Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #6 Words to feed and communicate

Posted on February 17, 2013. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Life and Death, Suffering | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Trust, Faith and Prayer

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 voice of God

Hearing the Voice in the Holy Scriptures

Words to feed

Continuing reading the Words of God in the Holy Scriptures the Holy Spirit shall feed us. He shall be prepared to come close to us and to answer our questions or prayers. But for being able to hear the Voice of God we do need to take on the right attitude. We must humbly let the Scriptures teach us, reprove us, set things straight for us, and discipline us in righteousness. Jehovah knows what we need, for His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts. By His inspired Scriptures, He tells us what is beneficial for us so that we may be fully equipped and competent for the good work of witnessing to His name and Kingdom. Paul gives this outstanding advice in the context of describing the “critical times” that come “in the last days”: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” May all of us survive these critical times by giving heed to this inspired advice! (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The title page to the 1611 first edition of th...

The title page to the 1611 first edition of the Authorized Version Bible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6 Seek יהוה {Jehovah} while He is to be found, call on Him while He is near. 7 Let the wrong forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to יהוה {Jehovah}, who has compassion on him, and to our Elohim, for He pardons much. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares יהוה {Jehovah}.9  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so is My Word that goes forth from My mouth – it does not return to Me empty, but shall do what I please, and shall certainly accomplish what I sent it for. 12 “For with joy you go out, and with peace you are brought in – the mountains and the hills break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field clap the hands. 13 “Instead of the thorn the cypress comes up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle comes up. And it shall be to יהוה {Jehovah} for a name, for an everlasting sign which is not cut off.” (Isaiah 55:6-13 The Scriptures 1998+)

When we read the Bible we can listen to God His Word. By listening to His voice and by sticking to Him we shall be able to get answers and to get full breath of life, for He is your life and the length of your days.

19 “I have called the heavens and the earth as witnesses today against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore you shall choose life, so that you live, both you and your seed, 20 to love יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him – for He is your life and the length of your days – to dwell in the land which יהוה {Jehovah} swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Yitsḥaq, and to Ya’aqob, to give them.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 The Scriptures 1998+)

Great should be our joy and gratitude that we can read and reread, study and restudy, and meditate on these precious truths, for truly “all Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial,” leading on to eternal life either in heaven or on a paradise earth. (John 17:3; Ephesians 1:9-11) Then everything will be ‘holiness to Jehovah.’(Zechariah 14:20; Rev. 4:8.)

Bible part of the free conversation

With the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures Jehovah, the Creator of all things, provided a means to get in conversation with Him. In the Holy Scriptures we are able to find answers to our many questions. It would be wrong just to take the writings as uninspired human penstrokes. We may not simply read words. When we encounter the words on paper in front of us, we should remember that it was the Voice of God who inspired the human writers to put down the Words of God.

We should visualize the situations about which we read, imagining the voices of those who are quoted.

As you read the opening chapters of the Bible, hear Jehovah Himself reveal, step by step, what is done in making the earth fit for man. Listen as He tells that the time has come to bring the first humans into existence. Picture the scene: Adam and Eve rebel, God passes judgment on them and, subsequently, He ousts them from Paradise. (Genesis, chaps. 1-3) Feel a sense of awe when you read that a Voice from heaven identifies Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the beloved, the one sent by God to lay down his life for mankind. (Matthew 3:16, 17) Try to imagine the apostle John’s reaction when he hears Jehovah declare: “Look! I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

With the 66 books of books God gave the world the Book of Life. We should not for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of our mind. This Book full of instructions and laws shows us the way how to live and how to survive. We should ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure we practice everything written in it. Then we shall get where we’re going; then we shall succeed and find out that our way may be prosperous.

“Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely. (Joshua 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

Coming together to study the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures

Coming together to study the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures

The Biblical contemplation of nature and man starts from and ends in God and is kept alive by the Breath and the Voice of God. The very smallness of man makes the revelation of God in His dealings with him great. For every Christian Jehovah God, should be the only One brilliant Lord of Lord of lords and a household name. We might be a shimmering reflection, visible to every eye upturned from “this dim spot which men call earth.” But we should know that the Creator does find it important that people get to know Him by His Name and would love to see it shine all over the earth as the majestic name in all the earth.

O יהוה {Jehovah}, our Master, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth, You who set Your splendour above the heavens! (Psalms 8:1 The Scriptures 1998+)

5 Let them praise the Name of יהוה {Jehovah}, For He commanded and they were created. 6 And He established them forever and ever, He gave a law and they pass not beyond. 7 Praise יהוה {Jehovah}, from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths, 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds, Stormy wind that does His word, 9 The mountains and all hills, Fruit tree and all cedars, 10 Wild beasts and all cattle, Creeping creatures and flying birds, 11 Sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, Rulers and all judges of the earth, 12 Both young men and maidens, Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the Name of יהוה {Jehovah}, For His Name alone is exalted, His splendour is above the earth and heavens. 14 He also lifts up the horn of His people, The praise of all His kind ones; Of the children of Yisra’ĕl, A people near to Him. Praise Yah! (Psalms 148:5-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

We are best to act wisely by directing our eyes onto the Words of God in the Holy Scriptures. When we allow those Words from God come from the paper into our heart we shall feel that God shall come with us and shall be willing to come to our aid to understand the many words in those Holy books. The more time you spend reading the Bible, the greater will be your satisfaction as you grow in knowledge of God’s will for you. You shall become less frightened because you shall know that God is close to you. You shall not have so many moments to panic. The assurance that God is with you shall make life so much easier. There’s no need to fear for Jehovah is your God when you are willing to accept Him as the Only One God. He shall give you strength. He shall help you. He shall hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

‘Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not look around, for I am your Elohim. I shall strengthen you, I shall also help you, I shall also uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.’ (Isaiah 41:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

When you listen to all those words coming from the Most High Powerful God, you shall feel that reading the Bible is as going into a very deep conversation. Such a conversation can also be called a prayer. Going into deep meditation about what is written in the Bible, shall bring you closer to your Creator. Truly, reading God’s Word in this way is a delightful experience!

When you do your Bible reading, take time to ponder the meaning of what you read — what it tells you about Jehovah, how it can influence your life beneficially, and how you can use it to help others.

When your regular reading provides you the help you need to deal wisely with problems, you will feel like the psalmist who said: “Your reminders are wonderful. That is why my soul has observed them.” (Psalm 119:129) You too will rejoice as you discern from the Scriptures principles that help to mould your thinking and your desires in a godly way. It might surprise you that Gods way shall not always be your way, but that when you follow God’s way you shall find it to be the most easiest way. But remember that Jehovah does not think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way He works. God His thoughts are most sublime and His ways our much higher than our ways. Jehovah His Decree should be the most important one to follow for us and should enable us to return or to come closer to the Almighty Elohim Jehovah God.

Excerpt from Origenis Hexaplorum, edited by Fr...

6 Seek יהוה {Jehovah}, while He is to be found, call on Him while He is near. 7 Let the wrong forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to יהוה {Jehovah}, who has compassion on him, and to our Elohim, for He pardons much. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares יהוה {Jehovah}. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so is My Word that goes forth from My mouth – it does not return to Me empty, but shall do what I please, and shall certainly accomplish what I sent it for. (Isaiah 55:6-11 The Scriptures 1998+)

Continue reading the inspired record, and you will come to know Jehovah as a Majestic and Awe-inspiring Person. You will feel strongly drawn to this One who loves us, deals mercifully with us, helps us if we humbly keep trying to do His will, and shows us how to enjoy success in all that we do.

As we read the Bible, we will sense that Jehovah is coming near to us and that He, as a loving Father, who knows what problems will result when we give in to imperfect fleshly desires, provides moral guidance that shields us from harm and shows us the right way. He does not want us to suffer the terrible consequences that will inevitably come from flouting His high moral standards. Jehovah God is a loving caring Father who wants us to enjoy the best way of life. Our reading of His Word helps us to appreciate more fully what a blessing it is to have him as our God and heavenly Father.

Daily Words of comfort

When we do love God, we shall be prepared to listen to His Wise Words regularly. We do not have to go to theological colleges or to hang out at Sin Saloon, not slinking along Dead-End Road, not going to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You would not mind becoming a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. You do not want to be like the common wicked people, who are mere windblown dust.

1 Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה {Jehovah}, And he meditates in His Torah day and night. 3 For he shall be as a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That yields its fruit in its season, And whose leaf does not wither, And whatever he does prospers. 4 The wrong are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wrong shall not rise in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For יהוה {Jehovah}knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wrong comes to naught. (Psalms 1:1-6 The Scriptures 1998+)

Daily Bible reading shall bring Gods Word every day close into our heart and shall feed us as the necessary breast-feeding for the baby. Regular reading and application of what is in God’s Word will enable us to succeed in everything that involves our relationship with Jehovah.

Ecclesia in Brussels hotel

Getting together at the Ecclesia in Brussels hotel to study the Bible and have a service of Breaking of the Bread

Even when we do not see it any more in this world and cannot follow this world we shall find the necessary solution in the readings of the day and will be blessed when we’re at the end of our rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. Others may call us the poor ones, but we should not mind. We may be the poor in spirit, but knowing our spiritual need, we shall be the ones looking forward to the hope coming true, for God His kingdom may be ours. (Matthew 5:3)

This shall only be true if we are prepared to adjust ourselves to that Word of God. If we adjust our priorities so as to read a portion of the Bible each day, we should think about those words we read, and put them to work in our lives. We should receive the Word with all readiness of mind and search the Scriptures daily to see if those things were and are so. (Acts 17:11)

As the first Christians let us follow their example and also have open minds, recognition of need, searching minds, daily application, and enthusiasm.

“You search the Scriptures, because you think you possess everlasting life in them. And these are the ones that bear witness of Me. (John 5:39 The Scriptures 1998+)

It is never enough to be knowledgeable in the Scriptures in a theoretical sense. The study of God’s Word must lead us to find who is the Messiah and to embrace Christ, with our whole heart and mind. Knowledge by itself is sterile. But intimate, personal experience of Christ brings about deep and lasting changes in our lives, and leads on to the eternal life that may be possessed only through him.

“Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus; unroll them and you find your Saviour. The quintessence of the word of God is Christ” (CHS).

+

Preceding:

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #1 Creator and His Prophets

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #2 Instructions and Laws

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #3 A voice to be taken Seriously

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #4 Words in Scripture

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #5 To meditate and Transform

Next: Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #4 Transitoriness

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Vertrouwen, Geloof, Roepen en Toeschrijving aan Jehovah #3 Stem van God #6 Woorden tot voedsel en communicatie

++

Please do find also to read:

  1. Scripture Word from God
  2. Bible Word from God
  3. Bible Word of God, inspired and infallible
  4. Scripture Word from God
  5. Bible guide Taking the Bible as a lead
    Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
  6. Bible in the first place #1/3
  7. Bible in the first place #2/3
  8. Bible in the first place #3/3
  9. Bible in a nutshell
  10. The Bible and names in it
  11. The Divine name of the Creator
  12. יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words
  13. God about His name “יהוה“
  14. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
  15. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
  16. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
  17. God of gods
  18. A god between many gods
  19. Hashem השם, Hebrew for “the Name”
  20. I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
  21. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua
  22. Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
  23. Archeological Findings the name of God YHWH
  24. Titles of God beginning with the Aleph in Hebrew
  25. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
  26. The NIV and the Name of God
  27. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #1 Kings Faith
  28. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #2 Calling upon the Name of God
  29. Praise and give thanks to God the Most Highest
  30. Praise the God with His Name
  31. The Importance Of Scripture
  32. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
  33. Fear of God reason to return to Holy Scriptures
  34. Absolute Basics to Reading the Bible
  35. Finding and Understanding Words and Meanings
  36. Listening and Praying to the Father
  37. Breathing to teach
  38. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us
  39. Childish or reasonable ways
  40. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
  41. Developing new energy
  42. Jeruzalem Gods city
  43. Prophets making excuses

+++

 

  • Genesis 15 (habilishomilarium.com)
  • Does God Have a Name? (bkirbykeith.wordpress.com)
    If God had a name, what would it be / And would you call it to His face?
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 6 so far )

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #5 To meditate and Transform

Posted on February 14, 2013. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Trust, Faith and Prayer

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 voice of God

Hearing the Voice in the Holy Scriptures

Responding to the Grand Instructor

File:Durga Idol.jpg

Durga Idol – Bandel – Photo: Arpansrkr

In the Holy Scriptures God gave His Words and told people how to behave and how to follow His instructions and how to fulfil His Will. So they should know that God detest those who worship false gods. Jehovah certainly made the dignity of His voice to be heard and made the descending of His Arm to be seen, in the raging of anger and the flame of a devouring fire and cloudburst and rainstorm and hailstones. For because of the voice of Jehovah it was not only Assyria that was struck with terror. God will strike everything what He wants even with a staff. Those responding to the voice of the Grand Instructor will scatter their graven images, viewing them as something disgusting.

And you shall defile the covering of your graven images of silver, and the plating of your moulded images of gold. You shall throw them away as a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Be gone!” (Isaiah 30:22 The Scriptures 1998+)

30 And יהוה {Jehovah} shall cause His excellent voice to be heard, and show the coming down of His arm, with raging wrath and the flame of a consuming fire, with scattering, downpour and hailstones. 31 For through the voice of יהוה {Jehovah} Ashshur is broken down, with a rod He smites. 32 And every passage of the ordained staff which יהוה {Jehovah} lays on him, shall be with tambourines and lyres, when He shall fight with it, battling with a brandishing arm. (Isaiah 30:30-32 The Scriptures 1998+)

The man of God presented to the people the Words God dictated them. Those who heard the prophets could either ignore them or be willing to take in life’s water of truth; the Word of God could offer them the refuge, the security and the blessings. The Most High provided the means that people could find the way to gain the greatest benefit from the inspired Scriptures. The way to find salvation to everlasting life is to study those Scriptures and live by them every day of our lives. We must constantly meditate on God’s Word, with the same prayerful attitude of appreciation as expressed by the psalmist:

11 I remember the deeds of Yah, For I remember Your wonders of old. 12 And I shall meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. 13 Your way, O Elohim, is in Set-apartness {1}; Who is a great Ěl like Elohim? {Footnote: 1Isa. 35:8}. 14 You are the Ěl who does wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. 15 By Your arm You have redeemed Your people, The sons of Ya’aqob and Yosĕph. Selah. (Psalms 77:11-15 The Scriptures 1998+)

Foundation for meditation and transformation

Meditating on Jehovah’s ‘marvellous doing and activity’ will stir us also to be active in fine works, with everlasting life in view.

The Scriptures should be the very foundation of our daily living because it is God’s Word that can reach us every day. Let us heed the words of Paul who also speaks about the Breath of God, His Words, and tells young Timothy to continue in the things that he had learned and were persuaded to believe, always looking at the intimate connection between God and His written revelation and holding fast to those good things of God.

14 But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, 15 and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}. 16 All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Scriptures

The Scriptures (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“What more do we want than wisdom in relation to this matter? If the sacred Scriptures are able to make us wise, we need no other instrumentality. The Holy Spirit by the word, without infusing a single idea into it more than it actually and ordinarily contains, and without any collateral influence, teaches us all wisdom and knowledge that is necessary… Why, then, my friends, can we not be content with the means within the grasp of everyone who owns the volume of inspiration? If the ecclesiastical world were content to learn the truth from ‘the Bible alone’, and it honestly desired to obey the Messiah, there would soon be an end to Presbyterian and every other ism, by which ‘Christendom’ as it is called, or ‘anti-Christendom’, as it should be termed, has been for ages desolated” (JT, Apostasy Unveiled).

All of The Scriptures is divinely inspired, not given for our information, but for our transformation.

19 And we have the prophetic word made more certain, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture came to be of one’s own interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the desire of man, but men of Elohim spoke, being moved by the Set-apart Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

… remember 2 the words previously spoken by the set-apart prophets, and of the command of the Master and Saviour, spoken by your emissaries, (2 Peter 3:2 The Scriptures 1998+)

+

Preceding:

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #1 Creator and His Prophets

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #2 Instructions and Laws

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #3 A voice to be taken Seriously

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #4 Words in Scripture

Next: Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #6 Words to feed and communicate

Dutch version / Nederlandstalige versie: Vertrouwen, Geloof, Roepen en Toeschrijving aan Jehovah #3 Stem van God #5 Meditatie en transformatie

++

Please do also find to read:
  1. Scripture Word from God
  2. Bible Word from God
  3. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
  4. Bible guide Taking the Bible as a lead
  5. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
  6. The radiance of God’s glory and the counsellor
  7. Comparisson Bible Books in English, Dutch and French
  8. Order of Bible Books – Volgorde Bijbelboeken – Liste des livres de la Bible
  9. Bible in a nutshell
  10. The Bible and names in it
  11. The Importance Of Scripture
  12. Unsure about relevance Bible
  13. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
  14. Bible in the first place #1/3
  15. Bible in the first place #2/3
  16. Bible in the first place #3/3
  17. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
  18. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
  19. Absolute Basics to Reading the Bible
  20. Why believing the Bible
  21. Possibility to live
  22. Bible for you and for life
  23. Appointed to be read
  24. Fear of God reason to return to Holy Scriptures
  25. יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words
  26. Statutes given unto us
  27. Finding and Understanding Words and Meanings
  28. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
  29. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
  30. Another way looking at a language #1 New Year, Books and Words
  31. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
  32. Pluralis Majestatis in the Holy Scriptures
  33. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
  34. Learn to read the Bible effectively
  35. Missional hermeneutics 1/5
  36. Missional hermeneutics 2/5
  37. Missional hermeneutics 3/5
  38. Missional hermeneutics 4/5
  39. Missional hermeneutics 5/5
  40. Isaiah’s Book of the Messenger of Glad Tidings
  41. Do Christians need to read the Old Testament
  42. First Century of Christianity
  43. Getting to know the Truth
  44. Breathing to teach
  45. Bringing Good News into the world
  46. Celebrating the Bible in English
  47. Dedication and Preaching Effort 400 years after the first King James Version
  48. A feast for the Word of God
  49. What English Bible do you use?
  50. Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation Preferred by most Bible Readers
  51. The Most Reliable English Bible
  52. NWT and what other scholars have to say to its critics
  53. 21st Century Version of the Christian Scripture or Mark Heber Miller Bible
  54. The NIV and the Name of God
  55. Bible Companion now also available on Blackberry phones
  56. iPod & Android Bibles
  57. Codex Sinaiticus available for perusal on the Web
  58. Childish or reasonable ways
  59. Reasons to come to gether
  60. Power in the life of certain
  61. How to look for and how to handle the Truth
  62. A concrete picture of what is to come in the future
  63. The Bible is a today book
  64. Bible like puddle of water
  65. Determined To Stick With Truth.
  66. The manager and Word of God
  67. Cell phone vs. Bible
  68. Working on the Bible being like re-wiring an old house
  69. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
  70. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
  71. Feed Your Faith Daily
  72. Chief means by which men are built up
+++
  • Why did God organize the Israelites? (peaceandbeauty.wordpress.com)
    God organized descendants of the patriarch Abraham into a nation and gave them a body of laws. He called the nation Israel and made it the custodian of true worship and of his Word, the Holy Scriptures.
    +
    “I myself have told forth and have saved and have caused [it] to be heard, when there was among YOU no strange [god]. So YOU are my witnesses,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I am God.” (Isaiah 43:12)
  • Scriptures to Pray Over Your Family (mywarminghouse.com)
    God can’t contradict himself or give you things that go against his nature.
    +
    There is incredible power in praying God’s Word. It’s the perfect offensive weapon when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges – and an increasingly dangerous and immoral culture.
  • Song of Praise for the Elohim Set-Apart (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
    In order that they might guard His laws, And watch over His Torot (Psalms 105:45 The Scriptures 1998+)
  • Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #2 Calling upon the Name of God (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
    Soon in the time of the created universe people got to understand they had to call upon God. Men began to call upon the name of the Most High Elohim יהוה Jehovah. More than once things went wrong
  • Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #1 Kings Faith (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
    The apostle Peter may have had doubts in what his master Jesus asked him. At the time when the district ruler Herod heard the reports of Jesus and had arrested John the Baptist, Peter was perhaps not yet sure about the intimate relation Jesus had with his Father, the Most High God.
    +
    God was totally in Jesus his heart and we see that when God’s Word had entered David and Jesus their life, that divine Word became also part of their very being and giving them the desire to know what God really wanted from them. Jesus was fully aware that it was his Father who taught him how to live to please God, because Jehovah was his and David‘s God, who led him by His blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.

 

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 7 so far )

Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #4 Words in Scripture

Posted on February 11, 2013. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Trust, Faith and Prayer

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 voice of God

Hearing the Voice in the Holy Scriptures

We have the opportunity to hear the Voice of Jehovah God. We have His Words in the Holy Scriptures so we can read and hear His Voice which is on the waters; the God of glory thunders; Jehovah above many waters, in power, in majesty. He breaks the strong ones also making them to skip like a calf, like a young wild ox. The voice of Jehovah goes through flames of fire, shakes the wilderness; causes the does to calve, and uncovers the forests; and in His temple all of it is saying, glory! Therefore we, the humble and the mighty, should give to Jehovah glory and strength. We have to give to Jehovah the glory due to His name; worship Jehovah in the beauty of holiness. Jehovah sits as king forever on the highest throne and will give strength to His people; Jehovah will bless His people with peace. That is assured in the Writings of the ancestors of Gods people. (Psalms 29:1-11)

Excerpt from Johann Leusden's Latin translatio...

Excerpt from Johann Leusden’s Latin translation of the Bible book of Psalms (1688, Sefer Tehilim Liber Psalmorum, pp. 5, A2). “JEHOVA” is used for transcribing the Tetragrammaton (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We should love Jehovah and His Words because He hears our voice and our prayers and according to His judgment He the Life giver, Creator of all things, give us life. (Psalms 116:1; Psalms 119:149)

14 Yah is my strength and song, And He has become my deliverance. 15 The voice of rejoicing and deliverance Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of יהוה {Jehovah} is doing mightily. 16 The right hand of יהוה {Jehovah} is exalted, The right hand of יהוה {Jehovah} acts mightily. (Psalms 118:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)

Instructor’s Voice to come to the rescue

Jehovah is ready to come to the rescue of righthearted ones. The Grand Instructor will no longer hide Himself, so He gave His Words to the world and asked the eyes of the people to become eyes seeing their Grand Instructor. For it is He Only, Elohim the Creator, who has no equal as a teacher. Through history Jehovah revealed Himself through His prophets, whose words are recorded in the Bible. (Amos 3:6, 7) Today, when faithful worshipers read the Bible, it is as if God’s fatherly voice is telling them the way to go and urging them to readjust their course of conduct so as to walk in it. Each Christian should listen carefully as Jehovah speaks through the pages of the Bible. Let each one apply himself to Bible reading, for ‘it means his life.’

18 And therefore יהוה {Jehovah} shall wait, to show you favour. And therefore He shall be exalted, to have compassion on you. For יהוה {Jehovah} is an Elohim of right-ruling. Blessed are all those who wait for Him. 19 For the people shall dwell in Tsiyon at Yerushalayim, you shall weep no more. He shall show much favour to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears, He shall answer you. 20 Though יהוה {Jehovah} gave you bread of adversity and water of affliction, your Teacher {1} shall no longer be hidden. But your eyes shall see your Teacher {1}, {Footnote: 1Or teachers. See also Joel 2:23}. 21 and your ears hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the Way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right, or whenever you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:18-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

6 If a ram’s horn is blown in a city, do the people not tremble? If there is calamity in a city, shall not יהוה {Jehovah} have done it? 7 For the Master יהוה {Jehovah} does no matter unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. 8 A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? The Master יהוה {Jehovah} has spoken! Who would not prophesy? (Amos 3:6-8 The Scriptures 1998+)

46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. 47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47 The Scriptures 1998+)

Bible

Bible (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

17 Thus said יהוה {Jehovah}, your Redeemer, the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, “I am יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim, teaching you what is best, leading you by the way you should go. 18 “If only you had listened to My commands! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 19 “And your seed would have been like the sand, and the offspring of your inward parts like the grains of sand. His name would not have been cut off nor destroyed from before Me. 20 “Come out of Babel! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare this with a voice of singing, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth! Say, ‘יהוה {Jehovah} has redeemed His servant Ya’aqob!’ ” (Isaiah 48:17-20 The Scriptures 1998+)

+

Preceding: Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #3 A voice to be taken Seriously

Next: Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #5 To meditate and Transform

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Vertrouwen, Geloof, Roepen en Toeschrijving aan Jehovah #3 Stem van God #4 Stem in het Schrift

++

Please do read also:

  1. I am that I am Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh אהיה אשר אהיה
  2. Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
  3. The Divine name of the Creator
  4. God about His name “יהוה“
  5. יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words
  6. Hashem השם, Hebrew for “the Name”
  7. Attributes to God, titles ascribed to Him or Names given to JHWH, the God of gods.
  8. Titles of God beginning with the Aleph in Hebrew
  9. Creator of heaven and earth and everything aroundיהוה The Only One Elohim who creates and gives all
  10. I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
  11. Only One God
  12. God of gods
  13. God is One
  14. Some one or something to fear #1 Many sorts of fear
  15. Some one or something to fear #6 Faith in the Most High
  16. Some one or something to fear #7 Not afraid for Gods Name
  17. Fear of God reason to return to Holy Scriptures
  18. Scripture Word from God
  19. Bible Word from God
  20. Absolute Basics to Reading the Bible
  21. Bible in a nutshell
  22. Bible in the first place #1/3
  23. Bible in the first place #2/3
  24. Bible in the first place #3/3
  25. Comparisson Bible Books in English, Dutch and French
  26. Order of Bible Books – Volgorde Bijbelboeken – Liste des livres de la Bible
  27. Pure Words and Testimonies full of Breath of the Most High
  28. Bible Word of God, inspired and infallible
  29. Finding and Understanding Words and Meanings
  30. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
  31. The Bible and names in it
  32. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
  33. Invitation to all who believe
  34. Getting to know the Truth
  35. Why believing the Bible
  36. The Importance Of Scripture
  37. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
  38. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
  39. Bringing Good News into the world
  40. Unsure about relevance Bible
  41. Childish or reasonable ways
  42. Bible guide
  43. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
  44. Possibility to live
  45. Breathing to teach
  46. Power in the life of certain
  47. Appointed to be read
  48. The manager and Word of God
  49. Bible like puddle of water
  50. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua
  51. The NIV and the Name of God
  52. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
  53. Pluralis Majestatis in the Holy Scriptures
  54. Do Christians need to read the Old Testament
  55. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
  56. Another way looking at a language #1 New Year, Books and Words
  57. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
  58. Learn to read the Bible effectively
  59. Statutes given unto us
  60. Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation Preferred by most Bible Readers
  61. Celebrating the Bible in English
  62. What English Bible do you use?
  63. Dedication and Preaching Effort 400 years after the first King James Version
  64. The Most Reliable English Bible
  65. iPod & Android Bibles
  66. 21st Century Version of the Christian Scripture or Mark Heber Miller Bible
  67. NWT and what other scholars have to say to its critics
  68. Bible Companion now also available on Blackberry phones
  69. Codex Sinaiticus available for perusal on the Web
  70. Cell phone vs. Bible
  71. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
  72. Chief means by which men are built up
  73. Bible for you and for life
  74. Working on the Bible being like re-wiring an old house
  75. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
  76. A feast for the Word of God
  77. Determined To Stick With Truth.
  78. For Jehovah is greatly to be praised
  79. Praise the God with His Name
  80. Praise and give thanks to God the Most Highest
  81. The radiance of God’s glory and the counsellor
  82. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name
  83. God’s Light
  84. How to look for and how to handle the Truth
  85. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
  86. The Bible is a today book
  87. Discipleship way of life on the narrow way to everlasting life
  88. Feed Your Faith Daily
  89. Faith and trial
  90. Partakers of the sufferings
  91. Faith a commitment to the promises of Christ and to to the demands of Christ
  92. Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark
  93. Walking in love by faith, not by sight
  94. God receives us on the basis of our faith
  95. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
  96. Feed Your Faith Daily
  97. We all are changed into the same image from glory to glory
  98. We will all be changed
  99. Give your tears to God
  100. Worship and worshipping
  101. Holiness and expression of worship coming from inside
  102. Be holy
  103. God make us holy
  104. God is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him
  105. A Living Faith #8 Change
  106. Honesty beginning of holiness
  107. Growth in character
  108. Let us become nothing, and Christ everything
  109. Cleaning up
  110. We all are changed into the same image from glory to glory
  111. Rest thy delight on Jehovah
  112. Rejoice even though bound to grieve
  113. Make a joyful noise unto Yahweh, rejoice, and sing praise unto Jehovah
  114. Prophets making excuses
  115. Man’s plans prevailed by God’s purpose
  116. Blind leading the blind
  117. Listening and Praying to the Father
  118. Just an Ordinary Day
  119. Partakers of the sufferings

+++

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 8 so far )

Écrites inspirée de Dieu pour notre instruction, pour convaincre, pour corriger

Posted on December 1, 2012. Filed under: Articles en Français | Tags: , , , , , , |

 

“Or ce n’est pas pour lui seul qu’il a été écrit que cela lui a été compté,” (Romains 4:23 DRB)

“20 sachant ceci premièrement, qu’aucune prophétie de l’écriture ne s’interprète elle-même. 21 Car la prophétie n’est jamais venue par la volonté de l’homme, mais de saints hommes de Dieu ont parlé, étant poussés par l’Esprit Saint.” (2 Pierre 1:20-21 DRB)

“Et tu écriras sur ces pierres toutes les paroles de cette loi, en les gravant bien nettement.” (Deutéronome 27:8 DRB)

“Car toutes les choses qui ont été écrites auparavant ont été écrites pour notre instruction, afin que, par la patience et par la consolation des écritures, nous ayons espérance.” (Romains 15:4 DRB)

“Ecris donc les choses que tu as vues, et les choses qui sont, et les choses qui doivent arriver après celles-ci.” (Apocalypse 1:19 DRB)

“L’Esprit de l’Eternel a parlé en moi, et sa parole a été sur ma langue.” (2 Samuel 23:2 DRB)

“mais Dieu a ainsi accompli ce qu’il avait prédit par la bouche de tous les prophètes, savoir que son Christ devait souffrir.” (Actes 3:18 DRB)

“(12-14) Et, par un prophète, l’Eternel fit monter Israël d’Egypte, et par un prophète il fut gardé.” (Osée 12:13 DRB)

“24 Celui qui ne m’aime pas ne garde pas mes paroles. Et la parole que vous entendez n’est pas la mienne, mais celle du Père qui m’a envoyé. 25  Je vous ai dit ces choses demeurant avec vous ; 26 mais le Consolateur, l’Esprit Saint, que le Père enverra en mon nom, lui, vous enseignera toutes choses et vous rappellera toutes les choses que je vous ai dites. 27 Je vous laisse la paix ; je vous donne ma paix ; je ne vous donne pas, moi, comme le monde donne. Que votre cœur ne soit pas troublé, ni craintif. 28  avez entendu que moi je vous ai dit, Je m’en vais, et je viens à vous. Si vous m’aviez aimé, vous vous seriez réjouis de ce que je m’en vais au Père, car mon Père est plus grand que moi. 29 Et maintenant je vous l’ai dit avant que cela arrive, afin que, quand ce sera arrivé, vous croyiez. 30 Je ne parlerai plus beaucoup avec vous, car le chef du monde vient, et il n’a rien en moi ; 31 mais afin que le monde connaisse que j’aime le Père ; et selon que le Père m’a commandé, ainsi je fais. Levez-vous, partons d’ici !” (Jean 14:24-31 DRB)

“Et n’étant pas d’accord entre eux, ils se retirèrent, après que Paul leur eut dit une seule parole, l’Esprit Saint a bien parlé à nos pères par Esaïe le prophète, disant,” (Actes 28:25 DRB)

“lequel il faut que le ciel reçoive jusqu’aux temps du rétablissement de toutes choses dont Dieu a parlé par la bouche de ses saints prophètes de tout temps.” (Actes 3:21 DRB)

“ainsi dit le Seigneur, l’Eternel, Il ne s’accomplira pas et n’aura pas lieu ;” (Esaïe 7:7 DRB)

“16 Toute écriture est inspirée de Dieu, et utile pour enseigner, pour convaincre, pour corriger, pour instruire dans la justice, 17 afin que l’homme de Dieu soit accompli et parfaitement accompli pour toute bonne œuvre.” (2 Timothée 3:16-17 DRB)

“Ne crois-tu pas que moi je suis dans le Père, et que le Père est en moi ? Les paroles que moi je vous dis, je ne les dis pas de par moi-même ; mais le Père qui demeure en moi, c’est lui qui fait les œuvres.” (Jean 14:10 DRB)

“Prenez aussi le casque du salut, et l’épée de l’Esprit, qui est la parole de Dieu ;” (Ephésiens 6:17 DRB)

*

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )

Scripture Word from God

Posted on November 21, 2012. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh | Tags: , , , , , |

 

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;” (Romans 4:23 ERV)

“20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 ERV)

“And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.” (Deuteronomy 27:8 ERV)

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 ERV)

“Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;” (Revelation 1:19 ERV)

“The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was upon my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2 ERV)

“But the things which God foreshewed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.” (Acts 3:18 ERV)

“And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” (Hosea 12:13 ERV)

“24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me. 25  These things have I spoken unto you, while [yet] abiding with you. 26 But the Comforter, [even] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. 28  Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe. 30 I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me; 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” (John 14:24-31 ERV)

“And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,” (Acts 28:25 ERV)

“whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began.” (Acts 3:21 ERV)

“thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.” (Isaiah 7:7 ERV)

“16 Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ERV)

“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.” (John 14:10 ERV)

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 ERV)

 

+

 

 

 

  • “Did God Only Preserve His Thoughts?” (jpfinn7.wordpress.com)
    Are the Scriptures just the “ideas” of God, or are they the very WORDS of God? You decide!
  • “Bible-believing” and the authority of scripture: “the unfolding of your words gives light” (derekmaul.wordpress.com)
    The Bible says a lot of things. That’s one of the reasons I love to read it all the time; because God is constantly teaching me, nurturing me, nourishing me, and equipping me to share the Good News of God’s love in this broken world.
  • Why We Should Study God’s Word. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
    The Bible is an incredible book of history and facts that proves that there is a God that created all things. Most important of all, the Bible is the Word of God. It contains the mind of God and His will for each one of our lives. That is why the Bible was given to us.
  • 3 Reasons Scripture is not Relative (boldnetwork.wordpress.com)
    Scripture is relative to who reads it. it is subjct to interrpretation. At least that is what is being pushed upon the Christian church. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Scripture can speak in different ways to you at different places in your life, but it isn’t some free flowing stream of words that is meant to mean different things to everyone. If you believe in God, then you must believe His word is truth, and truth is not subject to inerpretation.
  • Our Holy Scriptures (christiansareus.wordpress.com)
    The idea is that every single word in the Bible is there because God wanted it there.
  • Is Scripture reliable? (devinkroner.com)
    Some people will admit that the Words god spoke were true when they were written by Moses, the prophets, and even the apostles…but over the centuries many contend they have been changed. Not on purpose, but just as a result of errors being made in copies, etc. Therefore, some people say we can’t rely on the Scripture today as authoritative.
  • Fast Forward Chapters (jamesfields.wordpress.com)
    some of the genealogies and other areas I call Fast Forward Chapters.  Since I only use electronic devices for reading
    +
    Consistent reading of Scripture equates to consistent breathing—you have to do it!
  • Helping Students understand the importance of Reading the Bible (youthmin.org)
    If we only read the Bible for what we can “get out of it” we can be distracted from the heart of God’s revelation, which is Himself. We need to come thirsty.
    +
    The most important reason to read the Bible is to understand story of the gospel. The Bible is living and active and is not meant for the bookshelf.
  • I am Baptized in the Holy Ghost and with Fire! (hitchhikeamerica.wordpress.com)
    There is a powerful balance when you have the power of the Holy Ghost and the knowledge of Scripture engrafted into your Spirit man.

 

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 8 so far )

Comparisson Bible Books in English, Dutch and French

Posted on November 19, 2012. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Bijbel Studie en Bijbel Lezing, Heilige Schrift, Holy Scriptures | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Order of Bible Books – Volgorde Bijbelboeken – Liste des livres de la Bible

English:

One of the possible orders of the Book of books and common names is the one as presented in “The Scriptures” and used in the ecclesia Brussel-Leuven by the Christadelphian community in their services in Brussels, Leefdaal, Leuven, Mons and Nijvel/Nivelles.
In the French capital, for the three monthly service the oecumenical order is been used (see below) or the one of the Louis Segand Bible or Le Sémur. For the bible studies we also use the most common or frequent order of the majority translations. (see below)

Dutch – Nederlands:

Één van de mogelijke volgordes van de Bijbelboeken is deze die voor komt in de vertaling van “The Scriptures” of “De Geschriften”, welke in de dienst wordt gebruikt door de Belgische Christadelphians in Brussel, Leefdaal, Leuven, Mons en Nijvel/Nivelles.
Tijdens de driemaandelijkse dienst in de Franse hofdstad wordt de volgorde genomen van de oecumenische bijbelvertaling TOB of deze van Louis Segond of  Le Semeur.

Liste des livres de la Bible

Chez les Christadelphes Belge on utilese dans le service en Belgique le canon de la Bible hébraïque et en France le canon des écritures défini au Concile de Trente ou comme les éditions catholiques ou interconfessionnelles (TOB, Jérusalem, Bayard, etc.)

The Pre-Messianic Scriptures – Pre-Messiaanse geschriften – Hebreeuws-Aramese Geschriften – Les Écrits Hebreux

The Tanak – Tanakh = De Tanak = Tenach

The Tanakh (Hebrew: תַּנַ”ךְ‎, pronounced [taˈnaχ] or [təˈnax]; also Tenakh, Tenak, Tanach) is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra.

 

A Tanach

 

 

תּוֹרָה Torah – Teaching (commonly called Law) – Thorah – Thora of Wet – La Torah

Bookname (Alternate name) – Dutch name(s), Nederlandse naam/namen- French name, les noms en Français

Beginning -  Het Begin – De aanvang

Bereshith -  Beres’jiet (GenesisGenesis, = Genèse

 

Illuminated Tanakh

 

 

 

Law – Wet

Chamisha Chumshei Torah (חמישה חומשי תורה) / Chamisja Choemsjee Torah (Hebreeuws: חמשה חומשי תורה, de ‘vijf boeken van de Thora’): Pentateuch: Beres’jiet, Sjemot, Wajikra, Bemidbar & Dewariem

Shemoth - Sjemot (Exodus) = Sjemot – Exodus, Uittocht = Exode
Wayyiqra - Wajikra (Leviticus) = Wajikra -  Leviticus, Levieten, Lévitique
Bemigbar - Bemidbar (Numbers) = Bemidbar (Bamidbar) – Numeri = Nombres
Debarim -Dewariem  (Deuteronomy) = Devariem – Deuteronomium = Deutéronome

נְבִיאִים Nebi’imNevi’imNewie’iem - Prophets – Profeten – Grote en Kleine Profeten – Les Prophètes

יְהוֹשֻעַ

Leningrad Codex cover page E (Folio 474a). A v...

