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lennart11412 · 4 years

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Where in the Bible did God give Satan domain over the Earth? Posted on

10/22/2014

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WHERE IN THE BIBLE DID GOD GIVE SATAN DOMAIN OVER THE EARTH?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Thank you for this question. If our answer is to be one of faith, we need to look at pertinent verses in the Holy Bible, and then we need to believe those verses.

On the sixth day of creation, after God created terrestrial (Earth-based) animal life, Genesis 1:26-28 says: “[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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So 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 fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Please pay special attention to the above bolded phrases that demonstrate God’s purpose for man. Why did God place man (Adam) on the Earth? The Bible says that the human race was to be God’s chief creation in the Earth. In other words, God appointed Adam (the first man) to be king of the Earth, and Eve his wife was to be queen of the Earth. Adam and Eve were to be God’s representatives, His rulers, in the Earth; as the angels carried out God’s will in heaven, Adam and Eve were to “have dominion” over the earth, to “subdue [earth],” to “have dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Sometime before God created mankind on Earth, He created spirit creatures (angels) to function in the heavenly places. One of these angelic-like creatures—which is actually called a “cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14,16)—was named “Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:12), and Lucifer wanted to glorify himself instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lucifer wanted to be “like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14): he wanted to be “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22), and he desired the praise that the Lord, the Creator, alone deserved. This creature fell into sin, and was re-named “Satan” (Hebrew for “adversary”): Satan became God’s chief enemy (Ezekiel 28:11-19). Once Satan polluted heaven with sin, he moved toward infiltrating the Earth with sin, rebellion against God.

Satan knew that, in order to control the Earth, he would first have to take that power from God’s human race. We read in Genesis chapter 3 how Satan deceived the first woman (with Adam voluntarily following his wife into the trap) into believing and following his lie program first begun in the heavens:

“[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. [6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. [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.”

It was in Genesis chapter 3 that Adam relinquished his crown to Satan; Satan gladly assumed dominion over the Earth in Genesis chapter 3. Romans 5:12 continues, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned….” Satan’s policy of evil succeeded in involving Earth: Adam willfully gave up his divinely-ordained earthly dominion. So, God gave man the dominion over the Earth; when man willfully sided with Satan, man became controlled by Satan and sin, and through fallen man, Satan gained power over the Earth. Consequently, Satan dominates the world’s political, religious, social, economic, and educational systems. Hence, the Bible talks about “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). Satan is called “the god [or ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The Bible says in 1 John 5:19, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Ephesians 2:2 speaks of the evil “course of this world.”

We need to notice what Satan told Jesus during His temptations. The Bible relays the narrative in Matthew 4:8-9: “[8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Luke 4:5-7 is the comparative passage: “[5] And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. [6] And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. [7] If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.”

Did you notice how Satan offered to give the world’s kingdoms to Jesus? The Lord Jesus, knowing full well that Satan had dominion over the Earth, never argued with him. He knew that Satan was controlling this world system, and that the only way to restore the world system to God was, not to bow down to and worship Satan, but to die for man’s sins. In hindsight, we see how the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary is now the means whereby God will restore heaven and earth to Himself (more on this later).

Satan is currently usurping God’s authority in the Earth. Hence, Jesus Christ said in John 18:36: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Jesus’ kingdom was “not of this world” in the sense that His kingdom was one from God rather than one from Satan. The Lord Jesus’ kingdom would not originate from the evil world system that is presently operating on Earth and in the heavens.

The book of Job describes Satan’s activity in the Earth. We read in Job 1:6-7: “[6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. [7] And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” And again, we read in Job 2:1-2: “[1] Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. [2] And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Walking denotes ownership; Satan admits to God that he is active on planet Earth, “going to and fro in the earth… walking up and down in it… going to and fro in the earth… walking up and down in it” (notice we read that expression twice, indicating a prolonged action, not just a one-time motion). This is significant, since we read in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour….” Satan is active on planet Earth, and he will especially be doing this in the future—when he is banned from outer space and confined to Earth (Revelation 12:7-10)!

Colossians 1:16-20 tells us the good news: “[16] For by him [the Lord Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (God will give the heavens to us, the Church the Body of Christ [2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 1:3,20-23; Ephesians 2:6-7; Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:18]—currently, Satan has polluted the heavens [Job 15:15; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12]. He will give the earth over to redeemed Israel [Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 5:10]—remember, currently, Satan has polluted Earth).

Thankfully, one day, God will remove Satan from the Earth. The Bible says when Jesus Christ will return at His Second Coming, He will bind all evil spirits (Zechariah 13:1-2). He will then usher in His 1000-year reign on the planet, Israel’s earthly kingdom, the kingdom He originally wanted to establish with Adam (when God Himself, Jesus Christ, dwells with man on the Earth). According to Revelation 20:1-10, Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit during that millennium, and then released to tempt the new generations of people born. Once that is accomplished, God will rain fire down from heaven to consume Satan and his minions, confining them forever in the lake of fire and brimstone!

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15)—the best is yet to come, and, in the end, Jesus Christ will not have to worship Satan to get Earth’s kingdoms!

https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.org/2014/10/22/satan-domain-over-earth/

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frederickwiddowson · 4 years

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Exodus 33:1-6 comments: God promises to drive out the Canaanites but will not walk among the Israelites due to their disobedience

Exodus 33:1 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: 2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: 3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. 4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. 5 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. 6 And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.

Remember what God said to Abraham.

Genesis 15:12 ¶ And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Apparently, God has now had just about enough of the Canaanites nonsense with their idolatry, sexual perversion as a facet of religious expression, and all sorts of other garbage. When will He have had enough of your country’s excesses? He judged the countries of Europe on World War One’s battlefields and in the great influenza epidemic afterwards that killed more people than in all of the battles of what they called at the time, “The Great War.”

A land flowing with milk and honey is a reference to the fertility and produce of Canaan. We do not think of the land that Israel occupies now as being fertile and lush. Israel may have once been covered with great forests that were cut down for iron production. And although there is a diverse meteorology and ecology in Israel from the snows of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights to the reforestation after the Ottoman Empire cut down most of the remaining forests to make railways in the 19th century it is believed that the climate was much milder in the tenth century BC. We know, as only those who believe the Bible can know, that the earth has been drying out since the great Flood of Noah’s time. We would expect it to be a more fertile place then than now.

Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

God is going to drive out the Canaanites from before the Hebrews. Here is one of those great and sad turning points in the Bible, where God, who already knew what would happen announces something He is going to do other than what He truly desires to do.

In Genesis we had man and woman over creation, as stewards, a royal family with dominion over the works of God’s hand.

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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

But, we know how that turned out.

Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Later, with God showing that it was His perfect will to rule over the Israelites as their king it was His permissive will which was expressed due to their wicked stubbornness. Kings, royalty, aristocracy, and, in fact, all human government without God, over His people was the result.

1Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Now, here, while God’s perfect will would have been to walk among the Israelites, to dwell with them, to go in and go out of their camp and go with them to their wars against the child-sacrificing, temple-prostitute patronizing, Canaanites He expresses a change of plan. He will drive out the Canaanites before them by His angel. But, the benefit of having God in the camp, outside of the tabernacle, they will not know.

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on this passage in Exodus, noted, “God would have brought them under the yoke of his law, and into the bond of his covenant, but their necks were too stiff to bow to them. God would have cured them of their corrupt and crooked dispositions, and have set them straight; but they were wilful and obstinate, and hated to be reformed, and would not have God to reign over them.”

What He promises later was something they could have had but their stubborn willfulness rejected.

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

This will only be accomplished now when God comes to live as a man, pays the price for our sin, and then rises from the dead for our justification. The immense blessing that was offered and available to the Israelites is rejected by their own behavior. Man cannot save himself. He can’t even allow himself to be saved. It is God who does the work. But, here, the Israelites have lost a great blessing. God knew this would happen but that doesn’t make it any less a sad catastrophe.

As an application God wants to walk with the Christian. God speaking to you through His word and you speaking to Him in prayer, waiting on Him and obeying Him, as He guides you every day and directs your path, is God’s perfect will. But so many who call themselves Christians prefer to push God into a ritual they observe on a certain day, memorized prayers they make at mealtime and bedtime, joyful hope at a wedding or birth of a baby, or tearful hope at a funeral. But, they would rather not have God walk with them in their midst. Their stubborn willfulness will not permit it.

The Israelites, as commanded, put off the jewelry that they had used in their pagan worship. This is an act of repentance. As John the Baptist demanded of the Jews of his day, and I am quoting these two verses to make a side note about how the Bible defines words by substituting them for the words that define them in different quotes;

Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Luke 3:8a Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance,…

See how meet is worthy. Hopefully, that will help you understand this verse better.

