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Armor of God

2010-10-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Ephesians 6:10-17

People connect with this passage for many reasons. For some, it inspires them to find strength in God - as one Christian said, "to use God wholly and not just when it is convenient for us." Others utilize it as a checklist - what is my personal belt of truth or breastplate of righteousness? While I agree with both of these opinions, this passage speaks more powerfully than that.

Ephesians 6:10 - 17, in its entirety, is a call to war.

As John MacArthur put it, "Repeatedly in Scripture, the Christian life is seen as warfare". We are in a battle - a battle that has been progressing since the beginning. And when you have chosen to follow Christ and take up your cross, this is what you are entering in to. It is a battle of good vs. evil. As Christians, we know good will prevail, for the only thing good is God (Mk. 10:18, Lk. 18:19). We can read the book of Revelations and see the end of the story - but we also see the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Paul speaks about trying like hell to succeed.

What about this passage specifically communicates war?

First, the language Paul uses reveals the war motif. Looking at the time period in which Paul was preaching, we see the Roman world as a powerful force. They have the technology and the war intelligence to fashion armor at this period. One does not put on armor unless entering into battle.

Second, we have an affirmation of who our enemy is. We must put on the full armor to stand against the "devil's schemes", "the rulers", "the authorities", the "powers of this dark world", and the "spiritual forces of evil". That is quite a list. We are not talking about weak enemies here, they are rulers and authorities. To fight a strong enemy, we need strong armor.

Third, the type of armor matters. Paul states that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. We cannot fight this battle with physical swords and breastplates. We have to have spiritual protection because we have a spiritual enemy.

The point of this passage is not to simply inspire us to trust God, or to make a moral inventory documenting for ourselves what tools we have. It is a call, a loud one, to realize what we chose when we chose Christ. We chose the narrow path. We chose a path of persecution. We chose the path of war. It would be unwise for us to send a soldier into war without the proper training and armor. Why are we entering a battle without putting on these tools that are provided for us, and frankly, spelled out for us.

My pastor commented on what a shame it is that we have such growing access to the Bible in numerous translations, yet there is such a rapidly declining knowledge of the Bible in the world. How can this be? I am tired of this "meek and mild" Jesus presented so often. I am tired of hearing the phrase "God of love" taken out of context. Our God is a warrior. Our God is willing to fight for us.

I leave this passage with a challenge for you. Let us consider who we are fighting. There are too many people who proclaim to be followers of Christ who waste their time arguing over denominational issues. Here we have a completely transparent verse from the Bible written by Paul clearly proclaiming what and who we should be fighting against. How many of us have buckled the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, fit our feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace, taken up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, or the sword of the Spirit and armored ourselves against the flaming arrows of the evil one?

Christian Ethics: Doctrine of the Trinity

2010-09-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

In Doing Christian Ethics from the Margins, p. 177, De La Torre contends that the doctrine of the Trinity “maintains that it is God’s nature to share. God invites all to share divinity and power with God and each other, or as Paul would promise, to become ‘coheirs with Christ’ (Rom. 8:17).” He goes on to argue that the model of the Trinity “calls for the dismantling of social structures that maintain economic injustices and dominance and oppression that foster marginalization. How, then, can those who insist on maintaining their power and privilege become part of the body of Christ?”

What is your response to De La Torre’s claim? How might the doctrine of the Trinity be taught in your church to summon believers to relinquish their privileges for the sake of a more just social and economic order?

Answer:
First, De La Torre states that "Those doing ethics from the margins believe that Jesus, and all the prophets before him, understood God's reign to mean a striving toward establishing the Trinity model as the foundation for a social order where justice prevails for all. God's reign is not limited to the other-worldly, but also exists in the here and now". (De La Torre, 177). I have a few statements to make here. Will we ever abolish poverty before the new heaven and the new earth? I say no, per Mark 14:7 ("For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me), then the answer is, no. Understanding Jesus' words can prevent our brothers and sisters from being overwhelmed and "burning out" from the overwhelming reality of the poor in the world. If God's reign is in the here and now, BUT not fully realized, then poverty cannot be abolished....right now. However, how does one define "poor"? I do not see this topic discussed in De La Torre. I have been quite content and happy living on Top Ramen in my life. Is this what we are to abolish? The poverty in which one cannot even sustain oneself or their family due to social, political, or economic reasons? Where do we draw the real line for those poor in the world in which they are no longer classified as "poor"? The way that the United States define the "poor" is not realistic with the cost of living for example, in California. But how does this compare to Darfur? Not even close. We as Christians are compelled to do our best to eliminate poverty that prevents people from living by having access to the basic human rights: food, clean water, and housing. However, we are instructed to create the opportunity for these people to hear the Gospel message.
I have issues with the doctrine of the Trinity per De La Torre because it is in my opinion, taken out of context. If I should give up the few dollars that I have in order to help a brother or sister, I will do it and I have done this in the past. However, it makes no difference if they do not receive the Gospel message...what good have I really done? Sustained them for a day, week, or month? Big deal! The "good works" that I do mean nothing...the Good Works that He places in my path are His Good Works and are the Lords Good Works. There is a difference between the two. This is what I believe De La Torre is trying to explain, but fails to make a clear distinction.

Christian Ethics: The Poor

2010-09-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

Question: Although many churches provide some services for the poor, such as handing out bags of groceries or assisting in the ministries of rescue missions, churches often stop short of addressing causes of poverty embedded in existing social structures, or speaking out against economic policies and practices that worsen the condition of the poor. In light of this week’s readings and lectures, how do you understanding the church’s responsibility to the poor? What steps can you take to raise your church’s awareness of and resistance to social and economic forces that aggravate poverty?

Answer:
My understanding of the church's responsibility to the poor is that we must focus our attention to helping the poor through a two way approach. One, we take care of the physical needs in order to bring about a spiritual solution. If one is hungry, feed them soup and whatever else they need in order to feed them the Gospel message. Feeding them once or twice and never discussing the transforming message of the Gospel is a mistake. This is what I hear in the statement of Ronald Sider's book that "Sider has argued forthrightly that prayers and spiritual deliverance, not programs and social service deliver, must be ever at the heart of Christian anti-poverty efforts" (11). Why not feed the body and also the soul? How often do we feed the poor and feel that we are imposing on them with our "religion". This is not right.
Second, if the tobacco and alcohol companies have lobbyists in Washington DC and state capitols, then so should we. Yes, most churches give money or have some sort of outreach to the poor, but not a representative on Capitol Hill. Why not? Influence the decision makers. As one of my professors stated, our purpose in (business) ethics is to "Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comforted".

Christian Ethics: Did Jesus Exagerrate?

2010-08-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

Question:
Practices of Jesus In the 1920s, German theologian Gerhard Kittel wrote, “The demands of Jesus, exaggerated to the point of paradox and nonsense…intend only to tear open and lay bare the great moral need of empirical humanity” [Gerhard Kittel, “Die Bergpredict und die Ethik des Judentums,” Zeitschrift für systematische Theologie< The Sermon on the Mount: The Modern Quest for Its Meaning (Mercer University Press, 1985), 187]. What is your response to this statement? Did Jesus exaggerate his demands “to the point of paradox and nonsense,” or did he present actual practices that we are expected to carry out? Are these practices applicable to our personal lives today? Are they to be carried out in churches? Do they apply to national and international questions of war and economics?

Response: In regards to how humanity lives within philosophical morals and opinions, Jesus' teachings could be seen as radical and revolutionary. However, we must keep in mind the context of first century Judaism and their culture. The Pharisees and Saducees were just two groups who studied how the Law should be carried out in one's life. In this context, Jesus spoke in response to their interpretations. So, I disagree with Kittel's statement that Jesus "demands". I would rather use the word "instructs". One aspect that separates Christians from moralists, is that we may be willing to turn our cheek to our enemies and even be martyred for our faith. To a moralist who is after self-preservation in the name of peace, these acts would be a paradox and nonsense. Jesus instructs us that our yoke will be light when viewed in the context of living in this world of which we are not a part of (another paradoxical statement) and attaining eternal life. If we think that we will follow every teaching of Jesus through our own will, we will be rudely awakened by our failure. However, these are not impossible to obtain in some form of experience. Everyday, we may encounter an event that can be directly found in some form in the Gospels, and there we will find an instruction from Christ. It is not that we will experience all of these at once, but in parts as guided by the Holy Spirit. So, we are to fully follow and listen to these practices both in our personal lives and within our community of faith. We s Christians will never be a primary factor in the decisions of national and international governments about war and economics, but we have been instructed to speak up with the words of Jesus just as he did in first century Palestine.

God's Ways are not Your Ways!

2009-11-17T17:20:00.001-08:00

God's Ways are not Your Ways!
PODCAST
Time: 23 minutes

This is a podcast that explains our paper titled My Ways are not Your Ways.

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE PAPER

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FAITH PODCASTING

1 Corinthians 7: Marriage and Paul Sermon

2009-10-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 7: Marriage and Paul

This is a sermon podcast on 1 Corinthians 7 given at the Bible Truth Fellowship on
October 4, 2009.

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

Technorati:christian podcast,podcast,podcast,PODCASTING,BIBLE STUDY PODCAST,
FAITH PODCASTING

Cultural Background and the Gospel of John

2009-06-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Question:
Discuss the possible cultural background of the Gospel of John. Suggest what sort of historical-cultural situation John’s Gospel might have been originally intended to address.

Answer:
The Gospel of John differs from the Synoptic Gospels by “translating” certain elements when compared to the Synoptic Gospels in order to probably reach a different audience. For example, in the Gospel of John, it is mentioned that the presence of eternal life exists here and now . The New Testament speaks in a tone (in regards to eternal life) as an event to take place in the future and the Gospel of John speaks about eternal life as being already here which would be similar to the Synoptic Gospels phrase “the kingdom of God” being present now and to be fully realized in the future. This translated point that eternal life exists here and now suggests that the audience were not Jews and would not be familiar with the meaning of the phrase “the kingdom of God”. This would then suggest that the audience were Gentiles. The tradition of the Early Church holds the belief that the Gospel of John was written by either “John the Elder”, or “John the Apostle”. Even though it is uncertain who exactly wrote this Gospel, the consensus is that this Gospel was composed in Ephesus, Syria, or Alexandria . These three areas were predominately Gentile, or in the case of Alexandria, separated enough from Jewish influence that the audience would understand the changes that the Gospel of John speak of if compared to the Synoptic Gospels. When looking at the choice of words that the Gospel of John uses and in light of the historical information as to where this Gospel was composed, it is logical to suggest that the intended audience were Gentiles who would not understand Judaic concepts or beliefs.

Revelation and the People of God

2009-06-13T21:31:00.001-07:00

Question:
In the book of Revelation, how do the people of God come to participate in the reign of God and the Lamb, what’s their role in conquering the bad guys? What are one or two implications for what we are called to as we follow Jesus today.

Answer:
The people of God come to participate in the reign of God and the Lamb by becoming a saint, being part of the first resurrection of Christ, or being one of the 144,000. The role they serve in conquering the bad guys is to offer praises to the Lord. The angels of the Lord battle with Satan and his minions...there is not a reference in Revelation that any of us actually "battle" anyone. One or two implications for what we are called to as we follow Jesus today is summarized well in Revelation 14:7: ..."Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Jesus in Hebrews

2009-05-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

Question:
According to Hebrews, what is the significance of Jesus’ work for the everyday life of the people of God? How might this be applied to your contemporary context (is there something analogous to the struggles confronting the recipients of the letter)?

Answer:
Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin creating a New Covenant, which ushered in a new period for all the people of God who are ruled by faith and are being "assured" of what is hoped for and certain of what is not seen (Heb. 11:1).

In regards to the work of the every day life of the people of God, we need to: keep loving each other as brothers and sisters, entertain strangers (spread the gospel message), remember those in bondage, honor marriage, keep our lives free from this world, remember our leaders (apostles), test our faith being careful not to be led astray by strange teachings, continually offer God praise, do “God’s good works” and share these with others, and pray (Heb. 13).

Applying this to our context today, not much has changed, though more stress can be put on the author's call for perseverance. Faith requires action, which is proven in the many examples in chapter 11, and we need to "draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" to follow the path God has laid out before us (Heb. 11:22).

Paul, God, and Ecclesiology

2009-05-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

Question:

In Paul’s letters, who is God, which is to say, how is God’s identity shaped by the scriptures of Israel and the Christ event? Answer this question in one or two sentences. Then answer this: How does the identity of God, shaped as it is by the scriptures of Israel and the Christ event, impact an argument that Paul makes about who God’s people are (ecclesiology) or what they should do (ethics) in any one passage of your choosing (restricted to Romans through Thessalonians, not the Pastoral Epistles)?

Answer:

Paul brings the God of the Old Testament who was the God of the Hebrews into a new light to the rest of the world when Jesus was crucified and resurrected...Paul is bringing this same Hebrew God to the Gentiles as the Creator of all, the God of both Jew and Gentile, the God of all.

Paul's identity of God's people shaped by the scriptures of Israel and the Christ event is best summarized by the following passage:

(My statement is that the identification of God's people is the church...not a denomination...but the body of believers be it a converted Jew or converted Gentile...)

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (New International Version)

¹²The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized by^a]">[a] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

¹⁴Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. ¹⁵If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" ²²On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Thessalonians

2009-05-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

If the only evidence you had of the existence of Christianity were 1 Thessalonians, how would you answer these questions: (1) What is the Christian message? (2) How would you know if someone you met was a Christian?

What is the Gospel message in Thessalonians?

We have been chosen by God to turn away from our sinful lives in order to serve the one true God who sent His Son to rescue us from our sins; His Son died for us, was resurrected from the dead, and is now in heaven and continues to rescue us from the coming wrath.
This answer uses 1 Thessalonians 1:4, and 1:9-10.

How can you tell through Thessalonians who a Christian is? It is through their works of faith originated in the Holy Spirit, the way they toil in their works (or occupations) through the love for Christ, and their patience stemming from the hope in regards to the coming of the New Creation. (1 Thessalonians chapter one, chapter two, and chapter three in succession.)

Peter's Speech in Acts 2:14-41

2009-04-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

Question:

Based only on Peter's speech on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41) and the incident with Cornelius (Acts 10), answer these questions: What is the gospel message? What aspect of that message do the people in your context (church, work, neighborhood, etc.—pick one) most need to hear?

Answer:

One of the Hebrew prophets, Joel, prophesied that the Spirit would pour out on God's people. Who exactly are God's people? Jew? Gentile? Or both? The time is now, and now we are to heed the words that those who believe, repent, become baptized, and then whom the Spirit will "pour out" on, are God's people. God's people are no longer known by a particular tribe, race, social or political standing. It is available to all people regardless of their background and sin.

What is available to God's people? First, atonement from any and all sins, second, a heavenly promise of eternal life, third, a heavenly power that is sent by God to teach, guide, and protect His people at all times, and finally, become part of a new family. This is available here and now...right now...for those who fall under the "new" definition of God's people be it a converting Jew or a converting Gentile. By this new definition, all people are given this eternal opportunity. In these difficult economic times, many have questioned what the meaning of life is about. Some do not know where to turn and the Gospel message is to turn to Jesus.

EASTER SUNDAY MESSAGE 2009

2009-04-12T01:03:00.000-07:00

Gospel
Jn 20:1-9

On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.

SERMON:
Do you flip flop in your mind with the question if Jesus was just a good and wise teacher and not the Messiah? I ask you this question: Do you believe that He rose from a grave?

His Life poured out for us...the ransom was paid. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

On the third day He said He would rise from the grave...AND HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE! (Mark 9:31, Mark 16:16)

What? Wait!
Some say that Jesus is just a good and wise teacher or just a prophet!

Good & WISE?
Wise in the context that He said He would rise from the grave?
No, you should say that Jesus is "good" & CRAZY...instead of calling Him good & wise!

A prophet?
No, a Lunatic!
What prophet said that they could rise from the dead?

No mortal man can say that they can conquer the grave...

Good and wise...How could He rise? Either Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the I AM, the Creator...OR NOT!

BUT NO MAN HAS EVER, COULD EVER, OR WILL EVER RISE FROM THE GRAVE ON HIS OWN!

Luke 24:34
and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

IF JESUS DID NOT RISE...THEN OUR FAITH IS IN VAIN!!!

Thankfully, Christianity IS BASED ON FACT!

These facts are:

1) BROKEN ROMAN SEAL (Matt 27:66)

The consequences of breaking the seal were extremely severe. If they were apprehended, it meant automatic execution by crucifixion upside down. People feared the breaking of the seal.

2) EMPTY TOMB (John 20:1)

The disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the falsity would be evident. The empty tomb was "too notorious to be denied." Both Jewish and Roman sources admit an empty tomb.

3) LARGE STONE MOVED (Matt 28:2)

On that Sunday morning the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was the unusual position of the one and a half to two ton stone that had been lodged in front of the doorway. All the Gospel writers mention it.

4)ROMAN GUARD GOES AWOL (Matt 28:12-15)

The Roman guards fled. They left their place of responsibility. How can their attrition he explained, when Roman military discipline was so exceptional?

5)GRAVE CLOTHES TELL A TALE (John 20:4-8)

In a literal sense, against all statements to the contrary, the tomb was not totally empty--because of an amazing phenomenon. John, a disciple of Jesus, looked over to the place where the body of Jesus had lain, and there were the grave clothes, in the form of the body, slightly caved in and empty--like the empty chrysalis of a caterpillar's cocoon. That's enough to make a believer out of anybody. John never did get over it.

6)JESUS' APPEARANCES CONFIRMED (John 20:1-31)

Christ appeared alive on several occasions after the cataclysmic events of that first Easter and there where MORE THAN enough witnesses who saw him after HE ROSE TO CONFIRM IT AS A FACT!

7) In Paul's day, there were 500 or so people who personally saw Jesus after He rose on the third day!

These eyewitnesses TESTIFIED to this FACT. 500 people in Paul's day alone! (Acts 2:32)

There are more facts...but a question to the doubter...What more proof do you want?

What more does Jesus have to do in order for you to have faith?
If He did do what you ask, Would it really change your mind or would you doubt what you saw also?

THERE IS ONLY ONE JESUS!

Either He is a FRAUD, a NUT, OR Jesus is the Messiah!