Leningrad Codex cover page E (Folio 474a). A very old manuscript of the Hebrew bible. A former possession of Karaïte Jews. They claim its author was Karaite, a position denied by Rabbinic Jews. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

/ Yĕhôshúa‘ Yehoshua (Joshua) = Jehosjoea‘ – Jozua, Jozua, Joshua = Josué
שופטים / Shophtim Shophetim (Judges, Rulers) = Sjofetiem – Richteren, Rechters = Juges

שְׁמוּאֵל / Shĕmû’ēl: Samuel
Shemu’el Aleph (1 Samuel)  =  Sjemoeël 1 – I Samuel,1 Samuël  = I Samuel ou I Règnes
Shemu’el Bet (2 Samuel) = Sjemoeël 2 – II Samuel 2 Samuël = II Samuel ou II Règnes

מלכים / M’lakhim: Kings
Melakim Aleph (1 Kings) = Melachiem 1 – I Koningen, 1 Koningen = I Rois ou III Règnes
Melakim Bet (2 Kings) = Melachiem 2 – II Koningen, 2 Koningen = II Rois ou IV Règnes

יְשַׁעְיָהוּ / Yĕsha‘ăyāhû Yeshayahu (Isaiah) =  Jesja‘jahoe – Jeshajua, Jesaja, Esajas = Isaïe ou Ésaïe
יִרְמְיָהוּ / Yirmĕyāhû Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) =  Jirmejahoe – Jeremia, Jeremias = Jérémie
יְחֶזְקֵאל / Yĕhezqēl Yebezqel (Ezekiel) = Jechezkel – Ezechiël, Ezéchiel = Ézéchiel

דָּנִיֵּאל / Dānī’ēl Dani’ el (Daniel) = Daniël = Daniel
הוֹשֵׁעַ / Hôshēa‘  Hoshea (Hosea) = Hosjea‘ – Hosea = Osée
יוֹאֵל / ’ēl Yo’el (Joel) = Joël = Joël
עָמוֹס / ‘Āmôs Amos (Amos) = Amos = Amos
עֹבַדְיָה / ‘Ōbhadhyāh Obagyah (Obadiah) =  ‘Ovadja – Obadja, Obadia = Abdias
יוֹנָה / Yônāh Yonah (Jonah) = Jona, Jonas = Jonas
מִיכָה / Mîkhāh Mikah (Micah) = Micha = Michée
נַחוּם / Naḥûm Nabum (Nahum) = Nachoem – Nahum = Nahoum
חֲבַקּוּק /Ḥăbhaqqûq Habaqquq (Habakkuk) = Chavakoek – Habakuk = Habaquq
צְפַנְיָה / Ṣĕphanyāh Tsephanyah (Zephaniah) =Tsefanja – Zefanja, Sefanja = Sophonie
חַגַּי / Ḥaggai Haggai (Haggai) = Chaggai – Haggai, Haggaï, Aggeas = Aggée
זְכַרְיָה / Zĕkharyāh Zekaryah (Zechariah) = Zecharja – Zacharia, Zecharias, Zacharias = Zacharie
מַלְאָכִי / Mal’ākhî Mal’aki (Malachi) = Mal’achi – Maleachi = Malachie

כְּתוּבִים Kethubim Aleph KetuvimKetoewiem - Writings - Hagiographa – Geschriften

(Poetic books: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon or Canticles – Poëtische Boeken: Psalmen, Spreuken, Prediker of Ecliasten, Hooglied of Koningslied of Kantieken)

תהלים / Tehillim Tehillim (Psalms) = Tehiliem – Psalmen = Psaumes
משלי / Mishlei Mishle (Proverbs) = Misjlee – Spreuken = Proverbes
אִיּוֹב / Iyyōbh Iyob (Job) = Iov – Job = Job
שִׁיר הַשׁשִׁירִים/ Shīr Hashīrīm Shir haShirim (Song of Songs)(Song of Solomon) (Canticles) = Sjier Hasjiriem – Hooglied, Koningslied, Kantieken = Cantique des cantiques
רוּת / Rūth Ruth (Ruth) = Roet – Ruth = Ruth
איכה / Eikhah Ekah (Lamentations) = Echa – Klaagliederen, Lamentaties = Lamentations
קֹהְלְת / Qōheleth Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) = Kohelet - Ecclesiasticus,  Prediker, Ecclesiasten, + wijsheid van Jezus Sirach, wijsheid van Jozua Ben Sirach, Spreuken van Sirach, Sirach of Ecclesiasticus = Ecclésiastique ou Siracide
אֶסְתֵר / Estēr Ester (Esther) = Ester – Esther = Esther

עזרא ונחמיה / Ezra v’Nechemia
Ezra (Ezra) = Ezra, (Eerste boek van Esdras, eerste deel van het Boek Esdras) = Ezra ou I Esdras
Nehemyah (Nehemiah) = Nechemja – Nehemia, Nehemía, (Tweede boek van Esdras, Tweede deel van het Boek Esdras) = Néhémie ou II Esdras

דברי הימים / Divrei Hayamim – Chronicles – Chronieken – Kronieken
Dibre haYamim Aleph (1 Chronicles) = Divree Hajamiem 1 – I Kronieken, 1 Kronieken = I Chroniques
Dibre haYamim Bet (2 Chronicles) = Divree Hajamiem 2 – II Kronieken, 2 Kronieken = II Chroniques

The Messianic Scriptures – De Messiaanse Geschriften – Christelijke Griekse Geschriften

Kethubim Bet – Writings

Gospels – Evangeliën – Evangelies – Évangiles

Plik:Karolingischer Buchmaler um 820 001.jpgDie vier Evangelisten – Aachen Gospels – 13 CE – Dom, Schatzkammer

Mattithyahu (Matthew) = Mattheüs, Matthéüs, Evangelie volgens Matteüs = Évangile selon Matthieu
Marqos (Mark) = Markus, Marcus = Évangile selon Marc
Luqas (Luke) = Lukas, Lucas = Évangile selon Luc
Yohanan (John) = Johannes, Evangelie van Sint Jan, Evangelie van de apostel Johannes = Évangile selon Jean

History of first Christians -  Geschiedenis van de eerste Christenen

Ma ‘asei (Acts) = Handelingen der apostelen, Handelingen van de apostelen

Epistles or Letters or Writings from the apostles – Epistels, Brieven van de apostelen

Paul’s Lettres, Letters by Paul – Brieven van Paulus, Paulus brieven, Paulus Epistels – Épîtres pauliennes

Romiyim (Romans) = Romeinen, Brief aan de Romeinen = Épître aux Romains
Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Corinthians) = 1 Korinthiërs, Eerste brief aan de Korintiërs, I Korintiërs = Première épître aux Corinthiens
Qorintiyim Bet (2 Corinthians) = 2 Korinthiërs, Tweede brief aan de Korintiërs, II Korintiërs = Deuxième épître aux Corinthiens
Galatiyim (Galatians) = Galaten = Épître aux Galates
Eph’siyim (Ephesians) = Efeziërs = Épître aux Éphésiens
Pilipiyim (Philippians) = Filippenzen = Épître aux Philippiens
Qolasim (Colossians) = Kolossenzen = Épître aux Colossiens
Tas’loniqim Aleph (1 Thessalonians) = 1 Thessalonicenzen, Eerste brief aan de Tessalonicenzen, I Tessalonicenzen = Première épître aux Thessaloniciens
Tas’loniqim Bet (2 Thessalonians) = 2 Thessalonicenzen, Tweede brief aan de Tesselonicenzen, II Tessalonicenzen = Deuxième épître aux Thessaloniciens
Timotiyos Aleph (1 Timothy) = 1 Timótheüs, Eerste brief aan Timoteüs, I Timoteüs = Première épître à Timothée
Timotiyos Bet (2 Timo} = 2 Timótheüs, Tweede brief aan Timoteüs, II Timoteüs = Deuxième épître à Timothée
Titos (Titus) = Titus = Épître à Tite
Pileymon (Philemon) = Filémon, Philemon, Filemon = Épître à Philémon
Ib’rim (Hebrews) = Hebreeën = L’Épître aux Hébreux

Letters by other apostles – Verdere brieven van de apostelen of Katholische brieven – Lettres des autre apôtres ou Épîtres dites catholiques (c’est-à-dire universelles)

Ya ‘aqob (James) = Jakobus = Épître de Jacques
Kepha Aleph (1 Peter) = 1 Petrus, Eerste brief van Petrus, I Petrus = Première épître de Pierre
Kepha Bet (2 Peter) = 2 Petrus, Tweede brief van Petrus, II Petrus = Deuxième épître de Pierre
Yohanan Aleph (1 John) =  1 Johannes, Eerste brief van Johannes, I Johannes = Première épître de Jean
Yohanan Bet (2 John) = 2 Johannes, Tweede brief van Johannes, II Johannes = Deuxième épître de Jean
Yohanan Gimel (3 John) = 3 Johannes, Derde brief van Johannes, III Johannes = Troisième épître de Jean
Yehugah (Jude) = Judas, Brief van Judas, Epistel van Judas, Judas = Épître de Jude

Prophetic book, Revelation – Profetisch boek, Eindtijdboek, Revelatie of Openbaring van Johannes – Livre prophétique sur la fin des temps et l’établissement du royaume de Dieu

Hazon (Revelation) = Openbaring, Openbaring van Johannes, Revelatie, Revelatie van Johannes, Apolcalyps = l’Apocalypse

*

Order at the Biblestudy:

Tanakh
(Jewish Bible)
(24 books)
Books in bold are part of the Ketuvim
Protestant
Old Testament
(39 books)
Catholic
Old Testament
(46 books)
Eastern Orthodox
Old Testament
(51 books)
Original language
Torah
Bereishit Genesis Genesis Genesis Hebrew
Shemot Exodus Exodus Exodus Hebrew
Vayikra Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Hebrew
Bamidbar Numbers Numbers Numbers Hebrew
Devarim Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Hebrew
Nevi’im
Yehoshua Joshua Joshua (Josue) Joshua (Iesous) Hebrew
Shofetim Judges Judges Judges Hebrew
Rut (Ruth) Ruth Ruth Ruth Hebrew
Shemuel 1 Samuel 1 Samuel (1 Kings) 1 Samuel (1 Kingdoms) Hebrew
2 Samuel 2 Samuel (2 Kings) 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms) Hebrew
Melakhim 1 Kings 1 Kings (3 Kings) 1 Kings (3 Kingdoms) Hebrew
2 Kings 2 Kings (4 Kings) 2 Kings (4 Kingdoms) Hebrew
Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles) 1 Chronicles 1 Chronicles (1 Paralipomenon) 1 Chronicles (1 Paralipomenon) Hebrew
2 Chronicles 2 Chronicles (2 Paralipomenon) 2 Chronicles (2 Paralipomenon) Hebrew
1 Esdras Hebrew
Ezra-Nehemiah Ezra Ezra (1 Esdras) Ezra (2 Esdras) Hebrew and Aramaic
Nehemiah Nehemiah (2 Esdras) Nehemiah (2 Esdras) Hebrew
Tobit (Tobias) Tobit (Tobias) Aramaic (and Hebrew?)
Judith Judith Hebrew
Esther Esther Esther Esther Hebrew
1 Maccabees (1 Machabees) 1 Maccabees Hebrew
2 Maccabees (2 Machabees) 2 Maccabees Greek
3 Maccabees Greek
4 Maccabees Greek
Wisdom books
Iyov (Job) Job Job Job Hebrew
Tehillim (Psalms) Psalms Psalms Psalms Hebrew
Prayer of Manasseh Greek
Mishlei (Proverbs) Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Hebrew
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Hebrew
Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs) Song of Solomon Song of Songs (Canticle of Canticles) Song of Songs (Aisma Aismaton) Hebrew
Wisdom Wisdom Greek
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Sirach Hebrew
Major prophets
Yeshayahu Isaiah Isaiah (Isaias) Isaiah Hebrew
Yirmeyahu Jeremiah Jeremiah (Jeremias) Jeremiah Hebrew and Aramaic
Eikhah (Lamentations) Lamentations Lamentations Lamentations Hebrew
Baruch Baruch Hebrew
Letter of Jeremiah Greek (majority view)
Yekhezqel Ezekiel Ezekiel (Ezechiel) Ezekiel Hebrew
Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel Hebrew and Aramaic
Twelve Minor Prophets
The Twelve
or
Trei Asar
Hosea Hosea (Osee) Hosea Hebrew
Joel Joel Joel Hebrew
Amos Amos Amos Hebrew
Obadiah Obadiah (Abdias) Obadiah Hebrew
Jonah Jonah (Jonas) Jonah Hebrew
Micah Micah (Micheas) Micah Hebrew
Nahum Nahum Nahum Hebrew
Habakkuk Habakkuk (Habacuc) Habakkuk Hebrew
Zephaniah Zephaniah (Sophonias) Zephaniah Hebrew
Haggai Haggai (Aggeus) Haggai Hebrew
Zechariah Zechariah (Zacharias) Zechariah Hebrew
Malachi Malachi (Malachias) Malachi Hebrew

**

  • History books: Geschiedenis Boeken:

1. Jozua; Richteren; Ruth;

2. Samuel en Koningen: 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel; 1 Koningen; 2 Koningen;

3. Kronieken en Ezra: 1 Kronieken; 2 Kronieken; Ezra; Nehemia; Ester;

4. Poëzie en wijsheid: Job; Psalmen; Spreuken; Prediker; Hooglied;

5. Grote profeten: Jesaja; Jeremia; Klaagliederen; Ezechiël; Daniël;

6. Kleine profeten: Hosea; Joël; Amos; Obadja; Jona; Micha; NahumHabakuk; Sefanja; Haggai; Zacharia; Maleachi

***

Les Livres prophetiques

les Prophetes premiers

Le livre de Josue; Le livre des Juges; Premier livre de Samuel, Deuxieme livre de Samuel; Premier livre des Rois, Deuxieme livre des Rois

les Prophetes derniers

Esa’ie, Jeremie, Ezechiel, Osee, Joel, Amos, Abdias, Jonas, Michee, Nahoum, Habaquq, Sophonie, Aggee, Zacharie, Malachie

Les autres Écrits

Les Psaumes, Le livre de Job, Les Proverbes, Le livre de Ruth, Le Cantique des Cantiques, Qoheleth (ou I’Ecclesiaste), Les Lamentations, Le livre d’Esther, Daniel, Le livre d’Esdras, Le livre de Nehemie, Premier livre des Chroniques, Deuxieme livre des Chroniques

 

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 3 so far )

Breathing to teach

Posted on October 22, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Bible Study and Bible Reading, Churchplanning, Faith, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Manners and Association, Meeting, Preaching, Witnessing | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Jesus has given us life-breath. He had only a little three years to go around in the area where he could come, around his habitat. Distances in his time took many hours to travel. Today we can be somewhere far away in a couple of minutes or just a few hours. What took days for the apostles to go somewhere, takes only a few hours today. but today we do hear more excuses than in Jesus time about having no time to teach others about the Kingdom of God or to have others to learn the Bible.

Travelling Master

To get others to know the Bible we do not have to go far. We even can do it from our home, today. We have marvellous tools which brings us very easily much further than the doorstep. Jehovah Witnesses for a long time took it for granted it was the best way to reach people by bothering them at any moment of the day, ringing the bell and talking to them at the doorstep. But it seems that they today, also have found the modern means of the computer and internet. On the internet they now seem to have opened up and present more literature to the general public. Which is nice, because they also have very good literature, which can bring many more people to God.

Kingdomhall in Essen

But, we should not let them do all the work, and let them get people in their Kingdom hall, while we have other thoughts of which we are sure they are also valuable for the people and leaving them more free. We should get others to know that there are other places of worship where honest God loving people can come together as a congregation.They may offer over there Theocratic Ministry School with a common global curriculum and nest to the weekly services with Watchtower-study they also may offer Pioneer Service School for full-time preachers, and the Kingdom Ministry School for elders and ministerial servants. The Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses should be known as the only sort of kingdom hall the world offers good Bible teaching and worship to the One and Only God.

We should be more conscious that we also have a lot to offer to the unbelievers and those looking for the Truth. We Can offer the Truth, but than we may not stay in our little cocoon of our armchair at home. We should get off our ass and do something.

It is more than high time that more people would come out of their house and take up the task Jesus has given them.

Worldly and spiritual works

Jesus, in his three years of preaching, has spend a lot of breath, getting people to see the importance of getting to know his Father, Jehovah God. He also spend a lot of words on getting others to know the Gospel of the Good News, of the coming Kingdom of God. In his time he could find many people interested in him and gasping at his wonders, which he did in the name of his Father.

Interior of a Kingdom hall of Jehovah Witnesses, which could be identical as one of the meeting rooms of Christadelphians

All-right, it is true that our worldly works on their own shall not bring us far and it is not only by the works of the law that we shall be sanctified. Grace has come over us by the offer Jesus brought, but we should remember that without works our faith serves to nothing, because without works the faith is dead. We need the faith to be able to survive, and to be counted righteous we shall have to prove that we are worthy of the grace God has given to all.
Even if we would be Jewish by birth, not sinners from other ethnic backgrounds, we would  know that people are not declared to be righteous by obeying sectarian law , but by faith in Jeshua Messiah. All those who call themselves Christians should not only believed in Jeshua, whom they mostly call Jesus Christ. They should know that in order to be declared righteous by faith in the Messiah, and not by sectarian law they also should live accordingly to the Will and Law of God. Jesus has spoken about that many times and has given many parables of what could happen if we do not confirm to the Laws of God. Though no human being will be declared righteous by obeying sectarian law, if we, while trying to be declared righteous by the Messiah, have also been found to be sinners ourselves,  it does not mean that Jeshua Messiah is a of sin.

Words and Jesus living in us

Every Christian should take care to die to the Torah, so that he can live for YHVH/JHWH the Elohim Jehovah God. Sin in us should be crucified with the Messiah. From now on it is no longer us who live, but the Messiah who lives in us, and the mortal life we have lived before we became Christians may still be a live that can come onto an end in this world, but it should be a life full of hope by faith in God’s Son who loved us and gave himself for us. We do not disregard the compassion of Jehovah. Because if righteousness is attainable through sectarian law, then the Messiah died for nothing.

For as many as are of works of Torah are under the curse, for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all that has been written in the book of the Torah, to do them.” And that no one is declared right by Torah before Elohim is clear, for “The righteous shall live by belief.” And the Torah is not of belief, but “The man who does them shall live by them.” Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Torah, having become a curse for us – for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree.”1 – Footnote: 1Dt. 21:23. in order that the blessing of Abmight come upon the nations in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, to receive the promise of the Spirit through belief.  (Galatians 3:10-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

And we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in the Torah, so that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world come under judgment before Elohim. Therefore by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah is the knowledge of sin.1 Footnote: 1Ex. 20:20, Rom. 4:15, Rom. 7:7. But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets, and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim, being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע {Jeshua}.  (Romans 3:19-26 The Scriptures 1998+)

“We, Yehudby nature, and not of the gentiles, sinners, knowing that a man is not declared right by works of Torah, but through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, in order to be declared right by belief in Messiah and not by works of Torah, because by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right. “And if, while seeking to be declared right by Messiah, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Messiah then a servant of sin? Let it not be! “For if I rebuild what I once overthrew, I establish myself a transgressor. “For through Torah I died to Torah,1 in order to live to Elohim. Footnote: 1See Rom. 7. “I have been impaled with Messiah, and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me.1 And that which I now live in the flesh I live by belief in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Footnote: 1Rom. 8:10, 2 Cor. 6:16, 2 Cor. 13:5, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, 1 John 4:4. “I do not set aside the favour of Elohim, for if righteousness is through Torah, then Messiah died for naught.”
(Galatians 2:15-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

Honouring the Names

We may not blaspheme the honourable name that we bear and that we can only do when we  fulfil the Torah of Jehovah, the God Most High. And to help us God has given His Word in the Holy Scriptures, for generations to bear and hear. Lots of Christians do seem to forget that it is written in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible which we consider the inspired and infallible Word of God, that whoever obeys the whole Torah, yet fails in one point is guilty of violating the whole Torah! Yes it sounds hard, and it is reality.

But it is also for that reason that Jesus has given his body and blood as an Offer-lamb to his Father, so that we may be purified by his blood. But his death at the stake does not give us the permission to live like we would like and to go on living a frivolous and sinful live. Having been baptised we are cleansed and received a new start. But we should live up to it. From our transformation and baptism onwards we should speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the Torah of liberty.

Faith and works

Faith Without Works is Dead.
What is the use, Friends, if a man says, “I have faith”, but he doesn’t have any works? Can his faith resurrect him to Life?

If you truly accomplish the sovereign law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you do well, but if you show partiality, you commit sin, being found guilty by the Torah as transgressors. For whoever shall guard all the Torah, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of Torah. So speak and so do as those who are to be judged by a Torah of freedom.1 Footnote: 1See 1:25, and John 8:32-36. For the judgment is without compassion to the one who has shown no compassion. And compassion boasts over judgment. My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him.  (James 2:8-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

Many people when they saw Jesus recognized him and his apostles. So the people hurried there by land from all the surrounding cities, arriving ahead of them to be sure to have a place where they could be close to him and hear all what he had to tell. Wherever Jesus came he began to teach the people around him many things. He taught them many things by analogies.

And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea. And He taught them much in parables, …   (Mark 4:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

And He went away from there and came to His own country, and His taught ones followed Him. And Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the congregation. And many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did He get all this? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such miracles are done through His hands?  (Mark 6:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

And having gone out, יהושע {Jeshua} saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many matters.  (Mark 6:34 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jesus had learned everything from his Father. We also can learn a lot from this Father, because as Jesus read the Torah and knew it very well, we can read the Torah and further Holy Scriptures, study them, and try to understand them. Listening carefully to all the words in the Holy Scripture we shall be able to hear the Voice of God. The Bible writers worked for the Highest Author, the Elohim Hashem, whose name is Jehovah, the God of gods. Jesus is his son and showed us the way to follow. We also should try to hear everything what Jesus has to tell us. Christ his words are written down in the New Testament. that Bible Book is available in many languages, so we should not have any excuse that it would be in a language we could not try to understand.

Listening and opening up the mind

If we are willing to listen to Christ and God’s Words, we shall feel their breath over our lives. We shall feel that they want to be with us and if we are willing to open up our minds to what the Word of God is saying we shall hear more clearly what those words really meant in their time and what they mean in our time.

Hearing the call of Jesus to go out to preach so that the Word of God shall be know all over the world, we should be aware of this important task and take steps to do this, and not leaving it alone to the Jehovah Witnesses.
As they show the world their love  for the Word of God, all Christians should do that. In the love of Christ they will continue to grow with precise knowledge and spiritual insight, but they shall have to react according the knowledge they receive. By studying regularly the Word of God the Bible reader shall be able to recognize what is genuine, and be pure and blameless in the Day of the Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jeshua Messiah, to the splendor and praise of Jehovah.

Grace was said before the barbeque was served ...

Grace was said before the barbeque was served at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair (LOC) (Photo credit: The Library of Congress)

Heralding

Reading the Bible the reader should feel God’s Breath and be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit to become driven by the Good News and willing to share it by as many people as possible. Friends in the service of our Master should have courage to go out and to speak God’s Message fearlessly and bolder than ever.

Some actually herald out of envy and rivalry, but others do it out of good will and in the love of the Messiah, knowing that Jesus and his apostles have been appointed to defend the Good News. But those who herald the Messiah from motives of rivalry and selfish ambition are attempting to cause distress. But either way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is heralded and that is what Christians should bear on their heart.

We who would like to be honest Christians and go through life as Brothers and sisters in Christ, should love the work for the Lord and expect that no brother or sister will ever have anything to be ashamed of, but with resolute boldness will continue, now as always, to exalt the Messiah in our body, either by my our or by our death. Because for us, living should be for the Messiah, and if we die, we still  ‘win’.

“Go back to your house, and relate what Elohim has done for you.” And he went away proclaiming through all the city what  יהושע {Jeshua } did for him.  (Luke 8:39 The Scriptures 1998+)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Master until He comes.  (1 Corinthians 11:26 The Scriptures 1998+)
And this I pray, that your love might extend more and more in knowledge and all discernment, for you to examine the matters that differ, in order to be sincere, and not stumbling, until the day of Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness,1 through  יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, to the esteem and praise of Elohim. Footnote: 1Mt. 3:8-10, Rom. 6:22, Rom. 14:17, 2 Cor. 9:10, Eph. 5:9, Gal. 5:22, Col. 1:10, Heb. 12:11, Jam. 3:18. And I wish you to know, brothers, that what has befallen me has turned out for the advancement of the Good News, so that it has become known to all the palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Messiah; and most of the brothers, trusting in the Master because of my chains, are much more bold to fearlessly speak the word. Some indeed proclaim Messiah even from envy and strife, but some also out of pleasure – the former announce Messiah from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to add distress to my chains, but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the Good News. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Messiah is announced. And in this I rejoice, in fact, I shall rejoice. For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of  יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, according to my intense longing and anticipation that I shall not be ashamed at all, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Messiah shall be made great in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Messiah, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:9-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

No Postponing

Please do not wait until tomorrow. Do not postpone.

You can form a study group so that you are not alone and can develop long lasting Christian friendships. You can host Biblestudies on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc. It is also not bad to write devotions on a blog, for another blog, or even write a ebook containing a collection of devotions. If you do not know where to place them or do not want to start your own blog, try sharing them on blogs from others so that the blog can become a bigger platform, where like minded people can meet and others can find more information and more impressions about the Word of God.

There are also various ways online to host a class or workshop.  For those who do work in the community already, it is only a small effort to share the preparation work with others on the net. But you also may consider of conducting a class to teach lessons just like Sunday School on the net. You can invite people to your virtual classroom and allow them to interact, give handouts, and even record your lesson.

Preaching all over the world

All those who call themselves Christian should try to do what Jesus did. They should try to get the message across through scriptures, testimonies, prayers, songs, video’s and so on.

Growing up in the love of Christ, you should feel his breath in and aspiring you. With growing years of Bible study knowledge you should be getting to know enough to be able to share, even if it was a minimum of knowledge. Those who have a gift of writing and/or teaching should use those gifts to enlighten and encourage others, around them, in their community, parish, village, town, at work on their blog or webpages.

So, do not hesitate and use your breath to proclaim Christ Jesus and show the world how it can become more peaceful, and how people who love God can find a better life in the future.

Christ and the Good News of the Gospel should be preached all over the world and then the end can come. We all should be witnesses unto Jesus, like the apostles had to be both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim, and in all Yehudand Shomeron, and to the end of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

“You know what word came to be throughout all Yehuḏah, beginning from Galil after the immersion which Yoḥanan proclaimed: how Elohim did anoint  יהושע {Jeshua } of Natsareth with the Set-apart Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him. “And we are witnesses of all He did, both in the country of the Yehudand in Yerushalayim, whom they even killed by hanging on a timber. “Elohim raised up this One on the third day, and let Him be seen, not to all the people, but to witnesses, those having been chosen before by Elohim – to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to witness that it is He who was appointed by Elohim to be Judge of the living and the dead. {1 Footnote: 1 See 17:31, John 5:29, Ps. 96:13, Ps. 98:9, Rev. 19:11. }“To this One all the prophets bear witness, that through His Name, everyone believing in Him does receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:37-43 The Scriptures 1998+)

“And he said, ‘The Elohim of our fathers has appointed you to know His desire, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice from His mouth. ‘Because you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. ‘And now, why do you delay? Rise up, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of יהוה.’ (Acts 22:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)

“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.1 Footnote:1See 10:22. “And this Good News of the reign shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (Matthew 24:13-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

+

Read also:

  1. Our relationship with God, Jesus and each other
  2. The possibilities of faith: A Faith that can move mountains
  3. Fear of God reason to return to Holy Scriptures
  4. Slave for people and God
  5. Gods hope and our hope
  6. God’s salvation
  7. Hope for the future
  8. One mediator
  9. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
  10. The Importance Of Scripture
  11. Incomplete without the mind of God
  12. Knowing rabboni
  13. My exegesis and hermeneutics
  14. Missional hermeneutics 1/5
  15. Missional hermeneutics 2/5
  16. Nurturing a close relationship with God
  17. Our relationship with God, Jesus and each other
  18. Working of the hope
  19. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
  20. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
  21. Destination of the Righteous
  22. Christadelphian people

++

Related articles:

  1. Representatives of the “Slave Class” or the Real “faithful and discreet slave”
  2. The blot not to be seen
  3. Watchtowers’s new face
  4. The Bible and names in it
  5. Bible basic intro
  6. Bible guide
  7. Bible in a nutshell
  8. Bible power to change
  9. Bible Word of God, inspired and infallible
  10. Concerning gospelfaith
  11. Our way of life
  12. Faith and works
  13. Faith mouving mountains

++

In Dutch:

  1. Getuigen van Jehovah, Data en Waarheid
  2. Getuige of Broeder

+++

  • Jehovah’s Witness community mourns Whitney Heichel (oregonlive.com)
    The gathering included references to scriptures that might lend comfort in a time of crisis, said a congregational elder, but wasn’t materially different from a regular service.It was Saturday that emotions ran high, when the congregation mourned for Heichel at an impromptu gathering at the hall. Jehovah’s Witnesses from Gresham, Portland, Sandy, and Washington met there, said Jim Vaughn, a family spokesman and one of nine elders who lead Heichel’s congregation.
  • My Willing Spirit (peaceandbeauty.wordpress.com)
    Like Bruno, profiled in the July 15 Watchtower as one of those who offered themselves willingly in Ecuador, I want my service to Jehovah to be not dull, but filled with a variety of activities in service to him.
    +
    Jehovah blesses a willing spirit. I am willing and I have no doubt that he will eventually bless my desire to widen further out to visit and help preach in many other territories as well as to contribute in various other ways to his global organization and to this fascinating, never-to-be-repeated work of making disciples and all that encompasses!
  • My Jehovah’s Witness Weekend Showdown! (brandimbaldwin.com)
    It was a gang of them (yes I said gang….they were wearing all black too, lol j/k).  About 8 or 10 walking in 90-degree weather with black wool suits, full-length dresses, and Bibles in tow (I’m being a little silly).  The girls thought we were playing a fun game of “freeze” or something…After a moment or so I said, “hurry up!” and we all ran up the steps and into the house. I hoped no one spotted us. I turned the tv on, set the girls up with snacks, and as soon as….and I mean As Soon As I sat down on the couch the doorbell rang!
  • Ten Years Behind A Bible, My Life in the Jehovah’s Witnesses (personal) (everything2.com)
    I’d begun reading the Bible at the age of about ten, and the more I read (and re-read), the more disappointed I became in the state of mainstream Christian churches. So, having strayed from the Anglican Church and spent some time skirting around Christianity, I decided to look at some of the “primitive Christian” groups. I admit that I’d shied away from JWs – Dad was very opposed to them, and after a while I dug down and got his reasons. Turns out that after his father died, a cousin of his (who was a Witness) expressed her view that he wasn’t going to Heaven after all (only 144,000 were destined for that reward). She was blackballedby the family, and for many years, Dad would not even mention her name.+
    Life as a JW is more than just knocking on doors, it’s about attending meetings. There are five of them (or were, maybe things have changed in the past twenty years). Firstly, there are two back-to-back meetings, usually on a Sunday. One is a public talk, given by an appointed and approved member of the congregation (although visiting elders often give this talk). The talk must be based on an approved outline, and audience members are encouraged to look up any Bible references. This is followed by the study of an article in a Watchtower magazine. Someone is appointed to read each paragraph, and an elder asks questions printed as footnotes. Audience members then answer the question. rinse repeat. Again, subtle brainwashing – over time, verbalising the approved answers has each individual “make the Truth their own”.On a side note, as if this were not enough, family heads (read “men”) are encouraged to sit and study the articles beforehand with their families, even assigning answers for each family member. Junior members are not excluded, even the wee ones are involved in this process.
  • It takes a village to build a kingdom (gosanangelo.com)
    Several years ago, the four congregations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses cq in San Angelo had a dream of building a new Kingdom Hall.
    +
    Known formally as the Salon Del Reino De Los Testigos De Jehova/the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it sits on three acres across from Shannon Health System’s St. John’s Campus and next door to the Quicksand Golf Course.
    +
    The Kingdom Hall was built in less than three weeks, thanks to hundreds of volunteers who descended on the work site as part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Regional Building Committee. People came from Abilene, Odessa, Borger, Alpine, Lubbock and Amarillo, as well as parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma, working with members of the local congregations.
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses convention kicks off on high note (observer.org.sz)
    “The Bible’s depth is much deeper than any other tool we could ever come across. It provides every detail and leaves no questions raised.”
    +
    Despite the damp and cold weather conditions, about 3 500 people including both adults and children attended the morning session. These thousands of people were not discouraged by the weather as they continued to follow and listen attentively throughout the programme.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 5 so far )

Bible in a nutshell

Posted on September 3, 2012. Filed under: Announcement, Studyday | Tags: , , , , , , , |

 

Did you ever wonder what the Bible is all about?

 

If you’ve ever wondered what the Bible is all about, and want a basic introduction to it, then there is a seminar for you in Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton.

 

We do not know if the Burton breweries can make such good beer as the Belgians, but at the seminar you shall be able to slake your thirst with refreshing spiritual thoughts in this town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire, England. The town originally grew up around Burton on Trent Abbey, which was the most important religious centre in medievalStaffordshire. But at the meeting they are not going to look at the Bible from any dogmatic views which they taught at that abbey.

 

English: Ferry Bridge, Burton upon Trent. Open...

English: Ferry Bridge, Burton upon Trent. Opened in 1889, this fine suspension bridge over the River Trent, was built by Sir Michael Arthur Bass (later Lord Burton) to replace the Stapenhill Ferry. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

As there may be confusion as to whether Burton is based in the West Midlands or the East Midlands many people are confused by what the Bible really is. For many Catholics it is their missal or their catechism.  For many Christians it is just the New Testament, inclusive all the denominational footnotes.

 

We do think they shall look at more than those few know passages which are in some church-books, which some consider to be the Bible. But they shall show that the Bible is much, much more than those few paragraphs read at service on Sundays, in many churches.

 

Out brothers in Christ are going to give an overview of the Bible message. First of all they shall show why it is important to recognise that the Bible, the Word of God is more than just the New Testament. They shall consider why there are two testaments and shall give advice on how to read and understand it better.

 

If you would like to have some useful background information, you are welcome to the The Blackpool Street meetings and to the Seminar at the Three Queenshotel, 1 Bridge Street, Burton on Saturday October the 20th from 10.00 a.m. until 3.30 p.m.

 

The main aim is that it should help you to understand why it is important to read the Bible, and it will also give you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and chat with their three friendly presenters.

 

It’s totally free and you’ll be under no obligations at any time. If you want to book on, just send your name and email / postal address to this address:

 

Freepost Plus RSJG-JCSY-EBGB
Burton Christadelphians
299a Blackpool Street
Burton on Trent
DE14 3AR

 

+++

 

 

 

 

  • The Only Bible Christians Would Actually Follow (truelogic.wordpress.com)
    Christians republicans would follow this bible because they can pick and choose which scripture they want to apply to others and those they wish to ignore.  Actually, we all know this is what Christians do, but now they can actually say they follow the Bible and not be hypocrites, if they use their very own cut and paste version.
  • Atheist Bible Studies (davidnilsen.wordpress.com)
    Most mistakes in interpretation are caused because the context of the passage is neglected. In most cases, the context is neglected because it is not read.  Often new Christians are introduced to certain “narrow” types of Bible study (memorization, Bible study guides, etc) without having any idea of what the Bible as a whole is all about. This causes several problems.
    +
    If a believer, who is presumably sympathetic to the teaching of his faith, can miss the point of a whole passage of the Bible, how much greater is the danger for someone on the hunt for something to pick apart?
    +
    Obviously if every atheist were to read the New Testament cover-to-cover four times in a row they would not all suddenly become believers.  We cannot expect every read-through of the Bible to end in a Damascus road experience (though, if every outspoken atheist suddenly decided they ought to sit down and actually read the entire Bible a few times, it would certainly be empirical evidence of divine action in the world).
  • Archaeology and the Bible (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)

    In every instance where the findings of archaeology pertain to the Biblical record, the archaeological evidence confirms, sometimes in detailed fashion, the historical accuracy of Scripture. In those instances where the archaeological findings seem to be at variance with the Bible, the discrepancy lies with the archaeological evidence, i.e., improper interpretation, lack of evidence, etc. — not with the Bible.

  • The Distorted Gospel (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)

    People today believe they are more intelligent and wiser than the people who lived in centuries past. They assume that such an ancient book as the Bible has very little relevance to modern living. Therefore, these cultural Christians, feel they must import the “revelation” of modern writers, psychologists, and various pseudo-scientific books to modernize the “Old Time Religion”. Such actions, however, deny that the Bible is the Word of God.

  • Western Civilization is more fragile than we knew (bokertov.typepad.com)
    Burton is renowned for formal and informal landscapes set alongside the River Trent. Enjoy the floral displays in beautiful Stapenhill Gardens, before strolling through the wonderful Trent Washlands, or take a trip on the River Trent in the delightful “Dingle Belle”

 

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 8 so far )

Fear of God reason to return to Holy Scriptures

Posted on July 30, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Endtimes, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Religion, Witnessing, World | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

 

Elections or a Voice

In Belgium there shall be the elections for the communities, bringing new mayors, but this year probably also with a vote over the political situation in the whole country. In the United States  of America they are not going to look for a new mayor or governor, it is the presidential candidate who shall be on the lips of everybody.

In the Old World as well as in the New World we see similar conditions, people taken for a ride by the banks,  taken in by the money-market. Many people being sold not just to pull the wool over their eyes.

In many so called civilised countries, we see not only that capitalism has blinded many people but brought them so far that they are not afraid to fool the others or to bring out a lot of lies enabling them to make more money and to enjoy life themselves at the costs of others.

Muslim Newspaper

Several inhabitants of those industrialised Western countries or States are proud of their birthplace and take pride that they can live in a Judeo Christian culture. But they have really become afraid for their Judeo Christian values. Lots on the inhabitants want to blame the rising Islam and point their finger to the many Muslim who seem to grow like fungi.

Friends and values

In Judeo-Christian values and liberty we mentioned already the problem of people being confronted with the loss of values which were a few years ago of high esteem. Many generations were brought up with values which were nourished as the most important in the family. People cherished their children and loved those who took care that their family could live in a good environment. Many also had high hopes and had the intention of making something good of the family and of the world.

It was found to be a pleasure to bask in some ones love. And  friendship was considered as something special.

Today ‘friends’ has become a word that does not seem to mean much. On the social network-sites, like Facebook, people look like they have many ‘friends’, but often it are even less than real acquaintances. Worse is it about the relation in the family itself. Many children can not tell their friends they have one father and one mother. Often they even do not consider it normal that their friends are still living in a happy first married family. Kids, after a few years, go home from school to ask their parents when they are going to  behave like normal parents and are going to divorce. Divorcing has become the normal norm is this society. And that has nothing to do with Muslim traditions taking over the world. In such families they do still know the bond of the family.

