from heaven”; because, being “known no more after the flesh”, he is expected from heaven as the place of his final manifestation in “the body of his glory”. Then, says John, “we shall be like him”. If, therefore, we have been successful in depicting the Lord as he is now, while seated at the right hand of God; namely, an incorruptible, honourable, powerful, living person, substantial and tangible, shining as the sun, and able to eat and drink, and to display all mental and other phenomena in perfection: if the reader be able to comprehend such an “Image of the invisible God”, he can understand what they are to be, who are accounted worthy to inherit His kingdom. Therefore, says Paul,

“As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly”, {c 1 Corinthians 15:49}

or, Lord from heaven.

This corporeal change of those, who have first been morally

“renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that hath created them” {d Colossians 3:10}

from “sinful flesh” into spirit, is an absolute necessity, before they can inherit the Kingdom of God. When we come to understand the nature of this Kingdom, which has to be exhibited in these pages, we shall see that it is a necessity which cannot be dispensed with.

“That which is corruptible cannot inherit incorruptibility”,

says the apostle. This is the reason why animal men must die, or be transformed. Our animal nature is corruptible; but the Kingdom of God is indestructible, as the prophet testifies, saying,

“It shall never be destroyed, nor left to other people; but shall stand for ever”. {e Daniel 2:44}

Because, therefore, of the nature of this Kingdom, “flesh and blood cannot inherit it”; and hence the necessity of a man being “born of the spirit”, or “he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God”. {f John 3:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:50}He must be “changed into spirit”, put on incorruptibility and immortality of body, or he will be physically incapable of retaining the honour, glory, and power of the Kingdom for ever, or even for a thousand years.

But, before the apostle concludes his interesting exposition of

“the kind of body for which the dead come”,

he makes known a secret which was previously concealed from the disciples at Corinth. It would probably have occurred to them, that if flesh and blood could not inherit the Kingdom of God, then those who were living at the epoch of its establishment, being men in the flesh, could have no part in it. But to remove this difficulty, the apostle wrote, saying,

“Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep (χοιμηθησόμεθα, met. to die, be dead), but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for it (the seventh trumpet) {g Revelation 11:15, 18; 15:8; 20:4} shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible (ἱσάγγελοι, equal to the angels) {h Luke 20:36}, and we shall be changed (ἐς πνευ̂μα, into spirit). {i 1 Corinthians 15:45}For this corruptible (body) must put on incorruptibility (ἀφθορσίαν), and this mortal (body) must put on immortality (ἀθανασίαν). Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory”. {j Isaiah 25:8}

But, that the saints might not misapprehend the matter, especially those of them who may be contemporary with the seventh trumpet-period, he gave further particulars of the secret in another letter.
The disciples at Thessalonica were deeply sorrowing for the loss of some of their body who had fallen asleep in death; probably victims to persecution. The apostle wrote to comfort them, and exhorted them

“not to sorrow as the others (οἱ λοιποί, i.e., the unbelievers), who have no hope. For if we (the disciples) believe that Jesus died and rose again”;and be not like those, who, by saying, “There is no resurrection of the dead”, in effect deny it; “even so”, as he rose, “them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring forth (ἄξει, lead out, or produce), with him.” {k 2 Corinthians 4:14}

He then proceeds to show the “order” {l 1 Corinthians 15:23} in which the saints are changed into spirit, or immortalized, by the Son of Man. {m John 5:21, 25, 26, 28, 29}.

“For”

says he,

“this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we, the living, who remain at the Lord’s coming, shall not anticipate them who are asleep. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise FIRST: after that we, the living, who remain, shall be snatched away together with them in clouds to a meeting of the Lord in the air: and thus we shall be with the Lord at all times. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” {n 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.}

– Thomas, D. J. ; Elpis Israel: an exposition of the Kingdom of God (electronic ed., pp. 43–45). Birmingham, UK: The Christadelphian.