EVERYONE LIVING TODAY MUST TAKE A HONEST LOOK AT THE FACTS FOR THEMSELVES...THE FACTS OF HIS RESURRECTION

DID JESUS RISE FROM THE GRAVE ...OR NOT??

JUST DON'T CALL HIM A GOOD AND WISE TEACHER OR A PROPHET!

This Easter, let us realize the truth found in John 1:10-14:

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

11He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.

12 Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed (faith"eth") in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only,who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth (faith"eth") in Me, though he were dead,yet shall he live:

If you seek a human teacher who will come up with a human philosophy on how to live a moral life and "be good enough" then for heavens sake find some one other than Jesus!

Why believe in a "man" who exorcised demons from people, ran around calling Himself the "I AM" and told people He would rise from the grave?

If you know that there is a spiritual side of this universe, that you are a sinner, understand why we are all sinners, can understand that this is not a guilt trip but a way of humility, seek to be forgiven and hear the call to Christ... then rejoice!!! For the problem has been solved and your faith leads to salvation in Christ who is the only path to eternal life.

Rejoice for the price of your sins past, present, and future has been paid for.

No one comes to the Father unless they come through Jesus...that is the message and that is the Truth.

God Bless you this Easter Sunday.

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GOOD FRIDAY MESSAGE 2009

2009-04-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Gospel
Jn 18:1—19:42

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valleyto where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?”

They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.”
He said to them, “I AM.”
Judas his betrayer was also with them.
When he said to them, “I AM, “
they turned away and fell to the ground.

So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.”
Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM.

So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter,
“Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”

So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,who was high priest that year.
It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest,and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus.
But Peter stood at the gate outside.

So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest, went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me?
Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said.” When he had said this,
one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said,
“Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed.

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?”
They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him, “We do not have the right to execute anyone, “

in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him,
“Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”

So Pilate said to him,“Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him.
But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!”
Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said,
“Hail, King of the Jews!”And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out,
“Crucify him, crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.”
The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid,
and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus,

“Where are you from?”
Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?”
Jesus answered him,
“You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out,
“If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar.
Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench
in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews,
“Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?”
The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross.
It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.”

Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate,

“Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.”
Pilate answered,
“What I have written, I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares,
a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down.
So they said to one another,
“Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be, “
in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says:
They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. This is what the soldiers did.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth,
so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews,
asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus.And Pilate permitted it.
So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night,
also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds.

They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices,
according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

SERMON:

Our Lord God is all forgiving and all powerful.
Our Lord God is also JUST and RIGHTEOUS.

Our Lord God's righteousness and justice demand that sin be punished (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

Since all sin is ultimately committed against God (Psalm 51:4), the only just punishment for sin is death (Roman 6:23).

We know this fact well...BECAUSE WE ALL DIE.

Question:
How will you ever be righteous in the eyes of God?

Do you think that your works, forgiveness of sins by a man, long and repetitive prayers, or even the saints will help you become righteous in God's eyes?

Really? If you do not know who Jesus is and why He died for your sin, then these acts do nothing! Faith is your actions based on the belief of Jesus as the Messiah and sustained in your life every 24 hour period. It is not a blindness to the Truth or a slight understanding of who Jesus is or who you think He is. The Truth is found in the Holy Bible and only by studying it will you learn the Truth. Your works, confessions, prayers, and holy saints do not take your sin away. There is only one way that can be done. Its time for some action...YOUR ACTION.

Thank the Lord that He has provided salvation beyond the ways of man!!
HOW?

1. Jesus Christ was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14)

2. When Jesus died on the cross, He died WITHOUT SIN...and the world (with Satan), OWES THE LORD GOD HIS LIFE BACK. (Hebrews 9:15-17 15).

3. The world (with Satan) CANNOT give the Lord God His life back...for no one but the Lord God is the Creator of Life. (John 1:1-5, 14, 17 and 18)

4. Because Jesus was PERFECT and He was CRUCIFIED for being SINLESS... the world owes Him HIS Life...HE GIVES YOU LIFE BY YOUR FAITH"ing" IN HIM...
ASK HIM...KNOW HIM...READ HIS WORD...LIVE BY HIM! TOTAL FAITH"ing"!!!

5.
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth (faith"eth") in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

6.
Jesus’ death was sufficient to pay for all the sins that have ever been committed (2 Corinthians 5:21).

7.
John 3: 16-21

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

"For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

"But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

A GIFT OF GIFTS...FROM THE LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS!
This gift is available only by your action of accepting it and living through it.
That's the beginning of faith! Walk with Him and know Him.

For another uplifting lesson on this Good Friday...
Read the sermon: GO AND SIN NO MORE!

Technorati:Christianity,preaching,bible,bible reading,bible-reading,sermon,sermons

Slaves and Masters: Ephesians 6:5-9

2009-01-13T01:35:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 6:5-9

“Slaves and Masters”

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters
with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart,

Comments:
Question: What made them masters? What made them slaves?

In order to become a slave…what happened? You owed! Who? The Master. You owe…you then must obey. It’s a contract. Slaves obey…thus fulfill your contract by doing your job. Why with reverence? The reverence is for your overseer. He has a job to do and you are working for him. Why with fear? In this scenario, it is about respect for his right to judge your work. Why with sincerity of heart? Sincerity of heart is simply concentrating on doing the job.

just as you would obey Christ.
6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you,
but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
8 because you know that the Lord will reward
everyone for whatever good he does,
whether he is slave or free.

Comments:
Would you obey Christ? Why? Is it because it is the right thing to do? Why obey the masters? Again, it is the right thing to do, for it is a contact that you have placed yourself in. The contracted job needs to be done whether the master is watching you or not. Your True Master is God who is in heaven and sees all. He knows how you became a slave…he knows what you are capable of. Isn’t He the One who gives you the strength to accomplish the task?

9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way.
Do not threaten them,
since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,
and there is no favoritism with him.

Comments:

Isn’t this true for both slave and master? There is no need to threaten…the purpose is to get the job done. Be reasonable in getting the job done. The masters role is to use the contracted help in order to get the job done. He is not the creator of the slave. He owns the contract…not the slave. Remember in the times of slavery talked about in the Old Testament, these contracts have a time limit. Slavery then in the times of Christ and before, and slavery that we know about today (for example, making people “cattle” in which they are owned) are two entirely different things. One is a time limited contract, and the other is permanent ownership.

Can you see how this verse has a “layered meaning”. First, for this world and how it can be viewed…and second, how this verse is also talking about the condition of the body after the time line or “this life” is over?

The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus

2009-01-07T01:10:00.000-08:00

Apollinarius, Nestorius, and Eutyches did not set out to invent unorthodox Christologies. On the contrary, they developed their views in response to what they considered to be unworthy beliefs about Jesus Christ. Remember that these three were church leaders, known for their piety. In the Church today, there are faithful people who might share some of their views.

Imagine that you are talking with a friend from church about salvation through Christ. This person says, “I believe that Jesus was completely God. How could he have done all those miracles and lived without sin if he wasn’t fully divine? But I have hard time seeing Jesus as relating to me, because he was so perfectly divine. How does he know what I go through? He was God, so everything must have come so easily for him.” How would you respond? Write a message to your friend, explaining your beliefs about the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

Answer:

I would start by confirming the fact that my friend who believes that Jesus was 100% God, is a huge hurdle to theologically overcome, but is essential for salvation. My congratulations would be extended in this revelation, and I would explain the issue of “I have a hard time seeing Jesus relating to me, because He was so perfectly Divine” in the following message:

Dear Brother / Sister,

Praise the Lord for revealing the Truth that indeed our Lord was 100% divine. Allow me to explain the Truth that He was also 100% Man and why this is so important…

There are two main reasons that I will point out that are important to reflect on:

1) Kinsman Redeemer
2) Jesus knows all things regarding the nature of mankind and can help in all issues pertaining to the flesh.

Point #1: Kinsman Redeemer

As in Levitical Law and as illustrated in the Book of Ruth…the rule is this:

If you became so poor that you had to sell yourself into slavery (like the slavery you sold yourself into by sinning), the only way that you can get out of bondage is:

1) Person must be of kin
2) Person must have the price
3) Person must pay the price

The Kinsman Redeemer act was fulfilled because:

1) Jesus was born of a woman and was thus born into mankind making him KIN…
2) Jesus lived a perfect life without sin, thus had the ability to NOT physically die
3) Jesus paid the price by being crucified and thus the world owes Him his life back.
Since the world cannot give Him his life back, the world owes Him life. This catch-22 means that He has conquered death in this world.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him (He shall give life to---authors added here) shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Point #2 He knows all things regarding Human Nature

Since we have established your Truth that Jesus is completely God…let us look at why it is so important to establish the Truth of what it means that he is also completely Man.

The Lord came and lived in a tent of flesh among us. 100% God became Man and thus is 100% God and 100% man. Jesus knows what it is to suffer, has personally witnessed what it is to have ailments, to become possessed, to cry, to laugh, to live in this world…look at what Jesus did in his time in this tent of flesh. You have a personal advocate with the Father who truly understands the condition of mankind! He understands everything that a man or woman can endure on their time on earth. An angel cannot claim this knowledge! The ascended Jesus can personally and thoroughly understand your petitions as both God and Man! There is no other point in the history of this world that this claim can be made. If you have any issues pertaining to the flesh, the humanity of Jesus KNOWS 100% what is needed for you! If you have any issues pertaining to the spirit, the divinity of Jesus KNOWS 100% what is needed for you!

Rest in this fact!

I depart with the following Scripture passage:

2 Corinthians 5:19

“that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

Pelagius and Romans Chapter 5

2009-01-07T00:59:00.000-08:00

Augustine’s argument against Pelagius was based on Romans 5. Read Romans 5 for yourself and construct your own understanding of salvation. Can you see the basis for Augustine’s argument? Can you think of passages in Scripture that might support Pelagius? How would you describe a theology of sin and salvation to a person who was exploring the Christian faith?

Answer:

I wanted to illustrate two points: first, what my idea of salvation is in regards to Romans 5...and second, to bring this topic to current understanding within the whole Church...Protestant and Roman Catholic/Orthodox:

First, in regards to Romans 5, I agree that physical death entered into this world through Adam (Romans 5:17). It is a fact that all men and women physically die from Adam till now. Is this a physical or spiritual death? Or both? Sin is passed through the father's seed, hence another reason why the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in Mary's womb and Joseph had to "adopt" Jesus. We all agree that Jesus was "sinless" and thus, the Original Sin problem is conquered through the conception of the Holy Spirit in Mary.

Before the Law, one must asked the question if sin was reconcilable. I believe that in the times before the Law, judgement was personal according to how one lived...listening to the Lord or choosing the word of Satan.
When the Law was received through Moses, it served as a means to reconcile, if followed correctly. Who followed this correctly? For all men and women have died? Paul states in Romans 5:12 that "all have sinned" and thus all will die. There is a question mark on the destination of the soul or where their soul goes...heaven or hell.

Forwarding through to the New Testament...the first sin is the sin that kills you...and there is a need for salvation. The Law serves as a mirror to realize the imperfection and need for salvation through Jesus....all men and women physically die...but NOT spiritually and this is the "fulfillment of the Law" through the act of Jesus conquering death of the body and soul by His crucifixion. Original sin exists for all of us, and thus is fulfilled through physical death...but there is still the concern of the soul...does this die with the body or lives eternally? This is the reason for why Christ had to die...in order for us to be justified through faith so that we do not die spiritually...Satan does not receive our body AND soul, Satan can keep the body, but the soul is Christ's ....because of the original sin of Adam...we must die physically until the "New Heaven and New Earth".

Now to the second point....
I have attended through the years, a Bible study where one of my friends attended Dallas Theological Seminary and Golden Gate Baptist Seminary. If you would like to confront the question of "original sin" and the differences in belief today in the Church between Augustine and Pelagius...all you need to ask is the following question...

If a baby who is 2 months old dies, and is not baptized, will it go to heaven or hell?

First, allow me to expound on Orthodox and Roman Catholic views...they would state that this is the reason for the belief in "Limbo" or Purgatory. Second, if the baby was baptized...it would go to heaven. Third, if the baby was not baptized, it would possibly go to Purgatory or hell depending on the sins of the father. (This was explained to me by a Christian Brother when I attended Catholic high-school).

My friend in this Bible Study explained his beliefs through the following statements...he refuses to believe in a "punishing" God and thus does not believe in "Original Sin". His beliefs are that the human will must become developed so that one can consciously choose to break the Law...until that happens...the baby goes to heaven. The question is when does a conscious human will develop? Five, six or seven years old, or before? Until one is aware of God's Law and is aware of choosing between the Commandments and sin...it is wrong to condemn a baby or child. Hence, if one is not aware of why they are being baptized by water...there is no point.

The differences in doctrine of Original Sin still exist today...some of the Protestant community do not believe in this doctrine and those of the Orthodox./Roman Catholic denomination adhere to the teaching of Augustine.

I personally do believe in both Original Sin and condemnation through the deliberate breaking of the Law requiring then faith in the Creator, who lived in a tent of flesh and was crucified for the promise of Salvation. The condemnation of Original Sin is fulfilled through the fact that all men and women physically die...and justification for the eternal life of the soul comes through Christ who will thus bring a New Heaven and New Earth just as it was supposed to be with Adam and Eve once again through the resurrection of the dead " physical bodies". Our soul is Christ's and not under Satan's ownership... however, Satan does take ownership of our physical bodies upon our death and Christ will fulfill the promise that we live eternally when the New Heaven and New Earth is fulfilled as in John 's Revelation.

Should the Bible contain 66 books?

2009-01-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

The professor has recommended including the Old Testament Apocrypha in your devotional reading. If you have never read these works, find a copy of the Bible that includes them and peruse one or more books. What themes, language, and theology in the Apocrypha are similar to those in the Old Testament canon? If you were at the Council of Carthage, what stand would you have taken on these works? Do you find texts in the Apocrypha that would cause you to doubt whether they should be included in the canon?

Answer:
When I read Macabees, I couldn't help but think that this book was written in a similar style as Judges, Kings, and Samuel. This book would fall under the category of "history" and I see nothing in it that is historically incorrect or misleading. The only statement I could make about it in a negative way is that God is not speaking in this book, it is a man who is writing down these events.

Esdras was a very interesting work. I cannot help but see similarities between the book of Daniel and Esdras. I would categorize these book as definitely prophetic. The three headed eagle in II Esdras 11:1, captured my attention and thoughts for a while! I see nothing wrong with Esdras and feel that they are prophetically inspired!

I do have a question... Where is the Book of Enoch in this list? The Ethiopian bible still has this book as the very first work in place of Genesis. I studied the history of this book a while ago, and can only remember that (and I am paraphrasing here) it was "too scary" for the public.

Here is a link to this work: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/boe/

If I was at the Council of Carthage, I would have agreed that these works were to remain as part of devotional reading and would agree that they should be incorporated into the study of Scripture. The only reason I would not include some of them would be based off of what is being told and by whom...God or man?

Monasticism

2008-12-20T00:23:00.000-08:00

Question:
If you live near a monastery or convent, speak with one or more of the monks or nuns. Ask them to explain their understanding of the Scripture verses (1 Corinthians 7 and Revelation 14) to which the professor refers. How do their understandings compare to what you know of fourth-century monastic thought? Otherwise, explore a website, book, or magazine article about monasticism, seeking answers to the same questions.

How do monastic beliefs relate to your understanding of human sexual relations and other appetites?

Answer:
Since monasticism is confined mostly to the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church, I decided to research the Roman Catholic Catechism in order to get their statements on this topic.

“1579 All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven."[70] Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord,"[71] they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.[72]”
(http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/orders.html#ORDERS)

Pertaining to 1 Corinthians 7, the Catechism states:

"922 From apostolic times Christian virgins, called by the Lord to cling only to him with greater freedom of heart, body, and spirit, have decided with the Church's approval to live in a state of virginity "for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven."[461]
923 "Virgins who, committed to the holy plan of following Christ more closely, are consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved liturgical rite, are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church."[462] By this solemn rite (Consecratio virginum), the virgin is "constituted . . . a sacred person, a transcendent sign of the Church's love for Christ, and an eschatological image of this heavenly Bride of Christ and of the life to come."[463]
924 "As with other forms of consecrated life," the order of virgins establishes the woman living in the world (or the nun) in prayer, penance, service of her brethren, and apostolic activity, according to the state of life and spiritual gifts given to her.[464] Consecrated virgins can form themselves into associations to observe their commitment more faithfully.[465] "
(http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDH/church4.html#CONSECRATED)

Pertaining to Revelation 14:4, the Catechism states:

“Virginity for the sake of the Kingdom
1618 Christ is the center of all Christian life. The bond with him takes precedence over all other bonds, familial or social.[113] From the very beginning of the Church there have been men and women who have renounced the great good of marriage to follow the Lamb wherever he goes, to be intent on the things of the Lord, to seek to please him, and to go out to meet the Bridegroom who is coming.[114] Christ himself has invited certain persons to follow him in this way of life, of which he remains the model:

"For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."[115]
(Matthew 19:12)

1619 Virginity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven is an unfolding of baptismal grace, a powerful sign of the supremacy of the bond with Christ and of the ardent expectation of his return, a sign which also recalls that marriage is a reality of this present age which is passing away.[116]
1620 Both the sacrament of Matrimony and virginity for the Kingdom of God come from the Lord himself. It is he who gives them meaning and grants them the grace which is indispensable for living them out in conformity with his will.[117] Esteem of virginity for the sake of the kingdom[118] and the Christian understanding of marriage are inseparable, and they reinforce each other:
Whoever denigrates marriage also diminishes the glory of virginity. Whoever praises it makes virginity more admirable and resplendent. What appears good only in comparison with evil would not be truly good. The most excellent good is something even better than what is admitted to be good.[119]"
(http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/matri.html#MATRIMONY)

COMMENTARY:
I do see that the Catechism correlates with fourth century monastic thought even to this day. I find that little has changed in these writing from what we have read in our textbooks. The quote from the Gospel of Matthew is interesting in regards to the eunuchs, I can see how those who have suffered great pain through a loss of a loved one, have strong sexual urges, or are born without a desire to have sex, could be justification for this view. However, is it a shelter for those just like Christ is a shelter for condemned individuals who have sinned? I have a problem with “elevating” someone because of a purely physical act. How does the physical ever attain the spiritual? Isn’t this the reason why the body dies? I do not think that “elevating” celibacy is Scriptural or a “better way” or gives someone “brownie points”. It may eliminate distractions, but eliminating distractions does not bring about salvation. Once saved always saved…or if I am celibate, am I more saved than someone who is not celibate? That is an odd twist…
Here is a commentary from a Protestant site that I found:

“Question: "Does the Bible teach the celibacy of priests?"