About telling a lie, we notice that has become come grounds for all sorts of people, of all sorts of religions or secular groups. Lots of people do not mind to lie in his teeth till they are black. To be a fibber has become ‘cool’ and the way to get a place in the community. Many  people have come in power by using their words in an other way than the words at first would imply. Many also do like it to hang with their ears at the moth of those storytellers. Rather to be ‘befriended’ than to be considered as a looser or ‘unbeliever’ of those fairytale-masters. Best to be the directors pet or the blue-eyed boy, than the one who is considered as the milksop. No one wants to look as the spoilsport, but several people who want to keep on to certain values are considered as the chickens. though their blanket may stay clean it is being considered the wet blanket, while others who wet their blanket literally do not mind to use the women as usable objects. For this we, yesterday could once more see, like a few weeks ago, that it were North African people living in Belgium who clearly found it not a problem that they went after the girls on the street, because women are just a lust object. Many of the white European men population have been eager to take over this idea, but also many Caucasian women do not mind to take men as their play toy.

We shall not dispute that a lot has also come this way because, while previously generations were brought up by the Word of God, being told about good and bad, heaven and hell, being told to go to mass and worship, while honouring father and mother. Those teaching of the catechism or the teachings of the Sunday school do not exist any more, or when they are still present or available at a denomination, not many are interested in it.

Learning and teaching

A few decennia ago the Christian teachings perhaps could be a huge success, today that’s a different kettle of fish. The horse of a different colour is that everybody finds it balderdash or twaddle to spend time in Old Books or spending time talking about spiritual things and about uncertainties. Nobody wants to stand for fool by outing himself to believe in something which many have long time ago swept it under the carpet.

Many find it pathetic people still want to believe in things which were said so many millennia ago. The death a a man twenty centuries ago is something not to be spoken any more, when there are now so much funnier things to talk off.

Years ago some people could still think they could come off by being a good Christian, but today most of the citizens think they are only able to manage when they can join the successful world by becoming totally part of it, integrated in the world of fashion and stuffed shirts.

English: Map of the Muslim Population by Perce...

English: Map of the Muslim Population by Percentage in the World (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lots of people do want to blame others for their problems of for the things going wrong in the world. The Muslim world has become the group to blame now while a few decennia ago many Christians blamed the Jews, and did not find it bad to get rid of them for ever by burning their bodies literally.

More than two centuries ago many people noticed the Old World already getting no good place to bring up their children. They learned from the Bible, the Word of God, that in case it became so bad and people did not want to listen to them, it was better to put on the shoes and go to other places. Many oppressed people did not want to wait until it became worse. They thought a lot and spoke with many friends before they decided to go and look for their luck in other unknown countries.  They risked their lives to escape the country were power of certain Christian denomination forced such laws and believes on them they could not agree with.

Those people where familiar with the writings of the apostle Paul who wrote: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” And some of them knew the book of Jasher in which was spoken about the fear we do had to have for God. In such Holy books they had learn that in such places were there was no fear for God it could be not nice to stay and not the right place to live. so why would they sojourn in places were nobody was interested in what they had to tell about what they had learned from the Holy Scriptures?

Jasher 4:3  And Methuselah acted uprightly in the sight of God, as his father Enoch had taught him, and he likewise during the whole of his life taught the sons of men wisdom, knowledge and the fear of God, and he did not turn from the good way either to the right or to the left.
Jasher 15:4  And Abram said to his wife Sarai, Since God has created thee with such a beautiful countenance, I am afraid of the Egyptians lest they should slay me and take thee away, for the fear of God is not in these places.

File:Fear-bumpersticker.jpg

Living with Fear, every day

Jasher 32:57  And God put fear and kindness toward Jacob in the hearts of the men that came with Esau, and they also kissed Jacob and embraced him.
Jasher 34:59  And Judah said unto Simeon and Levi, and unto all his brothers, Strengthen yourselves and be sons of valour, for the Lord our God is with us, do not fear them.
Jasher 43:41  And Jacob took the beast from the hands of his sons, and he cried out with a loud and weeping voice, holding the beast in his hand, and he spoke with a bitter heart unto the beast, Why didst thou devour my son Joseph, and how didst thou have no fear of the God of the earth, or of my trouble for my son Joseph?
Jasher 47:8  Now therefore my son, teach thy children and thy children’s children to fear the Lord, and to go in the good way which will please the Lord thy God, for if you keep the ways of the Lord and his statutes the Lord will also keep unto you his covenant with Abraham, and will do well with you and your seed all the days.
Jasher 55:3  And Jacob said within himself, I will go and see my son whether the fear of his God is yet in his heart amidst all the inhabitants of Egypt.
Jasher 63:8  And in order to know the signs and mighty wonders which the Lord would do in Egypt on account of his people Israel, in order that the children of Israel might fear the Lord God of their ancestors, and walk in all his ways, they and their seed after them all the days.

In early times of this era it was noticed in Protevangelion 8:3  “and when she was twelve years of age, the priests met in a council, and said, behold, Mary is twelve years of age; what shall we do with her, for fear lest the holy place of the lord our God should be defiled?” Protevangelion 8:14  “then the high-priest replied, Joseph, fear the lord thy God, and remember how God dealt with Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how the earth opened and swallowed them up, because of their contradiction.
Protevangelion 8:15  now therefore, Joseph, fear God, lest the like things should happen in your family.

Fear, hope, liberty and love

It is because many people do not fear God, who can bring hope, liberty and love, any more that many things do come over their family. It is not because God loving people do warn them that they went astray and have to return to God that they and their country are falling to pieces.

Paul and Thecla warned (4:7)  on this account, God sent his son Jesus Christ, whom I preach, and in whom I instruct men to place their hopes, as that person who only had such compassion on the deluded world, that it might not, O governor, be condemned, but have faith, the fear of God, the knowledge of religion, and the love of truth.

In case the men in the several countries where capitalism got the ruling position, would remember that the real value of life would be to go for the gold of the Words of God, and giving themselves in the hand of the only mediator between God and men (Jesus/Jeshua), they surely would find it easier to find the real treasures of life.

To continue with Paul who did find his colleagues believers  who were kind to one to another without grudging; being ready to every good work, and being adorned with a conversation altogether virtuous and religious, because they did all things in the fear of God; whose commandments were written upon the tables of their heart. (1  Corinthians 1:15)

Today we do not find many who have the Words of God written onto their hearts, or even in their mind to think about them.

The same as in the early centuries after the death of Jesus Christ, the Messiah,  righteousness and peace are departed from many people, because every one of them has forsaken the fear of God; and is grown blind in his faith; nor walked by the rule of God’s commandments nor lived as is fitting in Christ (1  Corinthians 2:4)

We all should remember that we are tenants of this world, which God has given to all his creation. Because of man having doubted the right of His Power, He has given the power in the hands of men. Paul knew as we should know that God has given the cities into the hands of those who think they can manage the world; for the fear of them is fallen upon all that dwell therein. (1  Corinthians 6:8)

For those who know God and do like God, they have had all the time to share their ideas with others, and they also had and still have time to let their charity be with respect of persons, alike towards all such as religiously fear God. They can let them learn how great a power humility has with God; how much a pure and holy charity avails with him; how excellent and great his fear is; and how it will save all such as turn to him with holiness in a pure mind. (1  Corinthians 10:11-13)

Double talk and Being Afraid for the right person

Who are Christians following? Who are the real Christians?

They, who believe in God, do know that He knows everything which goes on in the heart, but they are also aware that the actions of believers as well as of non-believers are seen and heard by God; therefore we better fear Him instead of being afraid of ordinary humans, who live now but who shall face the death at a certain moment in their life. At that moment they shall not be able to do anything any more against us. Therefore let us not fear men: but rather God. Wherefore, if we should do such wicked things as many around do and think are the way modern people should do, we shall have to face the judge after life and though we could have considered ourselves Christian and being part of Christ, joined unto the Lord, but not keeping Gods  commandments, He would cast this person off, and say unto him: “depart from me; I know not whence you are, ye workers of iniquity.” (1  Corinthians 10:13; 13:1; 2  Corinthians 2:15)

Barnabas wrote to the community to become spiritual, “a perfect temple to God. As much as in us lies let us meditate upon the fear of God: and strive to the utmost of our power to keep his commandments; that we may rejoice in his righteous judgments.” (3:12) and he warned them ” thou shalt not be double-minded, or double tongued; for a double tongue is the snare of death. Thou shalt be subject unto the lord and to inferior masters as to the representatives of God, in fear and reverence.” (Barnabas 14:14 )

It is this double talk that is killing more our general community. It is the dishonesty in talking and handling which brings so many people in difficulties, and not the Muslims who came into our countries and saw how people had gone far from God, so they could not do anything else than to detest their way of life.

Those foreigners and people from other cultures should not have to be  bitter in the commands towards any of their servants and co-habitants that trust in God. Still many Muslim fear God, though also a lot went there in a wrong direction and started more to fear people who misuse the name of God, or falsely say that they speak in the Name of God. those Muslims fearing certain Muslim organisations should know better, like Christians should do. They should chance not to fear Him, Allah, God the Only One Elohim Hashem, who is over both.

In case there are some organisations or people who say they can speak in the name of God, all who would like to follow them should investigate if they really live and act according the Laws of God, and follow the Words of God. They should check if those people could really be prepared by the Holy Spirit (= the Power of God). Whomsoever the Spirit had prepared would and should be a person who does not commit idolatry, does not show confidence in the wrong way to his own benefit, puts away pride of power, hypocrisy, double-mindedness, adultery, murder, rapine, pride, transgression, deceit, malice, arrogance, witchcraft, covetousness, and the want of the fear of God. Not having fear of God, does not agree with knowing the Full Power of the Almighty God.

In Commands Hermas we do find «command VII.» “fear God, says he, and keep his commandments. for if thou keepest his commandments thou shalt be powerful in every work, and all thy works shall be excellent. for by fearing God, thou shalt do every thing well.” (Commands Hermas 8:1)

When people got to know that when they fear God they shall be able to live when they do keep His commandments.
“wherefore, fear God and thou shalt live: and whosoever shall fear him, and keep his commandments, their life is with the lord. but they who keep them not, neither is life in them.” (Commands Hermas 8:6 )
“but they that have the fear of the lord, and search out the truth concerning God, having all their thoughts towards the lord; apprehend whatsoever is said to them, and forthwith understand it, because they have the fear of the lord in them.” (Commands Hermas 11:13 )

Reading the right Books

The only way to get to know Gods Commandments is by reading the Holy Scriptures. In case you notice that there are many wrong goings in this world, you probably have already some idea of what would be right or wrong. Without knowledge of good and bad there can not be any judgement over evil and goodness. It is possible that people do notice and even know from the inside that something is not as it should, but do not mind to continue to handle or live that way or to let it happen, because it suits them or they do find it very convenient.

It is that way of feeling at ease with certain situations that brought us down. It is the allowance of so many wrong things that brought the decline of our society. Not Muslims or other believers entering our domain, which in our greediness we prefer to keep to our self, instead of sharing it in love with others. Often it are the evil desires that are the food of our thoughts to go in a certain way in this world.

Pleasures of Life

Instead of  so loving the Lord God with all our passion and prayer and intelligence and energy, many of us became loving the pleasures of life and the pleasures of wealth. Many tell others they are such and such person, or believe this or that, but they takes pleasure in foolish gabble. Several call themselves Christian and say that God is their Father, but hey really do not honour Him.  Many of them have forgotten that Gods want their full attention as well as their full devotion. they also forget that Jehovah God wants actions by words. When you tell God you’ll do something, do it — now. So if YHWH, Jehovah or Yahweh is their Father, where’s the honour? If The Almighty Creator of heaven and earth is their Master, where’s the respect?  (Mark 12:30; Proverbs 23:26 ; Ecclesiastes 5:4 ; Ecclesiastes 5:5; Malachi 1:6)

Which God?

Jehovah = the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but also of Jesus

Jews, Christians and Muslims have  the God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, as their God, often also as the God of their father and mother. They both claim that Allah, Yahuwah, whose name is Jehovah shall be judge between them as He was in the time of Jacob and by by the fear of his father Isaac. They both also know Joseph who said that he feared God. (Genesis 42:18; 50:19)

http://www.lib-art.com/imgpainting/6/9/1696-three-prophets-jean-changenet.jpg

Three prophets

An other problem in this world, which was foretold by the prophets, is that a lot of people do not fear their parents and teachers any more. Several Jews and Muslims try to get this patriarchal rule going and demand that there is also taken one day a week especially to honour God. But when you look into the world were they say they have the best civilisation because they are Christians and do keep to the commandments of God, where can you find them keeping Gods sabbaths. In those communities we notice that here is also not much respect or honour for the old man. Also do we find governments who want to rule over others with rigor and where it is allowed to oppress one another, and people can be excused to do certain crimes (working and handling on the black market is often justified because the governments are demanding to much they say; petty crimes and small lies are allowed for the good of ‘the’ cause, etc.)

“3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father; and ye shall keep my sabbaths: I am Jehovah your God. 4 Turn ye not unto {1} idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am Jehovah your God. {1) Heb [things of nought]} 5 And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if aught remain until the third day, it shall be burnt with fire. 7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination; it shall not be accepted: 8 but every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the holy thing of Jehovah: and that soul shall be cut off from his people. 9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. 10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am Jehovah your God. 11 Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another. 12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of thy God: I am Jehovah. 13 Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him: the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. 14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind; but thou shalt fear thy God: I am Jehovah. 15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. 16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Jehovah. 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah. 19  Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with two kinds of seed: neither shall there come upon thee a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled together. 20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; {1} they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. {1) Heb [there shall be inquisition]} 21 And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a trespass-offering. 22 And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned: and the sin which he hath sinned shall be forgiven him. 23 And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as their uncircumcision: three years shall they be as uncircumcised unto you; it shall not be eaten. 24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy, for giving praise unto Jehovah. 25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am Jehovah your God. 26 Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantments, nor practise augury. 27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am Jehovah. 29 Profane not thy daughter, to make her a harlot; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of {1} wickedness. {1) Or [enormity]}” (Leviticus 19:3-29 ASV)

Idols and things to love

How many persons have not turned to idols, either form the music, television, film, entertainment or sports world? How many persons do not find it most important to get as much possible out of a piece of land, and to use all the upbringing to sell wherever they can to most high price, other-while it can be thrown away better than to give it to the poor?
How many do not find it so wrong to take something home from work, or do not find it so bad to steal something when they have the opportunity, defending themselves that the other person should not be so stupid to let it happen or to give the opportunity to become tempted. Has it not come to a sport for many to deal falsely and not to tell the full truth to others, even to lie one to another, or misusing them and others. Though God wants us to stay honest to our partner, how many do not have other lovers at work or at the sports field?

II (The Presidents of the United States of Ame...

II (The Presidents of the United States of America album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How many do not find it al right that their children experiment with drugs and sex, though they should know that God does not like it that daughters would be used as a prostitute or that there could be something to cause her to be a whore. Dancings have become places to make a sport of conquering a new target, once more an other person to have some good sex with, and leave him or her behind for whatever he or she may be, just as an object to have communal enjoyment.

Instead of looking for the problems in that sort of life, many do want to put the blame on those strangers sojourning with them in their land, though god clearly demanded not to vex such people.  But the stranger that dwells with us should be to us as one born among us, and we should love him or her as ourself; for our ancestors were also strangers in the land of Egypt. We do have to be careful to do no unrighteousness in judgement, in length, in weight, or in measure. (Leviticus 19:33-35)

It is so easy to blame other for the wrong going of our civilisation.

One of the Sates which is so proud and in which many think they are the only superstate with the right way of living and the best way of life, brought forth a Catholic president (John F. Kennedy), a Baptist president (Jimmy Carter), a “born-again” president (George W. Bush) and this year, Mormons got all excited that they can go out and elect a Mormon president. For decades, they have been trading Democrats for Republicans, Republicans for Democrats, liberals for conservatives, and conservatives for liberals, and nothing has changed–except the problems kept getting worse, while many did not even notice it until 9/11, when they suddenly got to blame all the Muslim world for their ‘shit’ they were in (to use their own words.)!

Democracy, dignity and achievements

Ian de Silva may think he is living in the only state which was able to come to superhuman achievements,  but that is doing violence against historic facts. He is wrongly convinced that there is not a single non-Western culture that indigenously produced a great democracy which continues to attract people from all over the world, because none of those cultures has ever produced a human-rights instrument as powerful as the Declaration or the Constitution.

Marcus Ampe in Christian values and voting not just a game let some rays of light shine on the misconception and the danger of the proud white population their supremacy. Though we as Christians recognise the ability of a lot of courageous people to leave the Old World to try to make a totally New World in the concept of a ‘for God worthy’ country. In that New World many of them got confronted with a sort of people they did not understand, nor their language, nor their habits, and because of the different cultures clashing a lot of blood was shed.

Tamuz, Nimrod and Semiramis or the Holy Trinity

Today lots of Americans do believe the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, because it was written by white men from a Judeo-Christian ethos, the country they founded has become the most egalitarian nation in the world, a refuge for men and women of all races and religions. Though you can wonder how far they would like to go in their acceptance of other thinkers and other religions. Often we notice that it is much easier for them to accept persons who totally have some other believes than those who have similar, but still some important different believes, when they call themselves Christian. For example is it for many Americans impossible to live together with such people who call themselves Christian, because they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (the Nazarene Jew Jeshua), but only believe in One God and not in the Holy Trinity. For a lot of Americans it is even impossible to accept that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was a Jew, because they consider him to be a Christian being killed by the Jews. Some even would say ‘horrible ‘ Jews, showing still their hate for that race, which according to the Bible is and shall be for ever, the People of God. (They seem to forget.)

Many Western people think it was the Judeo-Christian view of the human being, that gave the West its hospitals, charities and the language of the ”rights” of the weak. For them there does not seem as yet, an alternative narrative that can guarantee the inherent dignity of all, regardless of capacities. They argue that Ancient Greece and Rome, the cultures against which Christianity first competed, had little by way of philosophical reasoning that could guarantee the inherent worth of those lacking rational capacity or social utility. So infanticide was common and social welfare for the aged and dying was virtually non-existent, but that is totally incorrect to the facts of human history. In many non-believing communities there was already the dignity to take care of the elder and the sick, so much more than we can find today in those so called Christian countries, were many put the sick and elderly away in foster homes. In many industrialist states, those who are not found useful, for the society, are put away so that the population does not want to be confronted by them (mentally and physically handicapped.).

Yale’s great philosopher-theologian Nicholas Wolterstorff in his book “Justice: Rights and Wrongs”  argues that a rational justification for treating humans as ”inestimably precious”, regardless of capacities, can only be found in a theistic framework. Only if the abandoned infant on the hills of ancient Rome or the estranged resident in a Sydney dementia unit is created in the image of God, can we secure an intellectual basis for treating both individuals with the same dignity we afford society’s most able.

In case that would be the truth, those Christians should better react swiftly accordingly. But also when this is not the truth, the Christians would better think about what Jesus had to tell the world. Jesus was a man who had the right to speak in the name of his Father, God, and who knew what it was not to be liked and to be scourged and spit at. Torture was not strange to him, and before it came so far he was aware of what was going to wait for him. But even in case he would not have known he told others not to oppress one another; but to  fear his Father, which should be also our God:, as it was and is his God, the Most High.

Proud and downfall

The son of god knew very well his Scriptures and has probably also knew other theological writings, like Sirach 28:22 were is written: ” It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.” In the many parables or stories Jesus told the people in the Middle East, he let them know how God was a loving Father, but one who demanded honesty and fidelity. As other believers in God had written, like Sirach, Jesus warned the onlookers not to exalt themselves, because this could bring the downfall. When we look at the United States this is perhaps which might be happening like in so many countries of the Capitalist world is happening.  In many countries of the so called civilised world, who thought they had the best juridical and most democratic system we notice that many people do bring dishonour upon their soul, and so God discovers their secrets, and shall cast them down in the midst of the congregation, because they came not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but because of their heart is full of deceit. ( Sirach 1:30)

Even Jeshua or Jesus does not know when the Time of the End shall come

Those who know their Scriptures shall remember how  God more than once changed the spirit of the king or ruler  into mildness or made him more angry because the people had not listened to the advice of God, given by his prophets. One way or the other, until the Time of the End, people shall have to find systems to be able to live together. Until the return of Jesus God allows them to look for a good system to live with each other and to make the best of the world. But at the end all nations shall turn, and fear the Lord God truly, and shall bury their idols. (Tobit 14:6 ) and every one shall get to know that  they had to fear the Lord of Lord of lords, the Elohim Hashem, Jehovah, the One and Only One God, who shall deliver all His followers out of the hand of all their enemies. (2 Kings 17:39 )

Wherefore now we should, as Christians, let the fear of the Lord be upon us; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah, the Lord of Lord of Lords, our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts or bribes. (2 Chronicles 19:7 ) As many people in ancient times have been in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous, we should find enough reasons in that to be willing to learn to know what exactly this Lord of Lord of the lords wants from His flock. To be able to become in Christ we also should listen to his words and should recognise that he wanted that we got to know his Father. To get to know the father of Jesus we do have His letters or words brought to us by His chosen and appointed special writers and prophets. By getting to know what God told us we shall be able to find better ways of living. We shall be able to transform under the guidance God gives us in His Word, notated in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. By reading more in those words we shall be able to come closer to God and by willing to praise His word, in God we shall be able to put our trust; not having to  fear what flesh can do to us.

“In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?” (Psalms 56:4 ASV)

Those reading the Gospel shall get to know Christ Jesus and how he loved his Father. As such they shall learn to become eager to know even more  about this special Father, who is willing to be our Father as well. This interest shall make it that not only the New Testament shall be looked at, but that ther shall come a sincere interest in the Old Testament, so that the words of God can enter the soul more.

In the end, when we follow Jesus we shall get to understand that getting to know the Almighty God is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

File:Bezbozhnik u stanka - 35 million unemployed in the capitalistic world, 1931, n.8.jpg

Worldly books have become the bible of the people – 1931 Cover of Bezbozhnik, 1920s-1930s Soviet atheist magazine Bezbozhnik u stanka – 35 million unemployed in the capitalistic world

As in Roman times there is no fear of God before the eyes of many people living in the capitalist world. Lots having forgotten the promises which were brought by many prophets, like Abraham, Isaiah and Jesus. So many are not interested any more to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Most of the humans in the capitalist world their concern is to gather as much money as possible. They are not interested in what happens to nature or other created species after them. For those around them they do often not find so much interest. Surely submitting themselves one to another, in the fear of God, sounds as something ridiculous, something very absurd. And today many find it much more interesting to get more power by making others afraid of other people. The problem there is that so many have forgotten that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, to use to help each other, even when it would be our enemy. (2 Corinthians 7:1 ; Ephesians 5:21; 2 Timothy 1:7)

By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7 )

Today we notice that not many a son honours his father and a worker his master, and you could blame it because not many listen to their father, teachers and are not interested to read in the Bible to learn the lessons from those old times. It is to the people themselves to decide “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes”, as for us Christians, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard, and should let others know what we do think. (Acts 4:19; Acts 4:20)

We ourselves should be careful, when we watch the world going its own way and should not even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life we had before we came a real Christian. (Romans 6:13 ) We should take our everyday, ordinary life — our sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Not blaming others for what is gone wrong in our own life, but trying to adjust our life in the ways of God. Not preferring to be popular and loving their way of living, but embracing what God wants for us and what He does for us, knowing that that is the only best thing we can do for Him, but also for ourselves and our beloved ones. (Romans 12:1)

When we face the world we should know that we do have our own responsibilities. It are we ourselves who are responsible for how our own children act or behave, as well for how those we brought up, our pupils, behave or act in the world we placed them. Or do we not realize that we had to learn from the Holy Scriptures and had to behave accordingly, giving a good example to those around us. We should have been working at our body and soul to make it such that our body could be as a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit. Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Our world is going the wrong way because many of us have not kept to the human instincts of normal behaviour. Having not allowed Gods Word to come over others by our way of living, acting and teaching, we excluded the Creator of all things in the works we wanted to do. God owns the whole works, but to let God shine in our works we do have to allow Him to enter us. So we do have to take care that people can see God in and through our body.  Our firm decision should be to work from this focused centre: “One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat”.  Us not loving those who are around us because they do not believe the same things as we do is not having Christ Jesus his love. He loved believers, non-believers and sinners. Christ’s love has to move us to such extremes, that we should be better doing than all those atheists and other believers doing good in this world. Thinking that a non-believer can not do any good work is wrong-thinking. We should know historical facts and also see that ages before Christ was born, also in places were there was not spoken of God, there were people who tried to do good for each other. Therefore we better put our arrogance at the doorstep and look at Christ, who was open for everybody. His love should have the first and last word in everything we do. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. (1 Corinthians 6:20;2 Corinthians 5:14 ; 2 Corinthians 5:15)

Living according prescribed rules

We should not look with anger to others. We better should be filled with fear when faced with others sharing their faith. While we blame those Muslims who talk about God and the fear we should have, we better show them that we also are aware of the Wrath of God, and that we are also aware of the way we should live. But that we not only let them think that we ‘know’ what God wants. That we also let the other persons in our environment see that we are prepared to live according the teachings of Christ and according the Law of God.

File:The Seventh Angel of the Apocalypse Proclaiming the Reign of the Lord - c. 1180.jpg

The Seventh Angel of the Apocalypse Proclaiming the Reign of the Lord – Unknown Miniaturist, Spanish (active around 1180)

We should show others that we want to suit the action to the word. We do have to proceed from Gods Words to deeds, having a word and a blow over many generations. Looking at the wrong goings of the world, moaning about it and not doing anything against it is not going to solve the problem. Jesus has given his followers the task of proclaiming the Good News, but how many Christians do we see walking around and going from door to door proclaiming the Word of God? How many Christians profess, promulgate, publish, or let others hear their voice to ventilate their believes in God?

Instead of having the heart race when talking about Jesus, they are more afraid than those followers of Christ who several hundreds of years ago, were  tortured for their believes. They were not afraid to die because they believe in the resurrection of Christ. They were not afraid to die because they had a certainty in their believe. Today when asked about their greatest fears you can find death and the  fear to fail or ‘Fear of Falling’. In certain countries this fear of falling, is also transposed into a fear in falling into a fire of destruction or in a fire of damnation and torture. Instead of going for God because He loves us, they are going for God because they are afraid of getting into a hell which is for them a place of torture for ever. While the Biblical hell is just the grave, the end of everything, because by death the penalty is paid for our sins, and we do not have to pay once more.

The Self

One of the problems of this world is that the fear of God, which is part of the Natural Law of God written in men’s hearts, has made place for the fear of the own self. The problem is that far too many people’s hearts have grown callused and hard to the “inner voice” of moral consciousness. Most of the people are most concerned that everything would go all right with them, while they live here on earth, and that they would not fail in front of others. Their fear of death is not because of the wrath of God, but because they would not accept that when they die their life would come to an end, and that all those things they did on this earth, then would be worthless. That is their main concern.

While the natural fear of God is a predicate for a person’s respect for their mother and father. (Leviticus 19:3) and the fear of God is a predicate for a person’s respect for others, especially those who are disadvantaged. (Leviticus 19:14), people have put away their interest in others, surely when it are just plants or animals for them. Because the loss of the creation of God, so many things went wrong in nature. All the things our ancestors did return to us. Also their way of educating others, and their way of teaching and preaching about God, the Father, and about Jesus, the son and Saviour.

File:Hearing protectors.jpg

Getting or hiding loud noise?

Many have become afraid of ‘Loud Noises’ which make them think, but not of ‘Loud Noises’ which seem to entertain them, as the heavy music sounds. Public Speaking about God is the worst they could think of. They would rather die than speak publicly!They do not mind getting deaf because of the loud popular music, but they are afraid as death, for the noise of  people talking about God.

Departing pleasures

They do not want to abandon certain pleasures they got to know from the new media. They love all the desires which can be gratified, by all the new tools. Lots of so called Christians prefer to think they shall be able to live for ever, because they had been baptised, and as such would never ever have to fear for not going to heaven. They are so much mistaken. Bible tells totally different things, but those they do not want to know because that would distort their picture of heaven and hell which makes them not to worry. And they do not want to worry about the future, they want to live today. It is this attitude of not wanting to know what would or what can happen in the future, which has brought also a lot of problems onto this world.

Many do not want to know that the evil lusting is going to bring them down, and not people coming from over their borders. In case everybody would do good in society, new ones would quickly been taken into that society and would not dare to do any thing wrong. The Evil (Satan in Hebrew) shall be as a thorn in the eye, and those wishing it to do such a thing would know they shall have to face a righteous penalty. But the example we have given to other the last few years is that we just all could do as we wanted and that many, also Christians, made it a sport to lure others, so that they could have the best of the world and gain as much money as possible.

The threatening of governments have come to nothing, many words of persons do not have any value any more, because so many people do not keep to their word. The ease of playing with words and actions made that our world has derailed.

Priorities

Those who would like it put in order again, should first make work to get to know the Word of God, fearing Him, instead of the people around them.

The Bible warns there will be no peace in our lives until we make peace with God through His Son, Jesus (Yeshua), the promised Messiah.

Jesus warned his pupils  they could have to face persecution  because he was sending them out like sheep surrounded by wolves. Being tenants in this world having to sojourn with other religions we should be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
For us today we may see those things happening about what Christ talked, when he spoke of followers of Christ being handed over to councils,  being brought before governors and kings, because of faith in Jesus, as a witness to them and the Gentiles. We have to accept that we shall come to live in a time when brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And we will be hated by everyone because of Jesus’ name.

Knowing that, we should find confidence in the words of the Gospel, and compare the evangils with what was written many years before and promised by Bod speaking through the prophets. When we take notice of what is written in the Holy Scriptures, we should not be afraid, because the one who endures to the end will be saved.

But we should take up the tasks given by Jesus because it is expected that the Good News Tellers will not finish going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave greater than his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household! Fear God, Not Man.”

Of whom do you want to be afraid?

We should not be afraid of men of this world, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known. We should not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, we have to fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We should let others get to know Christ Jesus and should never deny him before people, because he will than also deny that person also before his Father in heaven.
Yes religions may have set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. But in this all it is important that the right choice is made and that we dare to take up our own cross to follow Jesus. (Matthew 10:16-38)

Commands Hermas 13:6  whosoever therefore shall depart from all evil desires, shall live unto God; but they that are subject unto them shall die for ever. for this evil lusting is deadly. do thou therefore put on the desire of righteousness, and being armed with the fear of the lord, resist all wicked lusting.
Commands Hermas 13:10  and I said, sir, I would know how to serve that desire which is good? hearken, said he, fear God and put thy trust in him, and love truth, and righteousness, and do that which is good.
Commands Hermas 13:22  and turn yourselves to the lord your God, and forsake the devil and his pleasures, because they are evil, and bitter, and impure. and fear not the devil, because he has no power over you.
Commands Hermas 13:27  for if ye resist him, he will flee away with confusion from you. but they that are not full in the faith, fear the devil, as if he had some great power. for the devil tries the servants of God and if he finds them empty, he destroys them.
Commands Hermas 13:33  be not then afraid in the least of his threatenings, for they are without force, as the nerves of a dead man. but hearken unto me, and fear the lord almighty, who is able to save and to destroy you; and keep his commands, that ye may live unto God.
Similitudes Hermas 1:9  but what ye shall do for the name of the lord, ye shall find in your city, and shall have joy without sadness or fear. wherefore covet not the riches of the heathen; for they are destructive to the servants of God.
Similitudes Hermas 6:28  I said unto him; sir, I intreat you still to show me now one thing. what, said he, dost thou ask? I said unto him; are they who depart from the fear of God, tormented for the same time that they enjoyed their false delight and pleasures? he answered me: they are tormented for the same time.

and let us lay aside our wicked works which proceed from ill desires; that through his mercy we may be delivered from the condemnation to come.
now more resembles the oppressed nations that those people fled.

(Nehemiah 5:15 The Scriptures 1998+): “But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty sheqels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of Elohim. “

+

Previously:

To be continued:

  • A world in denial
  • Fear and protectionl
  • Condemnation of the World  and Illustration of Justification

++

  1. Judeo-Christian values and liberty
  2. Christian values and voting not just a game
  3. Uncertainty, shame and no time for vacillation
  4. Roman Catholic Church in the United States of America at war
  5. Justififiable anger or just anarchism
  6. Ability for a community to come back from a crisis
  7. Sense or nonsense of “Human Fragility”
  8. Which back voters in the US wants to see
  9. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
  10. Some one or something to fear
  11. Some one or something to fear #2 Attitude and Reactions
  12. Some one or something to fear #3 Cases, folks and outing
  13. Some one or something to fear #4 Families and Competition
  14. Some one or something to fear #5 Not Afraid
  15. Some one or something to fear #6 Faith in the Most High
  16. Some one or something to fear #7 Not afraid for Gods Name
  17. The “Vengeful God” of the Old Testament - (OR) – The “ALL Forgiving” God of the New Testament
  18. Jehovah’s  Mighty Acts of Healing – through Jesus Christ
  19. The Spirit of God imparts love,inspires hope, and gives liberty
  20. The Spirit of God brings love, hope and freedom
  21. I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! . –Psalm 119:127
  22. Abhor evil. Adhere to goodness

++

Fear:

  1. Anxiety is the gap between the now and the later
  2. Fear knocked at the door
  3. Whom should I fear
  4. Fearing the right person
  5. God become master of our passions
  6. God is Positive
  7. Be strong and take courage
  8. Do not be afraid. Good news because a Saviour has been born
  9. No fear in love

Additional Dutch articles:

  1. Angst is de grote boosdoener in ons streven naar een beter mens te worden.
  2. Omgaan met angst
  3. Bedenkingen Zorgen maken
  4. Faalangst en draagkracht van God
  5. Als deelgenoten komt Jehovah ons ten goede
  6. Verdriet
  7. Neil Anderson en het juk van angst en depressie
  8. Jan De Volder bundelt gesprekken tussen imam, rabbijn en priester
  9. Karikatuur of vooringenomen reactie-instelling
  10. Denkt niet vanuit angst, denk vanuit geloof
  11. Ondankbaarheid opzij schuiven
  12. Verontrustheid van Jezus

+++

  • Multicultural apocalypse: Stealth jihad has taken root in Europe and is coming to America (worldnewstribune.com)
    Geert Wilders spoke at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver, Colorado on July 1. The following is the complete transcript of his speech.
    +
    However, if you really love freedom, you have to speak the truth. If not, we will fall victim to Islam, like earlier the people in the Middle East, North Africa, Persia, India and Indonesia fell victim to it.
    +
    As the Muslim population is concentrated in urban areas, many European cities have very large Islamic concentrations. We are confronted with headscarves and burkas, polygamy, female genital mutilation, honor-killings.
    +
    The rise of Islam also means the rise of sharia law in our judicial systems. In Europe we have sharia wills, sharia schools, sharia banks. The introduction of elements of sharia law in our societies creates a system of legal apartheid. Sharia law systematically discriminates groups of people.  …
  • It’s out with the old as Christian values fall away (smh.com.au)
    Given the Judeo-Christian origins of our long-held tradition of caring for the frail, census data indicating the demise of Christianity and the ageing of Australia’s population could herald a perfect social storm.
  • Takedown: Divided We Stand (persephonemagazine.com)
    “The essential difference between liberals and conservatives” is not that conservatives are independent and liberals are leeches. The essential difference between liberals and conservatives is in their political beliefs.
    +
    liberals and regressives and Marxists are all the same, which is a tired joke.
    +
    Nobody owns history. Nobody. And if you want to “keep” it, you should probably keep what came before, with the Native American culture. As far as symbols go? I mean, they’re just symbols. The flag is important, but not because of the colors or the shape — it is important because of what it stands for. Symbols really aren’t important in and of themselves.
    + Takedown: American-Americans
  • The 6 Most Offensive Things Said in the Wake of the Aurora Shooting (alternet.org)
    After reeling in shock from the horrifying details of the Aurora, Colorado massacre, many of us were soon reeling from the callous, exploitative reactions.
    +
    There is a race to come up with the most farfetched things to blame–anything, essentially, besides the ease of purchasing firearms and a system that doesn’t provide for the mentally ill.
    +
    During a radio interview on the Heritage Foundation’s “Istook Live!” show, Gohmert was asked why he believes such senseless acts of violence take place. Gohmert responded by talking about the weakening of Christian values in the country. “You know what really gets me, as a Christian, is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and then some senseless crazy act of terror like this takes place,” Gohmert said.
    +
    Mike Huckabee blames sin.
    +
    Extremist evangelicals Jerry Newcombe and Fred Jackson blame the liberal media, say victims who aren’t Christian are in hell.
    +
    Internet conspiracy theorists blame government, Obama, Illuminati.
  • Rep. Louie Gohmert apologizes for earlier comments linking Colorado shootings to attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs (trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com)
    Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, issued a statement over the weekend apologizing for comments he made on Friday linking the shootings at a Colorado theater to “ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.”
  • Humanists denounce Rep. Gohmert’s comments linking Colorado shootings to “attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs” (secularnewsdaily.com)
    “Rep. Louis Gohmert truly tortures logic when he concludes that this violence had something to do with perceived attacks on majority faith in America,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “At a time when families are mourning in the wake of this tragedy, Gohmert used it as an opportunity to push a religious agenda.”Gohmert suggested the shootings could have been avoided if the country placed a higher value on God when he stated, “We’ve threatened high school graduation participations, if they use God’s name, they’re going to be jailed … I mean that kind of stuff. Where was God? What have we done with God? We don’t want him around. I kind of like his protective hand being present.”
  • ‘Judeo-Christianity’ – More Jewish mocking and hatred of Jesus Christ (theuglytruth.wordpress.com)
    Amy Aremia: Judeo-Christianity are in direct opposition and do not belong together….Christianity brought man out of the darkness of slavery and gave him human dignity and the freedom to make his own way in life.
  • The Right Wing’s Psychotic Version of God (planetpov.com)
    “Some of us happen to believe that when our founders talked about guarding our virtue and freedom, that that was important. Whether it’s John Adams saying our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people … Ben Franklin, only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious they have more need of masters … We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country.
    +
    Welcome to the Dominionist Christianity of the Religious Right. It is a travesty of Christianity and the message of peace, love and compassion that was central to the teachings of Jesus.This cult version of Christianity instead obsesses about dominance, hatred and the triviality of the lives of any who aren’t directly supporting or promoting their goals. It is a form of Christianity that packages up all of the traits of their alleged adversary, The Devil, and coats them with a sweet veneer of victimhood, self-righteousness and superiority that makes it easy for them to swallow all that nastiness and keep it inside of them in the name of “faith”.
  • The antidote for public-school indoctrination (wnd.com)
    If you want to see what’s wrong and right with our country, watch Bradlee Dean’s ‘My War’ DVD series. It’s full of surprises.
  • Are You Full Of Yourself? (highlyfavored74.wordpress.com)
    Am I an empty vessel for God to use or am I full of myself ?  This means am I worthy to stand before God, and if so will I be able to say to my Father who art in Heaven – Lord, I did it with your help! When you are full of yourself you are selfish! Always thinking of self and less of others.
  • Self Denial and Evangelical Parenting (thechristianpundit.org)
    On the weekend I was talking with a mother of teenaged girls about the statistic that 80% of evangelical, college age kids have premarital sex. Obviously, there’s a problem, and this mother was concerned for the future of the church.