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

But, back to the passage. The Israelites have obeyed, for now.

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quranreadalong · 6 years

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#17, Surah 3

THE QURAN READ ALONG: DAY 17

Be warned: this section is another mangled Biblical fanfic, like the stuff about Moses in surah two. This one is about Mary, as in the mother of Jesus, and her family. Her family including Imran, who appears in this crossover Exodus/Gospels fic as Mary’s father instead of Joachim. The good news is that this means there will be less hellfire, disbelievers are evil, etc in this section compared to usual.

We begin with 3:35, in which her unnamed mother (Anne) vows to give her unborn child to Allah as an “offering”, and after Mary’s birth begs Allah to protect Mary from Satan. A hadith tells us this means that Mary (and Jesus) were protected from his touch. Allah “accepted her with full acceptance”.

Zechariah (Zakariyya), the future father of John the Baptist, is then appointed the young Mary’s male guardian. Now this is a change from the Gospel of Luke, in which a pregnant Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is Zechariah’s wife, and stays with her for a few months; she doesn’t go there because Zechariah is her “guardian”. But in Islamic and pre-Islamic Arab tradition, young women are appointed a “guardian” or wali from their male family members, who must approve of marriages and such. You might be wondering why Zechariah is Mary’s wali instead of Imran. The Quran..... doesn’t say!

The sira and history books greatly elaborate upon the story of Mary’s early life, since so much of it is vague in the Quran itself. Al-Tabari (volume 4) brings Joseph in as her carpenter cousin, who serves in a temple with Mary. Joseph realizes she’s pregnant, and tells her to run away so she won’t be accused of adultery. She runs to her sister’s house (her sister being Elizabeth), and her brother-in-law (Zechariah) takes her in. So that’s how the relationship is explained there. Ibn Ishaq’s sira contains an interesting story in which both of Mary’s parents die and her new guardian is chosen randomly. Zechariah is her initial guardian, but then a carpenter-monk (yes, a monk in Jewish Palestine, long story) named Jurayj takes her in. More on him in a second.

3:37 says Allah gave Mary food in a temple, which is odd and doesn’t appear in the Bible. The idea seems to come from the apocryphal Gospel of James, which was an inauthentic Gospel (probably written by a Roman-born Christian) that was popular for a couple of centuries. It reads:

And Mary was in the temple of the Lord as if she were a dove that dwelt there, and she received food from the hand of an angel.

But anyway. 3:38 continues the Biblical story, with Zechariah praying and an angel telling Zechariah that he will be the father of John the Baptist even though he and his wife are old. Zechariah is rendered temporarily mute.

All of this is neutral and, besides the food part (and Zechariah being Mary’s “guardian”), pretty much just Mohammed recounting the beginning of the Gospel of Luke. We’re now gonna talk about Mary herself. Some angels tell Mary that she has been chosen by Allah:

Allah hath chosen thee and made thee pure, and hath preferred thee above (all) the women of creation.

This is also almost word-for-word from the Gospel ("thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”). 3:43 is a non-Biblical aside of the angels telling Mary to “prostrate thyself and bow with those who bow (in worship)”, in the Muslim fashion. About the only other interesting thing here is that Mary is talking to angels, plural. In the Biblical story, and in other parts of the Quran, it’s just one angel. Lo! Allah hath trouble counting at times, let us ignore it.

3:44 is a hilarious verse where Allah smugly tells everyone that he revealed this story exclusively to Mohammed, which is proof that he is a prophet because how else could he know all of this? Besides the fact that 90% of it is from the Bible and the rest he made up? But I want this to be a nice section so I will call it neutral.

Anyway, right, back to the story. The angels are talking to Mary. They tell her that she will give birth to the Messiah (not the son of God as in the Christian story), who will preach to the people. Mary is a virgin and does not understand how this is possible. But Allah can do anything.

Keeping the virgin birth story has always struck me as odd, given that Jesus is explicitly not Allah’s son in Islam. He’s not anyone’s son, really, besides Mary’s. He doesn’t have a father, divine or otherwise. Allah just made him and then sent an angel to breathe his ruh (spirit) into him, the way he made Adam... why he did this or what it accomplished is never really said. Lo! Allah was just bored that day.

Allah, the angels tell Mary, will mentally teach Jesus how to preach and he will be a prophet. He will perform miracles, like bringing clay birds to life.

This tale is not in the Bible but is in the non-Biblical Gospel of Thomas, which was part of some groups’ traditions at the time, like the Gospel of James:

Lo, thy child is at the brook, and he hath taken clay and fashioned twelve little birds, and hath polluted the Sabbath day. And Joseph came to the place and saw: and cried out to him, saying: Wherefore doest thou these things on the Sabbath, which it is not lawful to do? But Jesus clapped his hands together and cried out to the sparrows and said to them: Go! and the sparrows took their flight and went away chirping.

Then all of a sudden we have a timeskip and we’re talking about the adult Jesus, whose job was “confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you”. Jesus tells people to worship Allah and recruits his disciples since they believe in his teachings. Like all the other prophets, Muslim!Jesus’ message is one of full monotheism and not much else... none of his famous sayings from the Bible feature in the Quran. In fact, adult Muslim!Jesus barely says anything at all, as Mohammed seemed to prefer his childhood tales. But this, like everything else in this section, is a neutral retelling.

This has all been a very boring re-tread, I know. But here’s the new and exciting part! 3:54 takes us to just before Jesus’ last days. There are schemes afoot:

And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.

What scheme was Allah working on, you may ask? Allah tells Jesus that “I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me”. You see, as we shall learn later, Jesus was not killed in the crucifixion. No... he ascended into heaven beforehand. We will see in surah four that the crucifixion was an illusion with a fake Jesus. Truly you are a great schemer, Allah! (I’ll save this dumb story for the next surah.)

Then--wait a minute, I forgot about this one! I wanted an entire section free of badness! Damn it, Mohammed!

As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers.

I’m not even trying to label things bad, but Mohammed gives me no choice sometimes. Kuffar hell count: 1. Sigh. At least it is coupled with a semi-good ayah, where good Muslims go to jannah:

And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrong-doers.

I know, I know, I’m being overly generous here. But this was meant to be a happy neutral section! At least we have a neutral recap, with 3:58 calling all of the above a “revelation” and 3:59 saying that Allah created Jesus like Adam, from dust (in Mary’s womb).

Those who doubt the wisdom Mohammed pulled out of his ass are “those who waver”, as we have seen many times. And anyone who questions what Mohammed says about Jesus, well... I’ll let him explain:

And whoso disputeth with thee concerning him, after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, say (unto him): Come! We will summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humbly (to our Lord) and (solemnly) invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.

Sure thing, bud. The curse mentioned here is known as the mubahala in Islamic tradition. It supposedly involved Mohammed “inviting” some Christians from the Arab city of Najran to Islam, then getting pissy when they say “wait that’s not how the story went, you’ve got it wrong”, then he makes his family pray with him in order to curse them. This isn’t really found in any reputable ahadith and may be a fictitious account. But since it is, and historically has been, accepted as a real thing by both Sunni and Shia scholars, I’ll quote Ibn Ishaq’s description of the events. It begins:

A deputation from the Christians came to the apostle. There were sixty riders

Ibn Ishaq then attempts to explain why Christians think that Jesus is God, relating to his miracles, the virgin birth, YHWH’s use of plural pronouns, etc. He gets some details wrong about the faith, but only because he is trying to base it on Mohammed’s own mistaken assumptions. Mohammed refutes the Christians’ claims about Allah, though he stumbles on the question of why Allah calls himself “We” if the Trinity doctrine is false and admits he does not know. Then the story continues:

the apostle said to them, "Submit yourselves [and convert to Islam]." They said, "We have submitted". ... He said "You lie. Your assertion that God has a son, your worship of the cross, and your eating pork hold you back from submission.”

Following this is a description of the surah up to what we've already read. Ibn Ishaq then puts this into the story:

Later her guardian was Jurayj, the ascetic, a carpenter of [the Jews]. ... A grievous famine befell [Israel] and Zachariah was unable to support her so they cast lots to see who should be her guardian and the lot fell on Jurayj the ascetic and he became her guardian.

“Jurayj”? Who might this be? While he is not in the Quran, “Jurayj” is actually mentioned in a sahih hadith, where he is again described as a monk living in a monastery. In uh... like 10 AD Roman Judea? Anyway the full story involves a woman falsely accusing him of fathering her child, when in fact the baby was fathered by a shepherd. He is arrested and his monastery is destroyed. But the truth is revealed when Jurayj touches the baby boy and the baby tells everyone who his father was, then the monastery is re-built in apology.