Answer: This is an interesting question to answer, as the Bible does not even teach that there are to be “priests” in the New Covenant established by Christ. Please read our articles on the “priesthood of believers” and “confession of sin to a priest” for more information. The Bible addresses the celibacy of church leaders, but not priests.

In regards to celibacy of church leaders, in 1 Corinthians chapter 7, the Apostle Paul teaches, “An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs — how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world — how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34). In some instances, celibacy has a positive impact on ministry. If a church leader is free from spousal and familial responsibilities, he can better focus on ministering to others. Jesus mentions some becoming “eunuchs” for the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:23). Celibacy is definitely allowed for church leaders, and to a certain degree, it is encouraged. However, Scripture nowhere requires celibacy for those serving in positions of church leadership.

In 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9, the Apostle Paul seems to assume that elders, bishops, overseers, and deacons will be married. Notice the phrases: “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6), “he must manage his own family well” (1 Timothy 3:4,12), “his children obey him with proper respect” (1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6). On a related issue, please read our article on whether these Scripture mean that a church leader must be married and have children. While these Scriptures are not a requirement for church leaders to be married, they most definitely present an allowance for church leaders to be married. It is therefore anti-biblical for any church to require celibacy of its leaders.

Why, then, does the Roman Catholic Church (and a few other Christian denominations) require celibacy of its church leaders / priests? The celibacy of priests has an interesting history. The first official church statements requiring celibacy appeared at the councils of Elvira (A.D. 306) and Carthage (A.D. 390), although clerical celibacy, to a lesser degree, definitely predated these councils. Ultimately, though, celibacy became the official requirement of the Roman Catholic Church due to the practice of nepotism. Church leaders were giving their children positions in the church, despite a lack of any qualifications or training. Further, church leaders were giving church property to their descendants. As a result, the Roman Catholic Church mandated celibacy in order to keep its priests from having familial attachments which made nepotism attractive.

Again, the Bible encourages, but does not demand celibacy. In fact, Paul recognizes that most church leader will be married. The Roman Catholic requirement of celibacy is a sad example of the Church taking something that the Bible encourages, and transforming it into a requirement, in order to protect its own interests.”
(http://www.gotquestions.org/celibacy-priests.html)

Church Governance

2008-12-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Question:

Do some first-hand research on different forms of church governance. You may want to interview a minister, priest, or lay-member from a Christian tradition different from yours—Protestant, Orthodox, or Catholic. How do you understand authority in the church? Where does authority reside to decide between conflicting understandings of Scripture or theology? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of being ruled by a bishop who is empowered to make a final decision? Compare this to a congregational or representative form of government. What can you learn from this different perspective that will enhance your appreciation for the variety of ways that the church governs itself?

I recently attended an Episcopal Church and talked with the priest. He was Anglican and was now in charge in an Episcopal church. One striking difference was that this was a "Protestant" church but still provided a communion and a Sunday "Eucharist". I asked the priest about this and he told me that since he was an ordained Angelican priest he could claim Apostolic succession. Since he could claim Apostolic succession, he could properly and rightfully provide the "Eucharist". Since I attended Roman Catholic high school (I am non-denominational) I knew that even this supposed close tie to Apostolic succession was not recognized in the Roman Catholic Church. As far as my education went, when England split from Rome, all Apostolic succession ended when that split occurred and thus all other churches and denominations were "anathema" or not recognized. A bishop still approves decision in this denomination and thus still tries to follow the succession of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox church. It was interesting that titles were more important than what was taught through sermons or bible study. To me the authority resides in the Holy Spirit and those who obviously have the Spirit and teach through Scripture. Authority seems to reside in the top hierarchy of the particular denomination such as Episcopal, and individual priest do not have the ability to teach as the Spirit shows them but only as the the governing councils have agreed to. The advantages of such a form of governance is that off the wall and "unorthodox" biblical teaching would be eliminated and that the sermons stayed the same as they have for hundred of years. The disadvantages included the inability to grow with changing times and a type of close mindedness when it came to biblical exegesis. This form of governance is like a pyramid and is a popular business management model that is still in use today. The pope or bishop is at the top and like a triangle or pyramid, all lower levels of management are influenced and in the control of the levels above them. In college, we used to use the Roman Catholic church as an effective management hierarchy because something works well if it has worked for 2000 years. However, that is not how the Holy Spirit works...it may work well as a business management model but my experience proves that the Spirit cannot be confined to a "model". What I can learn from this perspective is that even a Protestant denomination like the Anglican and Episcopal churches, find the Apostolic succession to be very important and crucial in church authority and doctrine.

People of the Early Church vs. People of Today's Church

2008-11-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons we study Church history is to meet our relatives. Who have you met so far that you admire? How do you see a family similarity between this person and people in the Church today? Have you met a relative in our study so far that you didn’t like? How do you picture that person's impact on today’s Church?

One person I admire is Polycarp. Here was a man who was the last to know Jesus and stated a very important Truth; "Since Christ is a living Lord you do not need to know someone who knew Him when He was alive". Here once again was a group of people who looked for something in the physical world to link to the spiritual...they had to have a "link", they saw importance in a physical person knowing Jesus and not getting to the Truth...Jesus is the Son of God who is alive and present even after His death, resurrection, and ascension. He is Our Lord who hears every thought and sees every action as He watches over His flock.
I see a link between Polycarp and those in the Church today who have an obvious and fulfilling relationship with Our Lord. There is a big difference between those who speak about faith and those who have a living faith. This faith is present in their face, actions, words, and speech. There are those who know Christ and those who claim to know Him.
There were several relatives that I did not like. I will choose a small quote to emphasize one example...the textbook "Women in Early Church History" stated on page 18, that Jerome believed that the parable of the sower was speaking about the "one hundred fold harvest" as pertaining to the greater blessing of virginity to be twisted. Some of these "Early Church Father's" spoke with such authority that history was influenced greatly by them. I understand some of the points between celibacy and working hard at fulfilling the Lord's will, but to take one of the parables of Jesus and speak about it as if it was pertaining to virginity, widowhood, and marriage to be a teacher who can lead their flocks astray. Yes, parables have "layered meaning", but I cannot help but notice an agenda by some of the early Church Fathers that spun around some "logic" or "rational deduction".
This is true today too! I hear a "prosperity" gospel out there that emphasizes material wealth using twists of Christ's words in order to make the sermon seem that Jesus Himself spoke it. There are wolves in sheep's clothing out there...thank the Lord that we have the Son of God through the Holy Spirit protecting, watching, and helping us uncover the Truth.

Paul in Athens : Church History

2008-10-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Question: The Mediterranean world was a religiously pluralistic environment. Both Greek and Roman cultures had pantheons of many gods to be worshipped. Scripture records instances in which the Apostle Paul came into contact with these other religions. In Ephesus, the result of this encounter was a riot (see Acts 6) but in Athens, there was a very different result. We also live in an environment of religious pluralism. What might the Church today learn from Paul’s encounters that would help us as we encounter multiple religions?

Bibletruthonline.com answer:

The result of Paul's preaching in Athens gives us two important insights for the Church today. The first insight as told in Acts 17:22-23, is that Paul preached to an audience that on the whole had not heard about Jesus Christ. He began at a "neutral" point for them to relate to without personally attacking or openly denouncing them. He looked at the culture, the people, and their idol worship and stated: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you." (Acts 17:22-23). This allowed the audience to open their ears just a little because the initial proclamation was not directed at them in an insulting way. Who enjoys dealing with an insulting person?
The second insight that must be highlighted is the role of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit protected Paul. The Holy Spirit, in my opinion, was the source that gave Paul the insight on how to approach the people of Athens. Paul as like any man or woman, was probably fearful speaking to a people who worshiped so many idols, especially after the experience in Ephesus. Scripture tells us that "Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols" (Acts 17:16a). Isn't this true for us today? As Christ's sheep, are we not also "provoked" by the Spirit when we embrace an opportunity to share the Gospel message? What would be the purpose of the Spirit placing us in a situation of testifying to the Truth of Jesus Christ that we then use self-will and possibly skewed "logic" to figure out? I know that if the people of Athens gave Paul an ultimatum between renouncing Jesus Christ and living or refusing to deny Christ and dying...Paul would have died that day in Athens. This protection comes from our Shepherd through the means of the Holy Spirit and this is a crucial reflection to make on a daily basis.

Statement of Faith by my seminary

2008-10-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

My Seminary: Statement of Faith

Under God, and subject to biblical authority, the faculty, managers/administrators, and trustees of (name purposefully hidden from those who do not have decent intentions) Theological Seminary bear concerted witness to the following articles, to which they subscribe, which they hold to be essential to their ministry, and which are the foundation upon which the seminary is based.

I. God has revealed himself to be the living and true God, perfect in love and righteous in all his ways, one in essence, existing eternally in the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

II. God, who discloses himself to mankind through his creation, has savingly spoken in the words and events of redemptive history. This history is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who is made known to us by the Holy Spirit in sacred Scripture.

III. Scripture is an essential part and trustworthy record of this divine self-disclosure. All the books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, are the written word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. They are to be interpreted according to their context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the Lord who speaks through them in living power.

IV. God, by his word and for his glory, freely created the world of nothing. He made man and woman in his own image, as the crown of creation, that they might have fellowship with him. Tempted by Satan, they rebelled against God. Being estranged from their Maker, yet responsible to him, they became subject to divine wrath, inwardly depraved and, apart from grace, incapable of returning to God.

V. The only mediator between God and humankind is Christ Jesus our Lord, God's eternal son, who, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, fully shared and fulfilled our humanity in a life of perfect obedience. By his death in our stead, he revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having redeemed us from sin, the third day he rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death and the powers of darkness. He ascended into heaven where, at God's right hand, he intercedes for his people and rules as Lord over all.

VI. The Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the gospel, renews our hearts, persuading us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord. By the same Spirit we are led to trust in divine mercy, whereby we are forgiven all our sins, justified by faith alone through the merit of Christ our Savior, and granted the free gift of eternal life.

VII. God graciously adopts us into his family and enables us to call him Father. As we are led by the Spirit, we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, freely keeping his commandments and endeavoring so to live in the world that all may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

VIII. God, by his Word and Spirit creates the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, calling sinners out of the whole human race into the fellowship of Christ's Body. By the same Word and Spirit, he guides and preserves for eternity that new, redeemed humanity, which, being formed in every culture, is spiritually one with the people of God in all ages.

IX. The Church is summoned by Christ to offer acceptable worship to God and to serve him by preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations, by tending the flock through the ministry of the word and sacraments and through daily pastoral care, by striving for social justice, and by relieving human distress and need.

X. God's redemptive purpose will be consummated by the return of Christ to raise the dead, to judge all people according to the deeds done in the Body, and to establish his glorious kingdom. The wicked shall be separated from God's presence, but the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with him forever. Then shall the eager expectation of the creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new.

Luke 13:6-9--Parable of the Barren Fig Tree PODCAST

2008-07-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Luke 13:6-9 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree PODCAST
15.3 MB Run time: 17 minutes
07/21/08

This is an audio podcast series explaining some of the existing papers that we have written on the parables of Jesus.

LUKE 13:6-9 (New KJV)
Bible Truth Online Commentary in BLUE

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

He also spoke this parable: “A certain man (GOD)
had a fig tree (The Jews) planted in his
vineyard (The world), and he came seeking fruit
on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper
of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years
(The time of Jesus' ministry) I have come seeking
fruit on this fig tree (The Jews) and find none.
Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But
he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone
this year (The Millenium) also, until I dig around
it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well.
But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

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Hebrews Chapter 13 PODCAST

2008-05-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 13 PODCAST
62 MB Run time: 68 minutes
05/27/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Hebrews Chapter 12 PODCAST

2008-05-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 12 PODCAST
38.5 MB Run time: 42 minutes
05/09/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Hebrews Chapter 11 PODCAST

2008-04-14T02:29:00.000-07:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 11 PODCAST
04/14/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Hebrews Chapter 10 PODCAST

2008-04-14T02:27:00.000-07:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 10 PODCAST
04/14/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Hebrews Chapter 9 PODCAST

2008-04-14T01:32:00.000-07:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 9 PODCAST
File size 39 MB Run Time:56 minutes

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Hebrews Chapter 8 PODCAST

2008-04-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 8 PODCAST
04/14/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Pearls are better than Easter eggs

2008-03-23T03:52:00.001-07:00

God created the world in a specific order.

Genesis 1: 1-10 clearly maps out creation in this order:

Heavens and earth (covered in water)
Light
Day and Night
Firmanent dividing water from water
- The firmament is called heaven
- The separated water creates a bubble
Dry land

Our paper, Genesis Chapter 1, illustrates this. A simplified version has been created below, however you can click on the link above for the “pretty” version:

(water)

(water) ---firmanent--- (water)

(water/land) --- firmanent --- (water)

The creation of the earth is symbolic of the Holy Trinity.

How?

(water): This is God.
(water) ---firmanent--- (water): God separates himself thus creating Jesus. Confused? Think of a glass of water. Dump half the glass into another glass. Which one is water? BOTH. Same with God and Jesus.
(water/land) ---firmanent--- (water): Adam is formed of the earth (land). The water is NEXT TO the land and is LEFT WITH man. Why? For baptism – both water and fire. This is symbolic of the Holy Spirit

Simplified:

GOD (water)

JESUS (water) ---firmanent--- (water)

HOLY SPIRIT (water/land) --- firmanent --- (water)

God simply is. Jesus passes through the sky (or firmament or heaven). The Holy Spirit stays next to man so that man can be baptized.

There was a man named Abraham.

God made a promise to Abraham.

Genesis 22:17
I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore.

Matthew 20:16
For many are called, but few chosen.

Sand is an irritant, which is symbolic of mankind. Some of the sand will come into the water. This is referring to the water left on earth (the Holy Spirit) which is left next to man. The sand that comes into this water are those who hear the gospel message.

Even fewer will come into an oyster. Think of the oyster as Jesus. The grains of sand that come into that oyster are still an irritant. It is the oyster that coats the sand with a substance that smooths out the edges of sand and makes the irritating sand into a pearl. Jesus coats the irritating (sinful) man with the Holy Spirit, forming a pearl.

There was a traveler who found a hidden treasure – a pearl of great price.

Matthew 13:44 – The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:45-46 – Pearl of Great Price
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Point #1: The man who finds the treasure hidden in a field is the same man who found a pearl of great price.

Point #2: The hidden treasure is the pearl of great price.

Point #3: The man went away and sold everything he had in order to buy that field that has the pearl in it.

Point #4: When the traveler returns to the field, he will pick up that pearl and take it to his father’s house, where it will shine like a star in heaven.

Deeper Point #1:

The man who finds the treasure hidden in a field is the same man who found a pearl of great price.

***The man is Jesus. The field is the world.

Deeper Point #2:

The hidden treasure is the pearl of great price.

***This is mankind coated with the Holy Spirit

***The great price is the payment for sin by the death of Jesus

Deeper Point #3:

The man went away

***Jesus left heaven to live on earth,

and sold everything he had

***then gave up his life

in order to buy that field that has the pearl in it.

***to pay the sins of the world

Deeper Point #4:

When the traveler returns to the field

***With the second coming of Jesus

he will pick up that pearl

***the sand that went into the oyster

and take it to his father’s house

***heaven

where it will shine like a star in heaven

Final Note: Abraham was promised that his descendants would be like sands on the shore, for many are invited. His descendants would outnumber the stars in the heavens, for few are chosen. There are more grains of sand than stars in heaven. Being a descendant of Abraham invites you, but doesn’t make you chosen. AND it is said, “and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you…shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel” (Ezekiel 47:22). So after Jesus, any man (irritant) who hears the gospel message (enters the water), believes Jesus (enters the oyster), and receives the Holy Spirit (coated by the oyster) is a descendant of Abraham.

Biblical Humor

2008-03-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ?
A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

Q.. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden ?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the! Bible?< /SPAN>
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark ?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.

PS. Did you know it's not a woman's job to make coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . . "He-brews"

HAPPY EASTER!

Epistle of Jude Bible Study PODCAST

2008-02-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Epistle of Jude PODCAST Bible Study
File size: 31 MB Run Time: 33 minutes
02/06/08

This is another bible study podcast and we tackle the short epistle of Jude.
Jude brings out several very interesting topics. Jude speaks of the Archangel Michael rebuking Satan over the body of Moses.
Jude also quotes the Book of Enoch in his short letter. We discuss Sodom and Gomorrah and expound on what went on there...so young listeners should be warned. However, there is no need for a "rating" because many events in the Old Testament would have to be given a rating, and that is outrageous.

We highly recommend that you click on the links below so that you can understand what works Jude was talking about.

HELPFUL LINKS TO THIS PODCAST:

1) Click HERE to read and/or print a copy of the Epistle of Jude

2) Click HERE to read the only parts left of the Assumption of Moses.
(Relates to Jude verse 9)
All translations of the Assumption of Moses are now incomplete and the only proof that Jude 9 refers to this old work comes from Clement of Alexandria, Origen and Didymus.

For a wonderful commentary on Jude 9, download this free book and scroll to pages 268 through 272.
Download this free book HERE.

3) Click HERE to read a copy of the Book of Enoch
(Relates to Jude verses 6, 14 & 15)
Note: Verses 14 & 15 are from the Book of Enoch 1:9

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Book of Hebrews Chapter 9 PODCAST

2008-02-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 9 PODCAST
File size 39 MB Run Time:56 minutes
02/01/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Philippians Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 PODCAST Bible Study

2008-01-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

Book of Philippians PODCAST

In this bible study podcast we cover one of Paul's epistles to the Philippians.
This series is broken up by chapter with four chapters in all.