Notes & quotes

* The R.V. retains pneuma, spirit; but in Matthew and Mark renders phantasma, apparition.

a Matthew 14:26 (ESV): ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.

b Mark 6:49 (ESV): ⁴⁹but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,

c 1 Corinthians 15:49 (ESV): ⁴⁹Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

d Colossians 3:10 (ESV): ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

e Daniel 2:44 (ESV) : ⁴⁴And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

f1 John 3:5 (ESV): ⁵Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

f2 John 3:6 (ESV): ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

f3 1 Corinthians 15:50 (ESV): Mystery and Victory ⁵⁰I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

g. Rev. 11:15, 18; 15:8; 20:4.

g1 Revelation 11:15 (ESV): The Seventh Trumpet ¹⁵Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

g2 Revelation 11:18 (ESV): ¹⁸ The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

g3 Revelation 15:8 (ESV): ⁸and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

g4 Revelation 20:4 (ESV): ⁴Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

h Luke 20:36 (ESV): ³⁶for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

i 1 Corinthians 15:45 (ESV): ⁴⁵Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

j Isaiah 25:8 (ESV): ⁸ He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

k 2 Corinthians 4:14 (ESV): ¹⁴knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

l 1 Corinthians 15:23 (ESV): ²³But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

m John 5:21, 25-29 (ESV): ²¹For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. … ²⁵“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

n 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV): The Coming of the Lord ¹³But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Preceding

Creation of the earth and man #21 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #5 Spiritual and animal body

+++

Creation of the earth and man #9 Formation of man #1 Cure of souls

August 31, 2015Christadelphians10 Comments

The Formation of man

“Out of the ground wast thou taken; for dust thou art.”

1980 Soul Note Recording (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That “the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath”, is a truth of general application to all the institutions of God. Upon this principle, man was not made for religion, but religion was made for him. If this be true, then it follows that it was adapted to man as God had formed him. Hence, the institutions of religion, if it be of God, will always be found in harmony with his constitution and not at variance with it. They are devised as a remedy, for certain irregularities which have invaded his intellectual and moral nature; by which, phenomena have been superinduced which are destructive of his being. Now the exact adaptation of the Bible religion to the curative indications suggested by the intellectual, moral, and physical infirmities of human nature, which everyone who understands it cannot fail to perceive, proves that the mind which framed it is divine; and that the religion of the scriptures, and the constitution of man, are the work of one and the same Creator. God is truly the only wise physician, whose practice is based upon perfect knowledge; for He alone (and they to whom He hath revealed it) knows “what is in man”. [(John 2:24-25)]

Hence, no incongruities are discoverable in “His way” when His method of cure is understood.
In medicine, a scientific practice is directed, and founded, upon a knowledge of the structure or mechanism of the body, the motive power thereof, and of the functions which are manifested by the working of this power on its several parts. The absence of this knowledge in a professional, constitutes empiricism*; and is one cause of such vast multitudes “dying”, as it is said, “of the doctor”. Being ignorant of the motive power of the living creature, they are as unsuccessful in correcting its irregularities as a watchmaker, who was ignorant of the principles and laws by which a timepiece was moved, would be in rectifying its errors. Now this may be taken in illustration of the predicament of others who undertake the “cure of souls”. To treat these as “a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed”, a man should be acquainted with “souls” as God hath formed and constituted them. He should know what “a living soul” is; what its condition in a healthy state; what the peculiar morbid affection under which it languishes; what the nature of the cure indicated; and what the divinely appointed means by which the indications may be infallibly fulfilled. An attempt to “cure souls” without understanding the constitution of man as revealed by Him who created him, is mere theological experimentalism; and as bootless, and more fatally destructive than the empiricism of the most ignorant pretenders to the healing art. What! men undertake to “cure souls” and not to know what a soul is; or to imagine it a something, which it is admitted cannot be demonstrated by “the testimony of God”. This is like pretending to repair a timepiece without knowing what constitutes a watch or clock, or while imagining it to be a musical box, or any other conceivable thing.

Speculation has assumed that the soul is something in the human body capable of living out of the body, and of eating, drinking, feeling, tasting, smelling, thinking, singing, and so forth; and of the same essence as God Himself. In times past some have busied themselves in calculating how many such souls could stand on the point of a needle; a problem, however, which still remains unsolved. A vast deal is said in “sermons” and systems about this idea; about its supposed nature, its wonderful capacity, its infinite value, its immortality, and its destiny. I shall not, however, trouble the reader with it. We have to do with “the law and the testimony”; and as they are altogether silent about such a supposed existence, we shall not occupy our pages in superadding to the obsolete print concerning its attributes, which has already merged into the oblivion of the past. I allude to so much as this, because it is made the foundation corner-stone, as it were, of those experimental systems of spiritual cure, which are so popular with the world, and so utterly exclusive and proscriptive of the divine method.