 

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 19 so far )

Childish or reasonable ways

Posted on July 20, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Faith, Holy Scriptures, Paganism, Religion | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Several people think of believers as “naive” and “childish”. In the group of believers you have the ordinary folks and the clergymen and clergy women.  They form a particular group with persons who seem either far away from the world, being put on a pedestal or being part of the world, having problems like anybody else and understanding how the world turns.

Christian Denomination Logos

Christian Denomination Logos (Photo credit: scottlenger)

You have the believers who where so much interested in the spiritual that they wanted to make their profession out of it. Those who followed theology at university learned a lot about how people thought God and His Creation would or should be. They did not much learn from the bible, but concentrated on a lot of worldly writings by the so called saints. They formed their ideas on the dogma’s and doctrine‘s brought in by humans and were not interested to take more contact with other believers or unbelievers, save for the few they met in their “fishing expeditions” at the grocery store or during “seeker services.” Thus, all to often, when they have questions about faith or about the Supreme being they do not find other places to go to than their own bunch of people of the same denomination.  But there are many who by doing their demanding job and by doing Bible reading for the preparation of their preaches, get in confrontation with the Holy Scriptures and what they have learned. Instead of daring to take the Word of God as the real Word of God, they doubt those Scriptures and want to prefer to hold fast on their doctrines. Much too often this brings them in a severe conflict. Like ordinary people trying to keep on traditions they also want to keep to those traditions, but learn from the Bible how wrong that can be.  Everything they have been thought seems to come in the zone of doubtful literature. But when they start questioning those teachings it starts nagging and they do come in conflict with their surroundings. Being interested in the spiritual they first go look with other similar denominations and go to look for other spiritual religions and find much pleasure in Buddhism. Instead of wanting to believe what is written in the Bible, that once we die we are death and cannot think or do anything, they love the idea of the immortal soul they had learned in their teachings. At first they become attracted by the incarnation, but when they go deeper into the teachings of such groups who believe that they do not feel at ease either. As such, they fall outside of the fence of Christian fellowship, there seems to be a complete lack of support. This can be a very depressing place, and it is only exacerbated by the belief that there is nobody else out there who could possibly understand the rather unique situation of being an unbelieving member of the Clergy.

You can ask: “What happens when a clergy person — a minister, a priest, a rabbi, an imam — realizes he doesn’t believe in God? And what happens when he says it out loud? What happens when they find each other; when they support each other in coping with their crises, when they help each other with resources and job counseling and other practical assistance? What happens when they encourage each other to come out? Could this affect more than just these clergy people and their followers? Could it change how society as a whole thinks and feels about religion?”

On March 21st, 2011 in the United States of America the Clergy Project was launched and the question “How can the US motto be “In God We Trust” when so many Americans are Out of the Closet atheists?” came to the forefront.  Former Roman Catholic priest Dr. Stephen Uhl wrote the book “Out of God’s Closet” and got as motto: “Atheists work to make this life heavenly.”

The feeling of many with doubts is one of “Once you’re enrolled in the system, there is a strong incentive not to criticise or rebel: we’re all in this boat together – don’t rock it.”

Tufts University

Tufts University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Philosopher, cognitive scientist and aprofessor at Tufts University, American Daniel Dennett says: ” teenagers glowing with enthusiasm decide to devote their lives to a career of helping others and, looking around in their rather sheltered communities, they see no better, purer option than going into the clergy. When they get to seminary they find themselves being taught things that nobody told them in Sunday school. The more they learn of theology and the history of the composition of the Bible, the less believable they find their creed. Eventually they cease to believe altogether. But, alas, they have already made a substantial commitment in social capital – telling their families and communities about their goals – so the pressure is strong to find an accommodation, or at least to imagine that if they hang in there they will find one. Only a lucky few find either the energy or the right moment to break free. Those who don’t break free then learn the tricks of the trade, the difference between what you can say from the pulpit and what you can say in the sanctum of the seminary, or in your heart. Some, of course, are unfazed by this.” (Read more: http://www.readperiodicals.com/201112/2540123101.html)

English: Daniel Dennett at the 17. Göttinger L...

English: Daniel Dennett at the 17. Göttinger Literaturherbst, October 19th, 2008, in Göttingen, Germany. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Linda LaScola, a clinical social worker, qualitative researcher and psychotherapist, and him have been investigating the curious, sad phenomenon of closeted non-believing clergy – wellmeaning, hard-working pastors who find they do not believe the creed of their denomination, but also find that they cannot just blow the whistle and abandon the pulpit. They knew that many churchgoers have lost whatever faith they had but continue their membership for social and psychological reasons, and surmised that there might be clergy who were similarly attached to their church. What is it like to be a non-believing pastor? We found some examples who were willing to tell us, and are now completing a second survey of volunteers.

They wanted to know, ultimately, how this happens, and how common it is. It is apparently not rare – nobody knows what percentage of clergy fall into this category, not surprisingly. Their first study reported on five pastors in different Protestant denominations, who were interviewed in depth and in strict confidence by LaScola. Because it was published electronically (on the website On Faith) and under the headline “Preachers who are not believers” (Evolutionary Psychology, volume eight, issue one), this first pilot study has received considerable attention and brought them a host of new volunteers for their ongoing research.

There are many paths into this predicament, they find, but a common thread runs through most of them: a certain sort of innocence and a powerful desire, not for social prestige or riches, but rather the desire to lead a good life, to help other people as much as possible. The tragic trap is baited with goodness itself. (Read more: http://www.readperiodicals.com/201112/2540123101.html#ixzz219XQR8AC)

” Like reluctant debutantes or privately suspicious Ponzi victims , they button their lip for an abundance of good reasons. (Redundancy is always a good trick; it allows a collection of individually porous defences to overlap into anearly impregnable shield.) Historically, pastors have had slender economic resources, and if they live in a parsonage they build up no equity in real estate. Hanging on until the kids are out of college and one can collect one’s meagre pension is an option that can look better than making an honest dash for the door. But a tentative finding of our study so far is that the economic incentive to hang on is sometimes of less importance than the social and psychological factors. As one of our pastors says, “I’m thinking if I leave the church – first of all, what’s that going to do to my family? And I don’t know. Secondly is, I have zero friends outside the church. I’m kind of a loner.” And what about telling his wife? “It’s going to turn her life upside down.”"

So pastors tend to stay put and search for ways of protecting their conscience from the pangs of hypocrisy. Redoubling one’s efforts to take good care of one’s flock is probably a frequent effect, and hence it could be one of the side benefits of this system, a bonus that could almost pay for itself by turning its shepherds into goodness slaves. Guilt is a potent enzyme in many social arrangements, and has been especially promoted in religions.

Your God Is Here

Your God Is Here (Photo credit: sutton_steven)

Religions changed more in the past century than they changed in the previous two millennia, and probably will change more in the next decade or two than in the past century. The main environmental change, as many have suggested, is the sudden increase in informational transparency. Religions were beautifully designed over millennia to work in circumstances in which the people within them could be assumed to be largely ignorant of much that was outside the membrane.

“Now that mobile phones and the internet have altered the epistemic selective landscape in a revolutionary way, every religious organisation must scramble to evolve defences or become extinct. Much has been made of the growing attention to religion in the world, and this has often been interpreted as a revival, an era of expanding religiosity, but all the evidence points away from that interpretation. The fastestgrowing religious category worldwide is no religion at all, and the increasing noise we hear is apparently due to the heightened expenditure of energy by all the threatened varieties in their desperate attempts to fend off extinction.” (Read more: http://www.readperiodicals.com/201112/2540123101.html#ixzz219YCt2Wl)

After the publication of “Towards the Light: A fifth generation minister’s journey from religion to nonbelief.” by John Compere more clergy dared to speak out. When Reverend Michael Aus came out as a non-believer on national television on March 25th 2012 a ball got rolling by his moral support to the Clergy Project. The word got round the world and begin 2012 at the Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne, Australia, Dan Dennett spoke about The Clergy Project during his ‘How To Tell You’re An Atheist’ talk.
File:Richard dawkins lecture.jpg

Richard Dawkins giving a lecture based on his book, The God Delusion, in Reykjavik

The respectecd Catholic pastor Jerry DeWitt, who lives in Southern Louisiana, went public last October when he posted a picture of himself with the prominent and polarizing atheist Richard Dawkins, snapped at a meeting of atheists and other “freethinkers” in Houston.

Speaking in March before a cheering crowd of several hundred unbelievers at the American Atheists conference here, he described posting the picture as “committing identity suicide.”

The response was swift. His congregation put him out, friends cut him off and some family members will not speak to him, he said.

“It is not just finances and it is not just career,” he said in the fire-and-brimstone cadences of his Pentecostal background. “It is everything that you hold dear.”

DeWitt’s transition from true believer to total skeptic took 25 years. It began, he said, with the idea of hell. How could it be, as he had been taught and preached, that a loving God would damn most people to eternal fire? “This thing called hell, it began to rock my world,” he said.

Instead of daring to find solace by the non-trinitan Biblestudents, who do not believe in hell as a plac of torture, because it is not according to the Holy Scriptures, he did not dare, like the other clergy men are afraid, to go to such a group of believers where he fought against for so many years. and that is the proble we see by so many clergy men. Once they go and read more in the Holy Scriptures they find other ‘Truths’ than they have learned. They hear the same things as the Jehovah Witnesses, Abrahamic Church or Christadelphians are saying. And this confronts them with theological teaching and boundaries to their institutions.

DeWitt found that there were more people wrestling with the same issues he was.

In The Clergy Project he could find as so many others, a confidential online community for active and former clergy who do not hold supernatural beliefs.

Currently, the community’s 300 plus members use it to network and discuss what it’s like being an unbelieving leader in a religious community. The Clergy Project’s goal is to support members as they move beyond faith. Members freely discuss issues related to their transition from believer to unbeliever including:

  • Wrestling with intellectual, ethical, philosophical and theological issues
  • Coping with cognitive dissonance
  • Addressing feelings of being stuck and fearing the future
  • Looking for new careers
  • Telling their families
  • Sharing useful resources
  • Living as a nonbeliever with religious spouses and family
  • Using humor to soften the pain
  • Finding a way out of the ministry
  • Adjusting to life after the ministry

Richard Dawkins says:  “If a farmer tires of the outdoor life and wants to become an accountant or a teacher or a shopkeeper, he faces difficulties, to be sure. He must learn new skills, raise money, move to another area perhaps. But he doesn’t risk losing all his friends, being cast out by his family, being ostracized by his whole community. Clergy who lose their faith suffer double jeopardy. It’s as though they lose their job and their marriage and their children on the same day. It is an aspect of the vicious intolerance of religion that a mere change of mind can redound so cruelly on those honest enough to acknowledge it.”

“The Clergy Project exists to provide a safe haven, a forum where clergy who have lost their faith can meet each other, exchange views, swap problems, counsel each other – for, whatever they may have lost, clergy know how to counsel and comfort. Here you will find confidentiality, sympathy, and a friendly place where you can take your time before deciding how to extricate yourself and when you will feel yourself ready to stand up and face the cool, refreshing wind of truth.”

It is a pity so many keep in the handcuffs of the trinitarian ideologist who damn the non-trinitarians, so that they do not dare to tackle the idea of those bible students who tke the Word of God for what it says, and not for what people in history have made the so called Bible saying.

We can only hope and pray,that one day their eyes may go open again and they shall find the peace again in the Bible, which can reveal everything, when people are willing to open their heart and mind to it.

+

Dutch article: Project voor afvallige kerkleiders

Find:

The Clergy Project

“Preachers Who Are Not Believers” (PDF)

Read:

Pastor’s loss of faith started with loss of hell

Biggest Threat to Religion? Clergy People Coming Out as Atheists

Moody Bible Radio Discovers ‘The Clergy Project’ – interview with Teresa MacBain

+++

  • Biggest Threat to Religion? Clergy People Coming Out as Atheists (alternet.org)
    A burst of media attention has been focused on atheists of an unexpected stripe — clergy members. Could non-believing clergy change how we see religion?
    +
    The project was inspired by the 2010 pilot study by Daniel C. Dennett and Linda LaScola, “Preachers Who Are Not Believers” (PDF), which exposed and explored the surprisingly common phenomenon of non-believing clergy. The need to give these people support — and if possible, an exit strategy — was immediately recognized in the atheist community, and starter funding for the Clergy Project was quickly provided by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.
  • 6 Benefits of a Clergy Sabbatical Leave Program (smartchurchmanagement.com)
    It is common for churches to offer sabbaticals for clergy to provide a time for refreshing, recharging and continuing education.  Church leaders have great responsibilities and the many challenges that come with working in the ministry can take its toll on clergy.  Many churches have discovered that providing a time to retreat from the day-to-day responsibilities can provide a benefit for both the employee as well as the church.  When pastors are allowed to take an extended break from ministry they can refocus and recharge their passion and call to lead the congregation.
  • Administration and Spirituality: A False Dichotomy (barefootpreachr.org)
    How can being a good and effective administrator be de-coupled from the type of mature Christian leadership needed as an effective Episcopal servant of the church?
    +
    to go back to Richard Hearn’s comment about losing the clergy:  It was my sense and my experience that clergy morale sank to a deep low under Bishop Bledsoe’s leadership.  Bishop Bledsoe acknowledged that fact himself in a video put out a couple of weeks before the North Texas Annual Conference.  He invited clergy to respond.  I don’t know how many did, but I heard (and I could be wrong) that it was somewhere around forty.
    +
    It involves speaking our own difficult truths, seeking to help one another move to perfection in love, moving to deep repentance when sin is exposed, and offering the fullness of forgiveness to one another.
  • Rev. Frederick Schmidt Has No Idea Why Clergy Members Leave the Faith… but He’s Going to Write An Article About It, Anyway (patheos.com)
    Reverend Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt, Jr. cannot believe there’s so much press about the Clergy Project.First, he blows off the numbers like they’re no big deal
    +
    Check out his grossly misguided reasons for why clergy members leave the faith
    +
    There are probably a lot of reasons for the media’s interest in the subject: Even with a global economic crisis, a few wars, and a presidential election, there are always a few slow news days. “The Clergy Project” probably has a fabulous PR department, supported as it is by The Richard Dawkins Foundation, Freedom from Religion Foundation, American Atheists, the American Humanist Association, The Appignani Foundation, The Center for Inquiry, The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, and Recovering from Religion.org. And beyond garden variety religious fervor, there is no religious fervor like that of a former believer. So, it’s the kind of story that always draws a crowd.There are probably a lot of reasons for the media’s interest in the subject: Even with a global economic crisis, a few wars, and a presidential election, there are always a few slow news days. “The Clergy Project” probably has a fabulous PR department, supported as it is by The Richard Dawkins Foundation, Freedom from Religion Foundation, American Atheists, the American Humanist Association, The Appignani Foundation, The Center for Inquiry, The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, and Recovering from Religion.org. And beyond garden variety religious fervor, there is no religious fervor like that of a former believer. So, it’s the kind of story that always draws a crowd.
    +
    It is one thing to study theology, church history, and Scripture. It is another thing to integrate that learning with our faith journeys. Not all seminary programs (and very few churches) make the effort to help students with that process. But in some ways it is both more demanding and critical to the well being of clergy than is the acquisition of knowledge about the subject.
  • REAL NEWS June 17, 2012 (danimartextras.wordpress.com)
    “Things such as theodicy [the problem of suffering and evil], the question of hell, God’s omnipotence yet lack of intervention in heinous events, the historicity of Jesus… all these bubbled to the surface and demanded to be answered,” she said. “My work to answer these questions began with the thought that as I discovered the truth, it would create a stronger faith and give me comforting answers to those in my church who were dealing with the same issues. Instead, the truth I found led me away from faith.”This experience is common among members of the Clergy Project.
  • The Necessity for Daily Practice…?!? (aediculaantinoi.wordpress.com)
    Something that I see an increasing number of pagans and polytheists attempting, and struggling with, is daily practice. I’ve talked on previous occasions on “not being afraid to get bored” and so forth with daily practices. However, I’m also asking another question at present: is daily practice really a necessity for many people? And, I’ve come to a conclusion on the matter: no.In reconstructionist religions, one of the great advantages that has emerged over more general forms of paganism is that there are a variety of possible roles: not everyone is “clergy” or “a priest,” necessarily, in a recon context.
    +
    The notion in many sorts of paganism that everyone is “their own clergy” and thus has clergy status, and therefore must in a variety of ways perform as if they are clergy, is rather erroneous in my view. As much as certain teachers and practitioners would suggest all of the modern pagan/polytheist population have some sort of daily practice (which usually looks like “daily meditation” in most forms I’ve seen it), I can’t really support that necessity from a general viewpoint, either as a reconstructionist or as a general spiritual practitioner who has many strong deity devotions, including Antinous.
  • Major Threat to Religion? Clergy People Coming Out as Atheists (alternet.org)
    Unlike many believers, they actually read the Bible, or Torah, or Koran, or whatever the sacred text of their religion is. They think hard about questions that more casual believers are willing to let slide. After all — that’s their job.
  • The New Atheism: Its Virtues and its Vices (areycorneja.wordpress.com)
    What follows is the text of the 2010 Aquinas Lecture delivered at the church of St Vincent Ferrer, New York. The lecture indicates what makes the so-called new atheism new. It then offers some defense and critique of three authors: Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. The chief criticism leveled against them is that their dismissal of theism is based on an ignorance of classical theistic thinking and the mistaken impression that ‘theism’ and ‘creationism’ are equivalent.
    +
    the new ones tend to lay stress on science as positively disproving what theists believe.
    +New Atheism seems to have a political dimension lacking in the writings of old atheists. The old atheists were all basically what we might think of as ‘armchair philosophers’. They tended to be happy to argue that there is no God and to leave matters at that. By contrast, new atheists appear to have a strong political agenda.
    +
    They often talk about something called ‘religion’ and (especially in the case of Dawkins and Hitchens), they focus on what they call ‘belief in God’. But, we might ask, ‘Which religion?’ and ‘Whose God?’ My impression is that the fathers of New Atheism have not much studied the fathers of Old Atheism or the fathers of theism in its classical Christian form. New atheists (Dawkins and Hitchens anyway) seem to identify belief in God with what is commonly called ‘creationism’.
    +
    In short, much of the ridicule poured on belief in God by the new atheists is one that can be taken on board by someone who believes in God. Unaware of it though they seem to be, in some of their critiques of belief in God (or on forms that this has taken), the new atheists can actually claim support from some serious theologians (Aquinas being a notable example).
  • Facebook, Biblically Speaking (modtheology.wordpress.com)
    Millennials (18-29 year olds) are becoming unaffiliated with their faith* as shown in this article by Robert P Jones on the Huffington Post Blog. What his post made me think of is: does faith truly need to have an affiliation? I think yes. But the reason that kids are leaving their parents church is because a new idea of church is being created. They are communicating their faith and beliefs in different ways. Our classical notion of ‘Church’ is in a state of transformation. Church denomination are shrinking because denominations don’t appeal to the rapid evolution of human morality. Let’s face it, churches are becoming spiritually stale.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 13 so far )

יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words

Posted on July 17, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

יהוה = Love

YHWH, Jehovah God is a four-letter word which comprehends the most important four-letterword in our life: Love.

Though יהוה , Jehovah, the Creator of all things may be a jealous God he is  showing covenant faithfulness, loving kindness and mercy unto thousands of them that love Him, and keep His commandments and who do “not take the name of Mar-Yah your God in vain” (Torah).

“you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim am a jealous visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands. “You do not bring1 the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught. {Footnote: 1Or lift up, or take}. “”  (Exodus 20:5-7 The Scriptures 1998+)

“Love” is the keynote of the Bible, notwithstanding the fact that it contains threatenings as well as promises, and declarations and manifestations of justice as well as of mercy. If God’s character were devoid of justice—if his love should override his justice—it would be a terrible calamity for all those dependent upon him. It would testify weakness of character instead of strength. It is the fact that God’s wisdom, justice, love, and power operate in full harmony—in co-ordination—that gives us admiration for him, confidence in him, love for him; and all these appreciations are intensified as we realize his unchangeableness.

Torah inside of the former Glockengasse Synago...

Torah inside of the former Glockengasse Synagogue in Cologne (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Speech

The one who told to His creation that they should not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of their people; but had to love their neighbours as they loved themselves.

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am YY . ” (Leviticus 19:18 IAV)

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wrong. Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks heart. The wise treasure up knowledge, But the mouth of a fool is near ruin. ” (Proverbs 10:11-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less lying lips for a noble. A bribe is a stone of favour in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. Reproof enters deeper into a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. An evil one seeks only rebellion, So a cruel messenger is sent against him. Let a bereaved bear meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil does not leave his house. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop fighting before it breaks out. He who declares the wrong right, And he who condemns the righteous, Both of them are an abomination to יהוה. Why is this – a price in the hand Of a fool to buy wisdom, When there is no heart? A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man lacking heart shakes hands in a pledge, He becomes a guarantor for his friend. He who loves transgression loves strife, He who exalts his door seeks destruction. He who has a crooked heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. He who brings forth a fool has sorrow for it, And the father of a fool has no joy. A rejoicing heart causes good healing, But a stricken spirit dries the bones. ” (Proverbs 17:7-22 The Scriptures 1998+)

Lose

We can begin to see God as mighty but distant and lose the precious truth that we live from within His eternal hug. We can be so busy with this world, we forget the real worthy things of the world and the universe. How many people are still able to enjoy the beauty of nature or to spend some time to look at the stars?

While many filled their dictionary with awful four-letter words, even when they are not of their mother tongue. In many languages we do hear people using the American English words which they saw introduced by television series and films.  Out off these words does not only come the sound of aggressiveness, it is often used to dominate or to take on a superior attitude. Though it is not Dutch, nor French or German, many Belgians often use the words  “cock”, “dick“,  “damn,” ‘F…”, “foul”, “hell, ””prick”, “shit“, “tart”, “twat” and “wank” like they are married with those sounds and feel real at home. They often do not mind to use the title of the Most High putting in front of the “damn”, and forget that by doing so they use Gods name in vain.

Noob or Oldie

Those who believe in God they call “noob”, whatever it may mean. In the new English language we do find  “Newbie“, “newb”, “n00b” or nOOb” as a slang term for a novice or newcomer, or somebody inexperienced in any profession or activity. But those who believe are mostly not so inexperienced as the youngsters may believe. Originally “noob” was indicating the non-experience of a person his Internet activity.

The term “newbie” which had a limited usage among U.S. troops in the Vietnam War as a slang term for a new man in a unit, did not always show the right respect for the new recruit or soldier. In the universe we can all be newbies, even for a long time, because every day there is something to learn anew. And for some it takes a long time to learn certain things. It does not show the love of the persons around the apprentice.

For the Supreme being, the Most High, everybody is just like a small microbe, even not yet an ant, because that animal is always busy and working hard for the whole community. In the world of humans the group idea is far gone and egoism brought in a stance which is not to be proud of.

Though God, out of love was willing to increase the numbers of people. Blessing the fruit of Israel‘s womb, the fruit of their land (the grain, new wine, and oil), the offspring of their herds, and the lambs of their flock, in the land that Jehovah the Lord of Lord of lords, the Elohim promised the ancestors He would give them. (Deuteronomy 7:13) But even there we do here such evil language been entered in the Hebrew and English spoken in Israel. Though God had warned them to be very careful to keep the commands and the Law that Moses the servant of the Only One God commanded them.

To cling to the Right One

“Only, diligently guard to do the command and the Torah which Mosheh the servant of יהוה {Jehovah} commanded you, to love יהוה your Elohim, and to walk in all His ways, and to guard His commands, and to cling to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your being.”  (Joshua 22:5 The Scriptures 1998+)

“to love יהוה your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him – for He is your life and the length of your days – to dwell in the land which יהוה swore to your fathers, to Abto Yitshand to Yato give them.”  (Deuteronomy 30:20 The Scriptures 1998+)

By loving יהוה , Jehovah our God, we should keep to His commandments and should know He does not like bad language or vile talk. He even prefers that we would be silent if we have nothing serious to say. The least said the soonest mended. Speech is silver, silence is golden.

When a person is filled with goodness and has the right thoughts, his mouths shall also be able to utter the right words, and shall not need any bad words to bring forth his ideas.

“The good man brings forth what is good out of the good treasure of his heart, and the wicked man brings forth what is wicked out of the wicked treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks. ” (Luke 6:45 The Scriptures 1998+)

Spirit of the world

In the sermon of the Mount we can see the spirit of Jesus against the spirit of the other men, the apostles and the listeners, who could be compared to us, who are of the spirit of the world. Jesus warns on the mountain against the temptation to judge oneself better than others, even while meeting hatred with goodness, mercy and generosity of an extraordinary kind. The person using abusive language against somebody gives the impression that the speaker is more important and in the right to abase the other. Instead of humbling oneself before one’s Maker, the user of vile words tries to mortify the other. The disciple must strive to make others better by his example, even correcting them when necessary; but let him begin the work of improvement and correction with himself. Only the good can do good and get others interested to do good.

The inferior intellect is as the loftier mind from which it has taken its tone and sentiments. Every one whom God has furnished shall resemble his master. And we as Christians should let the world see who we want to have as master.

“The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of right-ruling. ” (Psalms 37:30 The Scriptures 1998+)
“I have delighted to do Your pleasure, O my Elohim, And Your Torah is within my heart1.” {Footnote: 1Ps. 37:31, Ps. 119:11, Isa. 51:7, Heb. 10:7-9}. I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness, In the great assembly; See, I do not restrain my lips, O יהוה, You know. I did not conceal Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your trustworthiness and Your deliverance; I did not hide Your kindness and Your truth From the great assembly.”  (Psalms 40:8-10 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Right Word

Normally we should like be “eating” the Words of God, more to be desired than gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb, so that They  can be unto us the joy and rejoicing of our heart, for we are called by the name of our Lord the God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:6, Psalm 19:10) We should refrain our mouth from every evil way, that we might keep to Gods Word.

Even when we may be afflicted, tested, and the wicked may have laid a snare for us, we should be careful not to err from Gods precepts. Gods commandments should and shall make us wiser than our enemies,  for when the Law of God is known by and followed by us it shall be with us. (Psalm 119:98-110)

Those who love God and are willing to share this love with others shall be able to sing: “O Elohim, deliver me! Hasten to my help, O יהוה! Let those who seek my life Be ashamed and abashed, Let those who are desiring my evil Be turned back and humiliated. Let those who say, “Aha, aha!” Be turned back because of their shame. Let all those who seek You Rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your deliverance always say, “Let Elohim be made great!” (Psalms 70:1-4 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Elohim Hashem Jehovah, the Only One God shall be with those who want to use their words in the lineage of the Commandments, even when  people repay them evil for good, and hatred for their love. But they shall be able to see  the other four-letter word “Hope” coming into fulfilment by their better four-letter word than the mockers, the scoffs who do not have any  “Faith“.

Rich

Those who laugh may perhaps be more “Rich” in worldly goods, but the believer shall be “Rich” in more valuable goods. The poor one may be ridiculed at, but shall not have to worry, because he shall have a better hope founded in a “Truth” which has deeper grounds.

The one who believes in God and believes in His son, shall keep to the lessons of the son and the Father. He shall prefer to hold on better four-letter words knowing what is “Best”, striving to get to the Right “Amen”. By staying “Calm”, “Glad”, full of “Glow”, being “Glad” doing “Good”, with his “Hope” not afraid to give a ” Kiss” and “Hugs” as a  “Free” “Gift”, to offer “Help” and wishing “Luck”. Never being “Rude” but being “Nice” and “Kind” , “Pure”, to “Live” a “Life” full of grace, honour and sweetness, filled with an disarming smile,  so that it were also nice five-letter-words that could come on the lips. This all so that both shal be able to become “Holy”. Instigating that they shall go to “Pray” and “Work” so that everything shall be able to “Heal” so that we all may become set-apart making an and to the four-letter word actions of “hate”, to find “True” “Luck” and peace (again a five letter word where we should “aim” for.)

When we speak of love we do not speak of the three letter word many people think off today when they use that four-letter word. The higher notation is for many been mislaid and often not be found. Though all of us should be in search of the “True” “Love”, true generosity, the very reverse of jealousy and envy, which spring from a perverted nature.

Lose

Love by itself can become seen as sloppy sentimentality as we lose sight of the fact that God is our friend but not our mate. Together they show the “awe” filled grandeur and power of the One who loves, as well as the tender Father heart of the Creator and King.

Love rejoices with them that rejoice, in prosperity of every good word and work, and in the advancement in Christian grace and in the divine service of all who are actuated by the divine Spirit.

Live

To “live” the “full” “life” we “need” to experience the fullness of God. His hug is “warm” and His arms are strong.

Sometimes people can get tempted to use bad four-letter words because they feel attacked and can’t get up against the attacker. So often, when we get to fighting, the most important thing of all gets lost. We are confronted in differences of race, culture, and heritage which seem so important to us, but we overlook the similarity and often forget that we came from the same Source. All living on the same globe created by the same Maker, we should be “glad” that we are allowed to “live” here. We should also recognise that everyone has something to ad to the community and can be also being part of one of the Limbs of the Body Christ. What really is most important is faith expressing itself through love. In our high tech world today, isn’t it interesting that the most important issue is the same as it was two thousand years ago — faith expressing itself through love?

“For in Messiah יהושע  {Jeshua} neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any strength, but belief working through love. ” (Galatians 5:6 The Scriptures 1998+)

Free

When we are willing to be chained by Gods Love, we shall be able to find freedom, being “free” in Christ, who requires that the floating strength in your life must be love.
All other things, although they are important, come on the second place.
Love is the sign of truth discipleship.

Though God is a jealous God and He demands all our love and attention, this does not mean we do not have to love our neighbours. Our love for God should be different from our love for another person, but not less. If we truly love God, we will show our love for Him in practical expressions of love for others. True divine love does not exclude human love; rather, it enhances it.

Kind

The Four-letter word “Love” is the seed other other four”letter word, which we should try to become: “Kind”

This English word “kind” is one of those pale, sentimental words that just does no justice to the original. We should say, instead, that love is considerate ­ showing an active, involved concern for the needs of others, even to the detriment of one’s own comfort. We probably all think of ourselves as being “kind”, for we certainly are never “unkind”! Are we?

“And if a brother or sister is naked and in need of daily food, but one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” but you do not give them the bodily needs, what use is it?” (James 2:15-16 The Scriptures 1998+)

There are times when a “kind word” is no more than hypocrisy, because it masks a failure to help in any practical way. Have we ever been guilty of such an act, in a benign, “friendly” indifference to the circumstances of others? Then we may have been courteous and civil and pleasant, but we have not been “kind” in the Scriptural sense, and we have not been loving.

Fear

We should not be afraid not using the ‘new’ or ‘popular’ words like the much used four-letter words. We do not have to shrink in front of others who use them to impress us. No fear in love we should know better. We can show others that we can live in harmony, using fine and soft words, not having to be aggressive or insulting. If we love God we know how we should live in harmony. Where love has entered, there is no law necessary to focus. We should be afraid for the right things or for the only One.

“And now, let the fear of יהוה be upon you. Guard and do it, for there is no unrighteousness with יהוה our Elohim, nor partiality, nor taking of bribes.”  (2 Chronicles 19:7 The Scriptures 1998+)

Bridge

All that God has given us ­ riches, talents, intelligence, health ­ diminishes with the passing of time. Man grows old and dies. Only love remains, as a bridge between this life and the life to come, a bridge over the chasm of eternal nothingness. Every other gift or talent will fail, just as the Holy Spirit gifts finally ceased. The only thing that endures is the character of man, engraven in the infinite mind of God.

“Beloved ones, let us love one another, because love is of Elohim, and everyone who loves has been born of Elohim, and knows Elohim. The one who does not love does not know Elohim, for Elohim is love. By this the love of Elohim was manifested in us, that Elohim has sent His only brought-forth Son into the world, in order that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved Elohim, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning offering for our sins. Beloved ones, if Elohim so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen Elohim at any time. If we love one another, Elohim does stay in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we stay in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son, Saviour of the world. Whoever confesses that יהושע  {Jeshua} is the Son of Elohim, Elohim stays in him, and he in Elohim. And we have known and believed the love that Elohim has for us. Elohim is love, and he who stays in love stays in Elohim, and Elohim in him. By this love has been perfected with us, in order that we might have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear holds punishment, and he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love Elohim,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one not loving his brother whom he has seen, how is he able to love Elohim whom he has not seen? And we have this command from Him, that the one loving Elohim should love his brother too. ” (1 John 4:7-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

Be Walking in love by faith, not by sight, always using the right words, so that The Spirit of God imparts love,inspires hope, and gives liberty.

+

Previously: More-Letter-Words

++

Read also:

About Four-Letter words:

  1. Vile language and behaviour plus little secrets
  2. The Y generation in conflict with itself
  3. Alternative four letter words
  4. I wanted to follow you but, uh, no.

About Love:

  1. Relying on the Love of God
  2. God demonstrates his own love
  3. If his love should override his justice
  4. The Law of Christ: Law of Love
  5. Do not foget the important sign of belief
  6. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint or Love One Another
  7. This is true love
  8. He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
  9. We love because he first loved us
  10. No person has greater love than this one who surrendered his soul in behalf of his friends
  11. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends
  12. The redemption of man by Christ Jesus
  13. Lying in the senses in matters of love
  14. Love is like playing the piano
  15. Love envieth not
  16. To be chained by love for another one
  17. Love turns one person into two; and two into one
  18. If we love one another, God lives in us
  19. Experiencing God
  20. Christ’s ethical teaching
  21. Making time for payer in Summerholiday
  22. No good thing will he withhold
  23. Love been perfected with us
  24. A man who cannot forgive others
  25. No fear in love
  26. When we love we do not need laws
  27. Spread love everywhere you go
  28. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness
  29. Walking in love by faith, not by sight
  30. The Greatest of These is Love 1 Corinthians 13
  31. A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus
  32. Love and cultivate that which is pure
  33. God let my compassionate affection be tolerant and kind
  34. The Spirit of God brings love, hope and freedom
  35. The Spirit of God imparts love,inspires hope, and gives liberty
  36. Love will cure more sins than condemnation
  37. Unarmed truth and unconditional love
  38. If his love should override his justice
  39. The one who has not had a taste of love
  40. Unconditional love
  41. Enduring Love
  42. Papal Encyclical explores Divine, Human Love
  43. Got an Empty Love-Tank
  44. What is Love

+

Additional reading:

  1. Some one or something to fear #6 Faith in the Most High
  2. Attitude to others important for reaching them
  3. I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! . –Psalm 119:127
  4. Abhor evil. Adhere to goodness
  5. Outworking of the faith

+++

 

  • Titles of God beginning with the Aleph in Hebrew (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • The importance of Reading the Scriptures (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • The Importance Of Scripture (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • July 11 Read PROVERBS 1-4 (rgaugert.wordpress.com)
  • BASIC Series | Notes & Review (vialogue.wordpress.com)
    the paradox between “fearing” God, and “not fearing him” as God’s children and bride. Beginning with the fear of God will lead us to the kind of life in which we are not afraid of anything else, because God is so fearful.
    +
    Jesus says, “follow me.” Chan courageously states that millions of people call themselves followers, but their lives look nothing like Jesus, even though in their hearts they’re convinced they are followers.
    +
    God does not want you to do this discipleship thing on your own. That’s why he created church. And “church” is not a building or an address, but rather, “the people.” Before God, we should have a true sharing, a fellowship. Acts 4:32, “the full number of those who believed were of one heart.” They shared everything and had a sense of mission together. That’s a lot different from a potluck. We’re now one. We’re family.
  • July 14 Read PROVERBS 13-16 (rgaugert.wordpress.com)
  • Children, what does God want for you? (peaceandbeauty.wordpress.com)
    Jehovah wants you to be happy. He gives you the best advice on how to enjoy your youth. He wants you to benefit from the wisdom and experience of your parents.
  • The Proverbs Pursuit (alookintomymind.wordpress.com)
  • How to Use Slang When Writing Dialogue (writingishardwork.com)
    Believe it or not, there is a grammar to using slang.  The above websites always list the part of speech in which the words are categorized.  Bad grammar is bad grammar with or without slang.
  • Scripture at Sunrise 7.17.2012 (nlbclex.wordpress.com)
    that we may know our God: His power, His faithfulness, His immutable love, and so may be ready to risk everything in His behalf. He is One whose character excites our enthusiasm and makes us willing to live and to die for Him. Oh, that we may know our God by familiar fellowship with Him; for then we shall become like Him and shall be prepared to stand up for truth and righteousness.
  • The Sufficiency of Scripture (part one) (mindrenewers.com)
    When we’re told God’s law is tamiym, we’re not only being told of its blameless quality, we’re also being told it is complete.  The written covenant of Jehovah-Who-Covenants is complete and perfect.  He didn’t leave anything out that needed to be there.
    +
    Scripture’s Qualities

    • perfect
    • sure
    • right
    • pure
    • clean and enduring
    • true and righteous altogether
  • Alphabet (guapotg.wordpress.com)
    Wisdom in Hebrew alphabet pg 47
    The sum total of human knowledge derives from the Torah because the universe is a product of Torah which is the blueprint of the world, as the Midrash teaches:  God looking into the Torah and created the world (Zohar, Ruth 88) When His Ineffable Word took physical form, heaven and earth became the clothing for the word of God which infuses Creation, and without which Creation would not continue to exist.
  • Super-Abridged Bible: Ecclesiastes (anadder.com)
    Banish sorrow and worry for youth is fleeting. Appreciate life before you will say “I have no pleasure in it”; before the sun and moon grow dim; before the guards get shaky; before the maids that grind grow few; before the jar is shattered and dust returns to the earth. Everything is futile! such is the summary of the Kohelet’s words.
  • Mompiphany #33: Stop, Can’t and Don’t Are 4 Letter Words (mompiphany.com)
    When they are not overusing the word mom, my kids are overusing other words, namely 4 letter words. Now I don’t profess to be the best mother but the way that some 4 letter words roll off my kids’ tongues makes me wonder where on the parenting road did I go wrong?
  • More-Letter-Words (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
    Is it the warm, kind feeling, the fondness or affectionate and tender devotion people mean when the use the four-letter-word “Love”?
  • Ten Principles of Life (harikrishnamurthy.wordpress.com)
    The following are the ten Principles of Philosophy for this society.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 15 so far )

More-Letter-Words

Posted on July 16, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Manners and Association | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Is it the warm, kind feeling, the fondness or affectionate and tender devotion people mean when the use the four-letter-wordLove“?

We can see a mother’s love for her children; a love of learning or a love of adventure.

The fondness, charity or the affection of the mind caused by that which delights is with the devoted attachment to somebody of this universe is something which has become more rarely. “Love” seems to have become a word which is subtle as a breeze or misty as the damp of the water kettle, taking long to come up but quick to disappear.