1. Book of Philippians Chapter 1 PODCAST
File size: 14Mb Run time: 15 minutes

2. Book of Philippians Chapter 2 PODCAST
File size: 14MB Run time: 15 minutes

3. Book of Philippians Chapter 3 PODCAST
File size: 12.7 MB Run time: 14 minutes

4. Book of Philippians Chapter 4 PODCAST
File size: 22.7 MB Run time: 25 minutes

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE BIBLE VERSES TO PRINT AND READ ALONG WITH

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Book of Hebrews Chapters 5 , 6 , & 7 PODCAST

2008-01-06T21:51:00.000-08:00

Book of Hebrews Chapters 5, 6, & 7 PODCAST
File size: 51MB Run time: 63 minutes
01/06/08

This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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Who is Melchizedek? PODCAST

2008-01-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

Who is Melchizedek? PODCAST
File size: 21.3 MB Run time: 27 minutes
01/06/08

As we continue our Book of Hebrews podcast series, we felt that it was necessary to talk about Melchizedek before we began with Hebrews chapter 5, 6, 7. These three chapters in the Book of Hebrews talk mainly about this so called "mysterious" "King of Salem" named Melchizedek. How can one understand these three chapters of Hebrews without knowing who Melchizedek is? We answer this question.

FOR A COPY OF OUR PAPER, "WHO IS MELCHIZEDEK?" CLICK HERE
Print a copy for yourself while listening to our podcast...it will help.

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Book of Hebrews Chapter 4 PODCAST

2007-12-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 4 PODCAST
File size: 41MB Run time: 51 minutes
12/23/07

  This is a continued bible study podcast series on the Book of
Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the
New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times.
Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions,
provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews

(Click HERE for the Bible verses)

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The Meaning of Christmas

2007-12-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas has nothing to do with giving people plenty of material possessions as "gifts". These gifts are self-centered and meaningless unless the true meaning of Christmas is told and celebrated. Material possessions are of this world and will be destroyed with this world. Giving "gifts" is not uniquely Christian, and other religions give gifts, heck, Wiccan's give each other gifts. In this time that can easily become nothing more than material and self obsession amidst retail insanity , let's remember the true meaning of Christmas.

LOVE - that's the true meaning of Christmas. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

Philippians chapter 2, verses 6-11, as paraphrased in The Message, records, "Jesus had equal status with God but didn't think so much of Himself that He had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, He stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, He lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted Him high and honored Him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that He is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father."

The true meaning of Christmas is God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love (1 John 4:8)! Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate.

The true meaning of Christmas is LOVE. God loved us so much that He wanted to provide a way for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins, He paid the price in full! We are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of LOVE. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8).

(Thanks to GotQuestions.org)

Book of Hebrews Chapter 3 PODCAST

2007-12-20T14:15:00.001-08:00

Book of Hebrews Chapter 3 PODCAST
File Size: 30 MB Run time: 37 minutes
12/20/07

This is a new bible study podcast series and we begin with the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times. Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions, provide answers, and expound on the verses in Hebrews chapter 3.

*If you do not have a bible, CLICK HERE for a copy of Hebrews Chapter 3*

Technorati:christian podcast,podcast,podcast,PODCASTING,BIBLE STUDY PODCAST,FAITH PODCASTING

MERRY TOSSMAS!

2007-12-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Book of Hebrews Chapters 1 & 2 PODCAST

2007-12-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

Book of Hebrews Chapters 1 & 2 PODCAST
File Size: 52MB Run time: 65 minutes
12/4/07

This is a new bible study podcast series and we begin with the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews is a wonderful and enlightening book within the New Testament and may seem difficult to read the first few times. Grab your bible and read along with us as we explore, ask questions, provide answers, and expound on the verses in chapters 1 & 2.

*If you do not have a bible, CLICK HERE for a copy of Hebrews Chap. 1 & 2*

Technorati:christian podcast,podcast,podcast,PODCASTING,BIBLE STUDY PODCAST,FAITH PODCASTING

Who are the 24 Elders? PODCAST

2007-11-22T00:37:00.000-08:00

Who are the 24 Elders? PODCAST
File size: 44 MB Run time: 55 minutes
11/22/07

In this podcast we explain why we disagree with the 7 most popular theories about who the 24 Elders in Revelation are. We then give a detailed explanation of our short and simple paper that we wrote found on our website www.bibletruthonline.com. We are not here to be unique, but we are examining our knowledge of Scripture and question everything. If we agreed with any one of the theories about the 24 Elders, we wouldn't have spent the time to write a paper. Due to the amount of questions received about this paper on our website, we felt that it was easier to provide our readers with an audio explanation of each of the 7 other theories and our own.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ AND COPY OUR WRITTEN PAPER

Technorati:christian podcast,podcast,podcast,PODCASTING,BIBLE STUDY PODCAST,FAITH PODCASTING

Salvation

2007-11-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

The Kinsman Redeemer is stated in the book as Leviticus as a law to free one from the bondage of slavery:

Now if the means of a stranger or of a sojourner with you becomes sufficient, and a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to him as to sell himself to a stranger who is sojourning with you, or to the descendants of a stranger’s family, 48 then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him, 49 or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself." (Leviticus 25:47-49).

In our Introduction to the Bible, we simplify this:

The rule is this:

If you became so poor that you had to sell 
yourself into slavery (like the slavery you 
sold yourself into by sinning), the only way 
you can get out of bondage is:

1) Person must be of kin.

2) Person must have the price.

3) Person must pay the price.

What does this have to do with you?

When Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge disobeying God, she sinned. Because she was of Adam, Adam also sinned. Because all mankind descends from Adam, we all carry that sin. We are all now entwined into the slavery of sin because of this original act.

WE MUST BE BOUGHT FROM THE SLAVERY OF OUR SIN TO BE FREE!

So far, we have only used this law simply as the reason why Jesus' death forgives our sin. Just to review:

1. God came to earth in a tent of flesh called Jesus, born by a woman. That makes him man, which makes him kin.

2. The price for death is the opposite: life. We sinned, therefore we must die. Unless someone lives a perfect life according to the law. That person is Jesus.

3. Jesus died on the cross, giving up his perfect life to save us in our imperfection. He paid the price.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY POINT!
JUST BECAUSE YOUR SIN IS FORGIVEN DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE SAVED!

Jesus became kin to man. Great.
God has now completely removed your sin. Fantastic.
THIS ALONE DOES NOT MAKE YOU SAVED.

YOU HAVE TO ALSO BECOME KIN TO JESUS!

Why?

When Jesus came to earth, he was 100% God and 100% man.

This is a very unique and new creation.

In order to become kin to such a unique and new creation, you must become a unique and new creation.

How does one become new?

1. Accept that Christ not only was the Kinsman Redeemer, but he also died by crucifixion AND resurrected three days later.
2. Likewise die to the flesh and become resurrected (Born Again).

Only then will the Holy Spirit be able to live within you. You have become a new creation, detaching your soul from the sinful flesh and allowing it to then attach to the Spirit.

Only then will you be saved.

A message to the doubter...

2007-09-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

There has been one TV preacher that I have learned from and respect, and believe me that is rare. The Holy Spirit has obviously come out of this man and here is one of his best teachings...

CLAIMS THAT JESUS MADE


Regardless of the source, the only Jesus in history will be found
making one or more of the following claims.

a)Jesus spoke that He would be killed but would rise on the
third day. (Mark 10:33-34; Matthew 20:19)

b)He spoke that He had been sent to save the world and
salvation came only from believing in Him. (John 3:16-18)

c)Something was wrong with the whole world that could only
be set right by his death being a "ransom". (Matthew 20:28)

d)He spoke of God as His Father and that men should honor
the Son as they honored the Father. (John 5:23)

e)He spoke that those who believed in Him would have
everlasting life. (John 14:6)

f)He claimed to be the Son of God. (John 9:35-37)

g)He spoke that no man could come to the Father except
through Him. (John 14:6)

h)He spoke in His teachings of heaven and eternity from
the inside. "I saw Satan cast down." (Luke 10:18)
And, "Before Abraham, I was." (John 8:58)
And, "There is joy in heaven by the angels when a
sinner repents." (Luke 15:10)

i)He spoke that He was to be the judge of all things
including man. (John 5:22)

j)Jesus thought of Himself as perfect by presuming himself
adequate to forgive sin (Matthew 9:6) and be the redeemer and
Savior of mankind (Matthew 16:16-17).
It doesn't matter whether he was perfect,  he thought he was
and it is not man's nature to accept someone who thinks of
himself as perfect.  Mankind certainly does not make saints of
people who think they're perfect.

So from the claims that Jesus made one can only conclude that:

a) Jesus was a liar and a fraud or
b) He was who and what He claimed to be.
c) A GOOD AND WISE TEACHER

Some say that Jesus was a "good and wise teacher". One can be wise
and be a liar which only makes him a "good" liar. One can be good
and lie without the realization that he is lying in which case he
cannot be wise.

Therefore, one cannot call Jesus both "good and wise" without
accepting that He was what He said He was.

CAN JESUS BE "JUST" A PROPHET

The claims that Jesus made suggest that He considered Himself more
than a prophet. A mere prophet from God would never make the
statement that he "should be afforded the same honor as the one (God)
who had sent him" and mere prophets do not claim that they can forgive
sin. Therefore, if one is to afford Jesus the status of being one
of "God's prophets" then all the other claims that Jesus made should
be accepted as well.

THE RESURRECTION IS THE KEY

One of the qualifications of a prophet is his predictions must be
verifiable by witnesses. We tend to focus on the "long term"
prophecies of the Prophets of old as these are the ones most
relevant to us.
Short term prophecies, those that can be verified during the "time"
of the prophet, are important because they serve to identify him
immediately as a prophet and thus give credibility to his longer
term predictions.

The following verse in the Gospel of Mark obviously qualifies
as a "short term" prediction or prophecy from Jesus. One that could
be verifiable in His "time".

(Mark 9:31) For he taught his disciples, and said unto them,
"The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall
kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day."

The portion of this prediction of significant importance is Jesus'
claim that after being killed He would "rise on the third day".
It's obvious that a miracle from God must occur for this prediction
to come to fruition.

Thus, the Resurrection is the key to determining whether the claims of
Jesus were just a bunch of lies or if He was who He said He was.

THE FACTS

To argue His resurrection one must begin with some general assumable
facts. i.e. we can't argue a resurrection took place unless
we first assume "a life and a death were present" prior to the
resurrection. The following not only are recorded in the scriptures
but are easily backed up by the writings of historians of the period.
(i.e. Josepheus).

1)Jesus lived.
2)He was crucified and considered dead.
3)He was buried in a known accessible tomb.
4)The tomb was found to be empty on the third day.
5)It was preached (by the disciples) that He had was raised up
and had ascended to Heaven.
6)The Jewish leaders who instigated the crucifixion would
be most interested in disproving the resurrection even more
than we would today.
7)The early Church leaders (the disciples) were persecuted for
preaching the resurrection message.
8)The tomb was found empty.

COMMON ARGUMENTS AGAINST RESURRECTION

1)The disciples stole the body of Jesus.
2)The Romans stole the body.
3)The Jewish leaders stole the body.
4)The women went to the wrong tomb.
5)He (Jesus) wasn't really dead when he was placed in
the tomb and He resuscitated
6)Everyone was hallucinating.
7)The disciples made the whole thing up and were lying
when they preached the resurrection.
8)It's all true. The disciples are telling exactly what
they saw and experienced.

a)Had the Romans or the Jews stolen the body (arguments 2 & 3),
they could easily have disproved the Resurrection and expose Jesus
as a fraud by simply producing the body if they were in possession of it.

b)Had the women gone to the wrong tomb (argument 4) they would have
simply kept looking until they found the right one.

c)No one ever survived a Roman crucifixion (argument 5).
Further, John reports (John 19:34) that Jesus was pierced with a
Roman spear as a final gesture to assure His death.

d)Hallucinations are temporary and do not change reality.
If it had just been hallucinations, there would have been a body in
the tomb. (argument 6).

e)The only arguments remaining center on the disciples.
Specifically, the disciples were either telling the truth when they
preached the crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus or they were
preaching lies.

A LOOK AT THE DISCIPLES

Prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus the disciples were
disorganized in their understanding of the teachings of Jesus.
Peter was unstable in his faith as evidenced by his three denials
of Jesus. (Matthew 26:70-75). John was harsh and selfish to an extent
that Jesus actually referred to John and James as "the sons of thunder"
(Mark 3:17). Thomas was always filled with doubt.

Cowards, fearing for their own lives, all the disciples with
the exception of John, deserted Jesus when He was arrested and carried
away to be crucified. It appears that John was the only disciple that
was present at the crucifixion.

The disciples underwent cataclysmic changes after the Resurrection. They
show consistency in their understanding and preaching of what Jesus had
taught them. Peter became the epitome of stability within the Church.
John's ways were transformed from selfishness to loving and Thomas became
a full believer never to doubt again. Thomas preached in India which was
probably the most difficult "assignment" of all. Their cowardice was
transformed to that of courage as they preached throughout the "then known"
world.

THE FINAL ARGUMENT

Finally, to answer the question, "Were the disciples preaching lies or
were they telling what they knew to be the truth concerning the death and
Resurrection of Jesus".

The disciples were scattered throughout different countries as they
preached the Gospel. They preached alone not knowing if they would ever
see their fellow disciples again.

All the disciples, with the exception of John, were tortured, persecuted
and eventually put to death for preaching the resurrection. (The following
compilation is taken from Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Fox)

1)Peter was crucified in Rome.
2)Andrew was crucified in Edessa.
3)James was killed by the sword in Jerusalem.
4)Philip was crucified in Heliopolis, Phyrgia.
5)Bartholomew was beaten and crucified in India.
6)Thomas was speared by idolatrous priests in Parthia, India.
7)Matthew was axed to death in Nadabah, Ethiopia.
8)James (the son of Alphaeus) was clubbed to death in Jerusalem at the
age of 94.
9)Thaddaeus was crucified in Edessa.
10)Simon "Zeolotes" was crucified in Brittainnia.
11)Stephen was stoned to death and was the first to be martyred.
12)Paul (an apostle) was beheaded in Rome.
13)Matthias (an apostle) was stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem.
14)Mark (an apostle) was dragged to death in Alexandria.
15)Luke (an apostle) was hanged by priests in Greece.

Any of the disciples could have saved his own life by simply admitting
that he was preaching lies. Most likely none of the other disciples would
have ever known of such an admission since they were separated from the
others. Each of the disciples died alone.

Yet, not a single disciple retracted his story! They preached the death
and Resurrection of Jesus Christ even unto their own deaths. They preached
what they knew had happened. They were witnesses to the events that Jesus
had predicted. Jesus came out of the tomb as He said He would and since He
did then Jesus has to be everything He claimed He was.

Lost Tribe of Manasseh has been found? TRY AGAIN

2007-09-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

Members of Manasseh, the Lost tribe?
They don't look Hebrew?

Point # 1-
To be Hebrew, the rule is not to intermarry with Gentiles. If we follow the theory that these Lost Tribes are Hebrews (Jews) and that when they are found in small numbers in India and China and once reunited then they will receive a little land in the nation of Israel like the tribes had in biblical times...makes little sense.

Using this theory opens the possibility for any small group of people to stand up and say;"Hey! We are the tribe of Dan! Why? Because we say so! Gives us some land in Israel." The promises to these tribes are too significant and history shows us the proof. How hard is it for a group of people to start there own nation? Answer: Almost impossible! It takes Divine Providence for such an event to happen. For the Lost Tribes to be only Jews scattered through India and China...even creates problems within Jewish Law. There is truth in the promises and who the tribes are...if we look at the bible in depth.

Have these scattered tribes in India and China intermarried with Gentiles? Yes. Are the lost tribes Jews or Gentiles? We say that the 10 lost tribes are GENTILES and 2 tribes are Jews based on Scripture and common sense. These lost tribes are not a few thousand scattered people in foreign lands practicing Judaism...they have become nations or their own fulfilling the birthright promises as stated in Genesis!!

Here is some information from a website found HERE:
Intermarriage in the Torah

According to the Torah, Jews should not intermarry because their children will turn to other religions. "You shall not intermarry with them: do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. For you will turn your children away from Me to worship other gods..." (Deuteronomy 7:1-3).

Intermarriage in Judaism Today

There is an ongoing debate about interfaith marriage in the Jewish community today.

Orthodox Judaism's View of Intermarriage

All branches of Orthodox Judaism, both Haredi and non-Haredi, view intermarriage as wrong and refer to intermarriage as a "Second Silent Holocaust."

Point #2 -
The Tribes including the two sons of Joseph have specific promises given to them.
Again...how do these supposed members from India fulfill the promises?

Point #3-
If you read the promises (at the bottom of the page) from the Bible, it is clear that
the Tribe of Manasseh is a country...Great Britain.
Who is the older son of Joseph?
Answer: Manasseh!
Which is older? The United States or Great Britain?
Answer: Great Britain!
Who is more powerful? The United States or Great Britain?
Answer: The Untied States.
Who is wiser? The United States or Great Britain?
Answer: Great Britain...Why? One reason is that the British are the standard for English.


TEL AVIV - One-hundred-seventy-four people from a group of thousands in
India that believes it is one of the 10 "lost tribes" of Israel landed
here this week, fulfilling for many a life-long dream of returning to
what they consider their homeland.

Shavei Israel, a Jerusalem-based organization led by American Michael
Freund, hopes to bring to the Jewish state the remaining 7,000 Indian
citizens who believe they are the Bnei Menashe, the descendants of Manasseh,
one of biblical patriarch Joseph's two sons and a grandson of Jacob.

The tribe lives in the two Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur, to
which they claim to have been exiled from Israel more than 2,700 years
ago by the Assyrian empire.

"I truly believe this is a miracle of immense historical and even
biblical significance," Freund told WND as the group of 174 arrived
here earlier this week.

"Just as the prophets foretold so long ago, the lost tribes of Israel
are being brought back from the exile," said Freund, who previously
served as deputy communications director under former Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Another planeload of 57 Bnei Menashe is slated to touch down in Israel
tomorrow.

The group, which has preserved ancient Jewish customs and rituals, has
been trying the past 50 years to return to Israel.

Over the last decade, Freund's Shavei Israel, at times working with
other organizations, brought about 1,200 Bnei Menashe members to the
Jewish state.
Many settled in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. About 80 lived in Gaza's
slate of Jewish communities, which were evacuated by the Israeli
government in 2005.