Upon the supposition of the existence of this kind of a soul in the human body are based the current notions of heaven, hell, immortality, infant salvation, purgatory, saint-worship, Mariolatry, spiritual millenniumism, metempsychosis*, etc., etc. Its existence both in the body and out of the body being assumed, it is assumed also to be immortal. An immortal disembodied existence requires a dwelling place, because something must be somewhere; and, as it is said to be virtuous or vicious according to its supposed life in the body, and post mortem rewards and punishments are affirmed — this dwelling-place is exhibited as an elysium, or, as an orthodox poet sings, “a place of goblins damn’d”.

– Thomas, D. J. (1990). Elpis Israel: an exposition of the Kingdom of God (electronic ed., pp. 27–29). Birmingham, UK: The Christadelphian.

Notes:

Empiricism: the doctrine that all all ideas and categories, knowledge of matters of fact derives from experience and that the mind is not furnished with a set of concepts in advance of experience or that knowledge cannot extend beyond experience, including observation, experiment, and induction. Compare intuitionism, rationalism

Metempsychosis: [Late Latin metempsȳchōsis, from Greek metempsūkhōsis, from metempsūkhousthai, to transmigrate : meta-, meta- + empsūkhos, animate (en, in; see psūkhē in Indo-European roots).] = the migration of a soul from one body to another or the entering of a soul after death upon a new cycle of existence in a new body either of human or animal form; the transmigration of the soul, esp. the passage of the soul after death into the body of another being; the rebirth of the soul at death in another body, either human or animal. Cf. creationism. — metempsychic, metempsychosic, metempsychosical, adj.

Preceding:

Forbidden Fruit in the Midst of the Garden 3

Creation of the earth and man #8 Of the Sabbath day #6 If it be necessary to keep Sunday

Additional reading:

+++

Further articles on the internet:

+++

Necessity of a revelation of creation 4 Getting understanding by Word of God 2

April 4, 2015April 4, 2015Christadelphians31 Comments

Like God had given His manna to His people in the desert, He still continues to give spiritual manna to the people in the world. Throughout history several people came to understand that God was guiding them and giving them spiritual nourishment. King David was not so pride to hide that he received knowledge from God and wrote down many psalms for his Sovereign Master. Like any other man David also made faults. After he repented (doing a work of faith) he was pardoned by God Who exalted him.

God had told the world He would make His words known to the people because He has called, though many did not want to or refused to listen. God even has stretched out His Hand and no one has heeded, because man has ignored all God’s counsel and would have none of His reproof, and therefore Jehovah God also will laugh at our calamity and will mock when terror strikes the world.

Pro 1:20-33 NSB Wisdom calls you! She raises her voice in the streets and marketplaces. (21) She calls in the streets, in the opening of the gates: in the city she utters her words. She says: (22) »How long, you simple (stupid) (foolish) ones, will you love simplicity (foolishness) (stupidity)? The scoffers delight in scoffing. Fools hate knowledge! (23) »Listen when I reprove you. I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you. (24) »I called you! I stretched out my hand to you. You paid no attention to me. (25) »You have ignored all my counsel. You accept no correction. (26) »I also will laugh at your trouble. I will mock when your fear comes. (27) »Trouble and distress will surround you like a whirlwind, like a great storm. (28) »You will ask for my help, but I will not listen. You will search, but you will not find me. (29) »You have no use for knowledge and you refuse to respect Jehovah. (30) »You rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you. (31) »Now you will get what you deserve for what you have done. Your own advice will make you sick. (32) »Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools. (33) »Whoever listens to me will be secure and will be free from the fear of evil.«

For ages, centuries, many people would not want to see that it is not good or not right to reject the counsels of wisdom. God gave council to the world but His given wisdom was not liked by man, though it is quite clear and evident in Solomon’s teaching that true wisdom is from God and that the understanding of His words is something that is given and not innate to human nature.

Job 21:14-15 NSB »They say to God: ‘Leave us alone! We do not desire to know your ways.’ (15) »Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what do we gain if we pray to him?