For some the word “Love” has gotten a meaning of a sort of possession often more to do with “owning” something or someone, or only to be co-notated with sexual desires and not so much with generosity and caring. Though love has everything to do with softness and magnanimity. Love is bringing an opening to the greatness of the soul, that quality of mind which raises a person above all that is mean or unjust. It is the attitude which a human has to create or to work on of which the Bible, the Word of God, has spend so many words on. It is the capability to make yourself noble and humble. Not wanting to hurt or to bring any damage to an other person. Being meek of heart wanting to get the best for the other person and willing to help him or her to become even better, without expecting something in return. It is the willingness to become submissive to another person.

Love ? I love love love you.

Love ? I love love love you. (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Today several people would find that week or not “cool”. they consider that power is what we should get, and that we should take on an attitude by using other four-letter-words.

“Love” is about avoiding the most damaging one letter word: “I”. While today the world seems to be centred around the “I” and “me” of many persons who would like to find themselves placed on the first and highest step. Wanting to be the most important has been from long time. That is nothing new and Jesus also had to give some lessons about pride and knowing their place, to the apostles. God also had to learn Jonah that he should have not to think so much about himself nor on what he would think the most appropriate.

Jesus had a lot of work to let the people understand that they had to kill the most poisonous three-letter word:  “Ego” and should try to replace it with the better two-letter-word: “we”. He warned his listeners that they should be “eager” to “learn” and “humble” enough to present themselves to the world and to God in all “honesty”. He encountered also many people who looked at the popularity and power Jesus got and tried to let them understand their questioning and false attitude of doing like they wanted to know more was fed by the most nefarious eight-letter word: “Jealousy” of which any person should  “distance” this, to be able to “acquire” the most powerful nine-letter word: “Knowledge” and to get some more “Wisdom” (the Five-letter-word to go for).

Only by having love for the environment, plants, animals and people around them, would humans be able to grow in their love and be able to feel themselves save (a necessary four-letter-word),  building up the five-letter-word  “Trust” to double it to the most essential ten-letter word: “Confidence”.

Jesus asked about his reasons why he talked to a sinning women who had to stoned wrote in sand, whit the love when someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away.

The Ghost who has the most powerful Love had given everything to His Creation and is still willing to give so much we would not be able to carry it all. He also gave His only begotten son who He dearly loved and came here on earth to preach this undeserved Love. He showed us how we also got to come to this powerful force in life which can be made able to grow by the greatest asset: Faith.

But today most people do not see the “Opening Balance!” they got at birth, and look only to see their bank-account filled with as much as possible. Because of the wrongly placed love they do not see that the “Heart” is our “Current Asset” and our “Soul” our “Fixed Asset“. Their thinking got disfigured, though the “Brain” is our “Fixed Deposit”.

They should get to see that Knowledge is our Investment and Love is our Dividend.

Lots of people lost respect to others and therefore lost also respect for themselves falling in the trap of the ugliest personality trait: “selfishness”. Others have become competitors. They are looked at as rivalries. this world has learned that everybody has to compete with each other, instead of helping each other to grow together and to reach the same goal.

In the attitude of men we can see the big difference between humans and God. One of the basic differences between God and humans is, God gives, gives and forgives. But the human gets, gets, gets and forgets….& still not Happy (again a five-letter word to be desired)? It is desirable that we would all wish each-other happiness.

But today it looks like nobody likes it that others have more happiness than them. Lots of people hate it when others can have “more” (a four-letter word we should not place in the wrong context). Resentment, spite or even rancour are growing diseases, which make people not satisfied with themselves and with those around them. They think that when the can be brutal that they shall mean something more. Vile words and savage actions have to bring them some standing. But the appearance or prestige may not always be what they had in ambition.

Not many keep any curses that they want to say within the inner dialogue in their head. Lots of people do not see any harm or do not condone cursing. Often we hear children shouting ” I want”, “I don’t”, “I can’t” and then we can wonder if they have learned to love to aim for and to look for what is behind and beyond. then we hear their parents use four-letter-words which sometimes gets us to get red ears but do not anything to those rolling and crying kids on the flour in the supermarket.

We can notice that The Y generation got in conflict with itself and that we should consider more the Vile language and behaviour plus little secrets. The world should get to know that there are Alternative four letter words which are much, much better to use more frequently than all the popular words which sometimes have become meaningless or not adding anything to the phrase. So why using those ugly words when they do not ad anything positive to the thought?

Some years ago it was very popular to take Gods name in vain. But today nobody looks strange when somebody uses the title of God to underline his negative thoughts. Also the name of Jesus Christ is often been used in vain, but that has also just become a nothing saying few words. “hell” and  “dam” do not seem to mean anything nowadays. But is it really so that nobody feels hurt any more when somebody say “damn you”. Though he perhaps may not want the person to be really be damned. Because  a lot of people do not believe in eternal punishment the curse or swear at them does not do anything. But surely such an interjection expressing annoyance, disgust or impatience, shows that no value is given to the other one and that there is not much place for any sort of love or kindness.

To utter imprecations, or to call down evil on somebody can’t be called an act of love.

Swear-words may perhaps not be considered bad language, but we should all be aware that it should not be appropriate to use such language.

In case we love somebody we do not use bad words against him or her. And we should take in mind that the Word of God tells us:

“And you shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Mitsrayim. ” (Deuteronomy 10:19 The Scriptures 1998+)
“‘Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people. And you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am יהוה {Jehovah}. ” (Leviticus 19:18 The Scriptures 1998+)

“to love  יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him – for He is your life and the length of your days – to dwell in the land which  יהוה {Jehovah} swore to your fathers, to Abto Yitshand to Yato give them.”  (Deuteronomy 30:20 The Scriptures 1998+) means we should follow up the words of God to treat others with respect and not to use bad or wrong words against them.
“Then she said to him, “How do you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not made known to me where your great strength lies.” ” (Judges 16:15 The Scriptures 1998+)

We should remember: “by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have made it clear today that you have neither commanders nor servants, for today I know that if Abhad lived and all of us had died today, then it would be right in your eyes. ” (2 Samuel 19:6 The Scriptures 1998+)

“Owe no one any matter except to love one another, for he who loves another has filled the Torah. For this, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other command, is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no evil to a neighbour. Therefore, love is completion of the Torah. ” (Romans 13:8-10 The Scriptures 1998+)

“Therefore, as chosen ones of Elohim, set-apart and beloved, put on compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other if anyone has a complaint against another, indeed, as Messiah forgave you so also should you. But above all these put on love, which is a bond of the perfection. ” (Colossians 3:12-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And above all have fervent love for one another, because love covers a great number of sins. ” (1 Peter 4:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

film poster for "Work Is a Four-Letter Wo...

film poster for “Work Is a Four-Letter Word” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many people use not appropriate more-letter-words because they are afraid they would not be counted for their sayings. they want to use fortifying language because they are afraid they shall not be taken into account for what they have to say. In love is no fear, so in case they would accept the others and love them, they should not fear their words would not have the bearing which they deserve.  Impulses have their origin in ourselves and shall show to others how we are inside. As a Christian we should have the right heart and the right attitude to honour Christ and His Father. We should work on ourselves to make us perfect in love. Putting away the wrong more-letterwords is on action we do have to undertake as soon as we want to follow Christ Jesus. In him we should become more perfect in love.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear holds punishment, and he who fears has not been made perfect in love. ” (1 John 4:18 The Scriptures 1998+)

We may love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favours received. Opposed to hatred our words and actions should show an affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure, sensual or intellectual. Foul language does not fit into that picture.

+

Read also:

  1. Vile language and behaviour plus little secrets
  2. The Y generation in conflict with itself
  3. Alternative four letter words
  4. I wanted to follow you but, uh, no.
  5. People don’t hunt out “loopholes” when they are seeking to love God and neighbours
  6. When we love we do not need laws
  • Mompiphany #33: Stop, Can’t and Don’t Are 4 Letter Words (mompiphany.com)
    When they are not overusing the word mom, my kids are overusing other words, namely 4 letter words.
  • Trust & Sorry – Those Five Letter Words… (clearhaven.wordpress.com)
    Sorry is more than just a word. Because how can just a simple word serve as a healing balm, a soothing essence for pain. You can’t even see it, yet the mere utterance of the word has the power to set everything aright.
    +
    My analogy of trust may seem cheesy, but here’s the idea: the person who keeps wobbling your egg is the one who’s playing with your emotions. The one who knows he/she is the only one you can count on, and can say sorry and get away with it if anything happens to your egg.
  • That 4 letter word. (lafeminafantastique.wordpress.com)
    a 4 letter word which we all love to avoid because of that fear… of failure… of confrontation… of rejection…of the truth. We all do have some form of fear whether it is just one or several.
    +
    we fail to attempt to even try and by giving in to our fear often complete and total happiness is missed. Too often do we throw in the towel because we fear consequences and pre-meditated outcomes, failure failure failure is a huge fear of many, rejection rejection rejection is another. But if we live in fear all of our lives do we ever live fully? Can true happiness be totally achieved?
  • A Four Letter Word. (meenas17.wordpress.com)
    She keeps silent / She has become an illiterate. / She expresses a wry smile. / She makes no noise.
  • Ten Principles of Life (harikrishnamurthy.wordpress.com)
    The following are the ten Pinciples of Philosophy for this society.
  • Love isn’t just a four letter word (ask.metafilter.com)
    A male married friend recently told me he loved me. A few weeks later he told me again
    +
    He and I have become closer friends lately, and I believe there is some mutual attraction. I’m OK with that – I fall in the camp of “It’s OK to be a little flirty and have crushes sometimes but I would never consider cheating on my boyfriend,” but I wonder if saying “I love you,” like this is crossing a boundary.
  • How do I process – I never tried to hurt you but I’m sorry if it happened, it wasn’t my intent, it was yours, get out of my life forever? (ask.metafilter.com)
    If you hurt someone with what you perceive to be their and your best interests in mind, while simultaneously knowing that what you are doing will hurt that person, is it any different than actively trying to hurt the person. Does duration and occurrence play a role? If I don’t mean to hurt you, but know I am and will for 4 years is it less bad than a single act of active hurtfulness? Is it possible to want to hurt someone you love in an extreme moment but still love and care for that person? Is it possible to call that love?
  • There’s Nothing Like a Man’s Pen (andshelaughs.wordpress.com)
    What is it about the written word, on real paper, penned by the hand of someone dear that still holds us spellbound? Perhaps just that. Instead of digital flashes passing through space, the energy of the person is much more palpable, near and tactile when we hold the paper that they held, when we hold the envelope that they sealed or when we smudge the ink that they penned. A printed page is ever so much more cuddly and ready when you can’t sleep and want to re-read a love letter or giggly note from a gal-pal.
    +
    Today the reaction is often instant. You know they got the digital message almost as soon as you hit send. In the good old days of snail mail, there was the agony and ecstasy of hope, dread, and wonderful expectation. Now we experience those emotions in a nano-second. I prefer a well thought-out hand-written letter for the good stuff, as do the other gentle ladies out there.
  • On Love: What I learned (teejowee.com)
    There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you — of kindness and consideration and respect — not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.
  • An Open Letter to my Daughter (justiceforwomenindia.wordpress.com)
    I feel it is my duty to write this to you to prepare you for the life that you might or might not have to fight for.
  • A Letter from a Mother to a Daughter (momentumofjoy.com)
    If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please.
  • The Power of Love Includes Stress Relief (everydayhealth.com)
    Love does wonderful things for your state of mind, and it also offers natural stress relief. In healthy relationships, the power of love is strong enough to keep your heart happy and your mind and body healthy.
  • Thought For The Day: Charity (harikrishnamurthy.wordpress.com)
    True charity brings prosperity to the donor. “The way to receive is to give”. Sacrifice is a synonym for success.
    +
    Learn this wonderful lesson from nature. Give away, sacrifice, renounce everything and you become white, pure and perfect. Take in, aggrandize, and accumulate you become black, impure and imperfect. This is the law.
  • Balance Sheet of our life (harikrishnamurthy.wordpress.com)
    Some very Good and Very bad things 

  • You Are My Everything+ True Friend (harikrishnamurthy.wordpress.com)
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )

The importance of Reading the Scriptures

Posted on June 1, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

For those who say they have found Jesus and want to follow him, they should take the words of Jesus at heart.

Jeshua, better known as Jesus, spoke several times out of the Torah and tried to explain the Words of God.  People had to know him and his Father. The man of Nazareth was clear that he  of himself could do nothing. Always he made it clear that people should get to know his Father, on whose behalf he was talking and handling. Jesus knew very well the Word of God. It is because he was well aware of what was written in the Torah (the Hebrew Scriptures) that could learn what God wanted from his and from the people. Because he knew the Holy Scriptures so well Jesus could know what Godwanted and could tell to others what his Father had taught him.

Holy scriptures

Holy scriptures (Photo credit: thriol)

Jesus was also aware that the One who sent him was still with him; He, Jehovah God, did not leave Jeshua (Jesus) the Messiah to himself, because Jesus always did what pleased God. Also we, as followers of Christ should try to please our Father. Many people who heard Jesus tell them to honour his Father and to pray to Him, who is in heaven, found the honesty in that man and trusted in him. So Jeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, “if you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“I have much to say and to judge concerning you. But He who sent Me is true, and what I heard from Him, these Words I speak to the world.” They did not know that He spoke to them of the Father. So יהושע (Jeshua) said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Adthen you shall know that I am He, and that I do none at all of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, these words I speak. “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” As He was speaking these words, many believed in Him. So יהושע said to those Yehud who believed Him, “If you stay in My Word, you are truly My taught ones, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:26-32 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Son of Man has been lifted up, and we should know that he Jesus (Jeshua) is the one to follow and to belief. He said he was the son of God and the son of man who loved his Father and prayed to Him. We also should do as Jesus and be aware of the importance to know the Father. To get to know this Father of Jesus we do have to listen to the words of Christ but also to the words of the One to whom Jesus was listening. To listen to the one who   sent him and taught him we do have to take up the Bible, read in it and think about the Words of God which are written in it.

As followers of Christ, being called Christians, we should hold to Christ his teaching, only then we can become considered to be really his disciples. Only by listening to Jesus words and to the Words of his Father we shall get to know the truth, and the truth will set us free.

English: Reading of the Torah, Aish Synagogue,...

English: Reading of the Torah, Aish Synagogue, Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though Jesus himself knew that when he would be gone, many would stand up and come to preach all sorts of things.  Like savage wolves several preachers will come in among the people and to those who believe in Jesus they would bring all sorts of teachings which would bring confusion. For Jesus it was clear that they would not spare the flock. He even warned that even from among their own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the pupils or talmidim after themselves. “So stay alert!” Jesus warned his disciples and also us. Because the word said so many years ago are still going today.

In the short time of  three years public life, Jesus warned those around him night and day. The apostle Paul did the same as Christ, he never stopped warning the members of the meeting. But he knew his time on this world was very short and he had to go and therefore he entrusted them to the care of  God and to the message of His love and kindness. He did that because it could build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.
“And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, how I was with you all the time, serving the Master with all humility, with many tears and trials which befell me by the plotting of the Yehudas I kept back no matter that was profitable, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, witnessing to Yehudand also to Greeks: repentance toward Elohim and belief in our Master יהושע (Jeshua) Messiah. “And now see, I go bound in the spirit to Yerushalayim, not knowing what is going to meet me there, except that the Set-apart Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that chains and pressures await me. “But I do not count my life of any value to me, so that I might accomplish my mission with joy, and the service which I received from the Master יהושע , to bear witness to the Good News of the favour of Elohim. “And now see, I know that you all, among whom I went about proclaiming the reign of Elohim, shall see my face no more. “Therefore I witness to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all. “For I kept not back from declaring to you all the counsel of Elohim. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Set-apart Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of Elohim which He has purchased with His own blood. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves {1} shall come in among you, not sparing the flock. {Footnote: 1See Mt. 7:15-23, Mt. 10:16, Lk. 10:3, John 10:12}. “Also from among yourselves men shall arise, speaking distorted teachings, to draw away the taught ones after themselves. “Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease to warn each one with tears. “And now, brothers, I commit you to Elohim and to the word of His favour, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those having been set apart. “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or garments. “And you yourselves know that these hands supplied my needs, and for those who were with me. “All this I did show you, by labouring like this, that you ought to help the weak. And remember the words of the Master יהושע  (Jeshua), that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” ” (Acts 20:18-35 The Scriptures 1998+)

“But He (יהושע Jeshua) answering, said, “It has been written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה (Jehovah).’ ”{1 Footnote: 1Dt. 8:3}.” (Matthew 4:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

If we want to find the full meaningful life we should trust יהושע Jesus and get to know the words of his Father  יהוה our Elohim, who is the only one we do have to honour and serve the best we can.

“Then יהושע (Jeshua)  said to him, “Go, Satan! For it has been written, ‘You shall worship יהוה  (Jehovah) your Elohim, and Him alone you shall serve.’ ”{1 Footnote: 1Dt. 6:13}. (Matthew 4:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

We should know it is not from the physical and practical worldly work that we can get the most out of our life. We should be well aware that it is the spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words Jesus has spoken to the world are spirit and life, and should be followed up.

““It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh does not profit at all. The words that I speak to you are Spirit and are life. {1 Footnote: 1See v. 68, and 1 Cor. 15:45}. Word and Spirit are in unity. ” (John 6:63 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jesus has let his disciples know God so that his Father could make his disciples competent as ministers of a new covenant— not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

“And such trust we have toward Elohim, through the Messiah. Not that we are competent in ourselves to reckon any matter as from ourselves, but our competence is from Elohim, who also made us competent as servants of a renewed covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. ” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 The Scriptures 1998+)

Your God Is Here

Your God Is Here (Photo credit: sutton_steven)

We can find many letters on papers or on the screen, but the words shall have to get meaning. There have been many writers, but those who were in the hands of God and wrote down the Words of God, can bring us the most important words to go through life in the best way.

Peter, who believed Jesus was the Holy One of God and  Christ, the Son of the living God, asked the Master where to go to but knew Jesus had the words of real life, eternal life. (John 6:68-69) In the short time Jesus preached he showed the people they could find that mysterious life and all the answers in the Book of Books. Though they may have been written in the past they were written to teach us, so that with the encouragement of the Tanakh or the scriptures, we might patiently hold on to our hope.

“And all these came upon them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come, ” (1 Corinthians 10:11 The Scriptures 1998+)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

Knowing that the Holy Scriptures only can be God-breathed we can be assured that they are also profitable for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness. By reading and studying the Word of God we can get to know God better but also can get to know how to work at our self, so that we as men of God may ourself become complete, and completely equipped for every good work in a different way than a heathen doing good works. We shall get to see that the Word of God is so powerful that it also shall expose us for what we really are. We can never hide for God, He knows our inner thoughts. But for humans we can perhaps put on an other mask and  shield. Jehovah God does know everything of us. He knows when we sit and when we stand up and discerns our inclinations from afar (Psalms 139:2).

When we are going to search the Scriptures it is important that we do it with the right reasons, because the Adonai Jehovah Elohim, the Most High searches the heart and tests the inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve.

““I, יהוה (Jehovah), search the heart, I try the kidneys, and give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. ” (Jeremiah 17:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

When we take up the Book of the Word of God and read in the Bible regularly is shall be able to form  and transform us. By reading His Word we shall get to know what He says to us and what He wants from us. We shall get to know the tools to make us stronger and to resist temptations. It shall give us insight of what is good and of what is wrong (sin). In the words we shall find how we shall be able to please God and how we can avoid going against His wishes (sinning). By avoiding sin or doing what is wrong we can safeguard ourselves from the consequences of such wrong doing.

In the Book of Books we shall be able to find out how to behave in this world. Out of the many writings we shall be able to filter the necessary things to work on ourselves. Not only shall we will learn what kind of mental outlook we have, but also how to come to a better mental outlook.  By letting the Words work in us we shall be able to learn patience instead of anger. Our minds shall also get clearer. We shall be able to control our thinking much more so that we shall have not to think about bad things but shall find ourselves more thinking of  of good things instead of dwelling on the negative. In the transformation we can undergo by reading regularly the Bible we shall be able to learn real love and compassion instead

of love based on sexuality, personal greed or selfishness, and harsh intolerance. Humility instead of arrogance shall come into the heart which shall become more open to everyone whatsoever his conviction.

The many stories of other people shall give us more insight in how they have behave, what the consequences were and how we should behave. We shall be able to discover the many instructions on how to treat our spouse or other people, how to raise our children, how to act on the job, how to react to others or to help them, even how to be good for those who may be hurting us and giving them chances to become better citizens as well. The Bible shall learn us to comfort those who are hurting.

In the Words of God we shall be able to find a way to become better persons ourselves and how to make life easier and more enjoyable for us and those around us. By learning how we can have assurances in our life because we can trust Jesus and we can count on his Father, who shall always be there for those who look for Him.  On Jehovah God we may count that at any moment He shall be there with us to give us strength in our weakness, to give us faith when we doubt, and to give us peace when we are in turmoil. In times of hardship we shall be able to find comfort by taking up His Word, by reading in the Bible.

 

Torah

Torah (Photo credit: quinet)

The more we read in the Holy Scriptures the more we shall learn about God and what He wants for us. By studying His Word it will teach us also who we are in relation to Him.As we read and study the Bible, we shall discover that God is making us a new creation as he shall help us reach our full human potential. Jehovah, the Creator of everything, has provided the human race with The Bible as our Instruction Book. We shall be confronted with questions. We also shall have to make choices in what to believe or in which way to go further. But when we really want to be open minded and want to put away all the dogma’s which we have learned by the human teachings and biased popular human writings, we shall find that the Bible can be an eye opener which has all the answers for our life. By reading it regularly it shall become easier to discern God’s direction in our life. Full understanding only comes from time spent in His word. Though we shall not have to expect miracles overnight. It shall not bring an incredible change in a one two three click of the fingers. But day by day it shall bring some small changes into our personality and over the months or years you shall be able to grow to a new person, reaching at one point the turning point of becoming as ‘reborn’.

We do hope you want to be patient and want to read the Holy Scriptures, more than once, so that it can become a special experience which gets you away from this harsh world more than once in a lifetime.

No matter what happens know that everything exposed to the light is revealed clearly for what it is (Ephesians 5:13) and that God is willing to answer your prayers as long as they are consistent with His Will. He will give to each of us what our deeds deserve. (Revelation 2:23)

““Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. ” (Matthew 7:7 The Scriptures 1998+)

Therefore make time to read the Bible. Dig in the Holy Scriptures to find who is who and to find new pastures plus to get to know what Gods Plan is with this world. Are not afraid to pray to God before you start your reading sessions. In case you can read with somebody else you shall be able to discuss the read fragments with each other and can help each other to get a better understanding of the exposed material. When you read the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures take time to observe those things Gods Words presents to you. Try to hear what God wants to tell to you and incorporate those teachings in your life.

Whatever you read or see let it always be in the light of Gods Word. Let every word or action be checked with what the Bible enlightens you and take the according action to make the right changes.

And always remember that if you want to be a Christian it is even more important to read the Holy Scriptures than if you would not believe in a god or in the God we should honour.

Do not wait until it is tomorrow or to late to study the Bible. It is a too much important book not to spend important time to it.

+

Previous article: The Importance Of Scripture

Please do find out how reading in the Bible can also give insight of how and what is going to happen to the world:

  1. Written to recognise the Promissed One
  2. On the Nature of Christ
  3. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
  4. Another way looking at a language #6 Set apart
  5. Another way looking at a language #7 Lingua Franca
  6. The Bible and names in it
  7. Reasons to come to gether

++

Read also:

  1. Why believing the Bible
  2. How was the Bible put together and by whom?
  3. A Book written by God
  4. How many people wrote the Bible?
  5. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
  6. In which languages was the Bible originally written?
  7. Can we rely on scripture?
  8. How can we be sure that the Bible is true?
  9. When did the word “holy” get added to “holy bible”?
  10. What scriptures address the timelessness of the Bible?
  11. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
  12. How many chapters and verses are in the Bible?
  13. A book sufficiently profound as to cause its readers to “think”
  14. Bringing Good News into the world
  15. What does the name of each book of the Bible mean?
  16. What is the Pentateuch?
  17. Old and New Testament not discordant
  18. How did the NT canon become established? Did the church decide what books it should include?
  19. In what year was each book of the Bible written?
  20. Where is the middle of the Bible?
  21. What book of the Bible has only two chapters?
  22. Are Paul’s writings guidelines for the times or commands for us today?
  23. What do 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 mean?
  24. Should the Gospel of Thomas be included in the Bible?
  25. Why can’t Bible scholars agree on how to interpret the Bible?
  26. Why are some authors of Bible books unknown?
  27. Determined To Stick With Truth.
  28. Cell phone vs. Bible
  29. Bible for you and for life
  30. Power in the life of certain
  31. Possibility to live
  32. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
  33. Forbidden fruit
  34. Youth has difficulty Bible Reading
  35. Gathering to chat about subjects wich could be related to the Bible
  36. What English Bible do you use?
  37. Choosing some Bible translations: Bijbelvertalingen Selecteren
  38. Appointed to be read
  39. I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! . –Psalm 119:127
  40. People don’t hunt out “loopholes” when they are seeking to love God and neighbours
  41. The Bible is a today book
  42. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
  43. Working on the Bible being like re-wiring an old house
  44. Bible like puddle of water
  45. Chief means by which men are built up
  46. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
  47. Live much in the Bible
  48. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
  49. How can we feel the Holy Spirit in our lives?
  50. What happens to people who twist Scripture for their own evil designs?
  51. What is the devil’s Bible?
  52. Does the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible?
  53. Does the Quran contradict the Bible?

+++

 

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)

  • The Importance Of Scripture (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • Not making a runner (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • The Soul confronted with Death (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • Servant of his Father (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • A Great Gift commemorated (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • Elohim (earthpages.wordpress.com)
    Elohim is a modern and ancient Hebrew word that denotes god or gods, making it grammatically singular or plural.
  • God, Elohim (hoagiestyle.wordpress.com)
    Have faith and believe that God will carry out his perfect plan in your life. He cares about us and loves us. He will see to it that his plan is accomplished – we can either choose the hard way (trust man) or the easy way (trust HIM). Trust ELOHIM today…
  • I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (bummyla.wordpress.com)
    Paul used what part of the Bible? He used the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul used the Old Testament to show that Jesus was the Messiah
  • Submitting It All (beingrebekah.com)
    we are all called for a purpose and yes it is to reach those who don’t know Jesus but we can also have “worldly professions” that God can use
  • N. T. Wright’s “Big Book on Paul” (gaudetetheology.wordpress.com)
    For Paul, the church in its unity and holiness is itself a symbol, a visible symbol that proclaims to the world that there is a God and Jesus is Lord (“and by the way, Caesar isn’t”). Thus, Wright perceives the church at the heart of Paul’s theology, rather than at the periphery as it is often treated; and sees the practice of theology itself as the praxis that sustains the community.
  • Jesus Christ on the Infallibility of Scripture (rodiagnusdei.wordpress.com)
    Jesus never belittled Scripture (as some modern critics do), or set it aside (as the Jewish leaders of His day had done with their Oral Traditions), or criticized it (although He criticized those who misused it), or contradicted it (although He rejected many interpretations of it), or opposed it (although He sometimes was free or interpretive with it), nor spoke in any way as “higher” critics do of the Old Testament (Tanakh).
    +
    Jesus obeyed the Word of God, not man. He was subject to it. If some leaders” view of inspiration were true, Jesus was subject to an errant, rather casually thrown-together “Word of Man.” Jesus would have been subject, then, to the will of man, not the will of God.
    +
    The holy Scriptures . . . make you wise to accept God’s salvation (Hebrew Yeshua) by trusting in Christ Jesus (Hebrew Yeshua HaMashiach).

    The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. – II Timothy, Chapter 3, Verses 15–17, Living Bible

  • Why Read the Bible? – Day 7 of 32 – Guide to our Path (christlikeministriesnwa.wordpress.com)
    we need a Word of God revival in our homes and in our churches.  That’s the ONLY way this nation is going to turn around.  It’s not going to be done from the top down.
    +
    Y’all ever tried to find your way around in a dark room?  It can be quite fearful, and maybe a bit comical can’t it?

  • Why Read the Bible? – Day 11 of 32 – Eternal Life (christlikeministriesnwa.wordpress.com)
    the Bible is about Jesus…and the more we read it and apply it…the more we become conformed to His Image as our ministry verse Romans 8:29 tells us we can be.
    +
    Any pastor who stands in a pulpit and says that the Word of God isn’t relevant to today’s world…according to 1 John 4:1-6they are of the spirit of the Antichrist, and we ought to run out of that place as fast as we possibly can.
  • Seduction: A Primer for Persecution? (pilgrimpassing.com)
    One of the principal false teachings at the time was the belief that godhood could be attained by created beings. Though that is foundational to Mormonism (“As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become”) and Hinduism (self-realization is realizing that man is God), it had worked its way in various forms and methods into different “Christian” movements, teachings, and practices. Much of it was promoted by extreme Charismatics, but it was also finding its way into conservative evangelical churches through so-called Christian psychology (with its emphasis on self and self-esteem, leading to the exaltation and deification of self). Of course, the lie that man could become a god was the cornerstone of Satan’s seduction of the human race (Genesis:3:1-5).
  • Slave for people and God (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
  • The Real Thing (lightandsalvation.wordpress.com)
    In order to not be fooled or deceived, I encourage you to: 1) Read your Bible daily, 2) Don’t just have head knowledge of the Bible but truly hide it in your heart, make it your foundation, and 3) Obey God’s Word. We live in a fallen world that is full of temptation, sin, and false teachings. The times that we are tempted are not when we are surrounded by our good Christian friends. We are tempted when we are alone, vulnerable and at our weakest. When we hide God’s Word in our heart and obey it on a daily basis, we will be able to overcome those temptations and know exactly what really is “The Real Thing.”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 24 so far )

The Importance Of Scripture

Posted on May 26, 2012. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Lots of  people do laugh at those who enjoy reading the old Books of Books, the Bible. Of all those books the last series bring the world Glad Tidings. In the New testament we also do find the apostle Luke his writings on the first followers of Christ. He gives us an idea what went on in the first communities of the then called sect The Way.

Of the New Testament readings the Acts of the Apostles brings before us how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome from Jew to Gentile. Luke begins and ends with his thoughts on The Kingdom of Godand gives us with the later convert Paul an idea of what beautifuls is laid in front of us.

Ministry of the Apostles, a complex multi-figu...

Ministry of the Apostles, a complex multi-figure icon with a full-height image of Jesus Christ, surrounded by sectors with scenes of His disciples’ calling, ministry and martyrdom. Icon from the Yaroslavl Museum Preserve. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The man they followed, was a prophet of God who came to this world to make every thing more clear. Jesus from Nazareth wanted us to get to know the Creator in the best way we could. For this great teacher from such a small place, not only he had to go out into the world to proclaim the marvellous news of what was  going to be accomplished by the Will of God. For Jeshua it was clear, those who wanted to follow him, had to recognise the Will of the Father and should have as their main aim of the preaching of the gospel.

Today that is still not changed. Those who call themselves Christian, which should mean that they are real followers of Christ Jesus, should spread the word of the Gospel. They should tell others of the good news concerning the things of The Kingdom.

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” (Acts 6:1-2 NIV)

As for the twelve who summoned the whole body of the disciples together, we as an ecclesia should also call each other and say, “It is not right that we should have to neglect preaching the Word of God in order to look after the accounts.” We also should take care that we can grow in the word of God and that we can be of good reputation, being both practical and spiritually-minded. As individuals but also as one community of fellow brothers and sisters we should devote ourselves whole-heartedly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

It may be alarming when we see how the world develops, but on the other hand it may be lovely that we can notice that we are nearing a special time, which has been long foretold. We also come to a time were many have lost the faith in the Word of God, and many do not want to know anything about a god, or a better way to live. Though many may put the Word of God aside we can find others who are eagerly looking for the Truth and are wiling to take time to get to know it. Those who are looking for the purpose of this life and for whom is behind it are the ones who want to take up the Bible to study it. So the Word of God can gain more and more ground. In the world we can see that the number of disciples greatly increases. As in the old times we sometimes do have to start from scratch, not finding any believer round ourselves; but by letting the fire in us shine we can be the light for others. By our enthusiasm we can spread the good feeling of this Good News.

Though most of the world might not be interested in God and His Word,  the Word of the Lord continues to gain ground and increase its influence. (Acts 12:24)  “Thus mightily did the Lord’s Message spread and triumph!” (Acts 19:20 Wey)

We have the responsibility to let the word of God increase. Constantly we are told that the main vehicle used to bring the gospel to others was the Word. For example we read in Acts 4 : 31 that the apostles “Spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Of those who took hold of the message it says, chapter 8 : 14 “They received the word of God.”

Having chosen to be followers of Christ we also should be “in Christ” and try to become “like Christ”. As Christians we should give ourselves to Christ Jesus and should as such belong to Him who is the word made flesh. The ramification of this is very sobering, to become part of Jesus means that our lives must be like his, enveloped in the Word. Jesus was the man who brought Gods Word close to all people, believers and non-believers, Jews and gentiles.

Jesus made it very clear we had to live according to the Spirit of the Law and therefore we should live the Word of God. Every act we do should be under the guidance of the God most High. Every word we utter should be in respect to every creation of the Almighty. The many Books God has provided to the public are not just letters on a piece of paper to the enjoyment of reading. the Words from the paper have to go into the blood of the reader. They should enter the brain and become a living part of it.

When we go out into the world we should breath the Word of God. In everything we do people should notice something special, which make the difference between a good heathen or gentile and a Christian. The gospel is preached at its best when it is being lived.

When others can look on us and say that they have been with a follower of Jesus and could witness this Jesus from long ago in the world of today. We should be able to give the others a feeling that they might have learned something of him. To do this we must allow our minds to be developed by God’s Word. The carnal mind, or the mind of the flesh is something that by nature we possess. The mind of the spirit can only be obtained by grafting into it scripture. The importance of the Word of God in our lives cannot be underestimated.

“Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things hath my hand made, and [so] all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2 ASV)

Jehovah should be able to see the house that we have build unto Him. Not only should we hear the word of  Adonai Jehovah, the most High, and tremble at His word, we should make sure that His Word shall be known all over the world so that the Elohim Hashem Adonai  may be glorified, so we can see God His joy,  but also their shame.

“Hear the Word of יהוה (Jehovah), you who tremble at His Word, “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for My Name’s sake, said, ‘Let יהוה be esteemed, so that we see your joy.’ But they are put to shame.” (Isaiah 66:5 The Scriptures 1998+)

We may have the assurance that God shall look at every man who is willing to learn about the Most High God,  even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at Gods  word.” (Isaiah 66 : 2).

The Apostle Paul says in his warning to the Ephesian elders to be watchful (Acts 20 : 32) “And now, brothers, I commit you to Elohim and to the word of His favour, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those having been set apart. (Acts 20:32 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Holy Scriptures tell us that we may be sure that we can learn from it and that those words can not only edify us but also build us up, and give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. For we as Christians should be fellow workers of Elohim, we should be the field of Elohim, the building of Elohim. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

“He who went down is also the One who went up far above all the heavens, to fill all. And He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah, until we all come to the unity of the belief and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the completeness of Messiah, so that we should no longer be children, tossed and borne about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men, in cleverness, unto the craftiness of leading astray,{1 Footnote: 15:6, also 2 Cor. 10:5, 2 Cor. 11:3-14, Gal. 1:6-9, 2 Tim. 3:1-8, 2 Tim. 4:2-4, 2 Peter 2:2-22, Jud. vv. 10-19}. but, maintaining the truth in love, we grow up in all respects into Him who is the head, Messiah, from whom the entire body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the working by which each part does its share, causes growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the gentiles walk,1 in the futility of their mind, {Footnote: 11 Cor. 12:2, and Jer. 10:2}. having been darkened in their understanding, having been estranged from the life of Elohim, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, who, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecency, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Messiah, if indeed you have heard Him and were taught by Him, as truth is in יהושע (Jeshua): that you put off – with regard to your former way of life – the old man, being corrupted according to the desires of the deceit, and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the renewed man1 which was created according to Elohim, in righteousness and set-apartness of the truth. {Footnote: 1Rom. 8:1}. (Ephesians 4:10-24 The Scriptures 1998+)

There is “truth in Jesus” who brought the Word of God to us. Following the day of Christ’s vengeance the sorrows of Israel will be turned into abundant joys. All the Gentiles spared shall rejoice in her salvation. All nations will look upon the glory of God as it shines in the face of Christ, the King, and worship will be carefully and constantly attended upon by all the peoples of the earth.
Today we can take notice of what is happening in the Middle East and with great interest we look at the providences of God towards the Jews, knowing that their return to their land is a preparation for the fulfilment of much prophecy, a sign of the approach of the close of the age and Christ’s coming. “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Times coming closer to the Endtimes shall not make it easier for us, but we may be sure se shall find the blessings at the end.

“And indeed, all those wishing to live reverently in Messiah יהושע, shall be persecuted.{1 Footnote: 1Mt. 5:10}. But evil men and impostors shall go on to the worse,{1} leading astray and being led astray. {Footnote: 1Mt. 24:12, Rev. 22:11}. But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah יהושע. All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

From the moment we can get the possibility to learn the Word of God we start as babies and should be eager to learn more as a child, noticing that the Holy Scriptures, are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The 16th verse of 2 Timothy may be translated either Every Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching or Every Scripture inspired of God is profitable for teaching, but in either case the inspiration of Scripture is assumed, the writer being content to indicate its various uses. The most important wisdom comes from the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation. In and of itself, the Bible does not save us – but it is only through the Bible that we can receive God’s truth about Jesus, and put faith in him.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is the Word of God that has then the ability to build us up, to make us wise unto salvation and save our souls. Let us take an example from the nation of Israel to illustrate these principles.

In Numbers chapter 13 the record tells us that the children of Israel came to the borders of their inheritance, Moses instructed them to select a man from each tribe to spy out the land. Ten of them brought an evil report whilst Joshua and Caleb brought a good report. In the report that the ten brought we read these words (Numbers 13 : 31) “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” In contrast to these words Caleb had said (Numbers 13 : 30) “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” We know that the congregation of Israel accepted the evil report rather than that of Joshua and Caleb. In Hebrews chapter 4 the reason for this failure is given. (Hebrews 4 : 2) “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith.” They failed to believe in the word of God, to allow it to envelope their lives and it resulted in them failing to enter the land of promise. They were not aware that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” and that all things “are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4 : 12, 13). They wanted to return to Egypt for that is where their heart was. They could remember all the fleshly things they had there (see Numbers 11 : 4 – 6) yet failed to remember the deliverance out of the house of bondage, the provision of food and water, the assurance of God’s presence in the pillar of cloud and fire. The confidence of Joshua and Caleb is seen in the words Caleb spoke to the people. “We are well able and in chapter 14 : 8 “If the LORD delight in us, he will bring us into this land.” This belief came from a firm conviction in what God had promised he was able also to perform. There was nothing magical about their faith. Faith is developed by a reading and meditating on the Word of Life.