The original batches of Bnei Menashe to arrive here were brought to
Israel as tourists in an agreement with Israel's Interior Ministry.
Once here, the Bnei Menashe converted officially to Judaism and became
citizens.


But diplomatic wrangling halted the immigration process in 2003, with
officials from some Israeli ministries refusing to grant the rest of
the group still in India permission to travel here.

To smooth the process, Freund enlisted the help of Israel's chief
rabbinate, which flew to India in 2005 to meet with and consider
converting members of the Bnei Menashe. Once legally Jewish, the tribe can
apply for Israeli citizenship under the country's "Law of Return," which
guarantees sanctuary to Jews from around the world.

Six rabbis were sent by Israel's Sephardic chief rabbi, Shlomo Amar,
to begin converting the Bnei Menashe. The rabbis met with hundreds of tribal
members, testing their knowledge of Judaism and assessing their conviction,
converting 216 individuals - over 90 percent of the members interviewed.



"The rabbis were incredibly impressed with the Bnei Menashe," said
Freund.
"They saw for themselves that the group is very serious and should
be integrated into the Jewish nation. That they are a blessing to the state
of Israel."



Last year, 218 converted members arrived in Israel. Freund hoped to
repeat the process for 231 more Bnei Menashe who had been approved for
conversion, but the Indian government, which heavily restricts conversions,
put a halt on the plan.



Instead, the batch of Bnei Menashe that arrived this week were brought
to Israel as tourists in coordination with the Israeli government.
Once here, the tribe will be officially converted by the country's chief
rabbinate and qualify for Israeli citizenship.

The new immigrants will spend the next few months studying Hebrew and
Judaism at a Shavei Israel absorption center in northern Israel.

The Bnei Menashe that arrived here over the years have fully transited
into Israeli society. Many attended college and rabbinic school, moved
to major Israeli communities and even joined the Israel Defense Forces.

Twelve Bnei Menashe served in the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip and
in Lebanon in 2006. One of them, Avi Hanshing, a 22-year old paratrooper,
was injured during a clash with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Hanshing's father was among those who arrived here earlier this week in
an emotional reunion at Israel's international airport.

"As much as we might think that Israel is helping the Bnei Menashe, it
is the reverse that is true. It is they who strengthen us - with their
faith, with their commitment and with their undying love for Zion,"
said Freund.


According to Bnei Menashe oral tradition, the tribe was exiled from
Israel and pushed to the east, eventually settling in the border regions
of China and India, where most remain today. Most kept customs similar to
Jewish tradition, including observing Shabbat, keeping the laws of Kosher,
practicing circumcision on the eighth day of a baby boy's life and observing
laws of family purity.

In the 1950s, several thousand Bnei Menashe say they set out on foot to
Israel but were quickly halted by Indian authorities. Undeterred, many began
practicing Orthodox Judaism and pledged to make it to Israel.
They now attend community centers established by Shavei Israel to teach the
Bnei Menashe Jewish tradition and modern Hebrew.

Freund said he hopes the arrival this week of more Bnei Menashe would
"jump-start the process of bringing back the rest of the 7,000 Bnei Menashe
who are in India yearning to return home."

READ OUR PAPER HERE!  Below is an excerpt:

In Egypt Joseph had two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh. (Genesis 41:50-52) 
All 12 brothers become tribes except for Joseph.
 
Joseph is not made a tribe but his two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) 
become tribes, as a double portion, a blessing. (48:5,21,22) 

The birthright is passed through Joseph and goes to Ephraim 
and Manasseh, but Ephraim is given the greater blessing (48:12-20) . 
Ephraim is given the right to the father’s name: Israel. 
***Realize that there are actually 13 tribes altogether.***
Even though Levi does not have land possession, Levi is still a tribe!



Moving forward through history........ 
 
After Joseph’s death,the children of Israel become slaves in Egypt. 
After 400 years they are led out of Egypt under Moses and 
wander in the desert for 40 years. 
The children of Israel are then led into the Promised Land under Joshua. 

The 13 Tribes of Israel eventually become nations, occupying  the
territory promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After the reign of King Solomon
over the nation of  Israel,  the tribes split into two kingdoms:
Israel and Judah. 


Israel is the Northern Kingdom, headed by the tribe of Ephraim. 


Judah is the Southern Kingdom, headed by the tribe of Judah. 


There are 9 ½ tribes to the North, 2 ½ tribes to the South,
       and the Tribe of Levi is scattered throughout.
 

The people of the Northern Kingdom: Israel, are called Israelites 
                           
                            and 

  the people of the Southern Kingdom are Judahites (or Jews).
 

Only the Israelites of the Southern Kingdom are Jews. 
Ephraim (Israel) is taken into captivity 745 B.C. by the Assyrians.
Judah is taken into captivity 573 B.C. by the Babylonians. 

The Jews returned from captivity after 70 years. 
The northern tribes never return.
 
These northern tribes are the 10 “lost” tribes of Israel. 
But are they really lost? Or do they just have different names? 
Wherever these "lost" tribes are, they must be as numerous as 
     "the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore". 

Remember: 
Ephraim and Manasseh receive the birthright, not the Jews! 
The birthright promises AREN’T fulfilled when they become tribes. 
The birthright promises ARE fulfilled when they become nations...
    a multitude of nations, and many kings!

            Genesis 22:17
 
        "To Ephraim and Manasseh : 
    Blessed be everyone that blesses you, 
     cursed be everyone who curses you, 
      you will be exceedingly fruitful, 
  you will possess the gates of your enemies, 
   you will be a blessing to all nations

  you will be as numerous as the sand on the
   seashore and as the stars in heaven."

Hosea 1:9-11 9
Then God said:
“Call his name Lo-Ammi,
For you are not My people,
And I will not be your God.
10 “Yet the number of the children of Israel
Shall be as the sand of the sea,
Which cannot be measured or numbered.
And it shall come to pass
In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’
There it shall be said to them,
You are sons of the living God.’
11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel Shall be gathered together,
And appoint for themselves one head; And they shall come up out of the land,
For great will be the day of Jezreel!

Note: The children of Judah and the children of Israel are not the same. Becoming a son of the living God can only be obtained through being born again by the Spirit of God.

Where & when did the children of Israel become "not my people", then as numerous as the sand on the seashore, then a multitude of nations, and then "sons of the living God"?

Christian Persecution in IRAN

2007-07-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

IRAN – Increased Persecution against Christians – VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts in Iran report increased persecution for Christians in Iran. Several Christians have been imprisoned, interrogated and threatened. VOM sources said, “Iranian security forces prompted by the Islamic leadership and Iranian president are trying to wipe out Christianity in Iran. They are angry many Iranian Muslims are choosing to follow Christ.” Pray God protects and sustains Christians in Iran. Ask God to use the testimonies of those being persecuted to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him

1 Peter 5:7,
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

John 14:27
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs reports on what is really happening around the world where our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Now you can receive a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs award winning monthly newsletter. You will be inspired, and even discover practical ways to get involved.

Sign up today.

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Christian Persecution in INDIA

2007-07-29T02:10:00.000-07:00

INDIA: Christians Beaten by Hindu Extremists – VOM Sources
On June 24, a Carmelite priest and four other Christian men were attacked by a group of Hindu militants in Kundapurna, Karnataka state. While the men were in the waiting room of a hospital with a neighbor, Islamic extremists started insulting then and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus. The attackers threw the priest down a flight of stairs and beat him. When the other men came to his aid, they were also beaten. The Christians were then taken to the police station where the militants filed a complaint of forcible conversion against them. All five Christians have been hospitalized for their injuries. Pray for healing for the injured believers. Ask God to encourage and protect Christians in India who face increased persecution.

Psalm 103:1-5;
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Isaiah 53:4-5;

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs reports on what is really happening around the world where our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Now you can receive a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs award winning monthly newsletter. You will be inspired, and even discover practical ways to get involved.

Sign up today.

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Christian Persecution in ERITREA

2007-07-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

Twenty Christians Arrested by Security Forces –
VOM Sources

At least 20 Christians, including several children, were arrested and detained when security forces raided a home south of the capital, Asmara. According to Release Eritrea, authorities went to the home expecting to arrest a group of Christians gathered for prayer. When they did not find a meeting they arrested the families living in the home and several Christians in the neighborhood, including a well-known Bible teacher and church leader, Pastor Michael Abraha, of the Kale-Hiwot Baptist church. There is considerable concern for the pastor’s health because he is diabetic. Pray the arrested Christians will be encouraged. Ask God to raise up more believers in Eritrea to take the place of those who are imprisoned. Pray for Pastor Michael’s health.

Psalm 91: 1-2

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs reports on what is really happening around the world where our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Now you can receive a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs award winning monthly newsletter. You will be inspired, and even discover practical ways to get involved.

Sign up today.

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Christian Persecution in IRAN

2007-07-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

New Wave of Persecution in Iran –
VOM Sources

On June 19, 2007, The Voice of the Martyrs confirmed reports that believers in Iran are being detained, interrogated and in one case, imprisoned, because of their faith in Jesus Christ. According to VOM sources, this new wave of persecution is coming against Christians who meet to worship God in the privacy of their homes. VOM sources said, “We have confirmed reports that several believers have been interrogated and one house was stormed by an elite police team that confiscated a computer, several CDs and Christian materials. A Christian was arrested in this attack, and remains in prison.” Pray believers in Iran will remain steadfast in their faith despite this new wave of persecution. Pray for the release of the believer in prison and for protection for all Christians in Iran.

Psalm 27:1-14,
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Joshua 1:8-9
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs reports on what is really happening around the world where our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Now you can receive a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs award winning monthly newsletter. You will be inspired, and even discover practical ways to get involved.

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Ahmadinejad: Israel's Destruction Getting Close

2007-06-21T23:34:00.001-07:00

TEHRAN, Iran —

Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said the world would witness the destruction of Israel soon, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Ahmadinejad said last summer's war between Israel and Hezbollah showed for the first time that the "hegemony of the occupier regime [Israel] had collapsed, and the Lebanese nation pushed the button to begin counting the days until the destruction of the Zionist regime," IRNA quoted him as saying.

"God willing, in the near future we will witness the destruction of the corrupt occupier regime," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying during a speech to foreign guests who attended ceremonies marking the 18th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who is known as the father of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has lost public support after Israel failed to achieve its goals during last summer's 34-day war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon — freeing two captured soldiers and crushing the militant group.

The war was sparked after two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah militants in a cross-border raid. The fighting ended with a U.N.-brokered cease-fire that called for deployment of U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel.

Ahmadinejad has made anti-Israel comments in the past.

In October 2005, he caused outrage in the West when he said in a speech that Israel's "Zionist regime should be wiped off the map."

His supporters have argued Ahmadinejad's words were mistranslated and should have been better translated as "vanish from the pages of time" — implying Israel would vanish on its own rather be destroyed.

YES! JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN....

Ezekiel 38:1-13

1 And the word of the LORD came to me saying,
2 "Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog,
the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against
him

3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog,
prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.

4 "I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will
bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of
them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all
of them wielding swords;

5 Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield
and helmet;

6 Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts
of the north with all its troops--many peoples with you.

7 "Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies
that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them.

8 "After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you
will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose
inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the
mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its
people were brought out from the nations, and they are living
securely, all of them.

9 "You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a
cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples
with you."

10'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It will come about on that day, that
thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil
plan,

11 and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled
villages I will go against those who are (V)at rest, that live
securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or
gates,

12 to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against
the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who
are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who
live at the center of the world.'

13 "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all
its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have
you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and
gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"'

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Who was Jesus? Why is He unique??

2007-06-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

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The Cashless Society

2007-06-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Microchip Implants Vs Cash - The Race Is On

We first talked about this scenario in 1995. It is fascinating in a way that when we first told people back then about this technology and The Mark, people couldn't see the technology making it possible nor acceptance ever being possible. Well, here we are!

A hundred years ago or more, The Mark was an obscure prophecy few attempted to tackle.

The Church had nothing to say about it...just an obscure verse in Revelation that could have already happened or will happen in the future. In no other time since Jesus has The Mark become easy to spot.

Believe it! Shoppers could soon pay for goods using a microchip implanted under the skin, according to a report in The Times newspaper recently.

The idea, says the report, is already catching on with today's iPod generation, with one study showing that one in 10 teenagers and one in 20 adults already willing to have a microchip implanted to pay bills and help to prevent identity fraud.

The VIP Baja Beach Club in Barcelona already uses implanted human body chips to identify its exclusive clientele - ostensibly because wearing bikinis and shorts leaves nowhere to carry wallets and purses. Members use the chip to gain access and to pay for services.

Made by the VeriChip Corporation, the chip is a glass capsule which sits under the skin. It carries a ten-digit personal number that can be linked to a person's bank account.

For decades, certain prophets of our time - both Christian and secular - have warned that we're rapidly moving into a dangerously uncertain, cashless world.

For centuries, cash money ruled the world: a world where most people traded on a local scale and where nation-states could govern their own economies and produce their own currencies.

Today's world is very different. International trading pacts drive macro-economies and everything is linked to everything else all across the globe. A financial sneeze in one major trading center can cause whole nations to catch cold -- on the other side of the world.

To serve this new economic landscape, we've invented digital alternatives to cash.

The first step in the move toward a digital economy was the introduction of the now ubiquitous credit card. The process took a giant leap forward, though, when computer mchips were added to those cards.

Meanwhile, the mobile phone market offered hungry companies a hot new way to offer digital cash services.

Phones have three great advantages over cards. They have keys; they have transmitters ;and they have enough memory and power to handle big processors and software for encryption and accounting. The mobile phone is an amazing banking technology, because it's so convenient for the user.

The big new developments in the digital cash world are driven by tools such as Radio Frequency ID tags (RFIDs for short).

Each one of these tiny devices is basically a radio bar code. It's smaller than a grain of sand, yet it contains hardware, software, permanent memory, an operating system, and the ability to write and receive data. It transmits over small distances using short bursts of electromagnetic radiation and its built-in power generators could last up to 100 years (1).

Before we dump cash altogether, we should take a long, deep breath and consider a few facts.

First, despite all the bells-and-whistles technologies on offer, using cash still has its advantages: it doesn't require any special equipment, it's anonymous and there are no transaction costs.

Yes, digital money has the advantage of being able to handle large transactions instantly, even over long distances, but using it requires complex electronic systems. Transactions are not anonymous; they can be traced back to the user.

What's more, several studies have shown that when people with credit card debt are confronted with their spending in terms of cold, hard cash, they are shocked. They've never been able to weigh their spending against their earnings while money is nothing more than numbers on a screen.

It's only when they feel the cash in hand that they're able to attribute value to their earnings - and their spending.

There are even bigger human issues at stake, though; issues as fundamental as freedom.

Despite the relative merits of digital money, it's not hard to imagine how bankers and others are using it to slowly eliminate cash altogether. Twenty years ago, that would have sounded far-fetched, but not any more.

Multi-national companies are building global networks of interconnected computer databases. That's the reason we can bank, buy, receive social benefits and even pay our taxes electronically.

Real money is being replaced with virtual money and this may very well be sowing the seeds of eventual electronic enslavement.

Our reliance on cards is actually a reliance on chips and it is already leading to unacceptable invasions of privacy. As we grow more and more familiar with a microchip culture, the easier it gets for someone to centralise all the information contained on our cards.

One chip can easily contain all the relevant information about our health, banking details, buying habits, voting preferences and so on. The technology is already in place - what's missing is the public acceptance.

Once money becomes nothing more than numbers on a screen, our material wealth can easily be manipulated by other people.

Yes, cash can stolen, but when it is, fraudsters can't use it to steal your identity as well - as they can with cards. Stealing your cash does not give thieves access to personal information about you.

And the drive for a cashless society may well lead to sinister attempts to control individuals and even entire populations.

Already, miniature chip technologies are being used to turn us into an extension of our bank accounts - in a world where numbers, not individuals, rule.

Cash, though far from a perfect means of trade, equals freedom. If cash is eliminated,or downgraded even further, the stage is set for companies, national governments or even global bodies to monitor and manipulate our behaviour.

For more on this, watch Mal Fletcher's 30 min interview with futurist Dr. Patrick Dixon: High or Low quality version.

Technorati:prophecy

Best Research Sites PART 2

2007-06-10T23:26:00.000-07:00

FREE Bible Study Textbook Series!!

Many of you are familiar with the Bible Study Textbook Series (The Old Green Commentaries). These were very popular several years back and many of you have requested copies of these timeless treasures. Because reprint cost are so high we have chosen not to reprint but instead, we are offering them electronically for free. These commentaries are being made available for your personal use. Feel free to download them to your computer. These files are very large and may take a while even with high speed and DSL services. If using dial up service please be aware the your download times may be extensive and you may encounter problems during the download. If you have problems downloading these files you may want to consider using a download manager.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE FREE COMMENTARIES!

I will be posting my "secret" tools of research that some of our readers may or may not know about and compiling them into a "tools of the trade" section on our main website. Enjoy!

Technorati:research tools,research-tools,newspapers,citizen journalism,journalism

Genesis 6:4--Revealing Satan's Plan

2007-06-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Were the Nephilim sons of God?

Fallen Angels? Giants of Genesis 6:4?

A common belief which we share is that the "sons of
God" who did marry the "daughters of men" were fallen angels.

Why did God send the judgment of the Flood in the days of Noah? The strange events recorded in Genesis 6 were understood by the ancient rabbinical sources, as well as the Septuagint translators, as referring to fallen angels procreating weird hybrid offspring with human women-known as the Nephilim. This was far more than simply a historical issue, the unique events leading to the Flood are a prerequisite to understanding the prophetic implications of our Lord's predictions regarding His Second Coming. This is believed to have happened both before the Flood and after the flood. In Israel at the time of David, and before this when the Hebrews were scouting the land - there were tribes of these Nephilim - Goliath the giant of Gath is one example. Early Church fathers also understood this to be the case. It appears that these fallen angels were active all over the world. These bizarre giants living on the earth are also echoed in the legends and myths of nearly every ancient culture. The ancient Greeks, the Egyptians, the Hindus, the South Sea Islanders, the American Indians, and most all the others have these legends.

The Hebrew word Nephelim (plural of nephel) (Nephilim) literally means "rejects". The Hebrew plural for Nephites would be "Nephi'im".