Okay, so obviously the idea that some monk named George lived in pre-Christian Judea is nonsense, but where did Mohammed get this story from and how the hell did “Jurayj” get involved in the story of Mary? The topic hasn’t been explored much by any scholars, as far as I can tell. The name is obviously derived from “George” or “Gregory”, and I’ve come across places listing stories about various saints with similar miracles attributed to them. So Jurayj was based on some tales of a Christian monk. The obvious guess as to how he made his way into the story of Mary, as mentioned by Ibn Ishaq, is that he was conflated with Joseph (thus carpenter-monk).

Uh... right! That was a long digression. Ibn Ishaq then describes the rest of the surah up to the present point. He says that Allah commanded Mohammed to curse the Christians and Mohammed dared the Christians to do the same to him, but they knew “right well that Mohammed is a prophet” and so declined, fearing Allah’s wrath if they dared curse him. Then they went home.

But whatever. It’s pretty bad to curse people for having religious disagreements either way.

Finally, to wrap this section up, 3:62 has Mohammed again saying that this is what really happened, unlike the Christian story, and 3:63 tells us that anyone who says otherwise is one of the “corrupters”. Way to end it on a bad note.

That’s it for the Mary and Jesus business for this surah. What a mess.

NEXT TIME: We return to the regularly scheduled chastising of disbelievers.

The Quran Read-Along: Day 17

Ayat: 30

Good: 1 (3:57)

Neutral: 24 (3:35-56, 3:58-60, 3:62)

Bad: 4 (3:56, 3:60-61, 3:63)

Kuffar hell counter: 1 (3:56)

⇚ previous day | next day ⇛

#quranreadalong #surah 3 #al imran

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bldgrelationshipwgod · 4 years

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A person who has been participating in this area, it’s the hardest thing for them to shake off the effects. Simon got out for a little while, started preaching after being baptised, but satan still regarded Simon as his personal property.

And this I will tell you again, if you have fooled with these things: satan tonight regards you as his legitimate property; & he bitterly resents any attempt to get you out from under his clutches. I’ve proven this time & time again.

It’s extraordinarily hard for this person to genuinely repent. And without repentance, there is no permanent deliverance…

2 Timothy 3:1-5 lovers of self & lovers of money & lovers of pleasure Servants of satan withstand the truth [v.8], but they will be defeated [v.9]

But evil men & seducers [v.13] shall wax worse & worse, deceiving & being deceived. Now the word seducers is the Greek word for magicians.

So we are explicitly warned that side by side with the breakdown of human standards with conduct & morality, at the close of this age, there will be a grave increase in the satanic supernatural manifestations.

Revelations 9:20-21 | Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons & idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, & wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, & theft.

Word sorcery is directly from the Greek word for drugs! From which we get the English word pharmacy, & the man accused of the Sharon Tate murder in California in court actually quoted this verse & said this is it.

This is the situation, murder/drugs/fornication & theft. And it’s the work of the satanic supernatural. It’s a pretty deadly thing.

So now what are we going to do about it?

1st: If you have been involved in any of these things, at any time in your life, you better make sure you’re absolutely clear that nothing is hanging on & nothing is following up, & there’s no dark shadow over you that’s going to spoil your life/future/home/family. You might shrug it off & say, “It was a joke.”

It may have been in your eyes, but it wasn’t in God’s eyes & it wasn’t in the devil’s. When you go to a fortune teller or play with the Ouija board, any of these things. What you’re doing in effect is going to a servant of satan for help.

And in that way you’re putting yourself in a legal obligation to satan. satan will not cancel that obligation until you make him do so.

To make him do so, the best procedure is to renounce that thing out loud in the presence of witnesses. Profess it as a sin, & loose yourself in the Name of Jesus.

It’s almost unbelievable how these things affect people’s lives. For instance, someone will say to me: “Every time I’m feeling really close to God & I’m really beginning to sense the Spirit of God, there’s something that comes down & shuts me off & I just never can get through to God.”

1st Q I always ask them: have you ever been to a fortune teller? 8/10 times the answer is yes.

“Oh but I only did it when I was a little girl.” “Oh it was years ago,…or I didn’t mean anything by it, it was just a joke.”

But you went & you put yourself under an obligation to satan you never cancelled.

I can tell you case after case, where this kind of darkness & heaviness over a life has been lifted by the canceling of that obligation.

Whatever it be, you have an obligation to yourself to cancel it.

Let me illustrate this: What you see & what you do is important, even if you don’t mean it. Under the pressure of the trial of Jesus, Peter 3x publicly denied that he knew Jesus. When the angel of the resurrection gave the message, the message was from Jesus: “Go & tell my disciples & Peter.” [Mark 16:7]

He was no longer a disciple; he had cancelled his discipleship; he didn’t mean it. But he had done it by what he said; & Jesus in His infinite grace & wisdom took Peter aside, then 3x made him profess out loud his love for the Lord. He had to revoke what he had said before, by the right confession.

THIS is exactly true. Getting rid of these things is almost like a divorce. It’s got to be done in a certain sense legally. You’ve got to break the connection.

I’ll just give you an example:

Lord, I confess as a sin that I went to the at fortune teller, I played with that oujia board, or I had my palm read, I studied the horoscope, & a whole dozen of things, I confess it as a sin. Lord I acknowledge that I went to a servant of satan for help. Forgive me Lord, I renounce it, I will never do it again. And I loose myself in Jesus Name every dark influence that came upon me through it.

That will do it, but if you don’t take it seriously, you’ll go on suffering. The curse is revoked in Christ, but you’ve got to enter into that revocation of it.

2nd if you have any literature or other objects, that speak of any satanic cults or worship burn them. Preferably tonight, don’t give them away. Burn them.

This is Scriptural, Exodus 19, the believers brought the books they had & burned them, $20K worth of books.

If you have idols, Buddhas, anything that was made to worship or an honour to some satanic being break it, burn it, throw it out. Get

Things will change because satan was brought out into the open.

>> This is your responsibility to pray for your nation. Pray everyday for your government, & for those in authority. Most Christians haven’t even begun to do it; the Bible places on Christians the obligation to intercede for the gov’t; & you are given power: “Whatsoever you will bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. Whatsoever you loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.”

You do not need to tolerate the satanic conditions & satanic invasion, to which your country is subjected. You have the means, at your disposal to change the situation. It is a spiritual condition & it is resolved by spiritual means.

And the spiritual means are at the hands of the Christians. Not the unbeliever. If we do not use it, my conviction is your country will perish. I do not say that idly.

I’m firmly convinced that this decade will solve the destiny of America, one way of the other. And even papers like TIME & LIFE that certainly are not slanted in the spiritual direction, have come up with virtually the same conclusion.

How many of you tonight would say, “Brother Prince, I’ll accept my responsibility from tonight onwards as I’m taught in the Bible & as the Holy Spirit guides me to pray for my gov’t & my nation.” God bless you.

You do not need to let the devil parade up & down your streets. It is not necessary, he is a defeated foe!

>> But Jesus has left it to us to administer the DEFEAT!

When Jesus left to be seated on the THRONE, He said all power has been given unto Me in heaven & on earth, go ye therefore & go do something about it!

And He’s been waiting 19 centuries for people to realize what He meant.

Here’s the final question:

Those of you, who know you’ve given the devil some area of your life, some time in your life: You’ve crossed the border into the wrong spiritual realm, you’ve fooled around with cults & things, I’ve specified them long enough!

And tonight you want to know as you go out of here that you’re totally clear & free of all that. _____________________________________________________

You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens above, on the earth beneath, or in the waters below.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the 3rd & 4th generations of those who hate Me, [Exodus 20:3-26]

Matthew Henry Commentary | Exodus 20:3-11

The 1st four of the 10 commandments, commonly called the FIRST table, tell our duty to God.

It was fit that those should be put first, because man had a Maker to love, before he had a neighbour to love.

It cannot be expected that you should be true to your brother, who is false to his God.

1st commandment concerns the object of worship, JEHOVAH, & Him only.

The worship of creatures is here forbidden. Whatever comes short of perfect love, gratitude, reverence, or worship, breaks this commandment.

Whatsoever you do, do all the glory of God.

2nd law refers to the worship we are to render to the Lord our God.

It is forbidden to make any image or picture of the Deity, in any form, or for any purpose; or to worship any creature, image, or picture.

But the spiritual import of this command extends much further. All kinds of superstition are here forbidden, & the using of mere human inventions in the worship of God.

3rd law concerns the manner of worship, that it be with all possible reverence & seriousness. All false oaths are forbidden

All light appealing to God, all profane cursing, is a horrid breach of this command.

It matters not whether the word of God, or sacred things, all such-like things break this commandment, & there is no profit, honour, or pleasure in them.

The Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.

4th commandment, Remember, shows that it was not now first given, but was known by the people before.