There are significant events in the ministry of Jesus that Matthew, Mark, and Luke include that John leaves out, including Jesus’ birth, baptism, temptation in the wilderness, the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the Ascension, demonic confrontations, and parables. But John seems to five an extra dimension on the Word which has become flesh in we do have to behold  his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1 : 14). Here is the one who said “Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me), to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10 : 7).

Words have a power all their own

Words have a power all their own (Photo credit: Lynne Hand)

The Messiah, Christ, the Redeemer from sin, is represented as offering himself to do God’s will (tou poiēsai to thelēma sou, the genitive articular infinitive of purpose).  and when we would like to be Christ we should also bring our offering as good as we can. We also should completely surrendered to God His will.

We cannot have the deep spiritual insight that Jesus had in the Word, nevertheless, we, if we are to be part of him, must try and apply these words to our own lives. Jesus gave us the well-known parable of the sower which is recorded for us in Matthew chapter 13; Luke chapter 8. The details are well known to us, it is not only about the reception that people give to God’s Word but also of the reception they give to Him who is the Word. When Jesus is truly in our hearts then the gospel shines from us. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10 : 15).

Speaking of the disciples Jesus says in his prayer to his Father “They are not of the world … Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17 : 16, 17).

The New Testament complements the Old testament, in which the future was foretold which came to existence in the presence of Christ Jesus.  From Genesis onward there was the promise of the one to come to make an end to death.  In the other books many times Jesus is in the centre of the Old Writings and are about him and our salvation in him, if we are not opening our eyes to see this, the Bible will continue to remain a closed book.

Let us take courage and spend a little more time in reading and applying the word in our lives. This way we can like Joshua and Caleb be sure that the Lord will delight in us and will give us the inheritance he has promised to those that love him for we have received the word with joy.

***

“In the gospel there is an invitation to all who believe what God has promised, to share with Christ in his kingdom, glory, and joy, which invitation is given on certain conditions well defined (1 Thess. 2:12; ; Matt. 25:21faith in the things covenanted to Abraham and David, and in those taught concerning Jesus, in the Old and New Testaments; immersion into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and thenceforth a life of without which no one will be approved and promoted to the honour and glory of the kingdom ().”John Thomas. (1990; 2002). Comments from Brother Thomas (Pagina 2). Logos Publications.

***

+

To be continued: The importance of Reading the Scriptures

++

Read also:

  1. Cell phone vs. Bible
  2. A Book written by God
  3. The Bible: God’s Word or pious myth?
  4. Why are some authors of Bible books unknown?
  5. If the earliest manuscript we have for a book of the Bible is relatively late, does that mean the book is a forgery/unreliable?
  6. sources_english_bible.gif (GIF Image, 327×509 pixels)
  7. A book sufficiently profound as to cause its readers to “think”
  8. What book of the Bible contains the most number of God’s promises?
  9. Unsure about relevance Bible
  10. How do we know that the prophecies in the Bible are true?
  11. Why believing the Bible
  12. Why Believe the Bible? Internal Evidence
  13. Why Believe the Bible? External Evidence > Megiddo – The Bible
  14. Old and New Testament not discordant
  15. Are the New Testament manuscripts reliable?
  16. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
  17. What does the name of each book of the Bible mean?
  18. Which man is mentioned most often in the Bible? Jesus, Moses, Abraham or David?
  19. How many people in the bible had their names changed by God?
  20. Which numbers in the bible are literal and which aren’t?
  21. Which Bible version should I use?
  22. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
  23. Why hasn’t anything been inspired recently? Revelation was the last inspired book and it was a long time ago. Why aren’t there any more?
  24. Sola Scriptura and its Pitfalls
  25. Why can’t Bible scholars agree on how to interpret the Bible?
  26. Where does the Bible first mention schools and study?
  27. How can I restore my faith?
  28. Is it alright to become a member of a non-denominational Christian fellowship, who follow the Bible teachings?
  29. Live much in the Bible
  30. Bible for you and for life
  31. Does the Bible talk about collective salvation?
  32. How do you reconcile the Bible and evolution?
  33. Why are numerous major Biblical events so similar to contemporary and historical mythology?
  34. How has the Bible helped and changed the world today?
  35. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
  36. Of the many books Only the Bible can transform
  37. People don’t hunt out “loopholes” when they are seeking to love God and neighbourhs
  38. Gospel human words backed by divine energy
  39. Chief means by which men are built up
  40. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
  41. Working on the Bible being like re-wiring an old house
  42. How does today’s seeker differ from the seeker of 1975?
  43. Determined To Stick With Truth.
  44. Bible like puddle of water
  45. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
  46. The Bible is a today book
  47. How do we determine in the bible what refers to AD 70 and what is yet to be fulfilled in prophecy?
  48. Appointed to be read
  49. What English Bible do you use?
  50. Power in the life of certain
  51. Unfair Contest about The Bible and Personal Growth
  52. When life caves in, honor the Lord
  53. Significant number of American teenagers lack knowledge of Bible
  54. How can we feel the Holy Spirit in our lives?
  55. Which church is to be followed?

+++

  • Acts 13: The Great Commission – Comparing Our Role and the Holy Spirit’s (cutpaste.typepad.com)
    Acts 13 (especially vs. 13-52) beautifully describes the extension of the Kingdom of God from Judaism to “the nations” – an ‘inclusive’ movement of revolutionary, world changing proportions. This explosion of the Gospel from Jews to “the nations” is announced at Acts 1:8, which is considered the purpose statement of the entire Book of Acts: “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you …you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”This statement of Christ echoes His command at Matthew 28:19 – “Go… make disciples of all nations.” Of course, “all nations” was the explosive part of the Great Commission, as no one had really heard or considered the idea of proclaiming the Messiah of the Jews as Lord to the Gentiles.

     

  • Acts 14: Paul, Hermes & Hermeneutics (cutpaste.typepad.com)
    In preaching the Gospel, Paul importantly taught Christ from the Old Testament (e.g., 13:16-25), sharing knowledgeably and skillfully how the Scriptures pointed to Christ and to that Christ accomplished. In doing this, Paul calls to mind the words of Jesus Himself: “You search the Scriptures [Old Testament] because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…” (John 5:40).
  • What Is Your Understanding of Biblical Discipleship?(kevinnunez.org)Biblically, discipleship is not a program but a process of becoming Christlike and being zealous to see others become disciples also.
    +
    Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey of obedience to Christ that spiritually transforms a person’s values and behavior and results in ministry in one’s home, church, and the world.
  • Reading the Signs of the End Times – Acts (naturalspirituality.wordpress.com)
    To Luke (no doubt a Gentile) and still a proportionally very small group of believers (relative to all Jews and pagans) in the late 1st century, Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.  They had expected “apocalypse now” and with its failure to materialize, they had some serious problems.
    +
    The Holy Spirit could be used as the claimed agent for introducing what otherwise seemed too much of a disjuncture – the covenant of Jehovah with Israel was envisioned as a New Covenant, for Gentiles as well as Jews, that God had promised and, just that morning was instituting.  He had inaugurated it initially by raising Jesus from the dead (2:30-32).  Peter goes on with our central point by saying, “… having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear” (2:33).
  • Christ as Hermeneutic: Moses Wrote of Me (frted.wordpress.com)
    Unlike what some modern Christians like to claim, that literalism is the principle by which we read the Old Testament, the New Testament itself gives us the clue for reading the Old Testament.
  • Falling Walls: A Pentecost Sermon (maryharristodd.wordpress.com)
    the Spirit didn’t make the outsiders able to speak and understand the language of the church, and then bring them to the church.  The Spirit empowered the insiders to speak the native languages of the outsiders, and took the church out to them.
    +
    Sometimes I wonder how well the presence of this congregation of Jesus’ disciples can be seen and heard.  I wonder.  This church house is quiet most of the week.  If we park around the back, people passing might not notice it when we are here.  The new construction on this end of the building is completely hidden.  Folks can’t see this new development.
  • And Then The End Will Come (freedomarc.wordpress.com)
    Around the world, prophetic people are struggling to fit what God is showing them into an eschatology that simply doesn’t work, because it is based on a false premise, and a misinterpretation of this passage of scripture, amongst others. As I say, that is because people have not approached it with a proper understanding of covenant and covenant language.
  • Jesus, the Centre of all History (freedomarc.wordpress.com)
    And when we look at eschatology, the study of the last things, it is all about Jesus. It’s not about us, it’s not about the church, it’s not about the world – it’s about Jesus. He comes to sum everything up. It’s all about Him. He holds everything together. All the Old Covenant looks forward to Jesus. All the New Covenant looks back to Him. So every time we look at a scripture, we must interpret it through Jesus’ message and His Person. You can’t take it in isolation.
    +
    We read in Ephesians 3:10 ‘…that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church…’.  I love that word ‘manifold’, because it means multi-coloured and multi-faceted , all expressing who God is: all expressing the wonderful wisdom of God. Being made known through… us, through the church. Being made known to whom? ‘… to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which God carried out in Christ Jesus.’
  • The Old Testament and Christ (pastorreeder.wordpress.com)
    In St. Luke’s Gospel, the 24th Chapter, Jesus once again links His Word and His work to the Old Testament.  Significantly, Jesus once again confesses and testifies that the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Him.
    +
    The Old Testament together mightily witnesses of the Coming One.  The individual references in the Old Testament do not give the entire picture of the Messiah as do the Gospels, but they do point to Him and in Christ they find their fulfillment.
    +
    If we fail to see and believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures center on Jesus and are about Him and our salvation in Him, the Bible will continue to remain a closed book.
  • Compromising the Gospel (spiritofdiscernment.wordpress.com)
    Many Christians may get offended when I highlight the disparities between the church I see today and the church that was evident in scriptures.
    +
    There are various brands of Christianity, or “Churchianity” to put it more correctly, today with each declaring that they have the true gospel. The naïve and the simple-minded will however declare that all churches are the same despite not understanding that there is a gulf of difference between the various versions of what they claim is the truth. Perhaps the god of this world has blinded their eyes to the truth such that they are not able to glean the fact that there is only one truth and that two or more contrary positions cannot all be truth at the same time. It is not only the preachers therefore who are compromising the gospel but the hearers also when they neglect to “test every spirit” and study the scriptures as the Bereans did when they heard Paul’s message.
  • Jesus, How Should I Preach? (biblicalpreaching.net)
    The first phase of the process is to be loving God by sitting at Christ’s feet.
    +
    Then as you start planning your message, plan it prayerfully with a deep concern for them to understand, to stay engaged, to be able to follow, to feel the import and impact of the message of the text.  And as you preach it, preach with the winsomeness and grace of God permeating your demeanour, because God is passionately excited about incarnating His grace and truth!
  • The Concept and Importance of Canonicity (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
    The world in its own wisdom would never understand or seek God (Rom. 3:11) but always suppress or distort the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18, 21). So Paul concluded that “the world in its wisdom did not know God” (I Cor. 1:21), and he set in sharp contrast “the words which man’s wisdom teaches” and those which “God revealed unto us through the Spirit” (I Cor. 2:10, 13).
    +
    God’s people must not submit to uninspired words of men. “Thus says Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the word of the prophets… speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah” (Jer. 23:16). Nor should God’s people allow their faith to be compromised by any philosophy which is “after the tradition of men… and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8). Christ Himself condemned those who “have made void the word of God because of [their] tradition” (Matt. 15:6). Human philosophy and human traditions have no place in defining the Christian faith.
    +
    The church cannot subsequently attribute authority to certain writings. It can simply receive them as God’s revealed word which, as such, always has been the church’s canon. Authority is inherent in those writings from the outset, and the church simply confesses this to be the case.
    +
    Historical evidence indicates that, even with the difficulties mentioned above, the Old and New Testament canons were substantially recognized and already established in the Christian church by the end of the second century. However, there is adequate Biblical and theological reason to believe that the canon of Scripture was essentially settled even in the earliest days of the church.
  • Acts 16: The Conversion of Lydia (cutpaste.typepad.com)
    The Lord (not Paul or Timothy, and not even Lydia) opened Lydia’s heart (willingness,         attitude, perception of truth, faith, repentance) to respond to the Gospel; as always, God did           the electing, and He dispensed the gifts of faith and repentance; Paul’s job, being Christ’s           ambassador, was to deliver the Gospel and teach the truth of God’s word;
    +
    The Good News was being extended to Gentiles and the nations! As Jesus Himself ministered to people – whether men, women, Samaritans, or whomever – so Paul and his companions ministered inclusively, in obedience to the “all nations” mandate of Christ, and to the calling of Paul as “Apostle to the Gentiles”; andLydia immediately manifested the gift of hospitality. God granted this woman faith in Christ and the Gospel, and he granted repentance; then the Spirit immediately called and empowered her to extend hospitality to Paul and Timothy, who were truly in need of it. We see also the beginnings of a life of faith, wherein Lydia was already learning to obey the commands of the Lord, as she enters a life of unity and fellowship among the believers. 
  • We Received of His Fullness (divinityhc.wordpress.com)
    Jesus Christ received of the spirit of His Father to over flow without measure and to whomsoever He wills He will give of that spirit. It is a mystery to us human that the same spirit of God was given to Christ in its fullness without limitation and yet God is not diminished in His essence and power.
    +
    Christ was full of the spirit of God and He was led by the same into the wilderness to face the enemy. He survived the ordeal through the spirit of God and we can too if we trust and depend on God’s spirit to show us the plans of our Father. So, we have all received of the fullness of Christ by the making of His Father through His spirit.
  • The Sermon Today (goldenbible.wordpress.com)
    Paul went to so many places, but wherever he was, there was a thoroughness to his work, he left nothing undone in the region where he was ministering and he could say “there’s no longer any work for me here.” One of the characteristics needed for blessing in ministry, or even in our jobs, is to be thorough and to finish the work God calls us to do.
  • The Danger Of Traditions (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
    Traditions are very important in some religions … In Roman Catholicism, tradition is placed on par with God’s Word + Protestant churches have their own traditions … To be a member of a particular denomination, one must accept  its traditions
    +
    Traditions of men tend toward ritualism (just look at the rituals found in many religions that have no scriptural basis)
    +
    When traditions of men are taught on the same level as the commands of God, it leads to vain worship – Mark 7:7
  • Encouragement-4 (dailyousmisc.wordpress.com)
    As Christians, we are called by God to encourage others. Time and again in the Scriptures we read that we are to “love the brotherhood” and with a fervent and pure spirit (1 Peter 1:22, 2:17). We are to build one another up in faith (Jude 20). We are to remind one another of the goodness and love of God (1 John 1:1-4).The expression of encouragement is always to be active. We are not merely to be an encouragement to others through our example of a virtuous life. We are to share encouragement by voicing words of encouragement and engaging in specific deeds. Encouragement is not merely something we are. It is something we do.
    +
    We are not called to be doomsday phrophets, pessimists, down-in-the-mouth naysayers, or condemning critics. We are called to encourage!

     

  • Acts: How the Great Commission is Done (cutpaste.typepad.com)
    Luke tells us what happened after the Apostles received the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, if we want to know how the recipients of the Great Commission and direct disciples of Jesus Christ went about the Great Commission, we need to read about that in the Book of Acts.
    +
    We might think of the four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as the direct witness of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the Book of Acts as the skeletal depiction of the carrying out of the Great Commission, and the epistles of the NT as the meat on the bones of that skeleton.
  • Acts (tylersheart.wordpress.com)
    Acts is, in part, an apology (or defense) on behalf of the early Christian movement vis–vis Rome. Consequently, the writer of Acts wanted to show that nothing could keep the good news about Jesus from spreading everywhere. He also demonstrates that the good news did not pose a threat to the Empire. Still, Acts is a story of origins, told in retrospect, that shows how the earliest followers came to understand who could belong to God’s people (see e.g., Acts 10 and 15).
  • The Gospel Part One! (randyhenri.wordpress.com)
    The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. The New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as being built upon the foundation of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, prophecies, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament. In this manner all of Old Testament history was a learning or training period to prepare the world for the arrival of Jesus Christ and His role in the plane of redemption.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 26 so far )

The dark side of our earthly existence

Posted on March 7, 2012. Filed under: Studyday, Endtimes, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Holy Scriptures | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

DaanSpeak writes about the dark side of our earthly existence all the time.

The previous years we heard many times that this world was going to go under. The end was near said more than one prophet.

The British futuristic action thriller Doomsday, written and directed by Neil Marshall, saw the light in 2008. In it the Reaper virus infects Scotland, so the country is walled off by the British government. After a quarantine  they think everything is gone back to normal, with the remaining Scottish populationand the virus apparently dying off. Decades later, though, the virus reappears in London. A team of people work to prevent a disaster threatening the future of the human race.

"Doomsday on the Brain" panel discus...

"Doomsday on the Brain" panel discussion. (Photo credit: 92YTribeca)

At the turn of the century many doom preachers came again to the forefront and tried to make people frightened for the coming near future. According to some ministers in some protestant denominations people had to be aware of the last days of the world which entered our world. They warned us that the many abominations which came over them were a punishment of God. If people were not to convert and change their way of living they would encounter even more troubles and would be doomed for ever.

By “malheur”, men heard the name of God brought in front of them referring to all the disasters which came over the world: earthquakes, tsunamis, heavy storms with disastrous floods but also droughts. Confronted with all the bad news lots of people thought it was Gods penalty for the way people were living today. They did not see any reason to look for the cause by men himself. God got the honour to be the cause of it all. He was the easy scapegoat.

Harold Egbert Camping a lifelong members of the Christian Reformed Church, served there as an Elder and Bible teacher for many years, until the year 1988. This Open Forum program on Family Radio continued to the present time and is broadcast on the more than 140 stations owned by Family Radio in the U.S. The man authored about 30 books and booklets.

Harold Camping speaks during a taping of his show "Open Forum" in Oakland, Calif., May 23, 2011 - two days after the 89-year-old had said the Earth would end. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Camping, 90, has made predictions about Judgment Day, Christ’s return and the end of the world for the past few decades – with the May 21, 2011, forecast receiving the most media attention. Each time the date passed, he did not admit to mistaking the timing but instead reasoned that the events happened “spiritually” rather than physically.

Family Radio logo

On Family Radio they teach that all mankind are sinners and, therefore, are subject to God’s righteous wrath. For them man by nature is spiritually dead and therefore he will not and cannot come to God on God’s terms. Today, according to them, we are heading for the end of this world’s existence, we should not be a part of a local church though God is still adding to His eternal Church consists of people all over the world whom God has planned to save as they come under the hearing of the true Gospel.

Family Radio 50th anniversary banquet

Family Radio 50th anniversary banquet (Photo credit: Newbirth35)

The radio predicted the end of the world last year time and says now that there has come a time of confusion and turmoil, and agree that events within the last year have proven that no man can be fully trusted. “Even the most sincere and zealous of us can be mistaken.”

They humbly acknowledge they were wrong about the timing; yet though they were wrong God is still using the May 21 warning in a very mighty way. In the months following May 21 the Bible has, in some ways, come out from under the shadows and is now being discussed by all kinds of people who never before paid any attention to the Bible.

Today they say: “We were even so bold as to insist that the Bible guaranteed that Christ would return on May 21 and that the true believers would be raptured. Yet this incorrect and sinful statement allowed God to get the attention of a great many people who otherwise would not have paid attention. Even as God used sinful Balaam to accomplish His purposes, so He used our sin to accomplish His purpose of making the whole world acquainted with the Bible. However, even so, that does not excuse us. We tremble before God as we humbly ask Him for forgiveness for making that sinful statement. We are so thankful that God is so loving that He will forgive even this sin.”

The same year many looked to 2012, the year the Mayan Indians predicted many centuries ago that the world was going to come to an end, according some.

All kinds of holy scriptures through the ages have heard the gong for the last round. The year 2012 is mentioned with striking frequency, like by the Pueblo-Indians, the Zulus and the Maya. the Maya made their predictions about the moment when the gong would sound on the basis of calculations that still hold nowadays. At the centre of these are their calendars by which they calculated in periods of 26.000 years and larger. These periods evolved from their own calculation of time which seems to be superior in accuracy, also to our own calendar.

File:MAYA-g-log-cal-D20-Ajaw-cdxW.png

AHAU (logogram); named day 20 of the Tzolkin cycle of the Mayan Calendar

When we look at the calendar system the Maya used we may find it  very accurate in their calculations and as a consequence we may imagine that they could make very accurate predictions. They marked the end of the large calendar as December 21, 2012. This date  and of the cycle of thirteen so-called baktuns after which the earth starts the ‘period of the fifth sun’ has been taken by many to be the end of the world. Though that is not exactly what the Mayans said. An end of one calendar period does not have to mean the end of the world. According to their calculations, which still are astronomically correct, our solar system will be in one line with Hunab K’u, the center of the Milky Way, the place the Maya call the mother womb. Technically you can then get a sort of zero situation in the revolutions of the electromagnetic fields of our solar system. According to the traditions of the Hopi Indians, this will take three days; three days of emptiness and darkness. After that the magnetic poles can reverse. Who knows?’ Whatever happens, the Maya calendar then will start over with the year zero. the Maya do not have a linear time calculation, but see time as overlapping circles.

December 21, 2012 should as such not be the end of it all but could be the beginning of a large new period again of 26.000 years and a smaller period of 5200 years. The Guatemalan ‘Mayan Elders of the Eagle Clan’ write: “This is a cycle of wisdom, harmony, peace, love, of consciousness and the return of the natural order. It is not the end of the world as many from outside of the Mayan tradition have misinterpreted it to be. “

File:Doomsday clock.svg

In January 2012, the Doomsday Clock read five minutes to midnight (11:55pm).

Since 1947 the board of directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago presented a symbolic clock face The Doomsday Clock . Originally, the clock analogy, during the Cold War, represented the threat of global nuclear war; however, since 2007 it has also reflected climate-changing technologies and “new developments in the life sciences that could inflict irrevocable harm.
The idea is that various existential risks, as  supervolcanos and asteroids, but also catastrophic global warming, nuclear war, or bioterrorism, have the potential to destroy, or drastically restrict, human civilization and  could cause human extinction; or even cause the end of Earth. some people even think that an extraterrestrial life could invade Earth.

Westboro-church1

Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas, headed by Fred Phelps

Fred Phelps, veteran of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, is an other doom preacher who with his Independent Baptist church The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), though mainstream Classic General and Primitive Baptists reject the WBC and Phelp, has an extreme stance against homosexuality and preaches hate and destruction. The church runs numerous Web sites such as GodHatesFags.com, GodHatesAmerica.com and others expressing condemnation of homosexuality. The group maintains that God hates gays above all other kinds of “sinners” and that homosexuality should be a capital crime. The Catholic priests are for them considered as “vampires” and “Draculas“. They do want to let their members believe that  there are Catholic priests who  suck semen out of male children’s genitals like vampires suck blood from their victims. They also launched a website called Priests Rape Boys in which they criticize the Roman Catholic Church because of the Catholic sex abuse scandal, saying, “Every time any person gives any amount of money to the Catholic Church, that person is paying the salary of pedophile rapists.”

This group does not see that the Jews are the chosen people by God but consider them the murderers of Christ Jesus and that God has smitten Jews with a certain unique madness. for them “America Is Doomed”, “Israel Is Doomed”, and “ADL Jew Bullies”.

Phelps concluded by stating, in an apparent reference to the Book of Revelation, that all the nations of the world would soon march on Israel, and that they would be led by President Barack Obama, whom she called the “Antichrist“.

According to them over 1 billion Catholics in the world will split Hell wide open when they die and as such this would mean every day hell is brought closer to this world.

The protestant churches do not escape criticism because “their preachers have shirked their responsibility to tell people the truth about sin, and instead lie to them about what the Lord their God doth require of them.”

But what does ‘the Lord our God’ require from men? What has God foreseen for humankind and how would he treat men and women?

Is it reasonable to think December 21, 2012 would be the last day of this universe?

It it time to stop planning your careers, bothering buying a house or is it just the opposite and have we to work harder to make sure everything is done what we wanted to do?

Is it time to make sure to spend the last years of our life doing something we always wanted to do but never had the time.

We may tell you that you have the time now lying in front of you. Every day you live is one more day that you could make the best out of your life. But every day that passes is also a day we should have to be ready to expect the end of times coming around the corner and greeting the return of Jesus Christ our Messiah.

WATCHMEN: Metro newspaper as The New Frontiers...

WATCHMEN: Metro newspaper as The New Frontiersman

What does it mean that we should be “awake” and that the night is nearing its end or that the Day is close-by?

Do you want to belong to those who are called out of darkness into His marvellous light and be something or nothing in God’s estimation?

Life is compact of little things and it passes very quickly. We as inhabitants of this world and tenants of this space should be aware how we treat others and nature around us. We also should listen to what men of God told the people, who wanted to hear, about the future and look forward to the return of the promised one.
From the time we waken till we go to rest, we are engaged in a thousand trifling tasks. And this is as true of the greatest of mankind, who lead humanity in thought and action, as of the rest of us who are but common clay. Great hours come to us but rarely; common hours are with us all the time. Great hours reveal our possibilities; common hours reveal our consecration. And for our Lord the usual was the big thing, because the usual is nine-tenths of life, and sets the field for triumph or defeat.

We should be aware what the real world is but also what is going to happen really to the world. Being part of this world we should also know we can be part of an other ‘world’ and remember the Divine Call.

The Bible stands unequalled in all Literature. Yes, there are many volumes of sacred writings held in high esteem by many peoples; works of history, poetry, philosophy, spirituality, humanity, philanthropy and mystery. They each have their place, and have undoubtedly contributed in some way or another to either the maintenance, or advancement of their respective cultures. But, still, none of them equal the Bible in its depth of inspiration, or its sweep of influence.

Therefore we can better take the Bestseller of all times and look in it for the wisdom, because it is a real treasure which can reveal a lot. It is also a book which can disclose matters of the things still going to happen. Lots shall come manifest by reading and understanding the Holy Scriptures.

Even Jesus did not know when he was going to return or when the end times would come. How should we know then?

While there are still doomsday dates currently circulating, Camping and Family Radio said they have “no new evidence pointing to another date” and have “no interest in even considering another date.”

“God has humbled us through the events of May 21, to continue to even more fervently search the Scriptures (the Bible), not to find dates, but to be more faithful in our understanding,” they highlighted.

“[W]e must be satisfied to humbly wait upon God, and trust He will guide His people to safety. At Family Radio, we continue to look to God for guidance. If it is His good pleasure for us to continue on with our original mission, the proclamation of the Gospel, God’s Word, then we must continue to look to Him.”
Come and find out this coming Saturday March 10 in Amersfoort, Holland at the ecclesia of our Dutch brethren: ‘t Nieuwe Kerkehuis, hoek Daltonstraat/Leusderweg in Amersfoort for the Studyday in Dutch and on Sunday the 11 th of March in Heverlee at Texaco, E40 Motorway, Ecclesia Brussel-Leuven for an English update.

Bible Study 2

We shall show you there is no way to panic, only to be aware of what we should know and what we should do, ‘staying awake’ and ‘being prepared’, trusting God, not fearing man or heathen predictions.

Invitation: > Uitnodiging voor studiedag 2012

+

Please do find:

DaanSpeak, the News behind the news:

++

You can find more literature on the subject of this study weekend:

In English:

  1. Preparing for the return of Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth.
  2. Life and Prophecies of Nostradamus
  3. 2012 Doomsday Predictions
  4. The real Doomsday in 2012
  5. No Doomsday in 2012
  6. The great Day of their wrath
  7. The hands of God’s wrath
  8. Radio talk: May 23rd 2011 Family Radio Full Broadcast: Harold Camping’s New Doomsday
  9. Video: MAY 21ST DISASTER UPDATE: 6PM in New Zealand! (Dino Run, lol!)
  10. Harold Camping Employee Estimates $100M Spent on Judgment Day Advertising
  11. Could Harold Camping Be Sued?
  12. Antichrist and The Most Hated Family in America in crisis
  13. End Times
  14. The days are coming
  15. 1.      Rapture what does it mean?2.      The Rapture or admittance with Christ.

    3.      Gather together with Jesus Christ.

    4.       Raptured in clouds.

  16. Increase Earthquakes
  17. Newsweek asks: How ignorant are you?
  18. Rugby Prophecy Day
  19. Called ones escape
  20. Why does God “loosen Satan for a time” at the end of the age?
  21. In Genesis 15:16 when God told Abram that in the fourth generation they will return here, what did He mean when he said “for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure?”

  22. Armageddon and other global disasters that could spell the end of the world.
    1. American Indian Doomsday Prophecy
    2. Environmental Doomsday
    3. Ancient Indian Doomsday Prophecy
    4. Book of the Revelation
    5. Doomsday Prophets
    6. Doomsday Weapons
    7. Religious Doomsday Prophecy
    8. Signs of the End Times
    9. Technological Doomsday
    10. Surviving Doomsday
    11. Browse Books & DVDs

In Dutch:

Vind meer gegevens over deze en een zelfde onderwerp behandelende studie dag:

In het Nederlands:

  1. De Dag is nabij #1 Voortdurende moeilijkheden
  2. De Dag is nabij #2 Bruikbare informatie
  3. De Dag is nabij #3 Niet laten verrassen
  4. De Dag is nabij #4 Begrijpen
  5. De Dag is nabij #5 Terugkijken naar verleden
  6. De Dag is nabij #6 Uitzien
  7. De Dag is nabij #7 Thema van de dag
  8. Eindtijd / Eindtijd
  9. Is er een komende Eindtijd
  10. Wereld waarheen? #2 Gebed om de komst van de koning
  11. Wereld waarheen? #3 De Wortelscheut van David
  12. Wereld waarheen? #4 Het Lied van de Serafs
  13. De Wederkomst en de eindtijd #1 Dit geslacht zal geenszins voorbijgaan
  14. De Wederkomst en de eindtijd #2 Blik op de nabije toekomst
  15. De wederkomst en de eindtijd #3 Let op de Vijgeboom
  16. De Wederkomst en de eindtijd #4 De komende toorn
  17. De Wederkomst en de Eindtijd #5 De Verlosser uit de hemel
  18. De Wederkomst en de eindtijd #6 De Dagen van Noach en Lot
  19. De Rapture of Wegvoering blootgelegd:1.      Hoofdstuk 1: Wat betekent”Rapture” of “vervoering”?

    2.      De vervoering of de toegang met Christus.

    3.      Verzamelen met Jezus Christus.

    4.      Vervoering in de wolken.

  20. Is er een komende Eindtijd
  21. Een Naam voor een God #8 Vergeten of weigeren
  22. Het begin van Jezus #6 Beloften van innerlijke zegeningen
  23. De Bijbel onze Gids #15 Het Heerlijke einde
  24. Visie op Jezus’ wederkomst van invloed op vraag hoe met deze aarde omgaan
  25. Harold Camping komt met nieuwe dag op de proppen zonder verontschuldiging
  26. Doemdagscenarios
  27. Laatste dagen omroepers
  28. Newsweek vraagt zich af of wij nog onwetend willen houden
  29. Hoe de Satan vandaag rond toert
  30. Messiaanse tijd
  31. Toename van aardbevingen
  32. Lucas 21, 25-36 toegelicht door Augustinus
  33. Blijf waakzaam nu einde nabij komt
  34. De Knecht des Heren #5 De Gezalfde gezant
  35. Welke dag van de komst
  36. Fragiliteit en actie #7 Gebeurtenissen en Prioriteiten
  37. Jesaja profeet en boodschapper van God
  38. Draagbare Tempel
  39. Door verkondiging ook geruster
  40. Zo maar gerechtvaardigd?
  41. God meester van goed en kwaad
  42. Vandaag 22 September en vooruitzicht op Vrede

+++

  • Harold Camping Admits Sin, Announces End to Doomsday Predictions (revivalandreformation.wordpress.com)
    After numerous failed doomsday predictions, Family Radio founder Harold Camping announced this month that he has no plans to predict ever again the day of God’s Judgment. He also issued an apology to listeners, admitting that he was wrong. + Harold Camping Admits Sin, Announces End to Doomsday Predictions
  • What a Liberating Hope We Have As Christians (verticalviewer.wordpress.com)
    The Bible claims to contain all the truth (John 16:13), and everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). From 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it is apparent that since the Scriptures are profitable for correction, that whatever corrections one will need to make in their life, the Bible will be useful in each of those areas.
    +
    Those who fear the Lord are encouraged to trust God and to rely upon Him. Others, who insist on making their own fires, torches or flashlights, are those who are attempting to find the way out of the darkness without following the Scriptures. What will the end result be?
  • Wyoming Bill Prepares for Doomsday (newser.com)
    Wyoming lawmakers are ready for anything—even the apocalypse. House legislators advanced a bill Friday to prepare for a possible nationwide economic or political meltdown, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.
  • The Maya Calendar Explained at Chaa Creek Website (prweb.com)
    The Lodge at Chaa Creek, located in Belize’s heartland of the Maya, has added a functioning, interactive Maya Calendar to their website to help people understand and appreciate the Maya concept of time in the lead up to 2012.
  • December 21st 2012 – END of THE World as According to The Mayan Calender (socyberty.com)
    considering the predictions and considering the prophecies catastrophes past of the end of the world, the earth should have finished on time that it is!  Since the earth always is here, it would be just to say then that, to date, all the prophecies and the predictions catastrophes of the end of the world (before that 2012) failed!  May 21 2011 the Prediction of Camping of Harold of the rapture and final judgement failed.

    +
    The cycle Tzolkin , 260 days long, was a calendar religion based on two shorter cycles, a 13-day and another of 20. The combination of these two cycles forming a cycle of 260 days (13 × 20 = 260), the Tzolkin cycle precisely.

  • Doomsday Dashed: Why the End of the World Will Not Happen on December 21, 2012 (ibtimes.com)
    Many believe that the end of the calendar, which happens to fall on the same day as the Winter Solstice, marks the end of the world. Doomsday prophets are banking on the end of humankind.

    (Photo: Reuters)
    A general view shows the exterior of the tomb of a Mayan ruler at the ruins of the Mayan city of Palenque in the hills of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas in this undated handout photo by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) released June 23, 2011.
    +

    However, a new hypothesis has begun to float around the Internet that poses a contradicting opinion. This new theory might very well silence all those doomsayers once and for all. It has appeared on Tumblrs and forum threads as well as on Twitter and Facebook pages.

  • Circling a fate on the calendar (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
    There are years that are remembered for changing the course of human history: 1492. 1776. 1945.Then there are years that were predicted to change the course of history. 1844, when Judgment Day didn’t materialize. 1910, when Halley’s comet didn’t wipe out humanity. And remember Y2K?But rarely does a year arrive with such a mixture of anticipation and dread as 2012.

    We speak not of the presidential campaign but of the Maya calendar, and the projection that it — or, more accurately, a cycle within it — will end on Dec. 21, 2012. That date has kicked up a swirl of anticipation, based on science, pseudoscience, hucksterism and spiritual belief. The idea is that 2012 will be a game-changer, the last year of civilization as we know it.
    +
    There is dispute among Maya scholars about the date, however. While some believe it is accurate, Aldana contends the calculations used to align the Maya calendar with the Gregorian calendar (the one widely used today) were based on a misunderstanding and could be as much as 50 to 100 years off.

  • December 21 2012 End of the World Mayan Countdown Begins Today (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)
    Amid all the various predictions of Armageddon, the Mayan prophecy of December 21, 2012 seems to carry the most weight with the general population.
    +
    Of course, the blogosphere erupted with excitement when Mexico’s archaeology institute acknowledged on November 24 that a secondreference to December 21, 2012 had been found on a brick discovered at other ruins.“Human beings seem to be attracted by apocalyptic ideas and always assume the worst,” Gronemeyer said.
  • Mayan Connection(tracewhitley.wordpress.com)Carlos Barrios: “Anthropologists visit the temple sites and read the inscriptions and make up stories about the Maya, but they do not read the signs correctly. It’s just their imagination. Other people write about prophecy in the name of the Maya. They say that the world will end in December 2012. The Mayan elders are angry with this. The world will not end. It will be transformed.”
    +
    “Mayan Day-keepers view the Dec. 21, 2012 date as a rebirth, the start of the World of the Fifth Sun. It will be the start of a new era resulting from and signified by the solar meridian crossing the galactic equator and the Earth aligning itself with the center of the galaxy.”
    +
    “We are disturbed — we can’t play anymore. Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action. Everyone is needed. You are not here for no reason. Everyone who is here now has an important purpose. This is a hard but a special time. We have the opportunity for growth, but we must be ready for this moment in history.”
  • ‘Doomsday’ minister mum on 2012 forecast (droneratti.org)
    Well the year 2011 has flown by without a hitch … or, at least, without Earth bursting into flames. Radio evangelist Harold Camping’s famous pair of prophecies — his prediction that true Christians would be safely evacuated to heaven on May 21, and that a series of global cataclysms would then climax in a grand, Earth-shattering finale on Oct. 21 — seem to have flopped.Yes, it looks as if we’ll make it to 2012 after all. But what then?
  • 2012 Mayan Calendar (socialmediasnews.wordpress.com)
    New Age (New Age Movement and New Age Spirituality) is a social collective phenomenon and a spiritual nature/cosmology movement that seeks universal truth through the Oneness of Humanity. It combines aspects of spirituality, esotericism, complementary and alternative medicine, various religious practices and environmentalism. It is characterized by an eclectic and individual approach to spirituality with a general rejection of mainstream dogma and religion.
  • Cycles of Time – Playing with Numbers (theabysmal.wordpress.com)
    We have the luxury of being able to harmonize what works from various systems with what works in others.
  • Hunab Ku |by Donna Hilton FaceBook OnLine| (vedernikov.wordpress.com)
    Hunab Ku was, to the Mayas, the supreme God and ultimate Creator. It represented… the gateway to other Galaxies beyond our Sun as well as all of the Consciousness that has ever existed in this Galaxy.
    +
    New Age beliefs about Hunab Ku derive from the work of Mexican anthropologist Domingo Martínez Parédez ( 1904–1984 ), who first presented his interpretation of the concept in 1953 and expanded upon his ideas in a subsequent book, Hunab Kú: Síntesis del pensamiento filosófico maya (1964).
  • Maya kind of Mexico (firstchoice.co.uk)
    To appease their gods, Mayan priests would pin victims down over stone altars, plunge flint blades into their chests, and then tear out their still-beating hearts. But it’s not all about grisly history lessons and Indiana Jones-style adventure. Head off on a Mayan trail and you’ll also come across the real Mexico – rainbow-painted haciendas, tropical rainforests, cactus-studded deserts – the lot.
  • What the Mayan Elders Are Saying About 2012, A Guest Post Contributed by Michael Brine (notesalongthepath.com)
    We are no longer in the world of the Fourth Sun, but we are not yet in the world of the Fifth Sun. This is the time in-between, the time of transition. As we pass through transition there is a colossal, global convergence of environmental destruction, social chaos, war, and ongoing earth changes.
  • Experts Answer Mayan Calendar Doomsday Issues (socyberty.com)
    Leonzo Barreno, Maya experts from Saskatchewan, Canada said, the concept of ‘Resurrection’ is a wrong interpretation of the long count calendar (long count).