Satan probably put this plan to interrupt Abraham's "seed into motion, as soon as it was made known that the Seed of the Woman (Christ) was to come through ABRAHAM.
Bible Probe Note: Our use of the Word "irruption" in this article below means: act of rushing; act of breaking in; intrusion, raid; sudden increase.

Genesis 6:4 (Original KJV):
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that,
when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and
they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which
were of old, men of renown.
Bible Probe Note: Note the words; "and also after that". This
probably tells of two "irruptions" by Satan's seed. One before Noah's
time and another after the flood. They were called “The Watchers” in The Book of Enoch.

Their descendents, called Nephilim (translated "giants"), were monsters of iniquity; and being superhuman in size and in their wicked character, had to be destroyed. Was this the one and only object of the Flood?

Genesis 6:12 (Original KJV):
And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt;
for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Only Noah and his family had preserved their pedigree pure from Adam (Genesis 6:9). All the rest had become "corrupt" (shachath). The only remedy was to destroy it
defacto (Latin for "in fact"), as it had become defacto destroyed.

This irruption of fallen angels before Noah's day was probably Satan's first attempt to prevent the coming of the "Seed of the woman" foretold in Genesis 3:15. If this could be accomplished, God's Word would have failed, and Satan's own doom would be averted.

Genesis 3:15 (Original KJV):
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between
thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt
bruise his heel. also see Isaiah 7:14

Satan's plan was to occupy Canaan with "his own seed" in advance of Abraham's seed.

As soon as it was made known that the Seed of the woman was to come through ABRAHAM, there must have been another irruption, as recorded in Genesis 6:4 (see above), "and also after that" (that is to say, after the days of Noah, more than 500 years after the first irruption). The aim of the enemy was to occupy Canaan in advance of Abraham, and so to contest its occupation by his seed. For, when Abraham entered Canaan, we read (Genesis 12:6) "the Canaanite was then (that is to say, already) in the land."

Also in Genesis we see two more attempts by Satan to interfere with Abraham's
seed before the birth of Isaac, as told in both Genesis 12:10-20 and in Genesis 20:1-18.

In the late 1950’s, during road construction in the Euphrates Valley of south-east Turkey, many tombs containing the remains of giants were uncovered. At the sites the leg bones were measured to be 120 cms (47.24 inches). Joe Taylor, Director of Mt. Blanco Fossil Museum, was commissioned to sculpt the human femur. This Antediluvian giant stood some 14-16 ft tall (see below). Genesis 6:4 claims: "There were giants in the earth in those days;" Deuteronomy 3:11 states that the bed of Og, king of Bashan, was 9 cubits by 4 cubits (approximately 14 ft long by 6 ft wide).

Antediluvian Giants' bone below

Other human Fossil finds

A 19'6" human skeleton found in 1577 A.D. under an overturned oak tree in the Canton of Lucerne.

23-foot tall skeleton found in 1456 A.D. beside a river in Valence, France.

A 25' 6 " skeleton found in 1613 A.D. near the castle of Chaumont in France. This was claimed to be a nearly complete find.

A 9' 8" skeleton was excavated from a mound near Brewersville, Indiana (Indianapolis News, Nov 10, 1975).

In 1833 soldiers digging at a pit for a powder magazine in Lompock Rancho, California, discovered a male skeleton 12 feet tall. The skeleton was surrounded by carved shells, stone axes, and blocks of porphyry covered with unintelligible symbols. The skeleton had double rows of upper and lower teeth. These bones substantiated legends by the local Piute Indians regarding giants which they called Si-Te-Cahs.

In Clearwater Minnesota, the skeletons of seven giants were found in mounds. These had receding foreheads and complete double dentition.

"A miner fell through a hole in a mine in Italy and found this 11' 6" skeleton." believed to been found in 1856.

A mound near Toledo, Ohio, held 20 skeletons, seated and facing east with jaws and teeth "twice as large as those of present day people," and besides each was a large bowl with "curiously wrought hieroglyphic figures." (Chicago Record, Oct. 24, 1895; cited by Ron G. Dobbins, NEARA Journal, v13, fall 1978).

Almost beyond comprehension or believability was the find of the two separate 36-foot human remains uncovered by Carthaginians somewhere between 200-600 B.C.

Caius Julius Verus Maximinus, also known as Maximinus Thrax (235-238 A.D.) was a Roman soldier-emperor who spent his reign on campaign. Maximinus was born in Thrace to a Gothic father an Alanic mother in about 173 A.D.. He was reportedly 8' feet, six inches (2.59m) tall, and of tremendous strength.

In an ancient text of the Jews, we read an astonishing description of some of these gigantic Amorites whom the Israelites conquered. In Buber's Tanhuma, Devarim 7, the text tells us of a Rabbi Johnanan ben Zakkai's encounter with the Roman Emperor Hadrian. This event occurred in about A.D. 135, soon after the Roman victory in the Bar Kochba war, when the Jews rebelled against the Romans. The text reads:

"The wicked emperor Hadrian, who conquered Jerusalem, boasted, 'I have conquered Jerusalem with great power.' Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai said to him, 'Do not boast. Had it not been the will of Heaven, you would not have conquered it.' Rabbi Johanan then took Hadrian into a cave and showed him the bodies of Amorites who were buried there. One of them measured eighteen cubits [approximately 30 feet] in height. He said, 'When we were deserving, such men were defeated by us, but now, because of our sins, you have defeated us'" (quoted in Judaism, edited by Arthur Hertzberg, p.155-156, George Braziller, New York: 1962).

"Sons of God were fallen angels and not aliens"

Some have claimed that the Nephilim, or the "sons of God," both mentioned in Genesis 6:2-4, were aliens. This is a wild extension of a common view that the "sons of God" who married the "daughters of men" were fallen angels, and that the Nephilim were products of those "marriages."

"Sons of God" is clearly used of angels in Job 38:7 Orig KJV: "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?". The Septuagint (LXX) here translates "sons of God" as "angels of God." This need not mean that evil angels, or demons, actually cohabited with women. Jesus made it clear that angels do not engage in sexual activities, at least not angels in heaven. Matthew 22:30 Orig KJV: "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Nevertheless, evil angels on earth could have used the bodies of ungodly men, by demonic possession, to achieve their evil purpose of producing an evil generation of people (Genesis 6:12).[2]

There are other reasonable suggestions as to the identity of the "sons of God" and the Nephilim. Interestingly, the word Nephilim is only used here and in Numbers 13:33, where it clearly refers to the descendants of Anak, who were big people, but still people. Furthermore, "sons of God" is not used exclusively of angels -- the children of Israel are called "the sons of the living God" in Hosea 1:10 (see also Psalm 73:15; 80:17).

Numbers 13: 32-33 Original KJV:

32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.
33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

The Anakim: This was another name for the Watchers. It means “the descendants of Anak”, or Enoch, Cain’s son. Though it was said that a flood had been sent to destroy them, there were still entire cities of Anakim in Canaan as late as the time of Moses. And Jewish chronicler Josephus states that even in his own day it was not uncommon for people to dig up gigantic skeletal remains.

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp ... Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other."

Reading further, both in 2 Samuel 21:16-22 and I Chronicles 20:4-8, we discover that Goliath had four relatives, also giants:

1) Ishbi-Benob, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels (more than seven pounds) and who said he would kill David;

2) Saph (or Sippai), another descendant of Rapha (the giant);

3) Lahmi (the brother of Goliath), whose spear shaft resembled a weaver's rod; and

4) a huge man (unnamed in the text) with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.

Goliath and these four were all descendants of Rapha in Gath, "and they fell at the hands of David and his men" (2 Samuel 21:22 and I Chronicles 20:8).

David apparently knew in facing Goliath that these other four might also have to be reckoned with. So David prepared himself to take down all five giants, one stone per giant, if need be. The Bible tells us that the other four did fight against David and his army in later battles, and all four were defeated.

David's stone was a bullet of faith, launched from his sling at probably 100 to 120 mph, and with sufficient momentum to break through Goliath's skull bones. The boastful giant never knew what hit him. The text indicates that David ran toward Goliath as he launched his shot, thus adding to its momentum. We can assume from David's success in killing both bear and lion that he was a fast runner (Goliath could never have caught him in open field running) and an accurate shot, probably able to put a stone into a 3- or 4-inch circle consistently from a distance of 20 or 30 feet (an accuracy comparable to that of today's pro baseball pitchers).

Rulers in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia often proclaimed themselves as "sons of God" to enhance their power and prestige. So, another view with much support is that the "sons of God" were power-hungry rulers and despots, who, in their hunger for power and influence, took many wives in polygamy. They, and their offspring, through tyranny, became "mighty men." (Nimrod was described as a "mighty one" in Genesis 10:8.)

So, there is no need to resort to fanciful suggestions involving aliens to understand this passage of Scripture.

Good Angels do not marry

A contradictory yet enlightening statement about angel marriages was made by Jesus which was reported in Matthew 22:30; "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Here we read a statement from Jesus saying that angels do not get married. A possible explanation for this is that the "sons of God" were the descendants of Seth, and "the daughters of men" were of the godless Cainites. Remember, God later spoke of the people of Israel as His ‘firstborn son" (Exodus 4:22), and Moses called the people of Israel "children of the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 14:1).
Therefore, when they took wives it was an unholy alliance between Sethites (God's people) and Cainites (idol worshipers). Also, the word "wives" seems to indicate more that one and therefore a suggests taking more than one wife (polygamy).

How Big were the Giants?

(probably around *9.5-14 feet)

(Ancient Hebrew cubit remains unknown)

*9 cubits using Egyptian Royal cubit (1.7 ft) =15.3 ft

(subtracted 1 ft for bed's comfort)
*9 cubits using Egyptian Royal cubit (1.7 ft) =15.3 ft
(subtracted 1 ft for bed's comfort)

Deuteronomy 3:11 Original KJV:

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant
of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of
iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon?
nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits
the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man,

Giants

(1.) Hebrew Nephilim, meaning "violent" or "causing to fall" (Gen. 6:4). These were the violent tyrants of those days, those who fell upon others. The word may also be derived from a root signifying "wonder," and hence "monsters" or "prodigies." In Num. 13:33 this name is given to a Canaanitish tribe, a race of large stature, "the sons of Anak." The Revised Version, in these passages, simply transliterates the original, and reads "Nephilim."

(2.) Hebrew rephaim, a race of giants (Deut. 3:11) who lived on the east of Jordan, from whom Og was descended. They were probably the original inhabitants of the land before the immigration of the Canaanites. They were conquered by Chedorlaomer (Gen. 14:5), and their territories were promised as a possession to Abraham (15:20). The Anakim, Zuzim, and Emim were branches of this stock.

In Job 26:5 (R.V., "they that are deceased;" marg., "the shades," the "Rephaim") and Isa. 14:9 this Hebrew word is rendered (A.V.) "dead." It means here "the shades," the departed spirits in Sheol. In Sam. 21:16, 18, 20, 33, "the giant" is (A.V.) the rendering of the singular form ha raphah, which may possibly be the name of the father of the four giants referred to here, or of the founder of the Rephaim. The Vulgate here reads "Arapha," whence Milton (in Samson Agonistes) has borrowed the name "Harapha." (See also 1 Chron. 20:5, 6, 8; Deut. 2:11, 20; 3:13; Josh. 15:8, etc., where the word is similarly rendered "giant.") It is rendered "dead" in (A.V.) Ps. 88:10; Prov. 2:18; 9:18; 21:16: in all these places the Revised Version marg. has "the shades." (See also Isa. 26:14.)

(3.) Hebrew 'Anakim (Deut. 2:10, 11, 21; Josh. 11:21, 22; 14:12, 15; called "sons of Anak," Num. 13:33; "children of Anak," 13:22; Josh. 15:14), a nomad race of giants descended from Arba (Josh. 14:15), the father of Anak, that dwelt in the south of Palestine near Hebron (Gen. 23:2; Josh. 15:13). They were a Cushite tribe of the same race as the Philistines and the Egyptian shepherd kings. David on several occasions encountered them (2 Sam. 21:15-22). From this race sprung Goliath (1 Sam. 17:4).

(4.) Hebrew 'emin, a warlike tribe of the ancient Canaanites. They were "great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims" (Gen. 14:5; Deut. 2:10, 11).

(5.) Hebrew Zamzummim (q.v.), Deut. 2:20 so called by the Amorites.

(6.) Heb. gibbor (Job 16:14), a mighty one, i.e., a champion or hero. In its plural form (gibborim) it is rendered "mighty men" (2 Sam. 23:8-39; 1 Kings 1:8; 1 Chr. 11:9-47; 29:24.) The band of six hundred whom David gathered around him when he was a fugitive were so designated. They were divided into three divisions of two hundred each, and thirty divisions of twenty each. The captains of the thirty divisions were called "the thirty," the captains of the two hundred "the three," and the captain over the whole was called "chief among the captains" (2 Sam. 23:8). The sons born of the marriages mentioned in Gen. 6:4 are also called by this Hebrew name

Genesis 6: 1-8 Original KJV:

1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3 And the LORD said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Another non-canonical tradition says that God's Angels swarmed down and killed the remaining Nephilim...

God seeing his creation on the brink of destruction acted to save man from this treachery, and he set out to wipe corrupt man (and beast) from the face of the earth. God did not do this so as to punish man but to save him from an evil he had no way of understanding. God saved Noah and his family and man began anew. As did the evil.

But it was the unauthorized act of revelation that outraged the archangels, and it was that act which God punished. "I shall restore the Earth, so that not all the sons of men shall be destroyed through the mystery which the Watchers made known." Divinely commanded, the obedient Watchers swept down and defeated their brothers, whose punishment was to watch the death of their children before being themselves imprisoned in the mountains and deserts of the Earth until Judgment Day, when they will be cast into the lake of eternal fire. (Azazel is the only Watcher whose burial place is believed to be known: under a heap of stones at the foot of the cliff of Haradan, in what is now the Sinai, where, regarded as a demon, he received every year the scapegoat driven into the desert with its burden of Israel's sins. --Alternately, he is sometimes said to have hurled himself into the sky and become the constellation Orion.) God sends the prophet Enoch to scold them in their imprisonment, saying that as spiritual beings they were never intended to have wives as mortal men do (of course, their creator could presumably have seen to it that they felt no longing for sex or love, but he apparently neglected to do so) and even scorning the knowledge they shared with humanity - "You were in heaven, but its secret had not been revealed to you and a worthless mystery you knew." - although the Four Archangels' concern surely contradicts this mocking remark. Other Apocryphal books say that even now they are held and tortured in the terrible Fifth Heaven, set aside for just this purpose. (I Enoch XIII describes the Watchers/Grigori as stricken mute with guilt and terror after Enoch's reproof, and indeed in II Enoch the Grigori imprisoned in the Fifth Heaven are voiceless giants.) The world, meanwhile, is swept clean in a great earthquake and flood, destroying the Nephilim's lands, to which many writers trace the worldwide legends of a catastrophic inundation.

But the Watchers' teaching continued to influence humankind in the ages after the Deluge, even though now condemned and studied in secret. In Jubilees VIII:1-5, Kainam, Noah's grandson, "came upon a writing which men of old had carved on a rock...it contained the teaching of the Watchers, in accordance with which they used to observe the omens of the sun and moon and all the signs of heaven. And he wrote it down and said nothing about it..." fearing punishment from Noah, who blamed the Watchers for the Flood and constantly warned his clan against any dealings with them or their descent. (Must have been one blessed huge rock, unless the Watchers' skills included micro-engraving.) This is especially notable because Kainam is the brother of Chesed, father of Ur, who is said in the Apocrypha to have founded the famous Chaldean city of that name. "And [they] grew up and lived in Ur of the Chaldees," says Jubilees (XI:7-8) of Serug and Nahor, Kainam's descendants, "and worshipped idols...and [Nahor's] father instructed him in the learning of the Chaldees, how to divine and foretell the future from the signs of heaven." It's most tempting to conclude that Kainam's grandchildren through generations inherited and studied the written record he had made from the stone; that the legendary wisdom of the Chaldeans, which amazes history, had descended to them from the Watchers themselves

The Nephilim - and, some say, their children, the Elioud/Eljo - were physically exterminated by the avenging angel horde. But, though their half-mortal bodies could be slain, their half-angel souls could not, nor could they be held in chains. They remain on the earth, wandering at will, and though chaotic and destructive will not be punished for their deeds until the Final Judgment "in which the great age will be brought to an end". Occult tradition holds that now and then a Nephilim spirit will incarnate in human form (the souls of those who quit the body violently, it's said, are most pure...).

The Apocrypha claim the disembodied Nephilim are the origin of demons, and accuse them of many crimes. Jubilees places the blame for the Flood squarely upon the fornication of the Watchers and the iniquity and bloodshed of the Nephilim. "And now the giants who were born from souls and flesh will be called evil spirits upon the earth," charges I Enoch XV-XVI, "From the day of...the slaughter and destruction of the giant Nephilim, the mighty ones of the earth, the great famous ones, the spirits that have gone out from their souls as from the flesh will destroy without judgment." Even the mortal women who are their mothers are cursed to become sirens and demonesses. In Jubilees X:1-6, Noah's sons beg him to protect their children from "unclean demons" who are "leading astray, blinding and killing" them; Noah, petitioning God to "let not wicked spirits rule over [my grandchildren] and destroy them", adds, "Thou knowest what thy Watchers, the fathers of these spirits, did in my day..." making it clear that the demonic spirits and the Nephilim are considered one and the same. (One wonders if Kainam was one of these grandchildren being "led astray" by a "demonic" Nephilim familiar. Maybe it was helping him interpret the stone...)

Archeology News
November 2005 Archaeologists digging at the purported biblical home of Goliath have unearthed a shard of pottery bearing an inscription of the Philistine's name, a find they claim lends historical credence to the Bible's tale of David's battle with Goliath.

While the discovery is not definitive evidence of Goliath's existence, it does support the Bible's depiction of life at the time the battle was supposed to have occurred, said Dr. Aren Maeir, a professor at Bar-Ilan University and director of the excavation.

"What this means is that at the time there were people there named Goliath," he said. "It shows us that David and Goliath's story reflects the cultural reality of the time."

Some scholars assert the story of David slaying the giant Goliath is a myth written down hundreds of years later. Maeir said finding the scraps lends historical credence to the biblical story.