One day in seven is to be kept holy. Six days are allotted to worldly business, but not so as to neglect the service of God, & the care of our souls.

On those days we must do all our work, & leave none to be done on the sabbath day. Christ allowed works of necessity, charity, & piety; for the sabbath was made for man, & not man for the sabbath,

Mark 2:27; but all works of luxury, vanity, or self-indulgence in any form, are forbidden.

Trading, paying wages, settling accounts, writing letters of business, worldly studies, trifling visits, journeys, or light conversation, are not keeping this day holy to the Lord.

Sloth & indolence may be a carnal, but not a holy rest. The sabbath of the Lord should be a day of rest from worldly labour, & a rest in the service of God.

The advantages from the due keeping of this holy day, were it only to the health & happiness of mankind, with the time it affords for taking care of the soul, show the excellency of this commandment.

The day is blessed; men are blessed by it, & in it. The blessing & direction to keep holy are not limited to the seventh day, but are spoken of the sabbath day.

Colossians 3:2 | Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [This pairs nicely with keeping the Sabbath Holy]

(Source: youtube.com, via john8-32)

#curses #https://tmblr.co/Z4OMrV2lrj47h

#curses #https://tmblr.co/z4omrv2lrj47h

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everydaynuggets-blog · 5 years

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Short-Sighted Sons

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country . . . Luke 15:11-13 There are sons who are obviously short sighted in their understanding of who a father is. In this chapter, I want to share what I believe are the characteristics of short sighted sons.

1. A short sighted son is someone who sees his relationship with his father as a time-related contract rather than a lifelong experience. A short sighted son sees his relationship with his father as some short term encounter that he must go through. He relates with his father as though he were some lecturer who must be endured during a three-year course in the university. This sharply contrasts with permanent and continuous relationships that sons are supposed to have with their fathers.

A Father is a Tree

A long time ago, there was a huge mango tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it every day. He loved to climb the tree to the top, eat the mangoes, take a nap under the shadow... He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.

Time went by and the little boy grew up. He no longer played around the tree everyday. One day the boy came back to the tree looking sad. “Come play with me,” the tree asked the boy. “I am no longer a kid, I don’t play around trees anymore,” the boy replied.”I want toys. I need money to buy them.” “Sorry, but I don’t have money... but you can pick my mangoes and sell them. Then you will have money.” The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the mangoes on the tree and left happily. The boy did not come back after he picked the mangoes. The tree was lonely and sad.

One day the boy returned and the tree was so excited. “Come and play with me” the tree said. “I don’t have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?” “Sorry but I don’t have a house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house.” So the boy cut all the branches off the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy did not come back to visit the tree.

The tree was lonely and sad. One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was so delighted. “Come and play with me!” the tree said. But the boy said, “I am so sad and I am getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?”

The kind old tree said, “You can use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy.” So the boy cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and did not show up again for a long time. After many years the boy returned again to the same tree. “Sorry, my boy, but I don’t have anything for you anymore. No more mangoes for you...” the tree said.

“I don’t have teeth to bite anyway,” the boy replied. The tree said, “I have no more trunk for you to climb on and play.” “I am too old for that now,” the boy said. Then the tree said, “I really can’t give you anything...the only thing left are my dying roots” the tree said with tears. The boy replied, “I don’t need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years.”

The tree answered, “Old tree roots are the best place to lean and rest on. Come, come sit down with me and rest.” The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears. The tree is the father. When we were young, we loved to play with him. When we grew up, we left him only to come to him when we needed something or we were in trouble. Throughout life and through all the changing scenes of life fathers play a role to presumptuous children who think the fathers have nothing else to offer.

Presumptuous and short-sighted sons say, “My father’s time is past. He is irrelevant to the times.” But time, the weather, the elements and the realities of life will reveal to all of such people that a father is forever a father!

2. A short-sighted son sees his father as someone who is outmoded. Many fathers are seen as food that has an expiry date or some item that has become outmoded or irrelevant. But a father never becomes irrelevant. Actually, fathers become more relevant as time goes by. If your mind is open and you have a humble spirit you will recognize that a father is not outmoded or irrelevant.

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Many of the blessings spoken in the Bible were given by fathers in the very last hours of their lives. Those words spoken by old departing fathers have affected generations of people. Isaac prophesied over his children in his last days. Obviously, he had not become irrelevant to the lives of his children. If he had been irrelevant what he said would not have come to pass.

3. A short-sighted son sees his relationship with his father in terms of certain “portions” he will get from his father. Indeed, a short-sighted son has a limited understanding of the things he will get from his father. The prodigal son walked away from his father after asking for his “portion”. Some children see the relationship with their fathers in terms of money or items that they can receive. Because of this, they do not benefit from the true blessing of the father. For instance, some children look at their parents as someone to pay their school fees. Beyond school fees they do not expect or want anything else from their fathers. There are other children, like the boy in this story, who see their parents as people who will give them an inheritance. They are interested in the inheritance, seeing it as the only and worthwhile thing they can receive from their father. Some children even want their parents to die so they can acquire what their parents have.

Because of this short-sighted approach they lose out on the many intangible, but even more powerful aspects that a father brings to a son’s life.

4. A short-sighted son does not see the invisible, non-tangible contributions that a father makes by his presence and influence. There are many invisible and non-tangible things that a father brings into a child’s life. How myopic can you be to think that your father’s usefulness is limited to paying your school fees? How truly myopic the prodigal son was when he thought his father’s usefulness was limited to a portion of inheritance! What did he do with the portion of inheritance? Did he prosper with the portion of inheritance? Was he successful with a portion of inheritance? Did his life change even though he had that portion of inheritance?

Certainly not! He became poorer and lost everything even though he had gone away with a complete portion of inheritance. Obviously there were certain unseen and perhaps intangible things that his father possessed that he had not yet received. Indeed he had a portion of inheritance but he had not received the wisdom and maturity that his father had to give. Without the wisdom, prudence and understanding of a father, money often amounts to nothing. A father does not only pay school fees. A father provides stability, wisdom, direction, influence, guidance, security, safety and a host of other intangible blessings.

5. A short-sighted son is someone who quickly thinks he has received all he could ever receive from his father. A short-sighted son therefore disconnects from the umbilical cord long before he should have. He is quick to conclude that he has received everything the father has to offer.

There are many people who feel that they have received all the teachings that their father has. I have met many people who say within themselves, “I know what he teaches. I know what he has to say. I know what he does.” You may ask, “How do I know?” It is the easiest thing in the world to perceive when you are with people who think they know you and they know all about you. Remember this is what the devil said to Jesus, “I know thee, who thou art.” It is this line of thinking that evil spirits latch onto and inspire sons to abandon their fathers or leave the house unceremoniously. I often notice pastors who think they know all about me. I smile to myself as they walk away with a portion they think they have received only to waste it and amount to nothing.

Sometimes a father gives a portion away but keeps some things which he intends to give at the very end. Isaac gave things to his sons at the very end of his life which he did not bother to give earlier. How immature and narrow-minded you show yourself to be when you think you have walked away with every bit of knowledge and wisdom your father has. The Karate Master There was once a master who was the karate champion of all the provinces. He was well versed in a hundred punches, kicking, knee and elbow strikes. He was also an expert in one hundred open hand techniques such as knife hands. He also knew a hundred grappling locks, restraints and throws. Above all, he had ten vital point strikes which were his winning moves. This made up a total of three hundred and ten important karate moves.

He took a special liking to one of his pupils to whom he taught a total of three hundred and nine tricks. Somehow, he never got around to teaching him the last vital move.

As the months went by the pupil became so good at karate that he boasted that he could beat everyone including his master. Indeed, he said it was only out of respect for his age and gratitude for what he had been taught that he would not humiliate his master. In the process of time the master heard about his pupil’s bragging and decided to teach his disciple a lesson. He offered himself for a match with his pupil and crowds gathered to watch the only young man who could defeat the master.

When the gong sounded the disciple rushed at his master only to be confronted with the unfamiliar three hundred and tenth karate strike. The master lifted his former pupil above his head and flung him headlong to the ground amidst loud cheers from the audience.

Later, when he was asked how he was able to defeat such a strong young man the master confessed that he had reserved the three hundred and tenth secret technique for himself in case of such an event. Indeed, there are many sons and disciples who think they have learnt everything that there is to learn, only to discover to their dismay that there were many more things that they could have learnt.

by Dag Heward-Mills

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mariespeaksg-dsgrace · 5 years

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Bible Study Book of Matthew 6:24-30

Praise God on high!!!!!!

God, Thank you for another day of life. Thank you for waking us up for our sleeping life, with messages from our messages Angels. Thank you God, for you word of life, grace, and abundance.