    +
    Many descendants of the Maya who also dismissed the doomsday predictions, and call it a ‘Western idea’.
  • Calendar 2012 Mayan (socyberty.com)
    Like our Gregorian calendar ends on December 31st of each year and begin a new year. December 21, 2012 calendar year does not end the Maya, of course. 21.12.2012 Winter Solstice and is our sun will align with the center of the Milky Way or the “Tree of Life” as the Maya call it. The importance of the day would be “the end of a big” no “to the world.” Instead, bring a new sense of awareness, or understanding. ”
    +
    Maya was a time to move and they were interested in a new beginning at the ends. The world is changing rapidly and we must all learn about ourselves in order to cope with future changes. Not a moment of fear. There is a time for hope. There is a time to develop their skills. The choice is yours.

  • Mayan Calendar Predicts Doomsday in 2012. or Not (socyberty.com)
    Ian O’Neill, a physicist by training, has written a piece that says, “there’s no evidence to suggest the Mayans believed the end of their Long Count calendar would spell doomsday.”

    +
    O’Neill blames the viral marketing campaign in 2009 that promoted the Roland Emmerich disaster movie “2012.” The film got mediocre reviews but sold a lot of DVDs. And social scientists say the mythology of a doomsday prophecy fits an old pattern: When times are tough, it’s almost comforting for people to blame higher unseen powers.“It’s almost like you’re out there looking for evidence of a looming apocalypse,” said anthropologist Wade Davis, an explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, “and I think it also ties into a lot of uncertainty that exists in our world today.”

  • Mayan Calendar Predicts Doomsday in 2012. or Not (maboulette.wordpress.com)
    At Yahoo News, writer Lisa Hix quoted Bruce Love of the Archaeological Institute of America: “Whatever the significance of the date is, it is significance we are putting on it; it’s not the significance the Maya are putting on it. It’s not coming from anywhere in the literature or in the Mayan hieroglyphic writing.”
  • *** New Artifacts proves alien contact with Mayas *** (disclose.tv)
    “I can just say that the Mexican government is preparing to tell humanity and the world things that are critical for us, for the way we live, for the way we’ve been handling the planet.”

  • Maya cosmology and 2012 (theskythismonth.wordpress.com)
    The night sky has inspired cultures throughout history to come up with many versions of creation.
  • Rapture Insurance – act now… you have less than 24 hours to go!!! (pinnaclelife.co.nz)
    If we in the ‘life industry’ were thinking on our feet, we’d have designed Rapture Insurance; insurance that takes care of your family after you’re raptured away to heaven.From the insurance industry’s perspective, rapture insurance would be the ultimate insurance gamble. (Dare I say it… it’s like earthquake insurance).
  • Editorial: The Truth About the Doomsday Virus? (nytimes.com)
    Two months ago we warned that a new bird flu virus – modified in a laboratory to make it transmissible through the air among mammals – could kill millions of people if it escaped confinement or was stolen by terrorists. Now Ron Fouchier, the Dutch scientist who led the key research team, is saying that his findings, which remain…
  • Does Harold Camping Foresee the World Ending in 2012? (livescience.com)
  • ‘Doomsday’ minister mum on 2012 forecast (msnbc.msn.com)
  • Failed doomsday predictions (antiworldnews.wordpress.com)
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 8 so far )

Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek

Posted on November 20, 2011. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Christendom and Christianity, Christendom en Christenheid, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Naam van God | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Another way looking at a language

Ancient Hebrew inscriptions - Jewish Encyclopedia

13. Aramaic

Aramaic is to believed to be originated in what is modern-day Syria. Between 1000 and 600 BCE it became extremely widespread, spoken from the Mediterranean coast to the borders of India. Its script, derived from Phoenician and first attested during the 9th century BCE, also became extremely popular and was adopted by many people, both with or without any previous writing system. Despite Hellenistic influences, especially in the cities, that followed the conquests of Alexander the Great of Macedonia, Aramaic remained the vernacular of the conquered peoples in the Holy Land, Syria, Mesopotamia and the adjacent countries. It ceded only to Arabic in the ninth century A.D., two full centuries after the Islamic conquests of Damascus in 633, and Jerusalem in 635. Aramaic has never been totally supplanted by Arabic. Aramaic had been adopted by the deported Israelites of Transjordan, exiled from Bashan and Gilead in 732 B.C. by Tiglath-Pileser III, the tribes of the Northern Kingdom by Sargon II who took Samaria in 721, and the two tribes of the Southern Kingdom of Judah who were taken into captivity to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 587. Hence, the Jews who returned from the Babylonian Captivity brought Aramaic back with them to the Holy Land, and this continued to be their native tongue throughout the lifetime of Eshoo Mshikha.

Aramaic was destined to become Israel’s vernacular tongue; but before this could come about it was necessary that the national independence should be destroyed and the people removed from their own home. These events prepared the way for that great change by which the Jewish nation parted with its national tongue and replaced it, in some districts entirely by Aramaic, in others by the adoption of Aramaized-Hebrew forms.

The oldest literary monument of the Aramaization of Israel would be the Tarcum, the Aramaic version of the Scriptures, were it not that this received its final revision in a somewhat later age. The Targum, as an institution, reaches back to the earliest centuries of the Second Temple. Ezra may not have been, as tradition alleges, the inaugurator of the Targum; but it could not have been much after his day that the necessity made itself felt for the supplementing of the public reading of the Hebrew text of Scripture in the synagogue by a translation of it into the Aramaic vernacular. The tannaitic Halakah speaks of the Targum as an institution closely connected with the public Bible-reading, and one of long-established standing. But, just as the translation of the Scripture lesson for the benefit of the assembled people in the synagogue had to be in Aramaic, so all addresses and homilies hinging upon the Scripture had to be in the same language. Thus Jesus and his nearest disciples spoke Aramaic and taught in it (see Dalman, “Die Worte Jesu”). (Jewish Encyclopedia)

When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in those remains of the library of a Jewish sect from around the turn of the Era, many compositions in Aramaic also provided the best evidence for Palestinian Aramaic of the sort used by Jesus and his disciples. They preached the Gospel and the scribes recorded the Scriptures. The New Testamenthas been preserved in this sacred, scribal language since the Apostolic Age. The whole Bible was originated in this language and therefore it is best to look also at these sources because they lay at the base.

11th century Hebrew Bible with targum, perhaps...

MS in Hebrew and Aramaic on vellum, Iraq, first half of 11th c., 8 ff., 39x33 cm, 2 columns, (25x25 cm), 23 lines in a large Hebrew square book script, by a scribe perhaps originating from the Maghreb (North Africa probably Tunisia). - Image via Wikipedia

Vast compilations in Aramaic (in Western and Eastern Aramaic dialects) could be found in synagogues and where used in the Judaic academies by the rabbis. Jewish law was transmitted, commented, and debated in the Jewish academies by the rabbis and their disciples. The records of their deliberations constitute the two Talmuds: that of the land of Israel and the much larger Babylonian Talmud.

The Old Aramaic Jesus used is considered dead because it ceased to be used as a literary language in the 13th Century. The old form exists only as a liturgical language but there are still people who speak more modern forms of it. The Peshitta Text of the Holy Scriptures is in the dialect of northwest Mesopotamia as it evolved and was highly perfected in Orhai, once a city-kingdom, later called Edessa by the Greeks, and now called Urfa in Turkey. The large colony of Orhai Jews, and the Jewish colonies in Assyria in the kingdom of Adiabene whose royal house had converted to Judaism, possessed most of the Bible in this dialect, the Peshitta Tenakh.

Modern Aramaic, in its various dialects, is spoken in modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and the various Western countries to which the native speakers have emigrated, including Russia, Europe, Australia and the United States.

14. Greek

Greek was only spoken by a few in and around Jerusalem at the time of Jesus so it was more important to get the Words from God and the teachings from Christ Jesus been spread in a language most people understood in the by necessity a multi-lingual land. Names of persons, clearly of Aramaic origin, composed of the word bar which means son were transcribed into the later Greek writings giving names as Bariona, Barabba. In both Syriac and Hebrew the spellings between Abiud and Abiur are so close that during translation into Greek the second name could have been dropped mistakenly.

In addition to the forms of the words borrowed from the Greek, it is also important to determine their meanings; for some of these borrowed terms acquired in the mouth of the Jews a deeper religious and moral sense; e.g., γεωμετρία, a certain norm for the interpretation of Scripture (but compare GemaṬria); βῆλον, Latin velum, “heaven”; σχολαστικός, “teacher of the Law”; στρατμγός, “soldier” in general; σύβολον, “covenant” and “wedding present”; τόμος, “book of the Law.” The Jewish usage is sometimes supported by the Septuagint and by the New Testament; e.g., κατήγωρ, “Satan”; πάνδοκος, “whore”; βλασφημία, “blasphemy.” These semasiological differences justify one in speaking of a rabbinic Greek. (Jewish Encyclopedia)

Some treat “split words” as a distinctive subsection of mistranslations. Sometimes it appears that a word in Aramaic with two (or more) distinct and different meanings appears to have been interpreted in the wrong sense, or even translated both ways in different documents.

Aramean funeral stele Louvre AO3026

A sheolstone in Aramaic. Basalt funeral stele bearing an Aramaic inscription, ca. 7th century BC. Found in Neirab or Tell Afis (Syria).

Capharnaum translated, although with some difficulty, from the form Kafar Nahum, the Village of Nahum, or also the name Aceldama, as found in the Book of Acts 1:19, which unites two words Haquel dema, which is “Camp of Blood.” We also find the names of the women transferred: Marta (Luke 10:38), and Tabita/Tabitha (Acts 9:36) which mean respectively: Madame (or Woman), and Gazelle. (These were well-known and frequently used names in the times of Jesus, taken from Aramaic.) The name of Peter — Cefa — corresponds to the Aramaic form of Kefa which means Rock. The name Golgata (Matthew 27:33), and Gabbata (John 19:13) recalling the accounts of the Passion, are derived from two words with the sense of “(place of) the skull” and “the elevated place.” Some names indicating situations or actions where later in their translation understood as certain places sometimes away from this earth, as e.g. sheol or hell which was a place where the death were burned and is now considered by many Christians as a place of torment by fire.

Other words of interest in Greek translations from Aramaic origin are: Effeta or Effata (to open), Talita Qum (Arise little child), Abba (אבא), (Papa/Father). Also the Aramaic last words of Jesus dying at the stake “Eloi Eloi lema sabactani” were in fact the beginning of Psalm 22, spoken by Jesus in Aramaic, and faithfully written down by the Evangelists in Greek. It is possible that the Evangelists wished to preserve and hand down through their writings some words certainly spoken by Jesus, words which the Early Christians (since they spoke Aramaic) faithfully remembered.

We should be alert when somebody or something is jumping the shark and be on the lookout for those who like to make from the Bible a television show or an entertainment form. 63 percent, from the questioned people for the survey, believe the language should be simple for anyone to understand while 14 percent say the language should be meant more for people who have a lot of experience with the Bible. 40 percent prefer more formal language while 26 percent say should be more informal. 22 percent want language more for casual reading while 44 percent say it should be designed more for in-depth study.

Having a new translation is always some tricky thing because than words have to be chosen to be understood according what they mean. Therefore translators try to find the most accurate form though sometimes there does not exist a singular word for the term. the translators are also confronted with more than one neologism ( /nˈɒləɪzəm/; from the Greek νέο-, néo-, “new”, and λόγος, lógos, “speech”, “utterance”) and should be wondering either to use that new word or newly coined term, or phrase, that may sometimes still be in the process of entering common use, but has not yet been accepted into mainstream language. Neologisms are often directly attributable to a specific person, publication, period, or event. For such up-to-date hype translations like the Bikers Bible, Hikers Bible or Prisoners bible we always do have to be very careful, and we even would advice not to use them.

As translators try to cross the globe and two millennia, fully accomplishing word-for-word translations that are easy to understand, is not always possible. It is also a pity that within the years several words were taken into one word so that slight differences disappeared. From many bible translations it is not clear any more if there is spoken of an ordinary pupil or a special (chosen) pupil, a direct pupil of Jesus, a pupil (disciple) Jesus and of other pupils, a send messenger or an ordinary apostle (MalakiYA (Messenger of YA, sn- Apostle), a set apart (kadosh), a sent one (Shlichim) or one of the seventies. For this it is very interesting to go back to the Hebrew and Aramaic because there we can find the different words which in itself give a clear indication about whom it is.

15. Adonai, Lord

The meaning of an entire verse can easily be altered by a translation, for example; the Greek “Kurios” also at times spelled kyrios or kuros, Greek κύριος is often rendered as the Latin Dominus or “Lord“, however there is both “LORD” (the Father) and “Lord” (the Son), which the translator must choose and Kurios. The Kurios would be either the father, or if he was dead, brothers an uncle or relative would be the Kurios. However the God the Father (YahuwhahYHWHJehovah) often substituted with Adonai (my Lord) and the Son of God (Yahushua/ YehsuaJeshua) are clearly distinguished in Aramaic, there is no confusion about the speaker or who is being addressed. The Kurios or Curios was he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding. As a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence it was also given to people who were above somebody else, or the title used by servants to greet their master.

You should have a look in the preface of your “church bibles” and see if they even admit to substituting the Hebrew (from right to left) “hwhy” or “YHWH” (from left to right) YAHUWAH‘s Name with “the LORD” or “God”. Now read what happens to those who so arrogantly change His Word in Revelation 22:18-19. “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19 NIV) We being part of every man that can hear the words of the prophecy of the book of John his revelations and of all the other Books brought together in what we call the Book of books, the Bible. We should take the warning for, adding to these things or for taking away from the words of the book of this prophecy serious. We would not want to see God adding to him the plagues that are written in this book, or having God taken away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

“AHleleuYAH” means “Praise be to YAH.” See how “Israel” could never be “El YAH’s chosen people” because the blaspheme His Sacred Eternal Name daily by hiding it!

"I am YHWH (YAHUWAH) your Almighty Loving El YA..Have no foreign gods before your face!" Shemoth / Ex 20:2-3

Even if your pastor does not fear taking away Gods Name or fears speaking out the Most Holy Name, you yourself may not be afraid to use Gods Name regularly. When you got to know the Name of the Most High you should use him. Be careful not intentionally to ‘forget’ him or not using the Name. Don’t lose your eternal life over intentionally doing of this great sin of blasphemy and destruction! So either use Jehovah or Yahweh/Jahwe or both, but use the Name people can take as the Name of the Only One God. In case we are not sure about the pronunciation of Yahuwah or Jehovah (the three syllables) it is always better to use the two syllable name, which may come from the expression that Jehovah may have everything “Ya Have”, using a shortened version of YHWH’s full Name, like Yah in HalleuYah e.g.. So if you do not like to use the full Name perhaps you still can like to use one of the shortened ones “YaHave” (Yahweh”) or “Yah” instead none. Some Richards also like to be called Bill, or Rogers do not mind to be called Bob. We can only do hope God would not mind calling Him such or so, because we are not sure how it is pronounced or because in our mother tongue or native language we use such or such sounds. so much of our way of saying a name or pronouncing a name shall depend on the region and custom. But we do have to be careful not holding strong to an institution or usage because of tradition. As soon as we know better we should adapt to the new found truth or new insight. All our life we shall have to learn and sometimes we do have to change practice. Though people are often in a rut, believers should try not to get set in one’s way but to be open for adaption to the teachings from the Word of God, the Bible, and should overcome habits and compete for the Truth. We should strive not to thingummy or keep to a “whatchacallit”. For the One who Created everything is not a “what’s-his-name”. He has given His Name for His People to use it, therefore we should use it and prefer to put the title of the heathen name “Lord” (Baal) aside.

YHWH

-YAHUWAH (the 7 English letters are also representative of eternal meanings). We may not “vanatize” YAHUWAH’Holy Name with the blasphemous “cover over” of the word “LORD”, “God”, “Lord God!”

16. God His son

So also for the son of God we should try to use his proper name. We should go back returning to “believing upon His Name” (John-YAHUWcanon 1:12), that is YAHUW-husha, which means “YAHUW, He who will save”! and not referring to Zeus by using “Hail Zeus” or Iesou, in English Jesus or in Dutch Jesus and/or Jezus. Mashiyach or in Hebrew Mashiach and in Greek Christos is rendered in the King James as “Anointed” in Psalms 2:2, and as “Messias” in Daniel 9:25-26. It is the Sacred Name for the Son of YHVH or YHWH. Messiah or Mashiyach and Chaciyd which is used in Psalms 16:10 or only titles and not names for the Son of God. The word Christos was far more acceptable to the pagans who were worshiping Chreston and Chrestos. According to The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, the word Christos was easily confused with the common Greek proper name Chrestos, meaning “good.” According to a French theological dictionary, it is absolutely beyond doubt that Christus and Chrestus, and Christiani and Chrestiani were used indifferently by the profane and Christian authors of the first two centuries A.D. The word Christianos is a Latinism, being contributed neither by the Jews nor by the Christians themselves. The word was introduced from one of three origins: the Roman police, the Roman populace, or an unspecified pagan origin. Its infrequent use in the New Testament suggests a pagan origin.

According to Realencyclopaedie, the inscription Chrestos is to be seen on a Mithras relief in the Vatican. According to Christianity and Mythology, Osiris, the sun-deity of Egypt, was reverenced as Chrestos. In the Synagogue of the Marcionites on Mount Hermon, built in the third century A.D., the Messiah’s title is spelled Chrestos. According to Tertullian and Lactantius, the common people usually called Christ Chrestos.

17. Lord

In older versions of the King James Version of the Old Testament we still can find the name Jehovah, but in later versions more and more the Name became exchanged with three different Hebrew words as lord; however, it does so with a careful use of upper case letters to let the reader know which word is in the original texts. When the King James Version translates the Hebrew word for Jehovah as lord, it uses LORD in all capitals. When the King James Version translates the a special Hebrew word for supreme lord, adownai, as lord, it uses Lord with only the “L” in the upper case. Lastly, when the King James Versions translation of the general Hebrew word for lord, adown, as lord, it does so without any use a capital letter at all. A few years ago several translations just placed “lord” so that nobody could get the difference. Aware of the fault of letting the Name of God out of the Bible a few years ago we got the Restored Name King James Bible; Proper Name Version of the King James Bible and Sacred Name King James Version where again we could find the Name of God on most places.
When the decision was made to undertake the task of editing the King James Version, the fact that it was not a unique work was taken into account. The main sources that were used for editing the most recent version were: The Holy Name Bible, by the Scripture Research Association; The Scriptures, by the Institute for Scripture Research; The ExeGesis, by Herb Jahn; and the New Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance, by George V. Wigram.

+

Please do find more:

The only Chair of both Hebrew and Aramaic world-wide is at Leiden University’s Department of Hebrew and Aramaic. Bachelor in Hebrew and Aramaic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies (with Hebrew) or a related study (see http://www.mastersinleiden.nl). + MA in Hebrew and Aramaic Languages and Culture > Hebrew and Aramaic Languages and Cultures

In the Aramaic Languages and Cultures specialisation, you will explore various Aramaic languages and literatures, including Syriac, Targumic Aramaic and Imperial Aramaic. You have the possibility to study various Aramaic languages, both individually and against the background of their 3000-year history.
+ a.o.: The historical grammar of Hebrew and the development of the Tiberian tradition, which also lies at the heart of Modern Hebrew

With effect from September 2012, this programme will be offered as a specialisation within the Classics and Ancient Civilisations programme.

+

Continues
Previous: Another way looking at a language 4 Ancient times

++

Restored Name King James Bible on line

+++

You can find the inspirational articles:

Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation Preferred by most Bible Readers

You Say Tomato

Don’t Quote Me—But I Think Jesus Is Pissed!

Disney, I Can See the Cracks

++++

Related articles:

Idol Worship (Jewish Encyclopedia)
All idolatrous cults are condemned by the Biblical insistence on worship of Yhwh only. The Decalogue begins with the command to reverence the one true God and to recognize no other deities. On this theme the Pentateuch dilates from every point of view, and the efforts of the Prophets were chiefly directed against idolatry and against the immorality connected with it. To recognize the true God meant also to act according to His will, and consequently to live a moral life. The thunderings of the Prophets against idolatry show, however, that the cults of other deities were deeply rooted in the heart of the Israelitish people, and they do not appear to have been thoroughly suppressed until after the return from the Babylonian exile. There is, therefore, no doubt that Jewish monotheism was preceded by a period of idolatry; the only problem is that which concerns the nature of the cults (comp. the articles Adrammelech; Anammelech; Asherah; Ass-Worship; Astarte Worship Among the Hebrews; Atargatis; ba-al-and-ba-al-worship” href=”http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2236-ba-al-and-ba-al-worship” target=”_blank”>Ba’al and Ba’al-Worship; Baal-peor; Baal-zebub; Baal-zephon; Bamah; Calf, Golden; Calf-Worship; Chemosh; Dagon; High Place; Moloch; Star-Worship; Stone and Stone-Worship; Tammuz; Teraphim; and Witchcraft).

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 18 so far )

Another way looking at a language #1 New Year, Books and Words

Posted on November 13, 2011. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Another way looking at a language

1. New Academic Year = New books

Every new academic year we go over to use another Bible translation in our ecclesia, to keep the minds going and to give opportunities to hear another voice or see another angle of lightning. It is a way of broadening the horizon.

Ancient Hebrew inscriptions - Jewish Encyclopedia

Serious Bible Students should always try to find out how something is written in a certain language and what is meant by it. They should like, it seems, most American Bible readers prefer, look for word-for-word translations of the original Greek and Hebrew. Paraphrased bibles can be interesting for youngsters or when people start by getting to know the Word of God. The literal or word-for-word translations should by all means gain the first position on the table when no original language is known. That is for most of us a problem that we do not know Hebrew, Aramaic and Ancient Greek. Though to get into depth reading of the Old Scriptures and Holy Scriptures we could use some knowledge of the old languages.
For the Biblical Canon, the Greek word κανών, meaning primarily a straight rod, and derivatively a norm or law, was first applied by the church fathers (not earlier than 360) to the collection of Holy Scriptures, and primarily to those of the so-called Old Testament (Credner, “Zur Gesch. des Canons,” pp. 58-68). But although the older Jewish literature has no such designation for the Biblical books, and it is doubtful whether the word was ever included in the rabbinical vocabulary, it is quite certain that the idea expressed by the designation “canonical writings” (γραΦαὶ κανονικαί), both as including and as excluding certain books, is of Jewish origin. The designation “Apocrypha” affords a parallel instance: the word is Greek; the conception is Jewish (compare the words “Genuzim,” “Genizah”). (Jewish Encyclopedia)

When not enough knowledge of the ancient or semitic languages is available we should use the most accurate literal translation and make use of the Strong’s number indications with a further comparison of stricter and more free translations and value accuracy over readability.

Sanskrit Bible

2. Translation Survey

When in a recent survey by Life Way Research study of a total of 2,000 Bible readers the volunteers where asked whether they prefer “word-for-word translations, where the original words are translated as exactly as possible” or “thought-for-thought translations, where the translators attempt to reproduce the intent of the original thought rather than translating the exact words,” 61 percent chose word-for-word. But strangely enough at the same time 63 percent believe it should be simple for anyone to understand while 14 percent say the language should be meant more for people who have a lot of experience with the Bible. But the Bible should be able to reach people who do not read much or do not have any knowledge of Bible reading.

3. Formal language

When we do find 40 percent preferring more formal language while 26 percent say that the language should be more informal we can wonder if it is not possible to let them understand that we have to take the language of the Bible as it was written in that time, taking in consideration that we do have to hear and see the phrases as they were spoken and used at that time. Often bible translators want it to place it in the language form which is popular at the time of the publication of the translation.

+

Continues

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 15 so far )

The Bible and names in it

Posted on September 22, 2011. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Holy Scriptures, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Jesus Christ Jeshua the Messiah Jahushua, Preaching | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Proclaiming the Name of The One and Only Who Is and has Ever Been

The Creator

“The Maker should have honour from his works, they should tell forth his praise: and thus they should praise his name — by which his character is intended.
The name of JEHOVAH is written legibly upon his works, so that his power, wisdom, goodness, and other attributes are therein made manifest to thoughtful men, and thus his name is praised.
We can never extol him better than by repeating his name.” [The Treasury of David; Psalm 148, by Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-92)]

“Praise ye the LORD (Jehovah).  Hallelujah!
The exhortation is to all things in earth or in heaven. Should they not all declare the glory of him for whose glory they are, and were created?
“JEHOVAH”, the one God, should be the one object of adoration, Hallelujah!”
-The Treasury of David; Psalm 150 by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

In the coming weeks we are going to look at how in history people tried to get rid of the Name of God and which efforts they did to destroy the Bible or when they did not succeed to take the Books away, to divide the world about the Name of God.

Spurgeon may have written “…the mind of man can never conceive an idea of the incomprehensible Jehovah…subtler than the secret power of electricity; infinitely above the most rarified forms of matter…” (A View of God’s Glory) Gods hand is be seen in the abundance of dynamic energy, the vigorous power in the Universe. Surely the Creator who does not tire out or grow weary (Isaiah 40:26, 28) shall love to let His people know His Name. He therefore took care that in the Book of Books, His Word, Written down by people “inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) “Men spoke from God as they were borne along by Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)

Words, from who, to believe

People can wonder if we can believe the Bible and look at it as the writing of the living God. We shall discuss how God used people who He could consider as worthy to pen down what He as the All Mighty had to say. With an Almighty finger; each word in the Bible is dropped from the everlasting lips; each sentence was dictated by the Holy Spirit. Those incredible Words were vocally brought over from one generation to the other, and scribes did do their best to write over the Scriptures they had at hand.

Written over a 1,600-year period its writers lived at different times and came from many walks of life. Some were very educated or had a high position, others had no particular schooling. Under the writers we can find farmers, fishermen, and shepherds. Others were prophets, judges, and kings.
Moses was employed to write his histories with his fiery pen, but God guided that pen.
It may be that Solomon gave forth words of consummate wisdom, but God directed his lips, and made the preacher eloquent.

When we go through the many texts which are delivered now on pieces of paper everywhere we should hear and find God speaking. For those who doubt that it is God’s voice, they should take a closer look how all those words are integrated in One Complete Work with a lot of predictions or prophesies which came fulfilled according the sayings in those Books.

That it are not man’s words we can see when we look at the characters and what they wrote about themselves and about things they could not know yet. All the material in the Bible covers thousands of years of history and relates in some way to the unfolding of God’s purpose. Despite the varied backgrounds of its writers, the Bible is harmonious from beginning to end. The Bible brings the history of mankind historically accurate and reliable, and is also scientifically accurate. It even contains information that was far ahead of its time. The books include not only the names but also the ancestry of individuals. In contrast to secular historians, who often do not mention the defeats of their own people, Bible writers were honest, even recording their own failings and those of their nation.

“The words are God’s words, the words of the Eternal, the Invisible, the Almighty, the Jehovah of this earth.  This Bible is God’s Bible, and when I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, saying, “I am the book of God – read me. I am God’s writing; open my leaf, for I was penned by God; read it, for he (Jehovah) is my author.” [A Sermon (No. 15) Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 18, 1855, by the REV. C. H. Spurgeon At Exeter Hall, Strand.]

On what to rely

“The first Christians relied on the Old Testament as their chief religious book. To them it was of divine origin and authority.” (Dr. Samuel Davidson; The “Canon” The Encyclopaedia Britannica) Jesus/Jeshua/Yeshua was a Jew who knew the Words of God very well. He also read from the scrolls. So when he quoted the Holy Scriptures as known to all the Jews, the Tanakh (Hebrew: תַּנַ”ךְ‎, pronounced [taˈnaχ] or [təˈnax]; also Tenakh, Tenak, Tanach) he used the names as written down in the Torah (“Teaching”, also known as the Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (“Prophets”) and Ketuvim (“Writings”).
“Jesus and the authors of the New Testament regarded the Hebrew Scriptures as God’s Word.” (How We Got the Bible; Chapter 13 from Reading the Bible with Understanding by Dr. Lane Burgland) When they quoted from the older works they did do that in respect of those text and told the people what was written, also using the names as they were used at that time.
“Jesus’ teachings are exclusively within Jewish values and teachings. Modern Christianity . . .  does not adhere to many of Jesus’ original teachings. Early Christianity was an integral part of Judaism of the period. Jesus . . . never intended to either abandon Judaism, or to create a new religion.  The creation of the independent Christian Church outside the framework of Judaism took place many years later by those who neither knew the man Jesus, nor the meanings of His difficult native Hebrew.” (Opher Segal, YD, vol. 5, no. 6.)

Which names to use

Today we can wonder if we also have to use those Hebrew names like they were written down in the Hebrew Scrolls. Because in those writings they used symbols standing for a consonant; while the reader must supply the appropriate vowel. About filling in those vowels a lot of discussion has gone on in the previous ages. A question posed is if people have to follow traditions or mesorah (מסורה, alt. מסורת) or the Masoretic Text which is in a form also already a written down version by tradition. In reference to the Masoretic Text (MT) the word mesorah has a very specific meaning: the diacritic markings of the text of the Hebrew Bible and concise marginal notes in manuscripts (and later printings) of the Hebrew Bible which note textual details, usually about the precise spelling of words.

In the Middle East, Aramaic gave rise to the Hebrew and Nabataean abjads, which retained many of the Aramaic letter forms. Handy for the understanding what there has to be filled in is the Syriac script, a cursive variation of Aramaic. Jesus spoke Aramaic in his mother tongue. In the temple Hebrew was common and as the business language Greek was used.

The Christian Bibles range from the 66 books of the Protestant canon to the 81 books in the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible,[1] to the 84 books of the Eastern Orthodox Bible.

Archaeologists and historians did already find several parts of Scriptures and through history every finding proofed that those writings we use today still say the same as the original found. In modern times the Dead Sea Scrolls have shown the Masoretic Text to be nearly identical to some texts of the Tanakh dating from 200 BCE but different from others. It is that Masoretic Text, next to the little bit and pieces we do have, which is by all believers and historians considered as the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible. It is also regarded as Judaism‘s official version of the Tanakh. While the Masoretic Text defines the books of the Jewish canon, it also defines the precise letter-text of these biblical books, with their vocalization and accentuation known as the Masorah. The MT is also widely used as the basis for translations of the Old Testament in Protestant Bibles, and in recent years (since 1943) also for some Catholic Bibles, although the Eastern Orthodox continue to use the Septuagint, as they hold it to be divinely inspired.

The Holy Translators (Armenian: Surb Targmanichk) is a group of literary figures, and saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who founded the Armenian alphabet, translated the Bible, and started a movement of writing and translating important works into Armenian language. The translation of the Bible was finished by the Holy Translators in 425. The first words written in Armenian were:
“To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding”. (Proverbs 1:2)
The first Armenian translation of Bible is among the world’s oldest, has survived and is still used in the liturgy of the Armenian Church.[2]

Pagan connection

Through the centuries several copies saw the light in different languages. According to the tongue of those languages we got different pronunciations. Even when the name of a person could be written the same it could sound totally different. For example Jesus sounds in Dutch as Yeazeuzs or as some think it comes from “Yea Zeus”.

The problem with speaking out names differently could cause confusion. Also there is the question if certain names were not introduced to bring in such a danger zone of confusing between two different persons, like the example above Yah Zeus (which means laudation to Zeus)

Mainly after the early church fathers, gave into the demands of Constantinople it became important to show a ‘clearer connection’ between the gods ‘the Father’ and ‘the Son’. Just think of how many people in Christendom still tenaciously cling to the pagan concept of the trinity doctrine. They, plus a lot of others, also prefer to use the pagan titles in Scriptures and in their talk. Even after learning God’s name – they now make excuses for their continual worship of Rome’s Three-headed nameless Lord – by saying that Jesus and Jehovah are the same being.

“From ancient time Mystery Babylon has tried to make God what he is not – A Trinity.” (Jesus Messieh Fellowship; The Trinity Doctrine Is Pagan, By Cohen G. Reckart, Pastor)

After the sixties more publications of Bible translations put in their text “Lord” not to go against the grain with someone or not to be able to sell their versions to certain denominations and having less acclaim or popularity. Those publishers wanted to be part of the world and have the gain in their live today.

But do we want the gain of popularity today. Or do we prefer to have the gain after this short earthly life?

When we do prefer to use the word “Lord” (Dutch: “Heer”) we use the word “Baal” or Ba-al. Baal or “Bel (Lord) was the oldest and mightiest of the gods of Babylonia, one of the earliest trinities. He was “Lord of the World. The “doctrine of the Trinity” is first met northeast of the Indus; and, tracing it to Asia Minor and Europe, one recognizes it among every people who had anything like an established religion. It was taught in the oldest Chaldean, Egyptian, and Mithraic schools. The Chaldean Sun-god, Mithra, was called “Triple” and the Trinitarian idea of the Chaldeans was a doctrine of the Akkadians who, themselves, belonged to a race which was the first to conceive a metaphysical trinity. According to the archaeologist Rawlinson, the Chaldeans were a tribe of the Akkadians who lived in Babylonia from earliest times…” (Theosophy, Vol. 52, No. 6, April, 1964  (Pages 175-182) The Chaldean legend)

Though the introduction of “Lord” was introduced to get rid of the Name of God and to be able to say that Jesus was also the same Lord, it does no right to Jesus either.

“What I discovered in most of the versions of the Bible produced by Trinitarians which I studied - is irrefutable proof of intentional mistranslation of words which refer to God…  Christian Trinitarians routinely and purposely mistranslate Greek pronouns, so as to promote the doctrine of the holy Trinity.” (The Influence of Trinitarian Doctrine, on Translations of the Bible, by John David Clark, Sr.)

In literature we also can find: “Any true scholar can surely see that these men did not use the “Entire” word of God to base their theology upon. Rather they chose specific passages to build on their theology, because, influence pagan tribute in a Roman Nation filled with paganism, and governing power was the mindset of Rome. When she allowed these idolatries to be “engrafted” into her church, Rome re-established the teachings of Nimrod into the New Testament Age, and into church dogma.” (Thunder Ministries, The Origin and Development of the Trinity, according to Trinitarian Scholars)

Proclaiming the Good News and the Name of God

So those who want to follow Christ Jesus do better to follow all his teachings and do as Jesus asked his disciples to do, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God, and letting the world to know his Father. Getting to know somebody well is also getting to know his name.

God also wanted that His Name would be known all over the world. From Scriptures we even know that when more people all over the world would know His Name and would tell others about Him, then the end would be near. It is one of the signs of the Last Days, when preaching about God and His Kingdom shall be abundant.

God’s Name can be found in His Word, the Bible. About this Name we can ask if it has to be printed in the four Hebrew signs or symbols, the Tetragammaton, or in letters everybody can read and write or print.

STAINED GLASS WINDOW WITH TETRAGRAM OF JEHOVAHS NAME

A Stained glass window proudly displays the tetragrammaton or the "four letters" of God's Holy Name, YHWH or YaHuWah = Jehovah.

The Tetragrammaton (The Four Letters)

“tetragram – n. word of four letters;
quadrilateral. tetragrammaton,
n. four Hebrew consonants
(JHWH) forming name of Creator
(Jahweh, or Jehovah).
© From the Hutchinson Encyclopaedia.
Helicon Publishing LTD 2000

The Hebrew was written without the vowels and is often presented in our four letter word YHWH (JHWH).
To read it, there are several interpretations; and those shall be discussed as well shall we wonder if we need to use the Hebrew Name (and pronounce it as in Hebrew) or can use and pronounce it in the own mother tongue.

YHWH YaHuWaH “YEHOWAH” Yahweh Jehovah

Jehovah’s Name appears differently in the
different languages around the world.
Below is a sample of some of them :

Yahweh Yahwah Yaveh Yaweh Jehova
Jahova Jahovah Yahova Yahovah Jahowa
Jahowah Yahavah Jahavah Yahowe Yahoweh
Jahaveh Jahaweh Yahaveh Yahaweh Jahuweh
Yahuweh Iahueh Jahuwah Yahuwah  Yahu
Jahu Yahvah Jahvah Jahve Jahveh Yahve
Yahwe Yaohu Yahway Yaohu Yahvah
Yahuwah Iahueh Yahuah Yehowah Jehovah

Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, English, Dutch, French, German or any other language

And should we speak about Yahushua/Yashua (or Yahuwshuwah), “Y’shua” or “Yeshua” (Dutch: Jeshua/Jesus/Jezus), meaning Yahweh saves when we speak about the Son of God commonly known as Jesus today and by many called God the son.

The new trend is that some people do find that we have to restore all the names in the Holy Scriptures. The Tanakh and Messianic Writings should then be called, according to them: Bereshith (Genesis), Shemoth (Exodus), Wayiqra (Levites/Leviticus), Yeshayahu (Isaia), Yirmeyahu (Jeremia), Zakaryah (Zechariah/Zachariah); Tehillim (Psalms), en Mishle (Proverbs), Mattithyahu (Matthew), Yohannan (John), Kepha (Peter),a.o..

So the main point shall be: How far do we have to go to use which names?

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 25 so far )

Fragments from the Book of Job #7 Epilogue

Posted on June 24, 2011. Filed under: Being Christian, following Jesus Christ, Bible Study and Bible Reading, Christendom and Christianity, Endtimes, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Suffering, World | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

As Kevin Miller writes in his blog article about Job “Job is a book of tragedy, foolish counsel, mourning, but also great strength.” For us it can be counted as such a real romantic film: Job begins and ends happy and cheery, but in-between we get drama of high calibre. By the end of the very first chapter, all of Job’s kids were dead, his animals had been killed and/or stolen, almost of of his servants were dead, and he had completely crushed. Than his health was taken away and by the end of Job 2, we found this (once) wealthy, healthy, man of integrity sitting on a pile of ashes scraping his gaping wounds with broken pieces of pottery. As so often happens by humans is that his friends also started to accuse him of all sorts of bad things. People love it to find the evil by an other, but do not want to see “the beam” in their own eyes. “In Job 8:4, Job’s good old buddy, Bildad, even has the audacity to accuse Job of hidden sin! As if Job were to blame for his suffering! That’s a sad misconception that is sometimes even taught from pulpits today: hidden sin is causing your suffering. ” writes Miller rightly. We have to be careful not to fall in that trap or pitfall.
We also may not accept the latest theologies: Poverty theology and prosperity theology. The first considering those who are poor to be more righteous than those who are rich. It considers a matter of greed to become more wealthy than others and it honours those who choose to live in poverty as particularly devoted to God. Conversely, prosperity theology considers those who are rich to be more righteous than those who are poor; it honours those who are affluent as being rewarded by God because of their faith. In fact, both poverty and prosperity theology can be half-truths but are not depicting the full picture of Gods handling people.