The shard dates back to around 950 B.C., within 70 years of when biblical chronology asserts David squared off against Goliath, making it the oldest Philistine inscription ever found, the archaeologists said.

Scientists made the discovery at Tel es-Safi, a dig site in southern Israel thought to be to be the location of the Philistine city of Gath.

Maeir doubts an archaeological find can ever prove Goliath's existence, but said the shard was exciting nonetheless because of its depiction of life during the time period.

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Newspapers from around the world!

2007-06-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

It may not be directly related to the Bible, but that is why we have a blog section....
If you want to read any online newspaper in English from around the WORLD, then click the link below...

GO TO EVERY ONLINE NEWSPAPER IN THE WORLD!

I will be posting my "secret" tools of research that some of our readers may or may not know about and compiling them into a "tools of the trade" section on our main website. Enjoy!

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Did Ancient Biotechnology create Nephalim?

2007-06-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

By Thomas R. Horn

May 23, 2007
NewsWithViews.com

"The benei Elohim saw the daughters of Adam, that they were fit extensions" (Gen 6:2, Interlinear Hebrew Bible).

May 3, 2007 -- RaidersNewsNetwork.com -- In the study of the Old Testament Book of Genesis, beings of great stature called "giants" appear, which some scholars believe came into existence after powerful angels known as 'Watchers' descended to earth and used women (or their biological matter) to construct bodies of flesh, which they used to "extend" themselves into the material world.

The Apocryphal books of Enoch, 2 Esdras, Genesis Aprocryphon and Jasher support the Genesis story, adding that the sin of the angels grew to include genetic modification of animals as well as humans. The Book of Jasher, mentioned in the Bible in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18, says, "After the fallen angels went into the daughters of men, the sons of men taught the mixture of animals of one species with the other, in order to provoke the Lord"(4:18). This clear reference to the Genesis 6 record illustrates that "animals" were included in whatever cross-species experiments were being conducted, and that this activity resulted in judgment from God. The Book of Enoch also supports this record, saying that after the fallen angels merged their DNA with women, they "began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish" (7:5,6). The Old Testament contains associated reference to genetic mutations, which developed among humans following this activity, including unusual size, physical strength, six fingers, six toes, animal appetite for blood and even lion-like features among men (2 Sam 21:20; 23:20).

What if, by corrupting the species barrier in which each creature was to recreate after its "own kind," Watchers had successfully mingled human-animal DNA and combined the hereditary traits of different species into a single new mutation? An entirely new being—Nephilim—might have suddenly possessed the combined intelligence and instincts (seeing, hearing, smelling, reacting to the environment) of several life forms and in ways unfamiliar to creation.

Will modern biotechnology resurrect Nephilim?

Today, molecular biologists classify the functions of genes within native species but are unsure in many cases how a gene's coding might react from one species to another. In recombinant DNA technology, a "transgenic" organism is created when the genetic structure of one specie is altered by the transfer of a gene or genes from another. This could change not only the genetic structure of the modified animal and its offspring, but its evolutionary development, sensory modalities, disease propensity, personality and behavior traits among other things.

Such transgenic tinkering already exists in many parts of the world including the United States, Britain and Australia where animal eggs are being used to create hybrid human embryos from which stem cell lines can be produced for medical research. A team at Newcastle and Durham universities in the UK recently announced plans to "create hybrid rabbit and human embryos, as well as other ‘chimera’ embryos mixing human and cow genes." More alarmingly, the same researchers have already managed to reanimate tissue "from dead human cells in another breakthrough which was heralded as a way of overcoming ethical dilemmas over using living embryos for medical research."[1] In the United States, similar studies led Irv Weissman, director of Stanford University’s Institute of Cancer/Stem Cell Biology and Medicine in California to create mice with partly human brains, causing some ethicists to raise the issue of "humanized animals" in the future that could become "self aware" as a result of genetic modification. Even the President of the United States, George W. Bush in his January 31st, 2006 State of the Union Address called for legislation to "prohibit…. creating human-animal hybrids, and buying, selling, or patenting human embryos."

Not everybody shares these concerns. A radical, international, intellectual, and cultural movement known as "Transhumanism" supports the use of new sciences including genetic modification to enhance human mental and physical abilities and aptitudes so that "human beings will eventually be transformed into beings with such greatly expanded abilities as to merit the label 'posthuman.'"[2]

I have personally debated leading transhumanist, Dr. James Hughes on his weekly syndicated talk show, Changesurfer Radio. Hughes is Executive Director of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies and teaches at Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut. He is also the author of "Citizen Cyborg: Why Democratic Societies Must Respond to the Redesigned Human of the Future", a sort of Bible for transhumanist values. Dr. Hughes joins a growing body of academics, bioethicists and sociologists who support "large-scale genetic and neurological engineering of ourselves….[a] new chapter in evolution [as] the result of accelerating developments in the fields of genomics, stem-cell research, genetic enhancement, germ-line engineering, neuro-pharmacology, artificial intelligence, robotics, pattern recognition technologies, and nanotechnology…. at the intersection of science and religion [which has begun to question] what it means to be human…."[3]

In related development, Case Law School in Cleveland was awarded a $773,000 grant in April 2006 from the National Institutes of Health to develop guidelines "for the use of human subjects in what could be the next frontier in medical technology – genetic enhancement." Maxwell Mehlman, Arthur E. Petersilge Professor of Law, director of the Law-Medicine Center at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and professor of bioethics in the Case School of Medicine is leading the team of "law professors, physicians, and bioethicists in the two-year project to develop standards for tests on human subjects in research that involves the use of genetic technologies to enhance ‘normal’ individuals – to make them smarter, stronger, or better-looking."[4]

Other law schools including Stanford and Oxford have recently hosted "Human Enhancement and Technology" conferences where transhumanists, futurists, bioethicists and legal scholars merged to discuss the ethical and legal ramifications of posthumans.

In his book "Life, Liberty and the Defense of Dignity: The Challenges of Bioethics," the former chairman of the President's Council on Bioethics, Leon Kass provided a status report on where we stand today regarding transhumanism. He warned in the introduction that "Human nature itself lies on the operating table, ready for alteration, for eugenic and psychic 'enhancement,' for wholesale redesign. In leading laboratories, academic and industrial, new creators are confidently amassing their powers and quietly honing their skills, while on the street their evangelists are zealously prophesying a posthuman future. For anyone who cares about preserving our humanity, the time has come for paying attention."[5]

Not to be outdone in this regard by the National Institute of Health, DARPA and other agencies of the U.S. military have taken inspiration from the likes of Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. In a scene reminiscent of Saruman the wizard creating monstrous Uruk-Hai to wage unending, merciless war, we find billions of American tax dollars have flowed into the Pentagon's Frankensteinian dream of "super-soldiers" and the "Extended Performance War Fighter" program. Not only does the EPWFP envision "injecting young men and women with hormonal, neurological and genetic concoctions; implanting microchips and electrodes in their bodies to control their internal organs and brain functions; and plying them with drugs that deaden some of their normal human tendencies: the need for sleep, the fear of death, [and] the reluctance to kill their fellow human beings," but Chris Floyd in an article for CounterPunch a while back quoted the Daily Telegraph and Christian Science Monitor, saying "some of the research now underway involves actually altering the genetic code of soldiers, modifying bits of DNA to fashion a new type of human specimen, one that functions like a machine, killing tirelessly for days and nights on end.... mutations [that] will 'revolutionize the contemporary order of battle' and guarantee 'operational dominance across the whole range of potential U.S. military employments."[6]

In keeping with our editorial, imagine the staggering implications of such science if dead Nephilim tissue was discovered with intact DNA and a government somewhere that was willing to clone or mingle the extracted organisms to make Homo-nephilim. If one accepts the biblical story of giants as real, such discovery could actually be made someday, or perhaps already has been and was covered up. The technology to resurrect the extinct species already exists, and cloning methods are being studied now for use with bringing back Tasmanian Tigers, Wooly Mammoths and other extinguished creatures.

"Let not the dead live, let not the giants rise again…" (Isaiah 26.14, Douay-Rheims Version).

The reference above from the Book of Isaiah 26:14 could be troubling, as it may reflect a prayer from the prophet, a petition to God not to allow the giants to incarnate again. Did Isaiah pray this way because he knew something about the future, something related to a future return of Nephilim?

The relationship between creatures called "Rephaim" and the Nephilim of ancient texts is enlightening, as Rephaim are viewed as the spirits of dead Nephilim in the grave. The word "Rephaim" carries with it the meaning 'to heal' or to be 'healed' as in a 'resurrection'. In the Ras Shamra texts, the Rephaim are described as both human and divine beings who worshipped the Amorite god Ba'al, the ruler of the underworld, where the Rephaim served as his acolyte assembly of lesser gods, kings, heroes, and rulers. These beings were believed to have power to return from the dead through incarnation in bodily form as 'Nephilim'. The ability of Rephaim to be reincarnated in this way as living Nephilim is viewed by some as the explanation for Nephilim existing before, and after, the Great Flood.

The book of Job may elucidate this idea when it says, "Dead things are formed from under the waters. . . ." (Job 26.5). The dead in this text are Rephaim and the phrase "are formed" is from "Chuwl", meaning to twist or whirl as in a double helix coil or genetic manufacturing. When combined with something my good friend Steve Quayle once wrote, the word "Chuwl" takes on added meaning:

"When the Greek Septuagint was created, the Hebrew word Nephilim was translated into Greek as 'gegenes.' This is the same word used in Greek mythology for the 'Titans', creatures created through the interbreeding of the Greek gods and human beings. The English words 'genes' and 'genetics' are built around the same root word as gegenes; genea meaning 'breed' or 'kind'. Thus, the choice of this word again suggests a genetic component to the creation of these giants."[7]

And what about this prophecy from Isaiah:

"The vision which Esaias son of Amos saw against Babylon. Lift up a standard on the mountain of the plain, exalt the voice to them, beckon with the hand, OPEN THE GATES, YE RULER. I GIVE COMMAND AND I BRING THEM: GIANTS ARE COMING TO FULFILL MY WRATH [emphasis added]. . . . For behold! the day of the Lord is coming which cannot be escaped, a day of wrath and anger, to make the world desolate. . . . And Babylon . . . shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. . . . It shall never be inhabited . . . and monsters shall rest there, and devils shall dance there and satyrs shall dwell there . . ." (Isaiah 13:1-3, 9, 19-22, [Septuagint Version]).[8]

Given what is happening in Babylon (Iraq) and biotechnology today, we may be witnessing the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

Footnotes:

1, Picken, Jane. Medical Marvels, The Evening Chronicle, April 13, 2007
2, Wikipedia, The Free Enclyclopedia. Transhumanism, 2 May. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation Inc.
3, Grassie, William. What does it mean to be Human? A John Templeton Foundation Research Lecture Query, 2006
4, Case Western Reserve University. Case Law School receives $773,000 NIH grant to develop guidelines for genetic enhancement research: Professor Max Mehlman to lead team of law professors, physicians, and bioethicists in two-year project, April 28, 2006
5, Kass, Leon R. Life, Liberty and the Defense of Dignity: The Challenge for Bioethics, Encounter Books; 1 edition (October 25, 2002)
6, Floyd, Chris. Monsters, Inc.: The Pentagon Plan to Create Mutant "Super-Soldiers", CounterPunch, January 13, 2003
7, Quayle, Steve. Genesis 6 Giants. Bozeman, MT: End Time Thunder Publishers, 2002.
8, A vision which esails son of Amos Saw against Babylon

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Christian Persecution in LAOS

2007-05-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Seven Families Expelled From Their Homes - VOM Sources

On May 15, government authorities expelled seven of 10 Christian families from their village in Laos, and transported them to another village 12 hours away. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, the authorities told the families, "If you want to continue believing in Jesus' religion, you need to leave this village and go live in a village where there are Christians." The husbands were forced into vehicles while the wives were working in the rice paddies and this has resulted in chaos. The families are separated and are having difficulties adjusting at the new village because their tools, utensils and belongings are at the old village. Pray God gives the families grace and protection as they deal with these hardships.

Psalm 91:14-16

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs reports on what is really happening around the world where our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Now you can receive a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs award winning monthly newsletter. You will be inspired, and even discover practical ways to get involved.

Sign up today.

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John 20:19-31

2007-05-15T08:27:00.001-07:00

Gospel
John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But he said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nail marks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

SERMON:

John records the appearance of Jesus after the resurrection. The first appearance is on Easter evening and the second appearance being after eight days or "a week later". Jesus speaks to the disciples three times after His resurrection. The Gospel of John tells us that the disciples are gathered but does not tell us which disciples are gathered. In Luke, this testimony speaks of "the Eleven and their companions" but we know that Thomas is absent, so in Luke's gospel, it is really the "Ten and their companions".

What strikes me about this weeks reading is the loss of faith and then the strengthening of faith within Thomas. Thomas is referred to as "the doubter" because he would not believe the testimony of the disciples when they indeed just spoke with the Lord and Thomas would not believe until he actually placed his own hands into the wounds of Jesus. This reading also tells us a little about how we become believers in Christ; the beloved disciple believes that Jesus has resurrected upon seeing the empty tomb (v8), Mary believes when the Lord calls her name (v16), some disciples must see the risen Jesus (v20), and then there are those like Thomas, who must touch Jesus...they must feel for themselves. This reading tells us that the Believers in Christ find faith through various channels according to what they need in order to believe. Different routes to faith through different needs. Thomas is the most unique and informative; here is an individual who believed, lost faith, and then returned to greater faith.

Let's break the verses down and discuss them:

"When it was evening on that day" (v 19a)
This is the same day that the disciples saw the empty tomb. This is Easter evening.

"the first day of the week"
Notice that this happens on the first day of the week and this is for a reason. The first day of the week is Day 8. The resurrection of Jesus, the fulfillment and beginning of the New Covenant, actually begins on the EIGHTH day. Not the seventh day, and not the sixth day. The verse that I relate this to is:

                       Psalm 90:4

4. For a thousand in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
and like a watch in the night.

In the sight of the Lord God, 1,000 years is equivalent to:

                       A) A DAY

                       B) A WATCH

6 days of work = 6,000 years with Satan’s rule

1 day of rest = 1,000 years without Satan and Jesus returns

The history of this world will be 7 days- or 1 week...

and the 8Th day will bring a New Beginning (a New Heaven and a New earth)
or a new week.

Adam to Abraham = 2,000 years (Approximate)

Abraham to Jesus = 2,000 years (Approximate)

Jesus to Today   = 2,000 years (Approximate)


2,000 + 2,000 + 2,000 = 6,000

Behold, Jesus’ Return is close!

"and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews"
It may seem surprising to us that the disciples are frightened. Here are men who have seen the Messiah in the flesh, witnessed countless miracles, knew Him personally, and yet are acting like their leader died. They are probably traumatized from witnessing the crucifixion but have already seen the empty tomb. Yet they are in a state of fear. How can we blame them? If this event frightened the Apostles themselves, will not some of us also be frightened or afraid as we walk with the Lord 2,000 years later? Yes. There may be times when we encounter evil or events in our lives that frighten us. Hearing the words from the very mouth of Jesus Himself didn't stop the Apostles from being afraid. Christian's endure hardship in order to gain faith. That is the cross you bear, but is the only way. The Apostles endured it, countless faith"ers" in Christ have endured it and so will you.

"Jesus came and stood among them"
Notice that the tomb with a 20 ton rock if front of it could not hold Jesus and neither will a locked door. He goes where He wishes through anything and to anyone.

"and said, Peace be with you."
He promised the disciples peace and grants them this peace with His appearance. Yes, the prophecy has come true and the impossible has been accomplished. Death and the grave cannot hold the Son of God, for Jesus was not a "human" in a human body, Jesus was the Son of God inhabiting a human body. No man or woman can ever conquer the grave. Jesus did. The disciples will have peace in spite of the persecution they will endure by a world that will hate them as it hated Jesus. Peace will be granted to you also. Take up your cross and walk the life of faith. No material objects nor anything this world can try to give you will even come close to what the believers in Christ are granted!

"After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side"
Jesus enters through the closed door through whatever means He did so. The fact is that the resurrected Jesus is standing before them PHYSICALLY. There is no question, for this is the reason why He shows them the wounds inflicted on the cross which all of them saw done at the crucifxion. The wounds on His hands were from the nails driven through in order to nail Him on the cross, and the MORTAL wound on His side was inflicted by a Roman soldier to guarantee that the crucified was indeed dead. You might have miraculously survived the crucifixion for a while, but you would not survive being stabbed in the liver or the heart by a sword or dagger! The disciples were shown these wounds in order to remove any and all doubt about the events that have transpired for their sake and for the sake of the future generations of the faith"ers" in Christ.

It is an interesting historical note to make here that Satan can attack the Truth through the logic of man. At the time that this Gospel was COMPILED, a mere 70 years after the crucifixion, the early Christan's were combating men and their ideas. The Docetist's and Gnostic's had this twisted belief that all physical matter was evil and thus Jesus could not have appeared physically and in human form. The difference between fact and Truth is that one comes from the finite minds of men and the other from the Creator. Steer clear of the deceptions. There is a reason why Jesus had to die and resurrect. The TESTIMONY serves to combat the wailing of the Devil and the philosophies of men that spring forth from man's "imagination" and logic. Think it through...matter is evil? Makes no sense and has no basis in any part of Scripture. Matter is not evil, the Devil is evil and some follow the Devil's deceptions. Satan has a reason for this too! Who is to blame? Men, for they actually DO the evil act! The Creator and the creation is not to blame, the created are to blame for they act (faith is the opposite of this type of wrong "action") and do the very acts that are wrong! Who goes to jail for a crime? Those who think of the crime or those that do the crime? Is the object the thief steals in fact the source of this wrong? Like I said, the Docetist's and Gnostic's believe in many twisted philosophies that are just rambling nonsense.