Thank you God for the many blessings in our life that you have prepared us for. Thank you God, for trusting us with or mission for your Kingdom in this life. Thank you God, for those leaders who are truly of you, despite all the worldly temptation. Thank you God, for the Prophets that are truly of you and who speak your word clearly and plainly for us to understand.

Thank you God, that if there is ever a question we need answers to you are always more than willing to answer us with we come to you. Thank you God, for always being a loving and loyal Father.

In Yeshua’s great name sealed with the blood of Christ.

Amen.

Matthew 6:24

“None can serve two masters”

Definition of serve from the Bible:

Old Testament:

In the Old Testament the word most used for "service"

-abhodhah, from `abhadh, which is the general word, meaning "to work" and so "to serve," "to till," also "to enslave."

-The noun means "bondage," "labor," "ministering," "service," "tillage," "work," “use."

(Retrieved from :https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/service/, date 20190328)

Today’s definition of serve:

verb (used without object), served, serv·ing.

-to act as a servant.

verb (used with object), served, serv·ing.

-to be in the service of; work for.

-to be useful or of service to; help.

-to go through (a term of service, imprisonment, etc.).

Definition of serve from the mammon:

- Bible Riches, avarice, and worldly gain personified as a false god in the New Testament.

- Material wealth regarded as having an evil influence.

n. The desire for wealth personified as an evil spirit.

n. Wealth, material avarice, profit.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English

n. Riches; wealth; the god of riches; riches, personified.

from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

n. A Syriac word used once in the New Testament as a personification of riches and worldliness, or the god of this world; hence, the spirit or deity of avarice; cupidity personified.

n. [lowercase] Material wealth; worldly possessions.

What I love about definitions are: one can also gain a different perspectives on situation to which the definition might apply in their own life, but also definitions may also help point us in a different direction/ or provide examples.

For one what I am notices in both these definition the words: enslaved, bondage, provide service to/ of help; my eyes…my eyes… my eyes…opened.

I have been, as I am sure many of other have been to services where this verse is explained as one being weighted down and in service to money. But, what I am being lead to are the spiritual

chains that exist in the serving of or to whom.

What do I mean by this?

Well, when one is serving someone that is not only the physical obligation, but a mental obligation. One can feel imprisoned or unable to leave a situation: due to guilt, feelings of weakness, or unsureness of the future that might exist when freed. Also, many times a person become accustomed to the bondages that they are under.

Often persons who are shamed into submission, come to find some sort of acceptance in the “realty” that they are currently facing. We can see this in battered spouses or in abusive relationships, oppressive societies, oppressive cultures, or even when battling evil spirits.

In psychology it is called Stockholm syndrome, psychological response wherein a captive begins to identify closely with his or her captors, as well as with their agenda and demands.(retrieved from:https://www.britannica.com/science/Stockholm-syndrome, date20190328)

We can see in certain countries where the citizens are dehumanized and abused to the point they are greatly oppressed, soon give into the oppression, and go on to oppress others. Why? Wel, sadly that is all the person has known and therefore becomes their comfort/ a part of who they are as a person.

What does mean for the Christian world?

Well, evil can not simply come into ones life; it needs to be accepted. There, has to be a legal right for the enemy to attack a child of God. There had to have been a covenant entered into by the host. The host through an act that was outside of God’s commandments, gave an opportunity for the evil to claim a legal spiritual right to oppress the person. These are also known as curses or attacks by evil spirits.

The spiritual world is as real as the physical. But, the fact that many dismiss the spiritual world, is exactly how many stay ignorant to the evil ones and the many ways in which the evil ones may attempt to attack or get others who have given themselves over to the darkness.

For example: lets say their is a person who has a certain job.. This certain job is at a certain company. That certain job, at the certain company; knowingly supports the kingdom of darkness through products, financial support, advertisements, or even financial contributions to evil 3rd parties; to name a few.

The employees at this company may feel a pulling on their sprit that something is just not right, but instead of investigating or seeking counsel from God; the employee stays working at that company.

Why does the employee stay if they feel something might not be right?

Maybe, because its good pay, because the employee likes their co-workers, or maybe the employee has found some how justifies the evil acts of the company.

For example a company may allow poisonous chemical into its food products to be sold to the masses which gives caner , tumor, or even death, but the company also provides medical care…so its ok The company still does some good. WRONG>>>>>>>.

This is a prime example outside of being enslaved by a pay check and how someone could be knowingly entering into an evil covenant with the kingdom of darkness.

That employee could have found another job… a job with a company that was not poisoning its customers. Not causing death and sickness to millions of God’s children. Maybe if that employee had chosen to leave the job it would have been for less pay or at a less top of the line company. Maybe that other righteous company would have been for less pay, but does God supply all our needs? YES.

But, if instead a of the employee trusting God to help them find a way out of the situation they had gotten themselves into, instead of that person being a whistle blower, instead that person dying unto themselves for the good of God’s kingdom; that person choose to stay. Thus, allowing the enemy legal right to attack them. Thus, turning their back on God. Thus, not being loyal to the relationship they have with God.

This is serving 2 masters.

That person loved the fame so they ignored the abuse behind the scene.

That person loved the paycheck so they looked the other way with immoralities in the work place took place.

That person loved the spouse, so they ignored the maltreatment or abuse; of the children.

Those above are examples of serving mammon. Those are examples of how many enter into covenants with the kingdom of darkness. Those are all things that we as children of the most High God need to fight against and seek God’s guidance.

Matthew 6:25

“Life is more than food and body more than clothing”

We are not being told here to not plan or prepare for the future. We are not being to not stock up for winter or to not prepare incase of natural disasters. What we are being told, is just as what we have been told in previous verses. We, should not give into the anxiety and focus concerns over earthly things or things that we can not our control.

When we focus our concerns and worries over the faith that God is in control, this a demonstration of a lack of faith in God’s ability to provide for us. Many, fixate their mind on the what if’s of the world. Yeshua, is not telling us to be reckless in our actions or be lacking in intentions; no this is quite the opposite.

Yeshua, is telling us if we have sought God’s confirmation (on maybe a job opportunity) and God has confirmed to us (the job opportunity is the job we had) prayed for and t(he job that we should accept and enter into) then God is fully behind us.

While at this new job we should put all our best efforts forward. We shouldn’t take a negative advantage of the blessing that God has given us. Nor, should we forget how God’s blessing came to pass for us. We should always remember that God has provided for us before and God will provide for us again.

Our God is a faithful and loyal God. God will never forsake us. But we should also remember, just as God is responsible for and to us; we are to be responsible too and for him, and the blessings he has given us. We should never be unappreciative to our God.

Where anxiety, worry, and concern exist there is not room for faith and hope.

Where there is no faith and hope there is darkness.

Where there is darkness there is no light.

Where there is no light there the evil ones have domain.

What does this mean?

In moments of anxiety, the evil uses those opportunities to attack God’s people.

How so?

Well, the evil ones will take the evidence of the anxiety, worry , and concern to God as evidence that we have lost faith in our God. During, that presentation the evil ones may explain to God how through our lack of faith we have turn our face from God, which God has command us to not do. During this demonstration, the evil ones will state their right and claim of how now they have grounds to attack the child of God. Remember when I taught in previous lessons, the frequencies, that exist from our emotions can either aid the kingdom of God of darkness? Well, those frequencies of worry and anxiety sent out a wave of frequency to not just God letting him know something was not right with or for us, but to the evil ones letting the evil ones know it was time to attack.

Now, also remember we are human. Being Christian’s doesn’t mean we are voided from human emotions, but being Christian’s does mean we should not dwell on those negative emotions. We should not dwell on the emotion hurt of a break up, the loss of a loved one, the concern of finances, the worry over a child walking towards the wrong path; no. When events in/out of life begin to take a turn for the not so good or something we just know is an attack form the enemy; this is when children of the most High God need to go to work.

How do we go to work in the spiritual realm?

Remember……………

When something is coming against you, your friends, or your family; this is when we:

Repent: With a remorseful and genuine and humble heart; on behalf of self, others, land, business etc..

Fast: (consult doctor or medical advice first) To remove the earthly desire and reframe from….food, drink, certain activities, certain mindset, certain ways of life….that are not in agreement with righteous living or hold us back from furthering our spiritual relationship with God.

Pray: Prayer is an honest conversation with God. Not to be done in repetition or out of annoyance. Prayer with God; should be free, humble, and authentic.

Raise: Walk in faith knowing that God has received your prayer, accepted your repentance, and please with you denying your flesh through fasting.

Spiritual Warfare is a powerful tool. Spiritual Warfare is for combating the kingdom of darkness. Powerful tools sometimes and often take development. Developing skills take commitment, focus, and related practice and active engagement of “game time”.