Job and his family restored - Blake

Instead of clinging our hears to false teachers we do better to take Gods Words to our heart. As Arlin Sorensen says: “God has spoken to us clearly through His Word – the Bible is His first communication to us.  But more than that – God continues to speak to us as well.  The Holy Spirit lives in us to communicate God’s Truth to our hearts.  God may speak to us through a dream or a vision.  There is no shortage of God speaking to us and giving us direction for life. ” (About Job 33) Even without any book we could and should hear the words from God, because God is talking to us continually through creation, His Word, and the Spirit that lives in us. In the Book of Job as in many other Books of the Bible God lifts up a veil and is shown up as the Most Almighty, Omnipotent, Most Wise and Creator of all things and of all beings. The problem is that most of us do not want to read the Bible and as such hear the Words of God. They prefer to listen to the most popular speakers. But they are not always the wise speakers. On the other hand we also often fail as listeners because we have certain ideas to which we want to keep fast. Most listeners are already preparing their response before the ones to whom they listen ever finish what they have to say. We saw a glimpse of how we want to win the argument, like Elihu who thought he had all the answers. A lot of persons also think the Bible is just an old book and they forget that this Book of Books, the Best-seller of all times can change their life.

Because we want things our way, we prefer the answers who go in our direction of thinking and we dare to feel unjustified when something does happen not like we want it. Often it is our pride which hinders us to think straight and worse, makes it impossible to hear the answers from God. I do hope that in Arlin Sorensen’s Thoughts on Scripture the writer means not with  ” It does keep us from hearing God’s response – because there isn’t one. ” that there is no answer for us, because even if we have haughtiness or arrogance God has everybody given the chance to put his or her pride aside and to take up His Word of Wisdom in their hands to learn from it. He is right to say that God opposes the proud.  Scripture tells us that over and over. But that God doesn’t hear well – if at all – when pride is our defining character we cannot find right, because God listens to everything what happens and to what people say. He knows and sees everything. Nothing can escape His eye or ear. He doesn’t despise any. Jehovah is not going to look down upon with contempt just because a person can have some bad characteristics as pride. Yes He detest excessive self-esteem but He does see through our eyes and heart and knows were our attitude comes from. If we are honestly willing to hear God He shall come close to us. God shows no partiality to mankind (Job 34:19) and He has always His answer ready for everybody, who wants to hear it. Though it may not always come at the time we would think appropriate. It is up to God to decide to whom He gives answer when. God is always in control of everything. God is powerful and mighty because His righteous judgement and wisdom. Elihu showed us in chapter 36 how God gives some answers to the world, though they may not be like they would like to hear them. (Fragments from the Book of Job #5: chapters 32-37) Nothing can be “thwarted” from God (NIV) no purpose of Him can be restrained. (Job 42:2) Nothing is to difficult for God (Genesis 18:14;  Isaiah 43:13; Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26) When we are in agony, like Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, we can pray to Him and ask Him for things which seem impossible, because He can do everything (Mark 14:36) which shall always be more than any human being (Luke 18:27). God wants to be heard (Job 33:16) and use also people to let His voice been heard (2 Kings 17:13). By showing the people the results of their doings, the crimes caused by their pride, God gives answers to them (Job 36:9).  To hear God we sometimes have to be willing to stand still and to be prepared to listen (Job 37:14). To stop or “stand still”: “Stand still and see the salvation of God” (Exodus  14:13; 2 Chronicles 20:17). “Stand still and hear God’s commandments” (Numbers 9:8). “Stand still that I may show you the word of God” (1 Samuel 9:27). “Stand still that I may reason with you” (1 Samuel 12:7).

Garden of Gethsemane

One of the beauties of Gods creation where Jesus prayed to His Father, his and our God

“Behold, God is mighty, and despises not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserves not the life of the wicked: but gives right to the poor. He withdraws not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yes, he does establish them forever, and they are exalted. And if they are bound in fetters, and are held in cords of affliction; Then he shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity.” You can read here how God answers them and which advice He give those people who got a higher position but could not keep it right. ” If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he binds them. They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.” (Job 36:5-14 KJBPNV)

“He delivers the poor in his affliction, and opens their ears in oppression. Even so would he have removed you out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no narrow place; and that which should be set on your table should be full of fatness.” (Job 36:15-16 KJBPNV)

“Behold, God exalts by his power: who teaches like him?” (Job 36:22 KJBPNV)

“He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.” (Job 37:7 KJBPNV)

“Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. Men do therefore fear him: he respects not any that are wise of heart.” (Job 37:23-24 KJBPNV)

“Gird up your loins now like a man: I will demand of you, and declare you unto me.” (Job 40:7 KJBPNV)

“Then will I also confess to you that your own right hand can save you.” (Job 40:14 KJBPNV)

“I know that you can do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from you. Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.” (Job 42:2-3 KJBPNV)

Also people who do not believe in God shall at certain times, decided by God, be able to hear God saying things to them. Because God’s desire is that we move away from sin and move to righteousness.  He opens our ears to know His commands Job 36:10).

In Job 37:19 Elihu seems to have taunted Job asking him to teach them (Elihu and the three friends) how they should understand how to speak with God. Our brother Robert Prins wrote: “Elihu began by looking up.  Maybe we should do the same as we gaze at the vastness of the heavens, the ethereal blue of the sky, the beauty of the sunrise and the sunset – new pictures painted by God for us to marvel at every day.  We can see the expanse of his power as we look up into space and see the millions of stars he has created in glorious beauty, shining in the blackness on the night sky.  And when we see clouds we can be impressed by the sheer volume and weight of water that God suspends above the earth.  Who has not failed to be impressed by the thunder and lightening of a storm – thunder that can be heard all over the land, and lightening that lights up the whole earth with one almighty flash.  And what about the rain, the snow or the hot sun and the way that God can disrupt the whole of man’s affairs by floods, snowstorm, earthquake or heatwave…
May our hearts also pound and leap from their places as we stop to consider God’s wonders.”

We have to reflect on what happens in the world and how God works on it. we have to try to understand God’s involvement in the way that things work in the natural world. Looking around us we can “see” and “hear” a lot of answers to our questions. Other people can sensitise others, like us, to get to know more about the Creator deity. They also can let us see that trials we often go through are not only for us, but for those around us as well and for people far away, who often have nothing to do with what caused their problem either.
As God broke His silence to Job (Job 38:1-) (Fragments from the Book of Job #6: chapters 38-42) He employed a series of more than 70 questions to show Job and humankind, his ignorance and God’s greatness. As long as everything goes all right nobody seems to worry about God, but as soon as something terrible happens ‘everybody’ wants to blame God for it. Suddenly everybody has than criticism on the Creator. Speaking with great irony and personifying His other creations God want putting men right in front of it, and having them to face the facts. did not God confront Job with mysteries of the animal kingdom in order to make him more aware of his ignorance and thus of his inability to be a competent judge of the works of God?
We get to see the other point about what the Book of Job is about. When people criticizes the way things happen in the world and blame God for it, they are trying to usurp God’s position as Master or Governor of this world (Job 40:6-14).
Normally God has not to justify Himself before us, but God addressed the issue of His own justice and Job his futile attempt at self-justification (Job 40:8-14). God questions man if he would condemn the Creator or discredit His justice to justify man himself (Job 40:8 )

gods of the babyboom generation

In this world many want to have modern gods, people to whom they can look up. Some of those men and women would not mind taking on the appearance of deity. God challenges those people (Job 40:10) King David knew his place and wanted to honour God, but hoped that the adversaries and accusers would be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak (Psalm 109:29).

As we came to chapter 42 of the Book of Job the contest with the satan, i.e. the accuser is now over and Job became restored. Job repented for the presumptuous words he spoke to the Most High, his Creator(Job 42:6). We got to see that Jehovah does not want people to suffer for no reason. God could not be impressed with the words of Jobs friends. He found it time that the friends of Job were put on their place and that Job could enjoy again happiness. This last one put away his pride and rebellion and finds contentment in the knowledge that he has God’s fellowship. We also should already be pleased that God wants to be with us, though we do not understand all His ways with us and with the world around us.

Knowing that God is in control of everything but that He has given men the right to clear all things themselves, it is up to take our own responsibility. After the fall Adam and Eve and all their next generations could prove they could manage the creation. So lets tackle it according to our best means, knowing that we all received everything around us in loan from the Creator Jehovah our God, the Most High and omnipotent.

As a Christian, we should lovingly and sincerely have concern for many people and their many circumstances. We should see what happens in the world and should look for the underlying causes. First of all should we always remember that God has given men a free will. The Creator has given men the possibility to choose and to have many choices. So we should be aware which way several people wanted to go, what they did and what consequences they and not God, brought to other human beings and to the rest of the creation of God. As children of God our hearts should ache for the pain and trouble that other creatures experience in life. This concern should compel us to react wisely and to come unto their help. To people we should speak truth into their life, which can include everything from pointing out sin to giving wise counsel, and intercede for them before God in prayer. We also have to stay aware of our limitations. We never can “play for God”. As finite beings, there is only so much we can do and we must discern whom God has called us to help and how God has called us to help them. We have to make choices how and how much we can help and have to put priorities first. Whatever happens we should carry first whatever load God has allowed to come over us, but not blaming Him for it. Than we should see how God still stays with us and helps us to carry that load or burden.  As brothers and sisters in Christ we can help each other to make the burden lighter. Out of love we should try to do everything to make the problems less.

“Bear you one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of the Messiah. For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Galatians 6:2-5 KJBPNV)

Let us be humble enough to accept that the Creator of all things has a good Plan which He is going to bring to a good end in due time. Although we cannot fully understand or appreciate Him, we can love, trust, respect Him and acknowledge that God alone can save us. Jehovah is our strength  and He is the only underived and self-sustaining existence in the universe. All other forms of life are but incorporations of the life which is in Him — so many subdivisions of the stream which issues from the great fountainhead. God, as the antecedent, eternal power of the universe, has elaborated all things out of Himself. The testimony before us is, that the God of gods did not hide from the wilderness Israelites, for in the startling familiarity they had every proof that He was with them in the shining face of Moses and the tables of stone. There were rules in abundance on how to worship, but even that did not make obedient children. God’s life instruction and every provision of over reaching care, made little difference to the Israelites.  Having the opportunity to read all the stories what happened to the people of God we should know better and take care not “to follow the world”. We should choose to follow the man God had sent to the earth to save the world. And we should follow the teachings of that son of God, called Yeshua or Jesus, the Nazarene, also called the Messiah.

In case we are not so happy with our life, let us look how we can make it better and easier to bear. Our disappointment is in itself a sign that we hunger for something better, and whatever our suffering situation and disappointment with the outcome, that we will regain a better outlook. All sufferers can have Hope. God especially cares and provides for all men — He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16,17). The disappointment, with God’s answer, can be overwhelming, but God’s disappointment with us and God’s rejection of us are worse. We may never know the purpose of our suffering, but we need to rest assured that God has one. None of His should ever risk rejection.
If God leaves room for doubts and doubters, and we know He does, He also leaves room for the faithless, and in our disappointment, even for us. So God wants to give everybody His answer and His Help. The God who is positive has not only measures and rules for us but also promises.That we always have our ears and eyes open to see God ways and hear His answers and follow His instructions. That we have our eyes fixed on Gods Hope and that we hope in Him and in His son.

***

“The final chapters of this remarkable book, one of the first on record, brings the drama to a wonderful conclusion. The questions with which it opened by the quest of the Satan, are now answered, and Job finds his experiences have developed his character and understanding. As a wonderful type of the Lord Jesus, Job is vindicated by Yahweh, and becomes a mediator for his friends. He is again commended as Yahweh’s ‘righteous servant’ and is restored and honoured sevenfold. The last speech of the Deity is in Job 41, in which is revealed the power of the flesh in the great leviathan, and the way in which the Almighty Creator permits His creation to display greater spiritual principles. So the record continues as the mighty leviathan is presented as the final picture of Yahweh’s omnipotence. [1] Its untamable ferocity: Job 41: 1-9. [2] Its terrifying appearance: Job 41: 10-24. [3] Its power in attack: Job 41: 25-32. [4] Its incontestable supremacy: Job 41: 33,34″ (GEM).
Job 42: “The picture moves to the exaltation of Job: [1] Job humbles himself before Yahweh: Job 42 1-6. [6] Divine rebuke of Job’s accusers: Job 42 7-9. [7] Job restored and honoured: Job 42 10-17. The type is before us in the record of Job; the antitype will shortly be revealed in the return of Yahshua the Anointed, and the elevation of his true family. Then great blessing will come to the whole world, in fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant” (GEM).

“Trouble (so far from being evidence of desertion) is a means employed in His hands to lay the foundation of future joy and blessedness. Let His children then be comforted and strengthened to endure even the deepest and most inexplicable affliction. Let them learn to see God in the darkness and to feel His hand in the tempest. Let them beware of the folly of Job’s three friends rebuked of God. Let them know that this time of our pilgrimage is the night, and that though weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning and that joy a joy prepared by the weeping. Let them apply the consolation Christ has given them: ‘Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall be comforted’ [Matthew 5:4]” (WP 83).
***

Epilogue of the Book of Job

The Deliverance of Job

Job 42 (New Century Version)

7 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not said what is right about me, as my servant Job did. 8 Now take seven bulls and seven male sheep, and go to my servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will listen to his prayer. Then I will not punish you for being foolish. You have not said what is right about me, as my servant Job did.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord said, and the Lord listened to Job’s prayer. 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord gave him success again. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had owned before. 11 Job’s brothers and sisters came to his house, along with everyone who had known him before, and they all ate with him there. They comforted him and made him feel better about the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave Job a piece of silver and a gold ring. 12 The Lord blessed the last part of Job’s life even more than the first part. Job had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand teams of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 13 Job also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named the first daughter Jemimah, the second daughter Keziah, and the third daughter Keren-Happuch. 15 There were no other women in all the land as beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father Job gave them land to own along with their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived one hundred forty years. He lived to see his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. 17 Then Job died; he was old and had lived many years.

Job 42:17

The LXX adds, as footnote: “And it is written that he shall rise up again, with those whom the LORD shall raise up.”

+

Next: Let us recognise how great God is

+++

Please do find more about Suffering on our main website:

Related please do read:

  1. About suffering
  2. Disappointed with God
  3. Gods design in the creation of the world
  4. Gods instruction about joy and suffering
  5. Gods promises
  6. Gods measure not our measure
  7. Gods non answer
  8. Gods promises to us in our suffering
  9. Gods hope and our hope
  10. Gods salvation
  11. Hope for the future
  12. Importuning for suffering hearts
  13. Looking for blessed hope
  14. Miracles in our time of suffering
  15. Our relationship with God, Jesus and each other
  16. Promise of comforter
  17. Seems no future in suffering
  18. Suffering
  19. Suffering – through the apparent silence of God
  20. Suffering continues
  21. Suffering leading to joy
  22. Surprised by time in joys & sufferings
  23. Words from God about suffering
  24. Working of the hope

+++

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )

Fragments from the Book of Job #6: chapters 38-42

Posted on June 23, 2011. Filed under: Bible Study and Bible Reading, Jehovah יהוה YHWH JHVH God Elohim Yahweh Jahweh, Satan and Evil, Suffering | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

In his concluding speech in chapter 31, Job did demand that God appear before him, and in a sense, it is somewhat surprising for Elihu to appear instead.  But can a man command God to appear? Do we have the right or authority to demand the Most High to appear before us?
Job’s concluding remarks in chapter 31 could unlikely in some way compel the Almighty Elohimto appear.

Job restored to prosperity

Image via Wikipedia

Elihu came in between the discussion because he found lots of things said to Job but also about God were not right. He had found that multiple words against God were uttered, charging God of doing nothing about wickedness or even using evil things to vindicate. Though we can find some kind of truth and authority in the words from Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, they grated on the nerves of Elihu and angered God. It was not because God kept His silence that He did not listen or did not care, nor lost control over nation or man (Job 34:29-30). Also Elihu had the wrong idea about God working with His people. This sometimes arrogant looking person ends up offering a similar argument to that of the three friends: God is greater than man (Job 33:12) and thus he must have intended to warn or rebuke Job (Job 33: 14–30). He even hopes that Job’s trials will continue either until he recants or, if he does not recant, until he dies (Job 34:36-37) and states Job’s complaint that godliness avails a man nothing (Job 35:1-4). He also declared that God is too lofty to be affected either by godliness or ungodliness, which only affect other people (Job 35:5-8 ). An other fault brought forwards to those who are unlucky is that unanswered prayers would be because of the lack of faith of those who pray and to the emptiness of the prayer (Job 35:-16). Elihu at moments continued to attack Job in the line of the other three older friends (e.g., Job 34: 10-37; 35:16). He also suggested that Job had not recognized and maybe even had ignored the ways in which God had spoken to him (Job 33:14). The continual appeal for Job by the four friends to simply repent of whatever evil he has done is an obvious misdiagnosis, in light of the prologue (chapters 1-2) and on the other elements Job brought forward to plea for his justice, recapitulated by Elihu at the opening of his speech (Job 33:6, 9; 34:5-9).

Elihu, who sometimes handled as if he were thinking to be like a prophet, shed already a further light on the matter that the creator of the universe cannot be unjust (Job 32:18–20; 34:10-28). Perhaps we may be called men of understanding, but there are a lot of things we do not understand and who are to complex to grasp and to get over with. Often we can’t make God out because He is beyond us. We sometimes can’t get His meaning or miss the point of what He says and does. The Spirit God seems difficult to grasp, but He is not so incomprehensible as we think. We just should concentrate more on the essentials of Him.

In the Book of Job we got an idea in what ways evil come to this earth and how evil people suffer as well (Job 15:14-16, 20-35). Failure comes to many. In the many speeches from chapters 3 to 37 we heard the flawless logic but wounding thrusts of those who insisted on the traditional theology that it was indisputable that God is almighty, perfectly just and that no human can be pure in Gods sight. On the other hand we have to face the problem of godly, just people who suffer. In this Book from the Book of Books the author can give us some encouragement by showing us that our suffering provides an occasion like no other for exemplifying what true godliness is for human beings. As in the other books of the Bible we can get a picture of righteous people who suffer ‘unjust’ but, though they have to fight against certain thoughts, still continue to go strong for their beloved Creator and His creation.

Job being answered by God - from Byzantine manuscript - Megisti Lavra Monastery,Codex B. 100, 12th century

When we started this study of the Book of Job we mentioned the accuser of God. Satan, the adversary who brought a radical assault on God and godly people. When God called up the name of Job before the accuser and testified to his righteous, the Almighty is called a fool and His followers even more fools. Is it not that humans prefer to love the gifts of the Creator then the Creator Himself? It is up to men to proof that he not tries to pleases God merely for the sake of his benefits. Job did good things he told us, but not in the hope to get something in return. Are you “religious” and “good” because it pays? Do you want something in return for the good things you do?
That is an other subject tackled in the Book of Job. Which position do we as humans want to take in our life here on earth? How do we want to place ourselves against other people. How do we want to face the One from who we get all this around us? Job faced toward God with anguish, puzzlement, anger and bitter complaints. How do we want to look at our Creator? And when we do not hear our answers, at first, answered how can we cope with that seemingly silent Authority? but are we sure that this God, ruler of the universe, is really silent? We should know that He has given His Words to be with us every day. Most of the answers we have to know are handed over to us. We just have to grasp them. It is to us to take them at hand and to read them, to be able to hear them. So we cannot say God does not give the answers to us. He has given them already to all those who want to have them.

Only we do have to understand that we can not desire to get to know God thoroughly. Longing to know God is very good. But to read Him like a book is not possible. It is not so easy to have God taped in full. We cannot expect hat at the end of our life we shall know everything about God. It would be foolish wisdom to think that. We shall not be able to control everything, because that belongs to God. But He is willing to share parts of His knowledge with us. He is willing to give wisdom to His creatures. However Job’s experience makes bitterly clear to him that his friends “wisdom” cannot fathom the truth of his situation. No, the wisdom we can get does not bring the answers we would like to hear or see. Sometimes it can frustrate us. It can make us hungry. Wisdom and truth is discerned through hearing, just as the quality of food is discerned through tasting (Job 34:3). We better listen today to the Wisdom of God to get some ray of understanding some things and be  satisfied with what we already can get for answers at the moment. Patience is a good virtue. We should be pleased already that we can receive enough wisdom to comprehend those difficult creatures around us. And as we saw from the different answers of Job friends we do not always have to go by age, or by popularity. We always should remember that from these creaturely things, we as humans cannot learn all of God’s ways. And who are we mere human beings to to talk back to God? Does any object that is created riposte to its maker or will what is formed say to him who formed it, “why did you make me this way?” (Isaiah 29:16,45:9; Romans 9:20) “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?” (Romans 9:20 ASV)
Who in the world do we think we are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mould it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?”
For us it is perhaps best to recognise who is the Superior and not to deny God above (Job 31:28 ), recognising also the fact that our time on earth is also just a temporarily situation, and that the man who responds submissively to God’s dealings with him will regain health and joy (Job 33:25-28 ) Yes the Book of Job sheds also a light on what we might expect after death. When we die we shall all land up in the grave, the oppressors and the oppressed, they all shall perish and we shall not be able to take anything of our wealth or fame into our grave, the place of  departure (Job 27:15-23; Psalm 164:4 Isaiah 38:18). For the wealthy as well as the poor, the happy as the sufferers it shall be be as the animals (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20) When God does not look at them any more, or His face is veiled, they shall be troubled; when He takes away their breath, they come to an end, and go back to the dust. “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou {1} takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. {1) Or gatherest in}” (Psalms 104:29 ASV) “and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 ASV) Let us take Paul’s words into our hearth: “We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this {1} world, nor of the rulers of this {1} world, who are coming to nought: {1) Or age; and so in verses 7, 8; but not in verse 12}” (1 Corinthians 2:6 ASV)
Job will pass the supreme test of all true godliness, namely, to live by the wisdom God had given him, having the fear of the Most High Jehovah God and to depart from evil (Job 28:28 ),  and acknowledging the limits of human wisdom. Are we prepared to be satisfied with the brain we got and with what it can cope?

Elihu repeatedly stated that the purpose of God’s speaking to a person in the way he described is to keep “his soul from the pit” (also Job 33:18, 22, 24, 28, 30). Thus he implies that Job’s suffering may be a corrective of his overall path rather than simply punishment for some hidden sin. Though God does not five a warning finger to Elihu we can find God answer in the rest of the Bible. God response to Job will include some vocabulary and references that are similar to portions of Elihu Barachel (meaning either “may God bless” or “God has blessed”) his speeches, but He does not commend either Elihu’s suggested reasons for Job’s suffering or his anger against Job.

The Holy Spirit = Power of God

Elihu had played on the words “spirit” and “breath” in his early speeches (see also Job 33:4; 34:14) in the way most likely to evoke Job’s earlier plea (Job 27:2–3) as he asserted his own right to speak. But he rightly let us know that God is the Spirit, and it is His breath, the live in Him that brings us His Words. It is this breath or  Holy “Spirit” which is the “power” that can enlighten us.

“For he (God) needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.” (Job 34:23 ASV)  So God Almighty will not lay upon man more than right, that he should enter into judgement with God. Let us look at these words of the Lord of lords where He asks what evil or iniquity people have seen in Him that they have gone far from Him, and have walked after what is false,  worthless idols, worthlessness, vanity, and are become vain or become themselves nothings?
“thus saith Jehovah, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?” (Jeremiah 2:5 ASV)

***

Brenton Translation
1851 by Lancelot Brenton

Job Chapters 38-41

Job 38:1 And after Elius had ceased from speaking, the Lord spoke to Job through the whirlwind and clouds, [saying],
Job 38:2 Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in [his] heart, and thinks to conceal [them] from me?

Job 38:3 Gird thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I founded the earth? tell me now, if thou hast knowledge,
Job 38:5 who set the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who stretched a line upon it?
Job 38:6 On what are its rings fastened? and who is he that laid the corner-stone upon it?

Job 38:7 When the stars were made, all my angels praised me with a loud voice.
Job 38:8 And I shut up the sea with gates, when it rushed out, coming forth out its mother’s womb.
Job 38:9 And I made a cloud its clothing, and swathed it in mist.
Job 38:10 And I set bounds to it, surrounding it with bars and gates.
Job 38:11 And I said to it, Hitherto shalt thou come, but thou shalt not go beyond, but thy waves shall be confined within thee.
Job 38:12 Or did I order the morning light in thy time; and [did] the morning star [then first] see his appointed place;
Job 38:13 to lay hold of the extremities of the earth, to cast out the ungodly out of it?

Job 38:14 Or didst thou take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth?
Job 38:15 And hast thou removed light from the ungodly, and crushed the arm of the proud?
Job 38:16 Or hast thou gone to the source of the sea, and walked in the tracks of the deep?
Job 38:17 And do the gates of death open to thee for fear; and did the porters of hell quake when they saw thee?
Job 38:18 And hast thou been instructed in the breadth of the [whole earth] under heaven? tell me now, what is the extent of it?
Job 38:19 And in what kind of a land does the light dwell? and of what kind is the place of darkness?
Job 38:20 If thou couldest bring me to their [utmost] boundaries, and if also thou knowest their paths;
Job 38:21 I know then that thou wert born at that time, and the number of thy years is great.

Job 38:22 But hast thou gone to the treasures of snow? and hast thou seen the treasures of hail?
Job 38:23 And is there a store [of them], for thee against the time of [thine] enemies, for the day of wars and battle?
Job 38:24 And whence proceeds the frost? or [whence] is the south wind dispersed over the [whole world] under heaven?

Job 38:25 And who prepared a course for the violent rain, and a way for the thunders;
Job 38:26 to rain upon the land where [there is] no man, the wilderness, where there is not a man in it; so as to feed the untrodden and uninhabited [land],
Job 38:27 and cause it to send forth a crop of green herbs?
Job 38:28 Who is the rain’s father? and who has generated the drops of dew?

Job 38:29 And out of whose womb comes the ice? and who has produced the frost in the sky,
Job 38:30 which descends like flowing water? who has terrified the face of the ungodly?

Job 38:31 And dost thou understand the band of Pleias, and hast thou opened the barrier of Orion?
Job 38:32 Or wilt thou reveal Mazuroth in his season, and the evening star with his rays? Wilt thou guide them?

Job 38:33 And knowest thou the changes of heaven, or the events which take place together under heaven?
Job 38:34 And wilt thou call a cloud with thy voice, and will it obey thee with a violent shower of much rain?
Job 38:35 And wilt thou send lightnings, and they shall go? and shall they say to thee, What is [thy pleasure]?

Job 38:36 And who has given to women skill in weaving, or knowledge of embroidery?
Job 38:37 And who is he that numbers the clouds in wisdom, and has bowed the heaven [down] to the earth?
Job 38:38 For it is spread out as dusty earth, and I have cemented it as one hewn stone to another.

Job 38:39 And wilt thou hunt a prey for the lions? and satisfy the desires of the serpents?
Job 38:40 For they fear in their lairs, and lying in wait couch in the woods.
Job 38:41 And who has prepared food for the raven? for its young ones wander and cry to the Lord, in search of food.

+

Job 39:1 [Say] if thou knowest the time of the bringing forth of the wild goats of the rock, and [if] thou hast marked the calving of the hinds:
Job 39:2 and [if] thou has hast numbered the full months of their being with young, and [if] thou hast relieved their pangs:
Job 39:3 and hast reared their young without fear; and wilt thou loosen their pangs?
Job 39:4 Their young will break forth; they will be multiplied with offspring: [their young] will go forth, and will not return to them.

Job 39:5 And who is he that sent forth the wild ass free? and who loosed his bands?
Job 39:6 whereas I made his habitation the wilderness, and the salt land his coverts.

Job 39:7 He laughs to scorn the multitude of the city, and hears not the chiding of the tax-gatherer.
Job 39:8 He will survey the mountains [as] his pasture, and he seeks after every green thing.

Job 39:9 And will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or to lie down at thy manger?
Job 39:10 And wilt thou bind his yoke with thongs, or will he plough furrows for thee in the plain?
Job 39:11 And dost thou trust him, because his strength is great? and wilt thou commit thy works to him?
Job 39:12 And wilt thou believe that he will return to thee thy seed, and bring [it] in [to] thy threshing-floor?

Job 39:13 The peacock has a beautiful wing: if the stork and the ostrich conceive, [it is worthy of notice],
Job 39:14 for [the ostrich] will leave her eggs in the ground, and warm them on the dust,
Job 39:15 and has forgotten that the foot will scatter them, and the wild beasts of the field trample them.
Job 39:16 She has hardened [herself] against her young ones, as though [she bereaved] not herself: she labours in vain without fear.
Job 39:17 For God has withholden wisdom from her, and not given her a portion in understanding.
Job 39:18 In her season she will lift herself on high; she will scorn the horse and his rider.

Job 39:19 Hast thou invested the horse with strength, and clothed his neck with terror?
Job 39:20 And hast thou clad him in perfect armour, and made his breast glorious with courage?
Job 39:21 He paws exulting in the plain, and goes forth in strength into the plain.
Job 39:22 He laughs to scorn a king as he meets him, and will by no means turn back from the sword.
Job 39:23 The bow and sword resound against him; and [his] rage will swallow up the ground:
Job 39:24 and he will not believe until the trumpet sounds.
Job 39:25 And when the trumpet sounds, he says, Aha! and afar off he smells the war with prancing and neighing.

Job 39:26 And does the hawk remain steady by thy wisdom, having spread out her wings unmoved, looking toward the region of the south?
Job 39:27 And does the eagle rise at thy command, and the vulture remain sitting over his nest,
Job 39:28 on a crag of a rock, and in a secret [place]?
Job 39:29 Thence he seeks food, his eyes observe from far.
Job 39:30 And his young ones roll themselves in blood, and wherever the carcasses may be, immediately they are found.

+

Job 40:1 (39:31) And the Lord God answered Job, and said,
Job 40:2 (39:32) Will [any one] pervert judgment with the Mighty One? and he that reproves God, let him return it for answer.

Job 40:3 (39:33) And Job answered and said to the Lord,
Job 40:4 (39:34) Why do I yet plead? being rebuked even while reproving the Lord: hearing such things, whereas I am nothing: and what shall I answer to these [arguments]? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
Job 40:5 (39:35) I have spoken once; but I will not do so a second time.

Job 40:6 (40:1) And the Lord yet again answered and spoke to Job out of the cloud, [saying],

Job 40:7 (40:2) Nay, gird up now thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.
Job 40:8 (40:3) Do not set aside my judgment: and dost thou think that I have dealt with thee in any other way, than that thou mightest appear to be righteous?

Job 40:9 (40:4) Hast thou an arm like the Lord’s? or dost thou thunder with a voice like his?
Job 40:10 (40:5) Assume now a lofty bearing and power; and clothe thyself with glory and honour.
Job 40:11 (40:6) And send forth messengers with wrath; and lay low every haughty one.
Job 40:12 (40:7) Bring down also the proud man; and consume at once the ungodly.
Job 40:13 (40:8) And hide them together in the earth; and fill their faces with shame.
Job 40:14 (40:9) [Then] will I confess that thy right hand can save [thee].

Job 40:15 (40:10) But now look at the wild beasts with thee; they eat grass like oxen.
Job 40:16 (40:11) Behold now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
Job 40:17 (40:12) He sets up his tail like a cypress; and his nerves are wrapped together.
Job 40:18 (40:13) His sides are sides of brass; and his backbone is [as] cast iron.

Job 40:19 (40:14) This is the chief of the creation of the Lord; made to be played with by his angels.
Job 40:20 (40:15) And when he has gone up to a steep mountain, he causes joy to the quadrupeds in the deep.

Job 40:21 (40:16) He lies under trees of every kind, by the papyrus, and reed, and bulrush.
Job 40:22 (40:17) And the great trees make a shadow over him with their branches, and [so do] the bushes of the field.
Job 40:23 (40:18) If there should be a flood, he will not perceive it; he trust that Jordan will rush up into his mouth.
Job 40:24 (40:19) [Yet one] shall take him in his sight; [one] shall catch [him] with a cord, and pierce his nose.

+

Job 41:1 (40:20) But wilt thou catch the serpent with a hook, and put a halter about his nose?
Job 41:2 (40:21) Or wilt thou fasten a ring in his nostril, and bore his lip with a clasp?
Job 41:3 (40:22) Will he address thee with a petition? softly, with the voice of a suppliant?
Job 41:4 (40:23) And will he make a covenant with thee? and wilt thou take him for a perpetual servant?
Job 41:5 (40:24) And wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or bind him as a sparrow for a child?
Job 41:6 (40:25) And do the nations feed upon him, and the nations of the Phoenicians share him?

Job 41:7 (40:26) And all the ships come together would not be able to bear the mere skin of his tail; neither [shall they carry] his head in fishing-vessels.
Job 41:8 (40:27) But thou shalt lay thy hand upon him [once], remembering the war that is waged by his mouth; and let it not be done any more.

Job 41:9 (41:0) Hast thou not seen him? and hast thou not wondered at the things said [of him]?
Job 41:10 (41:1) Dost thou not fear because preparation has been made by me? for who is there that resists me?

Job 41:11 (41:2) Or who will resist me, and abide, since the whole [world] under heaven is mine?

Job 41:12 (41:3) I will not be silent because of him: though because of his power [one] shall pity his antagonist.

Job 41:13 (41:4) Who will open the face of his garment? and who can enter within the fold of his breastplate?
Job 41:14 (41:5) Who will open the doors of his face? terror is round about his teeth.
Job 41:15 (41:6) His inwards are as brazen plates, and the texture of his [skin] as a smyrite stone.
Job 41:16 (41:7) One [part] cleaves fast to another, and the air cannot come between them.
Job 41:17 (41:8) They will remain united each to the other: they are closely joined, and cannot be separated.

Job 41:18 (41:9) At his sneezing a light shines, and his eyes are [as] the appearance of the morning star.
Job 41:19 (41:10) Out of his mouth proceed as it were burning lamps, and as it were hearths of fire are cast abroad.
Job 41:20 (41:11) Out of his nostrils proceeds smoke of a furnace burning with fire of coals.
Job 41:21 (41:12) His breath is [as] live coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.
Job 41:22 (41:13) And power is lodged in his neck, before him destruction runs.
Job 41:23 (41:14) The flesh also of his body is joined together: [if one] pours [violence] upon him, he shall not be moved.
Job 41:24 (41:15) His heart is firm as a stone, and it stands like an unyielding anvil.
Job 41:25 (41:16) And when he turns, [he is] a terror to the four-footed wild beasts which leap upon the earth.

Job 41:26 (41:17) If spears should come against him, [men] will effect nothing, [either with] the spear or the breast-plate.
Job 41:27 (41:18) For he considers iron as chaff, and brass as rotten wood.
Job 41:28 (41:19) The bow of brass shall not would him, he deems a slinger as grass.
Job 41:29 (41:20) Mauls are counted as stubble; and he laughs to scorn the waving of the firebrand.
Job 41:30 (41:21) His lair is [formed of] sharp points; and all the gold of the sea under him is an immense [quantity of] clay.

Job 41:31 (41:22) He makes the deep boil like a brazen caldron; and he regards the sea as a pot of ointment,
Job 41:32 (41:23) and the lowest part of the deep as a captive: he reckons the deep as [his] range.

Job 41:33 (41:24) There is nothing upon the earth like to him, formed to be sported with by my angels.
Job 41:34 (41:25) He beholds every high thing: and he is king of all that are in the waters.

+

Job 42:1 Then Job answered and said to the Lord,
Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do all things, and nothing is impossible with thee.
Job 42:3 For who is he that hides counsel from thee? or who keeps back his words, and thinks to hide them from thee? and who will tell me what I knew not, great and wonderful things which I understood not?
Job 42:4 But hear me, O Lord, that I also may speak: and I will ask thee, and do thou teach me.
Job 42:5 I have heard the report of thee by the ear before; but now mine eye has seen thee.
Job 42:6 Wherefore I have counted myself vile, and have fainted: and I esteem myself dust and ashes.

Job 42:7 And it came to pass after the Lord had spoken all these words to Job, [that] the Lord said to Eliphaz the Thaemanite, Thou hast sinned, and thy two friends: for ye have not said anything true before me, as my servant Job [has].
Job 42:8 Now then take seven bullocks, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and he shall offer a burnt-offering for you. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will only accept him: for but his sake, I would have destroyed you, for ye have not spoken the truth against my servant Job.
Job 42:9 So Eliphaz the Thaemanite, and Baldad the Sauchite, and Sophar the Minaean, went and did as the Lord commanded them: and he pardoned their sin for the sake of Job.

Job 42:10 And the Lord prospered Job: and when he prayed also for his friends, he forgave them [their] sin: and the Lord gave Job twice as much, even the double of what he had before.
Job 42:11 And all his brethren and his sisters heard all that had happened to him, and they came to him, and [so did] all that had known him from the first: and they ate and drank with him, and comforted him, and wondered at all that the Lord had brought upon him: and each one gave him a lamb, and four drachms’ weight of gold, even of unstamped [gold].

Job 42:12 And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job, [more] than the beginning: and his cattle were fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, a thousand she-asses of the pastures.
Job 42:13 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
Job 42:14 And he called the first Day, and the second Casia, and the third Amalthaea’s horn.
Job 42:15 And there were not found in comparison with the daughters of Job, fairer [women] than they in all the world: and their father gave them an inheritance among their brethren.

Job 42:16 And Job lived after [his] affliction a hundred and seventy years: and all the years he lived were two hundred and forty: and Job saw his sons and his sons’ sons, the fourth generation.
Job 42:17 And Job died, an old man and full of days: (42:17A) and it is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up. (42:17B) This man is described in the Syriac book [as] living in the land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia: and his name before was Jobab; (42:17C) and having taken an Arabian wife, he begot a son whose name was Ennon. And he himself was the son of his father Zare, one of the sons of Esau, and of his mother Bosorrha, so that he was the fifth from Abraam. (42:17D) And these were the kings who reigned in Edom, which country he also ruled over: first, Balac, the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dennaba: but after Balac, Jobab, who is called Job, and after him Asom, who was governor out of the country of Thaeman: and after him Adad, the son of Barad, who destroyed Madiam in the plain of Moab; and the name of his city was Gethaim. (42:17E) And [his] friends who came to him were Eliphaz, of the children of Esau, king of the Thaemanites, Baldad sovereign of the Sauchaeans, Sophar king of the Minaeans.

+

Continues: Fragments from the Book of Job #7 Epilogue

+++

“For He will not lay upon man more than right, that he should enter into judgment with God.” (Job 34:23 KJ21)

+++

Note:

The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture; therefore the Word of God is inseparable from the Spirit of God. God is Spirit and the Holy spirit is not on other entity, it is the Power of God itself. The Scriptures introduce the reader to the Holy Spirit and the Spirit applies the truths of the Word to the hearts of the reader. Scripture must be interpreted in the immediate context of personal prayer. The Bible promises over and over that when we seek God, he will be found. The same is true if we seek his power. The “knowledge of God” is an essential feature of Christian attainment, according to the apostolic standard. Those “who know not God” are among those whom vengeance is to overtake (2 Thessalonians 1: 8). Knowledge of God is the basis of sonship to God. Without it, we cannot enter the divine family. How can we love and serve a being whom we do not know? Knowledge is the foundation of all. It is the rock upon which everlasting life itself is built. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, The Only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 27: 3).

Prayer is the medium that brings individuals into contact with the same Spirit who inspired the writers of the Bible. To hear what the Spirit of the Only One God is saying through the Word you must encounter God through prayer. Prayer is the means that we must use to understand the Word of God. Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit in prayer, our Bible study will be in vain. Let us ask for the Spirit to speak to us through the Word.

Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )

« Previous Entries