"The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord"
Jesus told the disciples that they would weep and experience pain at the time of crucifixion BUT that their pain would turn to joy. (John 16:20-21). It is similar to the process that a woman goes through after childbirth. The birth is extremely painful, but immense joy comes shortly after the birth and this joy overcomes the pain experienced earlier. The disciples weep and mourned for the King of kings but now they have joy, just as Jesus said they would. Never again will the disciples be fearful or weak in faith, they will put their lives on the line for the testimony of Jesus, and will pay the price of death for this testimony. The world hates Jesus, the world hates what is good...for men desire darkness and not the light. There is nothing you can say to convince someone who is a faith"er" in Christ that they are believing in a "fantasy" by being a Christian. Those who are the believers have enough fact, evidence, and experience, to gladly face persecution for the sake of spreading the Gospel message. The Apostles did it and the persecution for the sake of the Gospel message still continues 2000 years later.

"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you"
Again, peace is granted to those who are with Christ, peace may come upon you through different practices and traditions, but everlasting peace is granted for faith"ers" in Christ. Try it. Momentary periods of peace may come, but actual peace that lasts comes from walking with Christ, and that is my personal experience and testimony. The Father sent the Son who sits on the Throne at the Right hand of the Father into the world as our Redeemer. The movie, Passion of the Christ did not fully detail the horrible suffering our Lord made for us. The Father sent the Son as a final once and for all sacrifice. "IT IS FINISHED!" as Jesus exclaimed on the cross. All of the sins of this world was paid for by the only Begotten Son of God being murdered for no reason. This world owes Jesus His life back, and the created cannot give life to the Creator, only the Creator can give life. It is a catch-22 on sin fulfilled by the crucifixion. The Law was fulfilled, sin was overcome, and death conquered. Now the King has instructed those who follow Him to carry the Gospel message to serve as testifiers to the Truth, which is Jesus, who IS the Christ. Jesus is the King of kings, and we are His emissaries. We are instructed to carry the message as His emissaries. The Apostles started this Good Work, and we continue it today 2000 years later. If you work for the King, you speak on behalf of the King per His instructions. The Father is present in the work of Jesus and Jesus is present in the work of His disciples.

"When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit"
Notice that two things has happened with the Apostles BEFORE they received the Holy Spirit.
They went from mourning to joy, from wavering faith to strong faith. Second, they were sent by the King to do His Works. Only then does Jesus "Breathe" on them and they receive the Holy Spirit. Another important point...Who breathes on them? Answer: Jesus. Remember that John the Baptist said that he would baptize with water but One who was greater than John the Baptist would come and baptize with fire. It is interesting to note that when we hear someone speak who seems to possess unusual amounts of charisma and stage presence we say that they are "on fire". These speakers can draw the attention of a large audience for some "unseen" reason. Someone who has been "breathed" on by the Holy Spirit, are "on fire". The disciples must have the power and protection of the Holy Spirit in order to carry the Good Work of the King by spreading their testimony and the Gospel message. Just like the Creator, the "I AM" breathed life into man (Genesis 2:7) and just like the bones of the dead were "breathed" on and given new life in Ezekiel 37:9, the Apostles and those who carry the message 2000 years later are "breathed" on and given a new life in the Spirit. The sinful man dies in the water of the baptism and the new spiritual man rises. Not everyone receives the baptism of fire (the Holy Spirit) for no man, nor no prayer can attain it. It must be given by Jesus and it starts by asking Him for it. As the verse says; "Many are invited but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). Being a faith"er" in Christ grants eternal life, but receiving the baptism of fire makes one a disciple who spreads the Good News and is protected by the Holy Spirit. Through this we find strength to stand up, unlock the door, go outside, and begin the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

"If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"
As the disciples spread the Good News of the Gospels, there will be those who accept it and those who will not. Those that accept it are to repent and be baptized by water. Then through faith we may be baptized by the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is the first act of repentance that begins the process of salvation. It is the new creature born of Spirit that rises from the symbolic waters of baptism. Then we are beginning the journey of faith"ing". Those that believe are forgiven at the time of repentance per the Kings authority through the disciples and the sins of the new believer from the past, present, and future are forgiven. The disciples serve as witnesses for the King about those names who believe, repent, and become part of His flock. The baptism of fire follows when the King (Jesus) grants it. You will know when this happens and is the true mark of a Born Again believer. Those who do not believe are sinners and will die in their sin...for their soul stays with the sins of the body. No one forces any one to repent, you either understand why and do it or turn your back to it. Your choice. The disciples that walk within this world are there to speak the Truth of the Gospel message. The Gospel message is that a solution to sin has been found and a Redeemer is available. The Redeemer who is Jesus, grants eternal life for the sinner (which is the Good News) and the disciples witness this choice or the disciple witnesses the retention of sin within the person who will never come to the Truth. Rabbis have the authority to "bind" or "loose" in the sense that they interpret the Law to determine what is and is not allowed, but they do not forgive sins. Jesus breaks open new territory and gives the disciples the authority to declare the guilt or innocence of those who are brought before them and they either "bind" or "loose" the charges of sin (damnation) made against them. Repent and become "loosened" and rise from the baptismal waters as a new Spiritual being. Those who refuse to acknowledge, think, or listen are to be "bound" to the sins which they alone have committed and that carry a penalty. Keep in mind that as a believer, you were granted a pardon by the Son of God and are now part of His flock. How then can you not forgive the sins that others may do to you? If the Son of God has given you this gift of Grace and Salvation then how are you able to sit there and hold a person responsible for the wrong they have committed to you? The Son of God has the power alone to forgive sins, but think about how angry and wrapped in emotion we can get when someone trespasses against us!

This is a good time to discuss what this verse isn't implying. No where does this verse state that the disciples will be acting as priests for repetitive confession. Let's look at this. When one comes to Christ, there is an act of repentance. The sinner acknowledges their sins and asks for forgiveness. They proclaim the need for a Redeemer. This redeemer is Jesus Christ. Then the person is baptized by water. They go into the water as a symbolic act of dying and rise a new person, a person of Spirit. Only when a person is born into the Spirit can they begin to worship in Spirit. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit through the second baptism, the baptism of fire, and only then does that person become truly Born Again. One can touch water, but one cannot touch fire. John the Baptist tells of this in:
Matthew 3:11
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Isn't it ironic that when we listen to someone who strikes us as "zealous" but we are suddenly and mysteriously able to hear the truth in the words they are speaking, we say that the person is "on fire"?!

No one can give you the baptism of fire, it only comes from Jesus. The Truth is that Jesus paid for all of the sins of the world and that includes all of your past, present, and future sins. Repentance is done before the act of water baptism. To continually repent means that one does not understand that Jesus has paid for all of their sins and has not received the baptism of fire. Seriously, if repetitive confession is a continual discipline of cleansing sin, then one should be baptized again by water after each confession and then they should wait for the Holy Spirit! Let the person do this process every time until they understand the Truth! Either Jesus died for your sins and is your Redeemer or not. The body will continue to sin and the body dies in sin just as it should. The Spirit does not sin. Test this. If you go to confession, confess, and do whatever the priest told you, ask yourself if you will you break one of the Commandments again. The answer is undoubtedly yes. When you do break one of the Commandments, ask yourself if your soul committed the sin or your body committed the sin. Does the Spirit desire another man's wife? No, but the body does. One may become 96% perfect, but God will see the 4% you are short. Jesus is the one who makes up for the 4%, so that the person may come to God 100% perfect. If Salvation can be revoked, taken away, or somehow weakened, then why did the Son of God have to come here in a tent of flesh, suffer, and die? Wouldn't the way of the Law be sufficient? Why would the Creator go through all of this trouble? It is because He loves us and paid the ultimate price for us. This world killed the Only Begotten Son of God and the world owes the Creator who is the Son of God His life back. The created cannot give the Creator life! Only the Creator can give life! Again, either you accept Jesus as your Redeemer and become Born Again in Spirit or you don't. When one becomes truly baptized by the fire, the person has changed from a life of sin with the soul bound to that sin to a life of Spirit loosened from the sins but still lives with a sinning body. The person is guided and instructed by Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This can take time as we learn and grow in faith, but it happens. Just like the process in the creation of a pearl, it takes the Holy Spirit time to coat the sand until it becomes a treasured pearl. Jesus is the One who brings the baptism of fire. Repetitive confession is an acknowledgment that the baptism of fire has not occurred and that person is still "trying" to live a perfect life in the body. It is the first sin that has brought the death of the body AND the soul and only Jesus can grant the forgiveness of sins, past, present, and future and bless us with eternal life.
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

"But Thomas (who was called the Twin [didymous], one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came"
Remember that Thomas earlier in this Gospel thought that going to Bethany would mean certain death for the disciples and for Jesus. (John 11:16) We are not told specifically in this chapter why Thomas was not there, but it is probably due to the fact that he does not want to die and is fearful. With all of the events leading up to the crucifixion, I can understand why. However, this also serves as evidence of Thomas' lack of faith...in times of trial we may feel that we are losing faith, but we know that later Thomas comes to greater faith and we shall also.

A quick aside:
Why is Thomas called the "Twin"? This is a difficult answer. In my library of books and searches on the Internet, I could not find a definite answer on why Thomas is called the "Twin" with a captial "T". His name in Aramaic is (Te'oma) and Greek (Didymos) which both means “twin”; and John 11:16 identifies him as “Thomas, called the Twin.” He is called Judas Thomas (i.e., Judas the Twin) by the Syrians. Again, the Gnostics have created through the wild imagination of the mind that this word "twin" implied that Thomas was the twin brother of Jesus physically and spiritually. There is no evidence of such a claim and this claim is quite absurd. If you believe in the heretical nonsense of Gnosticism which is not supported by Scripture that Jesus was just a man and ignore all of the miracles of Jesus and the testimony of the disciples and were murdered for this testimony, then I can see where the logic of the human mind can lead to such fantasy.

I believe that Thomas either had a twin brother who was not an Apostle, or this was a nickname or title given to him by the Apostles. Thomas is Aramaic for twin, so it is a title just like the name John means teacher. I am surprised that this is often overlooked by other writers of Bible verse and it almost seems that this question is ignored. I will have to do more research to find a solid answer.

"So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."
The first person to see the Risen Christ was Mary Magdalene and possibly Mary the mother of James (Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:10-16). When they ran to tell the disciples, the disciples did not believe. Then the disciples saw the risen Christ with their own eyes. Now they have come to tell Thomas who was not there that they have indeed seen the risen Jesus and Thomas does not believe.

"But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe"
Thomas' demand is absurd, but I can personally relate to it. How many times do we put demands on God? How many of us have said, "Lord, why can't you appear to me and talk to me face to face?" "Lord, I want you to..." "Lord, I need you to..." "Lord, why can't you just...."
We have to keep in mind that Thomas and the disciples have just been traumatized by the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. They are afraid and doubt what Jesus prophesied until Jesus appears to them. Thomas has not seen the crucifixion nor the risen Christ but is shaken to the core over the events that have just transpired during the crucifixion. Thomas is not the only one who doubted, but he will not remain a doubter either. It is a lesson for us as we learn and grow in faith. We may feel defeated and disillusioned at times, but remember that the disciples were too and Jesus brought them to greater faith! Thomas must think that the disciples are crazy. How could Jesus (putting aside the claim that Jesus was the Messiah) rise from the grave after being crucified and stabbed in the heart? It seems like lunacy, and Thomas states his demands and criteria for his faith. This serves as a reality check for future generations. Here was a disciple who followed Jesus and lost faith because of the crucifixion and demands physical proof. Thomas receives the physical proof.

"A week later his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them"
Again this second appearance happens on the eighth day. Not the sixth or the seventh. The first day of the week is the eighth day. Whenever Jesus appears in this world, it is on the eighth day. This is a repetition from the week before when Jesus first appears to the disciples in the house. This time Thomas is with them.

"Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them"
The gates of hell cannot stop Jesus nor can a locked door or a closed door. He comes through as He wills. Notice that this verse is different from the first appearance. This time the door is not locked and there is no mention that the disciples are fearful. The disciples will never be afraid again and as they spread the Gospel message, they will die for their testimony.

"and said, "Peace be with you"
What is the first act of Christ when He appears? He grants peace....real peace. It is not fleeting nor weak. We come from a period of fear, to faith, and that faith brings lasting peace.

"Then He said to Thomas, "put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side"
Yes, Jesus heard the demands of Thomas. Jesus knows what you say before you say it. He hears everything. Thomas said it, and now Jesus has come to fulfill the request. Thomas needed to experience this in order to come to greater faith. Notice that Jesus does not condemn Thomas for his lack of faith but provides Thomas with what he needs in order to believe. There is no mention that Thomas actually touch the wounds of Jesus, seeing Him before his very eyes was probably enough.

"Do not doubt but believe"
We have all experienced thoughts of doubt in our lives. We are to discover for ourselves with the direction of Jesus anything and everything we need in order to believe. What is it that you need in order to believe? For the unbeliever, I wonder how many requests sound similar to Thomas' demands. I am sure a majority of them are demanding in nature.

"Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
The disciple who has a serious lack of faith has now come to uttering the most important proclamation after the resurrection. Yes, Jesus is our Lord and He is God! All paths of faith come to the point of this climax. Just like Thomas, if we sincerely want the Truth and seek Him, there will come a time when we have no problem shouting from the mountaintops this great pronouncement!

"Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me?"
Due to the nature of the torment, torture, and crucifixion of Jesus, this statement seems to be a silent reminder of where Thomas' new faith has come from. Yes, Jesus heard his demands and provided the means for him to touch His wounds. Thomas has become one of great faith only by the act of Jesus' appearance. Those of future generations will not have this opportunity.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet come to believe"
Notice that Jesus does not say that those who have not seen His resurrected body will have greater faith. This is a blessing for those faith"ers" of the future generations who might feel cheated that they were not born in the times of Jesus to see Him in the flesh. We are provided all the necessary facts, guidance, and protection needed to have the same faith as the disciples. Now this is a great opportunity to just repeat the last part of this weeks reading:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Hallelujah!

Technorati:sermons,sermon,Christianity,preaching,bible,bible reading,bible-reading,john 2

Christian Persecution in the PHILIPPINES

2007-05-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

PHILIPPINES

Seven Christian Workers Beheaded - VOM Sources
The bodies of seven Christian workers were recovered in Parang town where they were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists. VOM sources report that the Christian workers' bodies were found in the jungles of Jolo by soldiers, days after they were seized while heading to a government road project. Pray for comfort for these families and ask God to use the testimony of the slain believers to bring non-believers into the knowledge of Him.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7
The God of All Comfort
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs reports on what is really happening around the world where our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Now you can receive a free subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs award winning monthly newsletter. You will be inspired, and even discover practical ways to get involved.

Sign up today.

Technorati:christian-persecution,christian persecution,persecution

Twisting Scripture PART 4

2007-05-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

How often have you encountered some bizarre doctrine only to be stunned to hear a Bible verse quoted to support it? With new religious cults springing up almost daily and old ones growing rapidly, this is more and more common. How are they seemingly able to twist Scripture to mean something Christians have never believed it to mean in two thousand years?
James Sire, author of the Universe Next Door and How to Read Slowly, has isolated twenty separate kinds of reading errors which are characteristically made by cultists as they interpret the Bible. He covers the full range form simple misquotation to complex argumentation which links one slightly eccentric interpretation to another, mixes in a few orthodox readings and ends with a conclusion totally foreign to the biblical world view. Sire also handles twisted translation, over specification, virtue by association, ignoring the context and others. Scripture Twisting is a great book to pick up and read. I highly recommend this book!

16. VIRTUE BY ASSOCIATION:
Either (1) a cult writer associates his or her teaching with those of figures accepted as authoritative by traditional Christians; (2) cult writings are likened to the Bible; or (3) cult literature imitates the form of the Bible writings such that it sounds like the Bible. Example of (1): Rick Chapman list 21 gurus, including Jesus Christ, St. Francis and St. Theresa, that "you can't go wrong with." Example of (2): Juan Mascaro in his introduction to the Upanishads cites the New Testament, the Gospels, Ecclesiastes and the Psalms, from which he quotes passages supposedly paralleling the Upanishads. Example of (3): The Mormon DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS interweaves phrases from the Gospel of John and maintains a superficial similarity to the Gospel such that it seems to be like the Bible.

17. ESOTERIC INTERPRETATION:
Under the assumption that the Bible contains hidden, esoteric, meaning which is open only to those who are initiated into its secrets, the interpreter declares the significance of biblical passages without giving much, if any, explanation for his or her interpretation. Example: Mary Baker Eddy gives the meaning of the first phrase in the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father which art in heaven," as "Our Father-Mother God, all harmonious."

18. SUPPLEMENTING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY:
New revelation from post biblical prophets either replaces or is added to the Bible as authority. Example: The Mormons supplement the Bible with the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

19. REJECTING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY:
Either the Bible as a whole or texts from the Bible are examined and rejected because they do not square with other authorities - such as reason or revelation = do not appear to agree with them. Example:Archie Matson holds that the Bible contains contradictions and that Jesus himself rejected the authority of the Old Testament when he contrasted His own views with it on the Sermon on the Mount.

20. WORLD-VIEW CONFUSION:
Scriptural statements, stories, commands or symbols which have a particular meaning or set of meanings when taken within the intellectual and broadly cultural framework of the Bible itself are lifted out of that context, placed within the frame of reference of another system and thus given a meaning that markedly differs from their intended meaning. Example: The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi interprets "Be still, and know that I am God" as meaning that each person should meditate and come to the realization that he is essentially Godhood itself.

Again, these are very short summaries of the material covered in James Sire's book. These summaries alone should illuminate the insightful analysis Sire gives in his book, Scripture Twisting. Pick up a copy today!!

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The Seven Sacraments --Holy Matrimony PODCAST

2007-05-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

The Seven Sacraments---Holy Matrimony
43.7 MB Run Time: 77 minutes
05/01/07
PODCAST

In this podcast we discuss the sacrament of marriage. We also discuss various topics within marriage which include: the first marriage, pseudepigraphic works discussing Cain and Abel, soul mates, the biblical basis for marriage, the problem of promiscuity, the role of the husband and wife, discrepancies between church doctrine and scripture, Jesus' role in marriage, advice on marital problems, and the problems with the Western worlds conception of divorce and how divorce is not in accordance with God's plan for marriage. This is one of five sacraments that is not based in Scripture, and we share our own personal experience, biblical knowledge and common sense while exploring this sacrament. If you plan on getting married or are married, this podcast will help focus on the true meaning of marriage and help avoid problems within marriages.

Technorati:christian podcast,podcast,podcast,PODCASTING,BIBLE STUDY PODCAST,FAITH PODCASTING