Matthew 6:26

“The birds of the air are provided for…..so shall God’s children be provide even more ”

Yeshua, is confirming to God’s children how greatly valued we are to him. Yeshua, is stating the fact that God created everything with love and care, but God’s children were the one that God said,”that was very good.” Good …meaning pure, right with him, a part of him, valued by him, and greatly loved by him. So, if God stating his love for his children from the very beginning, why do many believe that love has somehow changed? Why do God’s children question whether God will provide for them during a drought, during a walk in the desert, during trying times?

I believe that fact we are even able to experience difficult times is a testament to how great our God’s love is for us.

Why?

How?

Well, looking back I’m sure many of us, can remember trying times that our parents or loved ones went through. I am sure, many of our loved ones are still here. This may bring to mind some loved ones that are not here on this earth with us. Well, yes this may be the case so many, but have peace do we not remember the treasures of heaven teaching? Have peace. God loves all his children. If we woke up today despite the trespasses we have committed towards our God or others, this means God still has faith in us.

God still believes in us and that we will make a grand and determined, effort to get right with him. There's no time like the present to start.

Does God not restore our relationship with him once we have repented? Yes.

Restore means wipes our slate clean. IT’s as if the trespasses never happened. Now after our slate has been wipe clean, it is our duty to stay loyal after the restoration and progress as children of God, never to

fall back. Yes, stumbles happen. We are human, but fall back would be a return to the previous life. Which, might take us out of favor with our God and this is not what we want, is it? I am going to guess, No.

So let’s proclaim that what was not right with us before will never be with us again. In Jesus name. Sealed with the blood of Christ. AMEN!

And, let us confirm to ourselves that God loves us very much. God has put us here in these times for God’s kingdom. Let us raise us as children of God and take our place in God’s army. God ,as he has

provided for all his others creations has provided and given us exactly what we need already when in us to complete the mission he has set out for us in this life.

IT is our duty, as loyal children of God to not walk in worry and anxiety, but FAITH.

Matthew 6:27

“add by the cubit to the stature of God?”

Definition of stature as define in the Bible:

-stat’-ur (madh, middah, "measure" (Numbers 13:32, etc.),

-qomah, "standing up" (1 Samuel 16:7, etc.); helikia, "greatness"):

This last word means "height of the body," "stature," in Luke 2:52; 19:3; Ephesians 4:13, but it can mean "length of life”

(Retrieved from:https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/stature/, date 20190328)

Worrying or having anxiety over a situation, does nothing for the plea of our cause here on earth or in heaven. Does this mean God doesn’t not hear the cries of he’s children; No.

For God, even heard the cries of Hagar and Ishmael that were sent away; cries in the desert. God can not only hear our cries, but also feels that pain and agony that we his children feel.

As we learned in the previous teachings, God knows our prayers before we even speak them. God knows all. This why, there is no value in allowing ourselves to live in torment and pain of a situation. God, is a just and fair God. What does this mean? This means , God puts a high value and a high priority on all of the pain of his children. No ones pain is greater or lesser to Him. No ones cries are more louder to him than the other. God’s children are all loved. ALL, even the savages….lol. But, what makes the difference in how the outcome of ones cries are attended to by our God; is our relationship to and with him. Yes. This is why pharisees in the churches of today; will be last. This is why the poor in spirit; will inherit the earth. This is why, those whom lead an easily, deceitful life, and don’t have knowledge God; have cursed themselves..(very sad, I know).…

The powerful, believe in many cases their success is due to their own works and minds, the “virtue” of their alliances, and the wallet; to which they believe that they made by their own

hand. Where as, God ’s children who have stayed faithful in the struggle; know when that break through the storm clouds takes place, that it was God who carried them threw the harsh weather.

During one of the first sermon on the mount post, I asked the question,”What about those who seem to lead seemingly easier life than others?” “Do they not receive treasures of God?” I know, my child like question, but I had to ask.

While in prayer and meditation, I was lead to a page in my readings. In ones of the chapter God word describes how those who suffer more know they need God, while others who have things come to them easy, believe they’re/ were simply, deserving of such blessings, and have no need for God. My question was answered. God values all of his children, yes; but his children that remain faithful are rewarded, while the others who disregard God and the commandments of God….well………..there are many in the Bible who after being blessed by God turned from him and worship other gods etc…..they all fell and so did their kingdoms, churches, and lives.

Matthew 6:28

“even the fields and flowers are cared for….why worry”

So, if we believe God is truly in control of everything, why do we worry or freight?

I remember my case. After I found out their were planning on attacking me. I cried. I called my mom. I told her everything that was going on. I sat in my car and I cried. My mother said something that helped carry me through. My mother said, “Have faith. God is on the move. Wipe your tears. Don’t ever let them see you cry. Calm down and walk into that office like you’ve already won, because through God you have.” My mother is a strong woman of faith, isn’t she. YES.

Thats, not to say I wasn’t scared. That’s not to say I didn’t dread going to that building day in and out, having to endure their many attacks. That’s, not to say I didn’t understand that or how, so many could assist them in their assault on me. Thats, not to say I didn’t understand those who didn’t speak up; for although I had spoken up for them and that is way I was now under assault………… but I knew deep inside my heart, God was there and he would make sure for me and others: treasures would come from this mess.

Just as God made a great kingdom from Ishmael. I knew God would use my troubles to help so many. I remember asking God, “why this must be? Why am I the one being attacked?” God spoke to me,”Because, you're the only one from there that could handle it.” I, then spoke the only words I could muster,” Do unto me that is you will.” I can’t even explain how many ways God has taken care of me from those times in the desert until now. But, I know that, I know that, I know; God has only begun to set me a table.

It’s amazing God’s Love. God’s Love is truly Amazing. I am AMAZED at God’s love.

I hope, me telling part of my story, brings comfort to anyone who is struggling. I pray, those who are under any type of pain, are able themselves to go to God and ask for themselves, whatever questions they

need answers to. I pray, others who know someone who is under attack from the evil ones or workers of the evil ones, have the courage to pray or repent on their behalf. Remember faith of a mustard seed and prayers can move mountains, stop the sun, bring rain, or even stomp out the giant.

I understand times may get difficult, but have faith.

God, telling me I am the only that could handle the attack, tells me God gives is greatest task for his kingdom to the ones he can trust. Many are called few are chosen. Maybe, because very few are able to handle the call. We, are all made for different task for God’s kingdom here on earth. This is another reason why we as Christian need to stay in faith and support one another not tear each other to shreds, or rebuke one another, or exclude someone who’s not one we think God would have chosen.

Who are we to tell God who he should chose? Exactly…….So let us work in faith and love and support of one another. We are all God’s children. We are all called. So let's answer that call and walk in faith. AMEN.

Matthew 6:29

“Even King Solomon was not as decorated as the fields”

Definition of arrayed:

- To set out for display or use; place in an orderly arrangement: arrayed the whole regiment on the parade ground.

- To dress in finery; adorn.

- An orderly, often imposing arrangement: an array of royal jewels.

- Splendid attire; finery.

- To clothe and ornament; to adorn or attire

- Clothing and ornamentation.

(retrieved from: https://www.wordnik.com/words/array, date 20190325)

God loved Solomon from his birth.

2 Samuel 12:24

(retrieved from:https://www.biblehub.com/2_samuel/12-24.htm, date 20190329)

After King Solomon’s kingdom was solid, God came to him and said he would for fill any wish that he had. Solomon ask for wisdom. God was pleased by his request and the request was granted.

Who is Solomon and his accomplishments?

Kind Solomon, King David’s son; was known to be the wisest of all man whoever lived.

King Solomon built many temples, had a vast army, and many wives. King Solomon was sought after by even the Queen of Sheba, for his wisdom. “People from surrounding nations also came to hear Solomon’s wisdom. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He wrote the Song of Songs, the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.” King Solomon built the Holy Temple.

(retrieved from:https://www.thoughtco.com/king-solomon-wisest-man-who-ever-lived-701168, date 20190329)

What was his down fall?

King Solomon’s down fall came about when he allowed temples of his many wives others God’s they worship to be erected. King Solomon began to worship others God of his wives. Because of this treason against God many say his kingdom fell.

(retrieved from:https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/king-solomon, date 20190328)

Who is David?

King David, is in the ancestor line of Yeshua, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. (Many may remember we went over The lineage of Yeshua in one of the first Bible Studies.)

King David, loved God very much, but he was undisciplined with his lust. King David lust brought about the murder of Bathsheba’s husband. The murder of Bathsheba husband was a great violation of God’s commandments. King David was a wonderful, yet flawed man, but he loved God and God loved him.

What can we possibly conclude from these brief overviews of King David and King Solomon and how does this possible translate in reference to the Matthew6:29 verse?