Job 22:17 NSB »They said to God: ‘Leave us alone.’ They asked: ‘What can the Almighty do to us?’

Isa 30:11-14 NSB »‘Get out of our way! Stop blocking our path! Get the Holy One of Israel out of our sight.’« (12) This is what the Holy One of Israel says: »You have rejected this warning, trusted oppression and deceit, and you leaned upon them for support. (13) »For that reason your sin will be like a high wall with a bulging crack, ready to fall. All of a sudden it will fall. (14) »It will break like pottery. It will be smashed. Nothing will be left of it. No piece will be big enough to carry live coals from a fireplace or to dip water from a reservoir.«

They hated knowledge coming from a place unknown to them and did not choose the fear of the Maker of everything, despising all His reproof. Therefore those people shall have to abide in the consequences. Even though the words are so strident and even harsh, it is actually a kindness for wisdom to rebuke so sharply in accord with justice — it is life itself which is at stake. The chiefest of our duties as creatures of God Most High is to fear him; thus, it is the height of rebellion to despise the reproofs of wisdom that comes from him.

Rom 1:28 NSB They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate (depraved) mind, to do things that are not fitting.

Pro 6:23 NSB For the commandment is a lamp. The law is light. Reproofs for instruction are the way of life.

Psa 19:7-11 NSB The law of Jehovah is perfect. It gives new life. The testimony of Jehovah is dependable. It makes the simple wise. (8) The statutes of Jehovah are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The commandments of Jehovah are radiant. They make the eyes shine. (9) The reverence of Jehovah is pure. It endures forever. The decisions of Jehovah are true. They are completely fair. (10) They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. (11) They warn your servant. There is a great reward in following them.

Psa 119:151-152 NSB You are near, O Jehovah. All your commandments are truth! (152) Of old I have known from your laws that you have founded them forever.

From the beginning of times there were the Laws of God. Adam and Eve got to hear them. They heard the things they could do freely and got to hear their restrictions. They did not obey God’s commandments. When they were cast out of the Garden of Eden it did not make an end to those commandments.

God had set out rules for a certain reason. It is also to protect ourselves. Following those rules we shall be able to have lesser problems in life than those who do not want to know about God’s commandments. As time went by God had to add certain laws, but His Word did not change like He did not change at all. He is, was and always shall be the same eternal God Who made heaven and earth and Who has a Plan with creation.

Some may find God’s Words and His commandments not so clear, but often it is because they have not yet opened their ears for that Word of God fully. The understanding of His words shall also come in the time of God. As God likes it He will see what is in the heart of a person and shall provide accordingly.

Deu 8:1-2 NSB »Be careful to do all the commandments I commanded you today! You will then live and multiply and go in and possess the land Jehovah promised to give to your forefathers. (2) »Remember the forty years Jehovah your God led you in the wilderness. He did this in order to humble you and test you. He wanted to know what was in your heart. Whether you would obey his commandments.

Jer 17:9-13 NSB »The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately corrupt. Who can understand it? (10) »I, Jehovah, search the heart and examine the mind (inner man). I give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds. (11) »A person who gets rich dishonestly is like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay. During his lifetime, he will lose his wealth. In the end, he will be a wicked fool.« (12) From the very beginning our sanctuary was a glorious throne on high. (13) You will put to shame all that forsake you, O Jehovah, the hope of Israel. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, for they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living water.

Jer 11:20 NSB O Jehovah of Hosts, you are a fair judge. You test motives and thoughts. I want to see you take revenge on them. For that reason I presented my case to you.

Jer 20:12 NSB Yet, O Jehovah of Hosts you test the righteous. You see the mind and the heart. Let me see your vengeance on them for to you I have revealed my cause.

Lots of people thought to have wisdom in them, but it was more their pride that let them think they had wisdom. they also forgot that everything a man has he receives from God. When a person can do something it is because God allows it to happen. It is not said that it would be good or would be bad. Some things may look bad at one moment but turn out for the better at a later stage. Those getting pride in what they know or in what they can do should remember that wisdom is not innate to human nature. It is also not said we are all born stupid or without any wisdom. But by birth we lack a lot of things, because we have been formed by imperfect beings, our parents also being the result of a copulation of two not so perfect beings. By time the faults in the human genes got multiplied. Man lost also the feeling with creation, becoming less connected with fauna and flora.God wants His creation to be in unity with each other. Man has drifted away from that good relationship which was there in the Garden of Eden. That good relationship is also what God wants to be restored and has provided for His theocratic reign, the future Kingdom, where there will be no death, because that is something He hates. Jehovah views death as an enemy.