God loves us from birth. God has a purpose for each of our lives. God requires us to be discipline in our relationship with him. God will anoint our life, more than God anoints the fields with flowers.

We will be cared for and provided for more than the fields of many colors. God, will renew us after every season of our life. Whether the season be a beautiful spring, or a harsh winter; God will provide. So we should not worry. Because even though King David and King Solomon were not perfect they tried their best to love God right.

So what got in the way of their love of God?

Being undisciplined, being lead astray be others(even loved ones), not dying unto themselves(unable to resist temptations), and turning from God(breaking God’s commandments), aiding the kingdom of darkness(pharisees of today’s “churches”, false prophets, taking advantage of and/or deceiving the flock for ones own personal gain(501c3 “church”leaders”).

See even though God loved and provided for King David and Solomon, God still had to hold them accountable for their actins. God, is a fair, just, and righteous; God. God loves all his children. But, we need to remember our responsibility in our relationship to God. Remember: “Our Father.” “Honor thy Mother and thy Father.”

We are not to serve others gods or idles.

This means idles such as anything we place a higher value for ourselves that violates our relationship with God.

A job(sinful occupation, occupation that harms God’s children, occupations that requires one to go against the commandants of God) spouse(having a spouse that is not in line with your destiny and pulls us away from a righteous relationship with God) material wealth(places objects and money, before relationship with God…this includes I don't have time to read the Bible or go to church because I work too much) a hobby(fishing, trophy cars, collections, cards, …..)and with todays society I have to mention CELEBRITIES….one should never worship or celebrate a celebrities or church leader more then they do our GOD. That practice is worship a false idle and false god all in one.

Matthew 6:30

“o you of little faith?”

Yeshua is once again, letting us know there is not point in focusing on the worry or concerns of this world. God is are provider. God is our way maker. God will make all things right.

Now I had to ask, why is there a question mark after “o you of little faith?” Was Yeshua asking a question? Was Yeshua pointing a common flaw or accusation towards the apostles? Or was the question mark a rhetorical question?

Is our Yeshua, pointing out some may have little faith or is Yeshua showing them, they have more faith than they may think?

Kind of like when I know that I know something, but I don't state my knowledge of/on a subject for fear of being incorrect. OR, fear that I might being speaking to someone more knowledgeable on a topic and I don't want to be “schooled” or embarrassed.

Personally, I think the question mark might be a mixture of both. Maybe, Yeshua was showing us to provoke a confirmation in ones self; they do have faith in God and believe that God will provide for them. Therefore, they have no need to worry as they do or had worried before. Maybe, Yeshua was showing everyone that God has in fact always provided for them; so in the future when time to comes and Yeshua would be handed over and hung on the cross: even though Yeshua was gone from the earth ,he would be in spirit forever with us just as God . Yeah, I think that might be it. BUt, please go to God and confirm or ask. Blessings.

Let us pray.

God, Thank you for blessing us with the gift of preparations. Thank you God for confirming to us that you are forever with us and for us. Thank you God so showing us repeatedly that you have never and will never abandon us. Thank Lord, and savior for giving us forever reminders of grace, humble heart, and mercy. Thank you Hold Spirit for living within us and speaking to our conscious heart and subconscious mind. Thank you God for giving us your peace. God, help those who are worried and fighting the spirit of anxiety. We ask that their worries be calmed and their heart be given peace. Thank you for always being faithful and loyal to us. We aim always to be faithful and loyal to us.I pray church leaders repent and renew their covenant your you Lord. I pray we as Christian start new home Churches and replace the corrupt corporation churches that exist today..

We pray for continued the safety and guidance of all the Prophets. I pray, the Prophets who are truly of you; stay righteous. I pray, for the false Prophets and false leaders to be exposed and removed for the roles they are in, so that they can’t contaminated and mislead your flock Lord. We pray, for the protection of our Leaders who are truly of you and doing your work here on earth.

God, as always we pray for POTUS, Q, Q+++, and Patriots world wide that are fighting to rid this world of those who seek to destroy your agenda. I pray God keeps everyone safe and blessed. We pray for the Prophets of today. Let them not stray from your word. Let them speak from you and leave ego at the alter.

In Yeshua Jesus Christ loving name.

Amen

Prayer from March 30, 2019

God , today I pray we use the gifts and blessing that you have given to us to further your kingdom. God, I pray we be more mindful of what we entertain and seek out as entertainment. God I pray we be mindful of what we choose to taken to and on to ourselves. God I pray Christian no longer be attacked and killed for having a relationship with you Lord. I pray, Church leaders no longer aid the kingdom of darkness with funds from the church goers. I pray church leaders repent and renew their covenant your you Lord. I pray we as Christian start new home Churches and replace the corrupt corporation churches that exist today..

We pray for continued the safety and guidance of all the Prophets. I pray, the Prophets who are truly of you stay righteous. I pray for the false Prophets and false leaders to be exposed and removed for the roles they are in, so that they can’t contaminated and mislead your flock Lord. We pray, for the protection of our Leaders who are truly of you and doing your work here on earth.

In Yeshua Jesus Christ loving name.

Amen

RECAP: I will be using my Second Edition Fully revised and expanded book: The Jewish Annotated New Testament. I purchased this book from Barnes and Noble a while back. I have provided the link below incase anyone is interested. No, Im not paid or sponsor by this book, editors, or writers, or Barnes and Noble, just sharing information. (Plus, as a side note I personally don’t like it when information of where to look up reference with held when I am watching others on channels etc, so I try and provide the sources of which I am gathering information.) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-jewish-annotated-new-testament-marc-z-brettler/1125563566

This is just me doing my part to share THE GOOD NEWS, from a study Bible new Christian study person view of the world, experiences, and study bible sorts. So I completely understand any others interpretations, but this is my blog so obviously that interpretations I write with my views and applications to my life, from my life. I pray this helps others. I pray I can help further God’s kingdom here on Earth.

I pray God be with us in our study and guide us to wisdom, knowledge, and discernment; for our souls shake. In Yeshua Jesus loving name. Amen. I will be going through this study bible book by book, verse by verse. While comments are welcomed, any negative and evil comments will not be tolerated(towards myself or others) by me.

I don’t aim to divide, but bring us together as sisters and brothers in Christ. I can accept different points of view, but evil words will never be tolerated or welcomed. It is ok to disagree, but not to attack. It is ok to have a different view or interpretations, but not to curse(spiritual definition).

And as always if others have information to add, or thoughts to be considered, please post in comments sections.

Thank you friends and Christian family.

Blessings,

Marie

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wildchild00me · 6 years

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Open Heaven 10 August 2018: [Friday] Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Suffering as a Criminal?

SUFFERING AS A CRIMINAL? – Friday August 10th 2018

Memorise: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 1st Peter 4:15

Read: Romans 13:1-8 (KJV)

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Bible in one year: Job 30-32, Matthew 17, Hymnal: Sing hymn 4

Message:-

“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

John 14:30

This declaration made by our Lord Jesus Christ shortly before going to the cross is very profound and significant to what He came to do for humanity. Prior to making this statement, in John 8:46 He also threw this challenge to the religious leaders of His time:

“Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?”

Without these credentials, our Saviour would not have been qualified to redeem us. Glory be to God, we have a Redeemer who is without sin.

The early disciples were first called “Christians” in Antioch because they lived like Christ after being taught His ways (Acts 11:26). This is what the Lord expects from us today. As seen in today’s memory verse, it should not even be mentioned amongst us that one of us is suffering as a result of criminal acts. This is very important for us to note because some Christians think that they were born-again into lawlessness. This is a wrong idea of our liberty in Christ. The Bible says Christians should be law-abiding. It is an aberration when Christians are accused of tax evasion. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a perfect example in this regard when He paid His due taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). We should therefore learn from the Master. How would it have been if Jesus was genuinely found guilty of the offences cooked up against Him (Luke 23:4)? He would have been disqualified from carrying out the work of redemption, and we would still be in our sins today.

In today’s Bible reading, we are admonished by Paul to obey higher powers. His understanding of God was so profound that he knew that no person could come into power without God assenting to it. If God installs a government for reasons best known to Him, disobeying such a government in civil matters would amount to disobeying God. As a matter of fact, our leaders are described as ministers of God ordained for own for good. For us to live peaceably in this world, let us therefore heed this warning in Romans 13:4-5:

“…But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

Prayer Point

Father, please give me the wisdom to give what belongs to Caesar to Caesar, and help me not to withhold what belongs to You from You, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Sing hymn 4

TRUST AND OBEY

When we walk with the Lord in

the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our

way!

While we do His good will, He

abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and

obey.

Chorus

Trust and obey, for there’s no other

Way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust

and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a

cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it

away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh

or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and

obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a

sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly

repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown

or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and

obey.

But we never can prove the

delights of His love

Until all on the alter we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the

Joy He bestows,

Are from them who will trust and

obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we

will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the

way;

What He says we will do, where

He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

#Open Heaven 10 August 2018 #Open Heavens 10 August 2018 #Open Heaven #Open Heavens #Open Heavens for today #Open Heaven for today #daily devotional

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frederickwiddowson · 4 years

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Genesis 47:13-26 comments: the famine in Egypt

Genesis 47:13 ¶ And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. 15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. 16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail. 17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year. 18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: 19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate. 20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s. 21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. 22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands. 23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. 24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. 25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants. 26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part; except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh’s.

Egypt and Canaan were both severely stricken by this famine. The people of Egypt, and foreigners we have seen, put a lot of money in the government of Egypt’s coffers to buy the grain they needed so badly to survive. Finally, the money ran out so Joseph took property in the form of cattle and horses and asses for a year after that. Then, when the government owned the livestock he took the land removed the former residents to cities around Egypt. Only the powerful priests were exempt from this acquisition. The people still farmed the land and Joseph gave them seed to plant but it belonged to the government now. As tenants they had to pay 20% of their crop output as a tax to the Egyptian government. The people were happy with this for they and their families could survive even though this goes beyond the famine they are enduring now and carries with it great consequences for their future.

The issue of government and government’s place in the scheme of things comes into play here. We are forced to consider it. This passage states a rather negative truth about taxation. The ability to demand a portion of the people’s living is like ownership. Taxation can be considered in one respect a type of slavery. You are forced to spend part of your working life working for the government. Joseph says in verse 23 that he has bought them for Pharaoh.

Under the New Testament after Christ’s resurrection the Christian is told to yield to the heathen governments of the time, none of them based on any Christian principle, in their function of punishing evil and protecting the innocent.

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Jesus Himself said we are to pay taxes to keep from offering offense and performed it supernaturally.

Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Once a people starts using government issued currency rather than, as in much of the Old Testament, simply a valuable metal by weight as a medium of exchange, you become ensnared in the scheme of government to own its population and control its economic activity.

Matthew 22:15 ¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

It is a truth that humans will generally prefer security to liberty, however. The Hebrews will eventually want a king and, therefore, a government like the heathen around them. God will tell Samuel, who objects to their cry;

1Samuel 8:4 ¶ Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Then, gave them this prophetic warning of the evils and expectations of human government.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. 22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

The Bible gives us a detailed treatise on human government if we regard the entire book and not just Romans 13 as an excuse for tyranny. Pray for your leaders. They are typically not good men. There is a famous quote in recent history that pertains to the men who have led people in government and war by the Englishman John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, known as Lord Acton.

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority.”

The Holy Spirit reports through the Bible writers that God has placed over humans as rulers the worst sort of men…

Daniel 4:17 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.

…and the governments of the world are under Satan’s authority.

Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

The lacking of men to rule generally in the right way is based on one major lacking even if they call themselves Christians.

2Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Now, it must be said that even though a chief executive other than God Himself was not His direct will for Israel it fell under His permissive will, His permission, and He did bless kings and Israel when they were obedient or repentant, seeking forgiveness, for their lack of obedience. Do not make the mistake, though, that brought Western Civilization to World War One where most of the warring countries thought they were God’s chosen people and God’s chosen government each fighting evil personified in their opponents. Do not make the mistake of believing that what God allows mankind to do is what His good, and acceptable, and perfect will is rather than the lusts of our own hearts. In the end all the machinations of mankind cannot thwart God’s eventual plan for humanity nor do they help mankind escape the judgment that is being brought down.

Your government, whether it be the United States, China, Russia, England, or even Namibia is the enemy of your liberty in the Lord because you have rejected His leadership. This fact is part of His judgment.

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frederickwiddowson · 5 years

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Luke 3:15-38 comments: the presentation of Christ

Luke 3:15 ¶ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

John the Baptist prophesies both advents of Christ; the first to pay the penalty for mankind’s sin against God for those who would receive the gift and trust in Christ’s righteousness and not their own for salvation receiving the Holy Ghost, the very mind of God indwelling them, and then the judgment at the end of human history in which all those who reject Him are judged for those works they refused to stop depending on.

This is done in Isaiah 61 and other Old Testament passages, as well. In the passage in Isaiah both advents are listed, separated for our understanding by a comma in verse 2. Jesus will quote the verse up to that point in chapter 4 of Luke referring to Himself.

Isaiah 61:1 ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

While he was preaching Herod the tetrarch, who was angry at being called out for his adultery, arrested John and locked him up.

Luke 3:21 ¶ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, 25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, 26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, 27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, 28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, 29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, 30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

The baptism of John the Baptist was one of national repentance for the Jews. Note the parallel when Peter called the Jews to regret what they had done to their Messiah in Acts, chapter 2. So, why was Jesus baptized?

Matthew 3:13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Jesus is the Lamb of God, the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

He is our High Priest as spoken of throughout Hebrews and the Aaronic priesthood was washed in Exodus 29 as a part of their consecration. Also, by submitting to John’s baptism He was identifying Himself with the Jewish people as their Messiah. Although He needed no repentance from sin He suffered the ritual to fulfill righteousness, setting in motion His ministry as part of God’s plan of reconciling mankind to Himself becoming not only our High Priest but our sacrifice for sin.

Here we have the three parts of God in one text with the Holy Ghost descending on Christ like a dove (it doesn’t say it was a dove) and then God the Father speaking. Jesus was about 30 years old as mentioned in Numbers 4, the age of service to God.

It is commonly noted that Luke’s genealogy starts with Mary and Joseph, as the text says, was presumed to be Jesus father in the sense of the world. Her genealogy goes backwards all the way to Adam connecting Christ with Adam as the Saviour of all mankind. Matthew’s genealogy would then be Joseph’s genealogy, from Abraham, the first Hebrew, to Joseph connecting Jesus under the Law as the Saviour of the Jewish people specifically. Joseph adopting Jesus as his son would with full rights of being a legal heir would give this perfect meaning. Both Joseph and Mary come from the line of David but through a different son of David; Mary through Nathan and Joseph through Solomon. Paul said to his young proteges, Timothy and Titus.

1Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

So, I will leave discussions about seeming conflicts in the genealogies in Matthew and Luke to expert commentators and Bible students like Matthew Henry and Peter Ruckman as we could endlessly discuss possibilities for things like why Cainan is inserted where he is here. I’m not saying that any Bible study is not important. This would be a fascinating study all by itself worthy of a book long dissertation, but I don’t feel it has a place here other than to say that we must ask two questions; why was it written and why was it preserved?

The argument that Luke got his genealogy from the mythological Septuagint, supernaturally translated from Hebrew into Greek at the behest of an Egyptian king is absurd. The only physical evidence for any Septuagint is a fraudulent “Letter of Aristeas”, a mention by a Jew steeped in Greek philosophy named Philo, and Origen’s Hexapla in the early third century. The name Septuagint wasn’t given to it until the fifth century and it is often conflated by most people with other Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible with which it has no connection. There is no real evidence for this Septuagint to exist until the after the Bible was published in the Old Latin in the second century, translated from various common, called Vulgate meaning the vernacular language of the people, Greek versions and the Hebrew. H.C. Hoskier, early twentieth century Bible scholar pointed out how the Bible was translated back and forth between Latin, Greek, and other languages in the era of Christ and the Apostles and their disciples.

The Bible is not only given by inspiration, which does not mean word-for-word dictation but wisdom and understanding…

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

2Timothy 3:16a All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

2Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

…but it was preserved through the centuries of usage.

Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

So, were there two Cainans with one omitted in the Old Testament genealogy of Genesis? I don’t know and neither does anyone else on earth. But, while this genealogical issue is very intriguing I intend to move on. We have issues like this because modern man wants to read the Bible like a textbook or the instructions for his or her computer rather than a conversation with God. For those of us, like myself, who believe in Biblical inspiration, not just in the original autographs but in copies and translations if God’s hand was on them…

Jeremiah 36:32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.

…I realize there must be a reason for the insertion of this Cainan here as well as other minor issues, worthy of discussion in another venue.

One thing to note is the reference here to Adam as the son, small ‘s’, of God. It is important to note the different meaning of the phrases Son, large ‘S’, of God and son, small ‘s’, of God. Son of God refers to God in the flesh, walking on the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ. But son of God refers to those beings both spiritual and human who are directly created by God either here as in the first creation or in the following regarding the new birth, being born again.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

This act of God is referenced in the Psalm that Jesus quoted part of the first verse of from the Cross to direct us to it.

Psalm 22: 1 ¶ « To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. » My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?...30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

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