1Co 15:26 NSB The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. (Revelation 20:14)

God brought it over Adam and eve and their offspring. Straight ahead in the Garden of Eden He promised for a solution and throughout He let His people know He did not like this situation with suffering and death. He has a longing to conquer that enemy, to undo death by means of the resurrection. He yearns to bring back those who are in his memory and to see them live on earth again.

Job 14:14-15 NSB »If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my change (release) to come. (15) »You will call and I will answer you! You will long for the creature your hands have made.

God feels for us when we suffer, wants others to know how He is with His people and shall protect them and provide hope that all suffering will end.

Zec 2:8-11 NSB »Jehovah of Hosts proclaims: ‘He sent me after glory! He sent me to the nations that plundered you. For he that touches you touches the pupil of his eye.’ (9) »Behold! I will shake my hand (power) over them, and they will be a spoil to those who served them.« Then you will know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent me. (10) »Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For I am coming, and I will dwell in the midst of you,« said Jehovah. (11) »Many nations will join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and will be my people! I will dwell in the your midst, and you will know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent me to you.«
Psa 37:9-13 NSB For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who wait for Jehovah will inherit the land. (10) A short time from now the wicked man will be no more. You will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. (11) The meek (gentle) (mild) (humble) will inherit the earth and will delight in the abundance 0f peace. (12) The wicked plots against the righteous and grinds at him with his teeth. (13) Jehovah laughs at him, for he sees that his day will come.

But man shall have to be patient until the Day of God shall come. even Jesus did not know when that day would come. In the meantime man should consider how Jehovah God feels when His people are cruelly mistreated. (About the past times the Bible says that Jehovah was distressed because of “those who were treating them abusively.”)

Jdg 2:18 NSB When Jehovah established judges he supported each judge. He delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days the judge lived. He had compassion for them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them.

God provided man to lead, judges, priests and kings, but most of all His Word, written down by men could trust and was willing to provide with His wisdom.It was at God’s time that things were written down and so not directly whilst he events took place. After the events took place but the prophesies where written down years and years long before those events took place. About certain elements it was not yet necessary to have them written down at the time because the people who hear about it had also been witnesses of the events. Before the Gospels were written, the gospel message was still known because people preached it (e.g., Matthew 28:19-20). The eyewitnesses who were alive at the time could verify and vouch for the validity of the message that was being preached (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; 1 John 1:1-4). When the original eyewitnesses (especially the inspired ones [John 14:26]) of the events the Gospels describe were reaching the end of their lives and would soon no longer be able to orally verify that accounts of Jesus’ life given in teaching and preaching were true (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 1:1-4). The writers of the Holy Scriptures have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among them. They felt the Hand of God and were seriously aware of the necessity to report everything truthfully, without hiding their own deficiencies. In Scriptures you may find the writers their own imperfections or flaws. They show us how they were guided and got wisdom from God’s Word and how necessary it is for us to take heed. With what they wrote down we should be able to come to more wisdom. Many do not know the scriptures or the power of God, but those who are opening their mind to read it and learn from it can find answers in their head. The sent one from God, Jeshua, Jesus Christ, tried to get the people to understand easier the Word of his heavenly Father. He too had to open the eyes of his pupils, like other prophets before him.

Luk 24:45 NSB He opened their minds that they might understand the scriptures.

It are also those Scriptures which tell us what happened and what still shall come. They show us how God provided a solution against death and who that solution is. But to see what the solution is people have to come to hear the testimony which that Nazarene man gave. as soon as the time was indicated by God that son of man testified of his heavenly Father; for the works which the Father had given him to finish, bear witness of him, that the Father has sent him and that it was not like some think God Himself coming down to earth. Scripture tells us that people shall have to hear that it was the Heavenly Father Who sent Jesus and testified of this man telling no lies to the world and saying to all those around Jesus that he is His son.

Mat 3:17 NSB Then a voice from heaven said: »This is my Son whom I love and whom I have approved.«
Joh 12:28-30 NSB »Father, glorify your name.« A voice came from heaven: »I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.« (29) The crowd near him only heard thunder. Some said an angel spoke to him. (30) Jesus said: »This voice came for your sake and not for mine.

Today also for us it is impossible to see Jesus or to see God. We also cannot say with certitude we heard God His Voice as such or seen His form. Though we can hear God’s Voice by what Jesus has brought over the world and by the Comforter Jesus asked God to sent to this world. The ones who refuse to read the Bible or to listen to words of it shall not find God’s Word abiding in them, for they do not believe Jesus whom the Most High Elohim has sent. They may search the Scriptures, because in them they think that they have eternal life or they may dream of a separate element being taken out of their body, which they call their soul going up to heaven. What we see in this world that many of those still prefer like in the old times to keep to traditions, to keep having part in the pagan celebrations. Some of them may even say they love Jesus, but they do not want to see and take Jesus for what he really is and for what he really has done. In a certain way they refuse to come to Jesus so that they may have life, becoming children of God in a restored New World. We should not be like those who do not believe that Jesus is the sent one from God. We should believe the words like they are given in Scriptures and have to come to believe that Jesus receives glory from Jehovah God, from Whom he comes. We should accept and put our hope in the fact that Jesus has come in his Father’s name. We do have the Old and the New Testament to teach us and to guide us and to make it clear how everything happened and who is who. From Scriptures we shall come to see on whom we have to set our hope. We should believe Moses, Isaiah and other prophets and have to believe in Jesus’ words.

Joh 5:36-47 NSB »The testimony I have is greater than that of John. The works I do are the works the Father gave me to accomplish. They testify that the Father has sent me. (37) »The Father who sent me testifies about me. You have not heard his voice nor seen him at any time. (38) »You do not have his word dwelling in you. This is because you do not believe in the person he has sent. (39) »You search (investigate) (study) the Scriptures because you think that in them you have everlasting life. These Scriptures testify about me. (40) »And yet you will not come to me that you may have life. (41) »I do not accept glory from men. (42) »I know that the love of God is not in you. (43) »I came in my Father’s name and you did not receive me. If another came in his own name you would receive him. (44) »How can you believe? You seek praise and glory from one another? Why do you not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (45) »Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Moses on whom you have set your hope is a plaintiff against you. (46) »It is a fact! If you believed Moses you would believe me. He wrote about me! (47) »If you do not believe his writings how will you believe my words?«

Preceding articles:

Next: Necessity of a revelation of creation 5 Getting understanding by Word of God 3

Additional reading:

+++

On other WordPress blogs:
Psalm 23 A Love Song
Dig for Wednesday the 25th of March…..we are blessed because of God’s love for His son…..2 Samuel 9:1
Listening to Your Spirit

+++

The historic/Jewish people’s emergence/radically different from/story told. (eagleman6788.wordpress.com)
Following 70 years of intensive excavations in the Land of Israel, archaeologists have found out: The patriarchs’ acts are legendary, the Israelites did not sojourn in Egypt or make an exodus, they did not conquer the land. Neither is there any mention of the empire of David and Solomon, nor of the source of belief in the God of Israel. These facts have been known for years, but Israel is a stubborn people and nobody wants to hear about it.
Those Other Christians and Their Weird Beliefs (danspulpit.wordpress.com)
The Lord regularly promised spiritual and other kinds of prosperity to the leaders of Israel and Israel themselves if they walked in His ways. His blessings then and now are conditional. Many today in our self-centered, greasy grace time in history have the idea that they somehow should receive the blessings of God just because of His love for them. But if you read from Genesis to Revelation you find that God’s blessings are indeed conditional, whether we like it or not.
+
We are told there are 38,000 Christian denominations on the earth today that differ in theology, how they do worship and church stuff. Some of these denominations t really believe some pretty off the wall stuff and some of them do some pretty crazy stuff. But there are God lovers in all of them. I am weary of believers throwing the baby out with the bath water. Your don’t have to spend much time on line to find believers condemning pastor so and so’s entire ministry because of a doctrine or practice they don’t agree with. How arrogant it is to believe you or I are completely correct on every doctrine and every practice. We all have a few things wrong, but just haven’t realized it yet. Preachers and believers with good fruit should be respected even if we don’t completely buy everything they believe or practice. We are exhorted repeatedly to keep the unity of the Spirit in the church and love one another and to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one. This includes crossing denominational and theological lines. In 1 Corinthians Paul condemns the divisions that so easily quench what God intends in the church. From God’s perspective, there is one church and no denominations. Believers are believers. God lovers are God lovers. Good fruit is good fruit.
When That Which Is Hidden… (michaelgurley.wordpress.com)
It’s a fearful thought that who we “were” and what we hope to never be “revealed” will somehow come to the light of day. However, there is a way to assuage the guilt, to erase our sin. A single scriptural principle.The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalms 111:10 ESV)

This word “fear” should be better interpreted as “moral reverence” – it is not the fear that leaves us quaking from the boogey man. Rather, it’s the reverence we have for the moral superior. It’s respect. Almost like the feelings we get when we are around somebody we want to rub shoulders with, but are perhaps afraid of getting too close to them.

Revere. Respect. Even worshipful. It’s almost as if we expect this special one to see right through our thin veneer.
Proverbs 1 (cutpaste.typepad.com)

Imagine God said that to you. What would you ask for? Solomon asked for wisdom. He recognized his desperation for wisdom.

We would be wise for us to recognize the same. It will do us no good to read through the rest of the book of Proverbs unless we first recognize our need for wisdom.
+

Wisdom does not come with age. There are plenty of old people living like fools. Neither does wisdom come with experience. It’s possible for us to have experiences and rather than learning from them we just continue making the same mistakes. Wisdom comes from God. And since it comes from God alone, there is only one place to turn when we need it.
Open Heavens Sunday, 29 March 2015 : Emmanuel (emmanuelayeni.com)
One reason why the Holy Spirit caused the Gospel of Matthew to be written is to show that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies concerning the Messiah. One of such prophesies is found in Isaiah 7:14 which says,
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
This prophecy was shown to be fulfilled by Jesus in our Bible
The Passover eclipse blood moon prayer (mobile.wnd.com)
Today, when people express the opinion that eclipses do have meaning, they are generally interpreted as a sign or omen of bad news rather than good. It has always been this way throughout history. In fact, this view may have saved Chrisopher Columbus’ life back in February 1504 when on his fourth and final voyage, he used his knowledge of a coming total lunar eclipse to scare the local natives into providing his men with much needed supplies and protection. The account says that Columbus met with the island chief that day, proclaimed that God was angry with him and his people for treating his men poorly and pronounced that a sign wouldbe coming to prove it. (Eclipse tables had been invented recently, so he knew one was coming that very night). Then, as the lunar eclipse went all the way to the blood-red stage, Columbus entered into prayer, coming out of his cabin just as the phase was ending and pronouncing loudly, “God has forgiven you.” Needless to say, relations with the island natives immediately improved!
Sermon: Greater Days Are Ahead (grantspasschurchofchrist.com)
Solution for Willing hearts filled with gifts (christadelphianworld.blogspot.com)

	Reason to absorb kno… on Out of the seed of Eve
	Reason to absorb kno… on Necessary to be known all over…
	Reason to absorb kno… on A solution for a damaged relat…
	Essential Knowledge… on Foretold Messiah 1 First …
	Essential Knowledge… on A solution for a damaged relat…
	Essential Knowledge… on A solution for a damaged relat…
	Essential Knowledge… on First mention of a solution ag…
	Essential Knowledge… on First mention of a solution ag…
	Should we really acc… on Are people allowed to have…
	Infant baptism versu… on A solution for a damaged relat…

Messiah For All

Presenting Jesus Christ our Saviour

Creation of the earth and man #22 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #6 Spirits, spiritual bodies and illusory perception

Further reading

Creation of the earth and man #9 Formation of man #1 Cure of souls

The Formation of man

Additional reading:

Further articles on the internet:

Necessity of a revelation of creation 4 Getting understanding by Word of God 2

Additional reading:

Further reading

Related articles

Share this:

The Formation of man

Additional reading:

Further articles on the internet:

Related articles

Share this:

Additional reading:

Share this: