April 2016 – Eternity

The Feast Of Unleavened Bread – The Living Bread, Jesus

“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven” John 6:51 (NASB)

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos and text on the blog.

The Feast Of Unleavened Bread – Fulfilled In Jesus

The Feast of Passover began on Friday, April 22, at Sundown, and continued until Saturday, April 23, at sundown. The Feast Of Unleavened Bread immediately followed Passover and will last until sundown on Saturday, April 30. The last day of Unleavened Bread has already begun in most parts of our world, with the arrival of Sundown on Friday, April 29. Jews were directed by God, as the command was given through Moses, to observe a sacred assembly, beginning at sundown on the seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is Friday, April 29, this year. See Leviticus 23:5-6, Exodus 12:15-20, and Leviticus 27:34. Leviticus 27:34 shows that God gave the commandment to the Jews, and only to the Jews, to keep these feasts. But, please let me say from personal experience that, by participating in the observance of the feasts, a rich blessing is received and experienced. (In this blog, there are posts that are dated April 13, 18, 22 2016 that discuss Passover)

Leviticus 23:5 The Passover to the Lord comes in the first month, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the month. 6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the Lord is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 8 You are to present a fire offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; you must not do any daily work.”

Exodus 12:15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day you shall have a holy assembly, and another holy assembly on the seventh day; no work at all shall be done on them, except what must be eaten by every person, that alone may be prepared by you. 17 You shall also observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is an alien or a native of the land. 20 You shall not eat anything leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’”

Leviticus 27:34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.

The teaching of the feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread is important for Christians to understand. It is important for Christians to understand the feasts in order for them to engage Jews in conversation about matters of God’s Holy Word. Remember to pray for God’s chosen people, who are the Jews, per Psalm 122:6. The Passover/Unleavened Bread account of scripture is clearly about Israel, God, and the oppressive Leader of Egypt. No other tribes, or nations of people, are a part of this significant part in the history of God’s Chosen People, Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6), who brought the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus into the world (John 4:22) as the Savior for those who would receive Him (John 1:12-13).

Consider the scriptures that show that Jesus has fulfilled the Law and the Feasts. But, remember also, that God gave the Law and the Feasts to the Jews, and, therefore (the Law and the feasts), should be given great respect. It is significant to know that the feasts and the Law were fulfilled when Jesus was crucified during Passover. The time of the feasts of “Passover and Unleavened Bread’ is often referred to as “Passover.”

Consider the words of Jesus: “I will fulfill the law.”

Matthew 5:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Consider the words of Jesus: He fulfilled the Law.

John 19:30 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Consider the Law, and that God gave the Law to Israel, and to no other nation, nations, group or groups of people.

Leviticus 27:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.

In the 23rd Chapter of Leviticus (below), there is a discussion on the Holy Days that God gave to the Israelites, and to no one else. Still, non-Jews should honor God’s Holy Days, teach them, and learn from them. Jews celebrate Passover as a reminder of when God delivered Israel from the oppression of Egypt. God’s plan of salvation for mankind, from the oppression of sin, was completed during Passover when Jesus was crucified.

Passover Prelude

The Feast Of Unleavened Bread, The Sabbath, and The Law are special in relationship between God and the Jews. Non-Jews benefit from respecting those, and other, “God-Jew” intimacies of relationship, such as the Jews being delivered from the oppressive Leader of Egypt.

The following link, leads to a discussion of The Feast Of Unleavened Bread. It is provided by The Christian Broadcasting Network.

http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/the-feast-of-unleavened-bread…-wait-isn%27t-it-passover%3F

The activities of Friday, April 29, are provided in the following outline that is provided by Chabad.org

April 29—21 Nissan

7th day of Passover—Shevi’i Shel Pesach

Morning service. Half-Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Exodus 13:17–15:26 and Numbers 28:19–25.
Haftorah: II Samuel 22:1–51.
The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessing during the Musaf prayer.
Festive lunch meal.
Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 7th day of the Omer.
Light candles for the 8th day of Passover before sunset, using an existing flame, and recite blessing 3. Click here for the blessing, and here for local candle-lighting times.
Festive holiday meal, complete with the holiday and Shabbat kiddush.
Yeast relates to sin. In Yeshua/Jesus, there is no sin. Consider the words of Yeshua/Jesus, as they relate to “no sin” in Him, and our being a part of His sinlessness and eternal life through belief in Him.

John 6:47-51 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

Consider the need for the yeast/sin of our lives to be removed. Such an act can only be accomplished by God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 (NASB)

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (NASB)

“to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 (NASB)

If the yeast/sin has not been removed from our spirits, we will not dwell within the Spirit of God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and God will not dwell within our spirits.

Consider Jesus Fulfilling the Feasts And The Law.

Jesus fulfilled the feasts and the law. Consider the door that leads to Jesus.

John 10:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

Consider the feasts of the Lord that were fulfilled in Jesus.

The Feasts Of The Lord: The Passover: Christ Our Redeemer: Leviticus 23:4-5. Fulfilled in death of Christ: 2 Cor 5:7.

The Feasts Of The Lord: Unleavened Bread: Leviticus 23:6-8. Fulfilled in the sinlesssness of Christ: 1 Cor 5:8.

The three major feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem (Ex 23:14-17) 1. Unleavened Bread. 2. Pentecost. 3. Tabernacles. (Leviticus 23 MacArthur Study Bible Note,Jewish Feasts)..

Consider The Feast Days/Holy Days Of God, in that they were given by God to only the Jews.

Following the verses of Leviticus Chapter 23, there are key comments that are provided by the MacArthur Study Bible (everyone should own a MacArthur Study Bible).

Leviticus 23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (A sampling of Chapter 23 is provided)

1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the Lord that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.

3 “Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord wherever you live.

4 “These are the Lord’s appointed times, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.

5 The Passover to the Lord comes in the first month, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the month. 6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the Lord is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 8 You are to present a fire offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; you must not do any daily work.”

44 So Moses declared the Lord’s appointed times to the Israelites.

Jewish Feasts

Feast of Month on Jewish Calendar Day Corresponding Month References
Passover Nisan 14 Mar.-Apr. Ex. 12:1-14;Matt. 26:17-20
*Unleavened Bread Nisan 15-21 Mar.-Apr. Ex. 12:15-20
Firstfruits Nisan 16 Mar.-Apr. Lev. 23:9-14
or Sivan 6 May-June Num. 28:26
*Pentecost (Harvest or Weeks) Sivan 6 (50 days after May-June Deut. 16:9-12; Acts 2:1 barley harvest)
Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah Tishri 1, 2 Sept.-Oct. Num. 29:1-6
Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur Tishri 10 Sept.-Oct. Lev. 23:26-32; Heb. 9:7
*Tabernacles (Booths or Ingathering) Tishri 15-21 Sept.-Oct. Neh. 8:13-18; John 7:2
Dedication (Lights), Hanukkah Chislev 25 (8 days) Nov.-Dec. John 10:22
Purim (Lots) Adar 14, 15 Feb.-Mar. Esth. 9:18-32

*The three major feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14-19).

Christ Fulfills The Feasts

The Feasts (Lev. 23) Christ’s Fulfillment

Passover (March/April) Death of Christ (1 Cor. 5:7)
Unleavened Bread (March/April) Sinlessness of Christ (1 Cor. 5:8) (See note on Lev 23:2)
Firstfruits (March/April) Resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:23)
Pentecost (May/June) Outpouring of Spirit of Christ (Acts 1:5;2:4)
Trumpets (Sept./Oct.) Israel’s Regathering by Christ (Matt. 24:31)
Atonement (Sept./Oct.) Substitutionary Sacrifice by Christ (Rom. 11:26)
Tabernacles (Sept./Oct.) Rest and Reunion with Christ (Zech. 14:16-19)

MacArthur Study Bible Notes

23:1—24:9 The special feasts of Israel are explained. Cf. Ex. 23:14–17; Num. 28:1–29:40; Deut. 16:1–17.
23:1–44 This section points to days which are sacred to the Lord. After the Sabbath (v. 3), the feasts are given in the order of the calendar (vv. 4–44).
23:2 proclaim to be holy convocations. These festivals did not involve gatherings of all Israel in every case. Only the feasts of 1) Unleavened Bread; 2) Weeks; and 3) Tabernacles required that all males gather in Jerusalem (cf. Ex. 23:14–17; Deut. 16:16, 17).
23:3 Sabbath of solemn rest. The Mosaic ordinance of the fourth commandment came first (cf. Gen. 2:1–3; Ex. 20:8–11).
23:4–22 Three events were commemorated in Mar./Apr.: 1) Passover on the 14th (v. 5); 2) Feast of Unleavened Bread on the 15th-21st (vv. 6–8); and Feast of Firstfruits on the day after the Sabbath of Unleavened Bread week (vv. 9–14).
23:5 the Lord’s Passover. The festival commemorated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt (cf. Ex. 12:1–14, 43–49; Num. 28:16; Deut. 16:1, 2).
23:6–8 Feast of Unleavened Bread. This festival connected with the Passover, commemorated Israel’s hurried departure from Egypt and the associated hardships (cf. Ex. 12:15–20;13:3–10; Num. 28:17–25; Deut. 16:3–8).

The following video discusses the “unleavened bread of Jesus.”

John Chapter 6

Jesus In The Gospel Of John – Chapter 3

Jesus Is Lord

Please click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to view the videos and text in the blog.

Key Verse. John 3:19 (G. Campbell Morgan, 1863-1945)

John 3:19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” (New American Standard Bible)

John 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Scriptures taken from BibleGateway.com)

The New Birth

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

John’s Last Testimony

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Key verses (Mine)

John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:6-8, ” 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:14-15, ” 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”

John 3:17, ” For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ”
John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Key Verses And Notes

Verses And Notes Taken From The Reformation Study Bible (Everybody should own The Reformation Study Bible).

3:1–21 This is the first of many teaching discourses recorded by John. Typically on being asked a question, Jesus answers in a way that steers the discussion into a deeper realm, often through misunderstandings that are corrected for those becoming true disciples. The new understanding reveals Jesus more fully.
3:2 by night. This might betray a fear of being seen, or it might be a sign of deference to Jesus, a rabbi who should not be distracted during the day. Understood symbolically, Nicodemus is a person living in the darkness of this world, who now encounters the light (8:12; cf. 9:4; 11:10; 13:30).
a teacher . . . from God. Nicodemus understands that God attests His messengers through giving them power to perform miracles, but this understanding falls far short of Jesus’ true identity.
3:3 born again. The translation “born from above” accords well with the discussion of “earthly” and “heavenly” things in v. 12, and the discussion of ascending and descending in v. 13. This is the meaning of the Greek adverb in other places in this Gospel (19:11, 23). Nicodemus apparently understood it to mean “a second time.” It is possible that both meanings are intended—a new birth that is a birth from above.
3:5 born of water and the Spirit. Some suggest that the “water” is the release of fluid that accompanies physical birth, but linguistic considerations point to understanding “water” and “Spirit” as referring to a single spiritual birth. Many interpreters understand “water” here as the water of baptism, but such a reference, before Christian baptism was instituted, would have been meaningless to Nicodemus. Others find a reference to John’s baptism, but Jesus nowhere makes John’s baptism a requirement for salvation. Probably the statement refers to Old Testament passages in which the terms “water” and “Spirit” are linked to express the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the end times (Is. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 36:25–27). The presence of such rich Old Testament imagery accounts for Jesus’ reproof of Nicodemus (v. 10): as a “teacher of Israel,” he should have understood.
3:6–8 This passage emphasizes the priority and sovereignty of God in the work of salvation.
3:11 I say to you . . . you do not receive our testimony. The first “you” is singular (Nicodemus) and the second “you” is plural (you and those whom you represent).
3:13 who descended from heaven. It could be said that in His divine nature Christ continued to dwell “in heaven” even during His life on earth. The point is that He has authority to speak of heavenly things. Later in the Gospel, Jesus’ origin “from heaven” becomes a chief matter of dispute (6:41, 42)
3:14 Moses. Num. 21:4–9 records the story of the rebellious Israelites, who murmured and complained. God sent fiery serpents into their midst to punish them. Then God told Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole, with the promise that whoever looked at it would live.
must . . . be lifted up. Here is a key term in this Gospel (8:28; 12:32, 34) which carries the double meaning of crucifixion and exaltation. Christ’s death on the cross, His resurrection, and His glorification together reveal the glory of God. The word “must” points to God’s sovereign purpose. The crucifixion was the keystone of God’s eternal plan to save His people (Acts 4:27,28).
3:16 God so loved the world. Some have insisted that God sent Jesus to die for the purpose of bringing salvation to everyone without exception, but only as a possibility. However, Jesus makes clear that the salvation of those whom the Father “gives me,” and only those, is not a mere possibility but an absolute certainty; “will come to me” (6:37–40; 10:14–18; 17:9). The point made by “the world” is that Christ’s saving work is not limited to one time or place but applies to the elect from all over the world. Those who do not receive the remedy God has provided in Christ will perish. It remains true that anyone who believes will not die (be separated from God) but live in God’s presence forever. See “God Is Love: Divine Goodness and Faithfulness” at Ps. 136:1.
3:17 to condemn the world. Jesus elsewhere says that judgment does attend His coming into the world (9:39). His point is not that He will not judge, but that the time is not ready. The world was already under threat of judgment before He came, but with His coming salvation became a reality offered to a hostile world (Matt. 23:37; Rom. 5:8).
3:18 Unbelief is not the only basis for condemnation, but it constitutes the climax of rebellion by resisting even God’s gracious offer of salvation in Christ. Jesus comes into a world that is already condemned because of its rejection of God’s self-revelation (Rom. 1:18–32).
3:19 people loved the darkness rather than the light. Jesus gives the reason for the world’s rejection of Him: He is the light who exposes whether a person is righteous or not.
3:21 whoever does what is true comes to the light. Jesus speaks of “doing” the truth. This indicates that “truth” is a matter of both thought and practice. Living by the truth is contrasted with doing what is evil (v. 20).
3:22–36 There are three sections here. In vv. 22–24 we are told that Jesus and His disciples went into Judea, where John was. Invv. 25–30 the Baptist affirms once more that his entire role is to prepare for Christ. Verses 31–36 appear to be a continuation of the Baptist’s words, or possibly a comment by the Gospel writer.
3:24 John . . . not yet . . . in prison. See Matt. 14:3–12; Mark 6:17–29.
3:26 baptizing. See “Baptism” at Rom. 6:3.
3:27 A person cannot receive. God is the Author of all that we receive (1 Cor. 4:7).
3:31 He who comes from above. Jesus is distinguished from all other humans who are “of the earth”(v.13).
3:32 no one receives his testimony. John repeats the idea of 1:10, 11, that neither His own nation nor the world at large was ready to receive Christ. The barrier is the sin and blindness that God alone can penetrate (v. 3; 1:5).
3:33 Whoever receives. The world refused the light, but John immediately mentions those who are coming to the light, especially himself as the first exponent of the truth. John’s preaching is the culmination of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New (1:15; Matt. 11:11).
3:34 for he gives the Spirit without measure. These words could certainly apply to the Spirit-empowered earthly ministry of Jesus (Luke 3:22; 4:1). But it is also possible that they refer to the fullness of the Spirit that Jesus gives to those who serve Him, and some ancient and modern commentators have understood the text this way. Later, Jesus is the agent who sends the Spirit (15:26).
3:35 The Father loves the Son. See 5:20.

John Chapter 3 – Narration

Jesus In The Gospel Of John – Chapter 2

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to view the videos and text on the blog.

As you watch the opening video, let the worship of our Lord Jesus “wash over you.”

In this chapter there is the discussion of the first of two temple cleansings by Jesus.

Key Verse: John 2:24 (G. Campbell Morgan, 1863-1945)

John 2:24 New International Version (NIV)

24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.

John 2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Scriptures taken from BibleGateway.com)

Miracle at Cana

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were six stone water pots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus *said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He *said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the bridegroom, 10 and *said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

First Passover—Cleansing the Temple

13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?”19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

(Chapter 2 notes follow, and are taken from the Reformation Study Bible. Everyone should own a Reformation Study Bible.)

2:1–11 Jesus’ first sign: turning water into wine at Cana. This miracle signifies the transformation of the old order (symbolized by the stone water jars used for ceremonial washing, v. 6) into the new (the wine standing for eternal life in God’s kingdom) through Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). See Is. 25:6–9 for the background image of salvation as a banquet.

2:3 wine. This is the normal term employed in the New Testament for the fermented drink. Paul uses it when he says, “do not get drunk with wine” (Eph. 5:18).

2:4 Woman. This is a respectful way of addressing a woman within that culture and is the way Jesus normally addresses women (4:21; 8:10).

what does this have to do with me. Jesus answers Mary’s request, not because she is His mother, but as part of His work as the Messiah. This indicates that Mary’s special role as Jesus’ mother gives her no authority to intervene in Christ’s messianic career—a strong argument against offering prayer to Mary.

My hour. Usually Jesus’ “hour” refers to the time of His suffering and death (12:27). Here Jesus is asserting that He and not Mary must determine the timetable of His earthly ministry.

2:11 manifested his glory. The theme of Christ’s glory had already been introduced (1:14 note). In the Old Testament, God manifested His glory in a variety of miraculous events, and John’s comment indicates that he wants his readers to recognize Jesus’ deity.

And his disciples believed in him. See also v. 23 and 20:31, where John’s purpose for writing the book is disclosed.

2:12–23 Jesus is the final and full expression of what was only a shadow in the Old Testament (Heb. 10:1). Here He indicates that God is present in Him. The temple in Jerusalem could be destroyed, but not the temple that Jesus would rebuild in three days, His own body that was to be raised from the dead. John’s record of the temple cleansing immediately after the miracle at Cana (vv. 1–11 note) offers an important key to the whole of Jesus’ ministry. In these events are signaled replacement of the old order (water of ceremonial cleansing, Herod’s temple) with the new (the wine of salvation, Is. 25:6–9; the risen Lamb as the new temple, Rev. 21:22).

Matthew, Mark, and Luke report a cleansing of the temple in the week of Jesus’ crucifixion. In spite of some similarities, these are best viewed as different incidents (Mark 11:15 note). It is noteworthy that Jesus’ statement about destroying the temple, which John alone records (v. 19), probably was the basis for the accusation by the false witnesses (Matt. 26:61; Mark 14:58), and again for the taunting comment of some spectators at the crucifixion (Matt. 27:40; Mark 15:29). The first three Gospels confirm the historical character of John’s narrative. An echo of the same thought is found in the accusation against Stephen (Acts 6:14).

2:12 his brothers. See Matt. 12:46.

2:15 a whip of cords. Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Mal. 3:1–4. He comes suddenly to the temple and purifies the sons of Levi, as a demonstration of His zeal for God and for keeping God’s ordinances holy.

2:20 forty-six years. The sentence itself does not indicate whether the temple was finished or was still under construction after these years of building. The first century Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities, 15.380) says that the temple was begun in the eighteenth year of Herod the Great (around 19 b.c.) and was not completed until the reign of Herod Agrippa (a.d. 63), indicating that construction was still continuing in Jesus’ time.

will you raise it up in three days. The Jews (and the disciples,v. 22) misunderstand Jesus’ ambiguous statement. Such initial misunderstanding is common in John’s Gospel (e.g., 3:4; 6:52). Those who “receive” Jesus (1:12) are led on to full understanding, but those who reject Him remain at the level of complete misunderstanding (1:5).

2:22 his disciples remembered. During His final instruction of the disciples before His arrest, Jesus promised that what He had taught them would be brought to their remembrance by the Holy Spirit (14:25, 26). The ability to predict events otherwise unknowable is evidence of divine authority. This applies to the prophecies of the Old Testament and to the predictions made by Jesus, especially about His resurrection.

2:23 believed in his name. In biblical times the “name” summed up a person’s character, activity, and place in God’s purpose. The faith of those mentioned here remained superficial, however, because they came to it only because “they saw the signs” (see Introduction: Interpretive Difficulties). For that reason, Jesus “did not entrust himself to them” (v. 24).

2:24, 25 Although Jesus did not exercise divine omniscience in the days of His flesh (11:34; Mark 13:32), He often displayed supernatural knowledge, important for His redemptive work, that indicated the divine endorsement of His claims and mission (1:48; Matt. 9:4; 17:27; Mark 11:2–4; 14:13–16).

Jesus In The Gospel Of John – Chapter 1

John Chapter 1

Please click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to view the video and text in the blog.

John 1:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Key Verse, G. Campbell Morgan, 1863-1945)

The Word Made Flesh

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Book Introduction – John – Scofield Reference Notes (Dr. C. I. Scofield, 1843-1921)

WRITER: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John (John 21:24). This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained.

DATE: The date of John’s Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter.

THEME: This is indicated both in the Prologue (John 1:1-14), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper (John 20:31), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as “the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, “believed” and “life.”

The book is in seven natural divisions:

1. Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ, John 1:1-14.
2. The witness of John the Baptist, John 1:15-34.
3. The public ministry of Christ, John 1:35 to John 12:50.
4. The private ministry of Christ to His own, John 13:1 to John 17:26.
5. The sacrifice of Christ, John 18:1 to John 19:42.
6. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection, John 20:1-31.
7. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service, John 21:1-25.

The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years.

John 1 New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Key Verses

John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

John 1:9-13: 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:14-15, 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”

John 1:16-17, 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

John 1:29, The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1 New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Full Chapter

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The Witness John

6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who wereborn, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Made Flesh

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

The Testimony of John

19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Jesus’ Public Ministry, First Converts

35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39 He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip *said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him,“Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Gospel Of John – Chapter 1

Passover – High Sabbath

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos and text on the blog.

John 19:31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A few thoughts about Passover and the Sabbath. High Sabbath. John 19:31, Passover occurring on a Sabbath. Today (April 22) at sundown begins the Sabbath and Passover, making the time from sundown on Friday to Sundown on Saturday a High Sabbath. The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins immediately after the 24 hours of Passover, and lasts for 7 days, concluding on Saturday at sundown on April 30. The total time from this evening at sundown until next Saturday at sundown is referred to Passover. See Lev 23:4-8 and Ex 12:1-22.

“SHABBAT SHALOM.”

Care of the Body of Jesus

31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

19:31 Preparation Day. This refers to Friday, the day before or “the preparation” day for the Sabbath. See Introduction: Interpretive Challenges. should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath. The normal Roman practice was to leave crucified men and women on the cross until they died (and this could take days) and then leave their rotting bodies hanging there to be devoured by vultures. The Mosaic law insisted that anyone being impaled (usually after execution) should not remain there overnight (Deut. 21:22, 23). Such a person was under God’s curse, and to leave him exposed would be to desecrate the land in their minds. their legs might be broken. In order to hasten death for certain reasons, soldiers would smash the legs of the victim with an iron mallet. Not only did this action induce shock and additional loss of blood, but it prevented the victim from pushing with his legs to keep breathing (see note on v. 18.), and thus the victim died due to asphyxiation (MacArthur Study Bible Note)

Leviticus 23:1-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Holy Days (God speaks to the Israelites about Israelite appointed times. He addresses the Sabbath, and then the Passover and Feast Of Unleavened Bread).

1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the Lord that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.

3 “Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord wherever you live.

4 “These are the Lord’s appointed times, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. 5 The Passover to the Lord comes in the first month, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the month. 6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the Lord is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 8 You are to present a fire offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; you must not do any daily work.”

Leviticus 27:34 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

This passage enforces the teaching that the Law was given to the Israelites, and to no other group, or groups, of people.

34 These are the commands the Lord gave Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

Exodus 16:23-26 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’”

24 So they set it aside until morning as Moses commanded, and it didn’t smell or have any maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the Lord. Today you won’t find any in the field. 26 For six days you may gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

Note: Holman Christian Standard Bible (Ex 16:23-26): Sabbath is an anglicized form of the Hebrew word, “shabbath,” associated with a verb meaning “cease, stop, rest” (vs 30, 5:5, 31:12-17).

Shabbat is a gift of God to the Jews (Ex 31:12-17)

Exodus 31:12-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Observing the Sabbath

12 The Lord said to Moses: 13 “Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart. 14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people. 15 Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”

Shabbat was given by God to the Jews to Keep and Remember. (Ex 20:8)

Exodus 20:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”

Jews are caretakers of Shabbat. Let non-Jews honor and respect all of that which God has entrusted to the Jews, to include Passover. Let’s consider the Passover, and relate it to the opening video of this discussion.

Exodus 12:1-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Instructions for the Passover

12 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 “This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they must each select an animal of the flock according to their fathers’ households, one animal per household. 4 If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each person will eat. 5 You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. 7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat them. 8 They are to eat the meat that night; they should eat it, roasted over the fire along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over fire—its head as well as its legs and inner organs. 10 Do not let any of it remain until morning; you must burn up any part of it that does remain before morning.

Notice that “every household” had to sacrifice a lamb; they had to keep the innocent lamb in their home from the tenth through fourteenth days. Consider how the families, especially the children, may have become attached to “the innocent lamb;” then it was sacrificed. How tragic that sacrifice may have been…especially to the children! But, why, may you ask, did every family have to “sacrifice an innocent lamb?” Let’s consider sin, and its seriousness. Let’s consider something that we call collateral sin, which is “spreading sin.” A new testament scripture explains why “every household” needed the “blood of the lamb” to protect them from the punishment of God. Let’s consider Romans 3:23.

Romans 3:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

But, how does vs 23 relate to Jesus and Passover?

1 Corinthians 5:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch. You are indeed unleavened, for Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.

5:7 Christ, our Passover. Just as unleavened bread symbolized being freed from Egypt by the Passover (Ex. 12:15–17), so the church is to be unleavened, since it has been separated from the dominion of sin and death by the perfect Passover Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is, therefore, to remove everything sinful in order to be separate from the old life, including the influence of sinful church members. (MacArthur Study Bible Note)

Romans 5:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Knowing that we could do nothing for ourselves, the Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross to declare us no longer guilty of our sin. He chose to forgive us and save us from the penalty of our transgressions (Rom. 6:23). Jesus did not die only for nice or good people. He gave His sinless life for everyone. And He did this because of His amazing love for us. (Charles Stanley Study Note)

Romans 6:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

6:23 This verse describes two inexorable absolutes: 1) spiritual death is the paycheck for every man’s slavery to sin; and 2) eternal life is a free gift God gives undeserving sinners who believe in His Son (cf. Eph. 2:8, 9). (MacArthur Study Bible Note).

Romans 10:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

10:13 Paul quoted Joel (2:32) to further emphasize that salvation is available for people of all nations and races. calls on the name. This familiar OT expression (e.g., Pss. 79:5, 6; 105:1;116:4, 5) does not refer to some desperate cry to just any deity but to the one true God as He has revealed Himself—a revelation which now includes recognition of Jesus as Lord (v. 9) and of the One who raised up Jesus from the dead (v. 9). (MacArthur Study Bible Note)

10:13 — “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Jesus is our ultimate, final, and complete sacrifice, and salvation is open to every person, regardless of who they are or what they have done. That is why the promise is whoever puts his faith in Christ will be saved and will receive eternal life. It is absolutely guaranteed to any person who receives His grace—He will never reject them. (Charles Stanley Note)

Consider The Lamb Of God

John 1:29 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Just as the Passover Lamb of Exodus 12 was “oh so innocent,” consider the innocence of Jesus, who is our Passover Lamb,

Consider God’s plan for all of us who have been affected by the reality of personal sin and “collateral sin.”

Yes! Jesus was/is our Passover Lamb!

The Feasts Of Passover and Unleavened Bread – Fulfilled In Jesus

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos and text on the blog.

The Feast of Passover will begin on Friday, April 22, at Sundown, and will continue until the following Saturday, April 30, at sundown. Passover lasts for one day; the Feast Of Unleavened Bread follows immediately and lasts for seven days (Leviticus 23:5-6). The teaching of the Passover of the Jews is important for Christians to understand. In this post, the link information on the Passover is presented from a Jewish belief; the videos are Messianic. It is important for Christians to understand such a mindset in order for them to engage Jews in conversation about matters of God’s Holy Word. It is also important to know the Messianic teaching in God’s Word (in the Passover Seder, Jesus is seen). Remember to pray for God’s chosen people, who are the Jews, per Psalm 122:6. The Passover account of scripture is clearly about Israel, God, and the oppressive Leader of Egypt. No other tribes or nations of people are a part of this significant part in the history of God’s Chosen People, Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6). The post closes with a note from a ministry partner.

The following article discusses the Feast Of Passover, which is provided by a Jewish website.

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/passover-pesach-101/

My Jewish Learning, A Jewish Website – Article On Passover.

Consider the scriptures that show that Jesus has fulfilled the Law and the Feasts. But, remember, also, that God gave the Law and the Feasts to the Jews, and, therefore, should be given great respect. It is significant to know that the feasts and the Law were fulfilled when Jesus was crucified during Passover. The time of the feasts of “Passover and Unleavened Bread’ is often referred to as “Passover.”

Consider the words of Jesus: He will fulfill the law.

Matthew 5:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Consider the words of Jesus: He fulfilled the Law.

John 19:30 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Consider the Law, and that God gave the Law to Israel, and to no other nation, nations, or groups of people.

Leviticus 27:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.

One way for non-Jews to learn from the events of Passover is to celebrate Passover. However, it is important to remember that Passover is not the same as “Easter.” EEK!!! Don’t say “Easter!!!” Easter is a concoction of the King James Bible in Acts 12:4. Easter was not anything that the early church or Jews celebrated when Jesus was crucified, and is not the same as “Resurrection Sunday.” It’s okay to say “Resurrection Sunday.”

A good way to celebrate Passover is to include it as part of a fellowship meal at a church, or other location. A Passover Seder (an order) can be a part of a meal. If no one is capable of leading a Seder, a fellowship meal can be used for fellowship, and a remembrance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. A good guide for such an occasion is Matthew 26:17-30. Someone, or someones, can read that passage and offer explanations of that which was happening in Jerusalem on the Thursday night of the Passover Meal, also known as Maundy Thursday. Read verses 17-19; then a prayer should be said to bless the meal; and then, “let the eating begin.” A leader should decide a time during the meal to read verses 20-26. Then someone can lead the group in a prayer for the bread, and lead the group in eating the bread (not an itsy bitsy wafer). Someone should read verse 27, and then lead the group in prayer and drinking from a cup of grape juice (not an itsy bitsy sippy cup) (or wine…remember the drive home). The meal should continue, and a reader should read verses 28-29 while the meal is being eaten. Comments should continue to be made about what happened during that last Passover Meal of Jesus and His disciples (Women were probably there, too! I don’t remember reading a scripture about “no women allowed” in meals with Jesus! Consider Luke 24:27-30. I don’t think that, at that meal in Emmaus, that the women were told to “vacate the premises!”). After the fellowship meal, verse 30 should be read, and a song should be sung that meets the meaning of the occasion. A prayer should be made to dismiss the group with travel mercies. Then, the cleanup should begin – but not before!…..It makes no sense to me that church fellowship meals take place so often; yet, there is not normally a time during those meals to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Consider the value of having a seder. In the seder meal, Jesus is easily identified as being “the key” part of the meal. The seder, if combined with the fellowship meal, should take place before the beginning of the meal.

Passover Prelude

The Passover, The Sabbath, and The Law are special in relationship between God and the Jews. Non-Jews benefit from respecting those, and other, “God-Jew” intimacies of relationship, such as the Jews being delivered from the oppressive Leader of Egypt.

Joseph sold into slavery (1897 B.C.)
Beginning of Jewish Slavery in Egypt (1875 B.C.)
Deliverance of Jews from Egypt (1445 B.C.)

Genesis 15:13 New Living Translation (NLT) (Abraham was told by God of that Israel would be oppressed in Egypt)

13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.

Exodus 12:40-42 New Living Translation (NLT) (Israel delivered from bondage) (The Passover to be kept by the Jews)

40 The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. 41 In fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the Lord’s forces left the land. 42 On this night the Lord kept his promise to bring his people out of the land of Egypt. So this night belongs to him, and it must be commemorated every year by all the Israelites, from generation to generation.

Note: 12:40, 41 four hundred and thirty years. Abraham had been told that his descendants would be aliens mistreated in a foreign land for 400 years, using a figure rounded to hundreds (Gen. 15:13). (Mac Arthur Study Bible Note)

Jacob/Israel Moves To Egypt

Genesis 46:1-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

1 So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3 He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.”

5 Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob and their little ones and their wives in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 They took their livestock and their property, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him: 7 his sons and his grandsons with him, his daughters and his granddaughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.

Genesis 50:24 New Living Translation (NLT) (Joseph tells his brothers that God will take them out of Egypt)

24 “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

The Path To The Passover

Exodus 1:1-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Israel Multiplies In Egypt

1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.

8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. 10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.”

Exodus 1:11 and 22 – Harsh Labor – Death of Jewish Infants

22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.” (The babies became crocodile food. Aborted babies of today have similar abominable things to happen to them and their body parts. Later, when the Egyptian army was pursuing the Jews across the dried up Red Sea; those who were caught in the middle when the water returned became fish food – how ironic!)

Exodus 5:6-13 – Cruel labor techniques (Read)

God’s Plagues On Egypt In Exodus

Water turned to blood (7:14-25); Frogs cover the land (8:1-15); Gnats (8:16-19); Swarms of flies (8:20-22); Diseased livestock (9:1-7); Boils (9:8-12); Hail and fire (9:13-35); Locusts (10:1-20); Darkness (10:21-29); Death of firstborn (11:1-12:36)

The Exodus of Israel from Egypt and the Passover.

God Commands The Sacrifice Of The Passover Lamb: Exodus 12:1-11 (Read)

Consider the blood and the door.

Exodus 12:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where they eat them.

Redemption: By Blood: Exodus 12:12-13 (Read)

Exodus 12:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

The Passover: A Memorial Of Redemption: Exodus 12:14-28 (Read)

Exodus 12:21-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (Key)

21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. 22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you may go out the door of his house until morning.23 When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you.

Consider the door that relates to Jesus.

John 10:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
The Feasts Of The Lord: The Passover: Christ Our Redeemer: Leviticus 23:4-5. Fulfilled in death of Christ: 2 Cor 5:7. (Read)

The Feasts Of The Lord: Unleavened Bread: Leviticus 23:6-8. Fulfilled in the sinlesssness of Christ: 1 Cor 5:8. (Read)

The Last Passover Of Jesus With His Disciples:

“Maundy Thursday” The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command that Jesus gave to the disciples at the Passover meal, that they should love and serve one another.

The Preparation Of The Passover Meal: (Read All)

Matthew 26:17-19: Consider the task and accomplishment of the preparation of the Passover meal. Mark 14:12-16: Consider the place for the Providence and place of the Passover meal. Luke 22:7-13: Consider the names of the disciples who prepared the Passover meal.

The Humility Of Jesus At The Passover Meal: (Read)

John 13:1-5: Consider the humility of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, to include Judas. Consider the cultural aspect of washing someone’s feet.

The Placement Of The Disciples At The Passover Meal: The special relationship between Jesus and John. The physical closeness of Jesus and John. Others may not have heard the conversation of Jesus and John. John 13:23 and 25 (Read)

The Passover Meal

Matthew 26:20-30. It was a meal with wine. It was not an “itsy bitsy wafer” and an “itsy bitsy sippy cup.” (Read)

What is a Passover Seder?

What happens at a Passover Seder meal?

A Passover seder is a service held at home as part of the Passover celebration. It is always observed on the first night of Passover, and in many homes on the second night as well. Participants use a book called a haggadah to lead the service, which consists of storytelling, a seder meal, and concluding prayers and songs.

Consider The Feast Days/Holy Days Of God, in that they were given by God to only the Jews.

Following the verses of Leviticus Chapter 23, there are key comments that are provided by the MacArthur Study Bible (everyone should own a MacArthur Study Bible).

Leviticus 23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) (A sampling of Chapter 23 is provided)

1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the Lord that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.

3 “Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord wherever you live.

4 “These are the Lord’s appointed times, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.

44 So Moses declared the Lord’s appointed times to the Israelites.

Jewish Feasts

*The three major feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14-19).

Christ Fulfills The Feasts

The Feasts (Lev. 23) Christ’s Fulfillment

Passover Videos, Of Messianic Belief.

The last two videos might even “get Bubba excited!”

A note from Teresa, who is our ministry partner in Washington State.

Kind of interesting that the first day of Passover falls on Shabbat this year..and the last day of Passover is also considered a Shabbat (hence the no work day on the 7th day of Passover, Thursday night to Friday ) followed by the regular Shabbat. on Friday/Saturday. Three Sabbaths in a row!

Jesus In The Gospel Of John, Looking Ahead

30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text in the blog.

For me, the Gospel of John is the book of the Bible that tells me, “who Jesus is.” The other gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) tell me, “what Jesus did.” Before I begin this “chapter by chapter” study of the Gospel Of John, I would like to share with you some of the significant verses of John’s Gospel. I would also like to let you know that “John,” the inspired author of this gospel, never uses his name in his Gospel. The name of “John the Baptist” is used, but it should not be confused with John, “the author, disciple, apostle and evangelist,” who provided this eye-witness account of the life of Jesus, and who also wrote three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John) toward the end of the New Testament.

John 1:16-17, 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

John 1:29, The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:14-15, ” 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”

John 3:17, ” For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ”

John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 4:22, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”

John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 5:21, ” For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”

John 5:22, For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,”

John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”

John 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

John 5:29, ” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

John 5:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

John 5:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 5:65, “And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”

John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”

John 6:40, ” For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:47, ” Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”

John 6:63, ” It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

John 6:65, “…For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”

John 8:32, “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 9:35-38, “35 Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” 38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.

John 10:9-10, ” 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

John 10:27-30, ” 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

John 10:38, “that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”

John 11:25-26, ” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:35, Jesus wept.

John 14:6-7, “6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

John 14:8-11, “8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me;

John 14:16-17, “16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

John 14:20, ” 20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”

John 15:26, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,

John 16:5-10, “5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.”

John 16:13-15, “13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

The High Priestly Prayer, Chapter 17

John 17:1-2, “1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said,“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”

John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

John 17:4-5, “4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

John 17:6, “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.”

John 17:7-10, ” 7 Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.”

John 17:20-23, “20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved.”

John 17:24, ” Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

John 17:25-26, “25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 19:14, Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he *said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”

John 19:31, Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

John 20:30-31, “30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Sabbath Praise – Jesus Our Sabbath Rest

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to view the video and text on the blog.

Exodus 20:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy:

Deuteronomy 5:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 Be careful to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy as the Lord your God has commanded you.

Jesus Our Sabbath Rest

Key Verses (G. Campbell Morgan, 1863-1945)

Hebrews 3:1 Names of God Bible (NOG)

1 Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly calling. So look carefully at Yeshua, the apostle and chief priest about whom we make our declaration of faith.

Hebrews 4:14 Names of God Bible (NOG)

14 We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Yeshua, the Son of God.

Hebrews 3-4 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Greater Than Moses

1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

Warning Against Unbelief

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. 10 That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ 11 So I declared on oath in my anger,‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15 As has just been said:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

http://www.compellingtruth.org/Jesus-sabbath.html

What does it mean that Jesus is our Sabbath rest?

Hebrews 4 speaks of Jesus as our Sabbath rest. Verses 9-10 in particular state, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” How is Jesus our Sabbath rest?

The key to understanding how Jesus is our Sabbath rest is understanding what the Sabbath means. The Hebrew word shabat was the word “rest” in the Old Testament first used in regard to God “resting” from creation on the seventh day. The Sabbath would later become part of the Law of Moses, referring to the Sabbath day, Saturday, upon which the Jewish people were to do no work.

In the New Testament, Jesus declared Himself “lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8). He equated Himself with God the Father, becoming God in human form. In addition, Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

In Hebrews 3 and 4, the author developed the concept of Jesus as our Sabbath rest, revealing how a relationship with Christ frees humans from the works of the law and allows a person to rest in the work of Christ to forgive sin. Ultimately, those who believe in Jesus will spend eternity in a “Sabbath rest” with Him (Hebrews 4:9).

Today, many continue to live as if their salvation depends on how many good deeds they perform. Yet Christ is the only one who can provide sufficiently for the sins of people and offer eternal life. It is by His grace we receive salvation, through faith. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reveal, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Jesus serves as our Sabbath rest in the sense that He provides freedom from living under the works of the law. Instead, His sacrifice has paid the price for our salvation. We accept salvation as His free gift, entering into His rest both now as well as in eternity in His presence.

Hebrews 4 ends with words of comfort for those who enter God’s Sabbath rest: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). As a result of Christ’s finished work, we can confidently come before God, receiving mercy and grace in our time of need.

Scofield Reference Notes On Book Of Hebrews

(C. I. Scofield, 1843-1921; everyone should own a Scofield Study Bible)

Book Introduction – Hebrews

WRITER: The authorship of Hebrews has been in controversy from the earliest times. The book is anonymous, but the reference in 2 Peter 3:15 seems conclusive that Paul was the writer. See also Hebrews 13:23. All agree that, whether by Paul or another, the point of view is Pauline. We undoubtedly have here the method of Paul’s synagogue addresses. No book of Scripture more fully authenticates itself as inspired.

DATE: From internal evidence it is clear that Hebrews was written before the destruction of the Temple, A.D. 70 (cf Hebrews 10:11).

THEME: The doctrinal passages reveal the purpose of the book. It was written with a twofold intent: To confirm Jewish Christians by showing that Judaism had come to an end through the fulfillment by Christ of the whole purpose of the law; and The hortatory passages show that the writer had in view the danger ever-present to Jewish professed believers of either lapsing back into Judaism, or of pausing short of true faith in Jesus Christ. It is clear from the Acts that even the strongest of the believers in Palestine were held to a strange mingling of Judaism and Christianity (e.g. Acts 21:18-24 and that snare would be especially apt to entangle professed Christians amongst the Jews of the dispersion.

The key-word is “better.” Hebrews is a series of contrasts between the good things of Judaism and the better things of Christ. Christ is “better” than angels, than Moses, than Joshua, than Aaron; and the New Covenant than the Mosaic Covenant. Church truth does not appear, the ground of gathering only being stated (Hebrews 13:13). The whole sphere of Christian profession is before the writer; hence exhortations necessary to warn and alarm a mere professor.

For Deeper Study – MacArthur Study Bible Notes (Everyone should own a MacArthur Study Bible)

Interpretive Challenges

A proper interpretation of this epistle requires the recognition that it addresses 3 distinct groups of Jews: 1) believers; 2) unbelievers who were intellectually convinced of the gospel; and 3) unbelievers who were attracted by the gospel and the person of Christ but who had reached no final conviction about Him. Failure to acknowledge these groups leads to interpretations inconsistent with the rest of Scripture.

The primary group addressed were Hebrew Christians who suffered rejection and persecution by fellow Jews (10:32-34), although none as yet had been martyred (12:4). The letter was written to give them encouragement and confidence in Christ, their Messiah and High-Priest. They were an immature group of believers who were tempted to hold on to the symbolic and spiritually powerless rituals and traditions of Judaism.

The second group addressed were Jewish unbelievers who were convinced of the basic truths of the gospel but who had not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their own Savior and Lord. They were intellectually persuaded but spiritually uncommitted. These unbelievers are addressed in such passages as 2:1-3;6:4-6; 10:26-29; and 12:15-17.

The third group addressed were Jewish unbelievers who were not convinced of the gospel’s truth but had had some exposure to it. Chapter 9 is largely devoted to them (see especially vv. 11,14, 15, 27, 28).

By far, the most serious interpretive challenge is found in 6:4-6. The phrase “once enlightened” is often taken to refer to Christians, and the accompanying warning taken to indicate the danger of losing their salvation if “they fall away” and “crucify again for themselves the Son of God.” But there is no mention of their being saved and they are not described with any terms that apply only to believers (such as holy, born again, righteous, or saints). This problem arises from inaccurately identifying the spiritual condition of the ones being addressed. In this case, they were unbelievers who had been exposed to God’s redemptive truth, and perhaps made a profession of faith, but had not exercised genuine saving faith. In 10:26, the reference once again is to apostate Christians, not to genuine believers who are often incorrectly thought to lose their salvation because of their sins.

Verse by verse study.

3:1–6 This section presents the superiority of Jesus over the highly revered Moses. The Lord had spoken with Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex. 33:11) and had given the law to him (Neh. 9:13, 14). The commandments and rituals of the law were the Jews’ supreme priorities, and to them Moses and the law were synonymous. Both the OT and the NT refer to the commands of God as the “law of Moses” (Josh. 8:31; 1 Kin. 2:3; Luke 2:22; Acts 13:39). Yet, as great as Moses was, Jesus was infinitely greater.

3:1 holy brethren. The phrase occurs only here and in 1 Thess. 5:27, where some manuscripts omit “holy.” The writer addresses believers who have a “heavenly calling” (cf. Phil. 3:14). They are elsewhere described as desiring a “heavenly country” (11:16) and as coming to “the heavenly Jerusalem” (12:22). They are “holy” in the sense that they are set apart unto God and identified with the heavenly realm—citizens of heaven more than citizens of earth. calling. The reference, as always in the NT epistles, is to the effective summons to salvation in Christ (cf. Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 7:21). consider. The writer asks for the readers’ complete attention and diligent observation of the superiority of Jesus Christ. Apostle and High Priest. An apostle is a “sent one” who has the rights, power, and authority of the one who sends him. Jesus was sent to earth by the Father (cf. John 3:17, 34; 5:36–38; 8:42). The topic of the High-Priesthood of Christ, which was begun in 2:17, 18 and is mentioned again here, will be taken up again in greater detail in 4:14—10:18. Meanwhile, the writer presents the supremacy of Christ to Moses (vv. 1–6), to Joshua (4:8), and to all other national heroes and OT preachers whom Jews held in high esteem. Jesus Himself spoke of His superiority to Moses in the same context in which He spoke of His being sent by the Father (John 5:36–38, 45–47; cf. Luke 16:29–31). Moses had been sent by God to deliver His people from historical Egypt and its bondage (Ex. 3:10). Jesus was sent by God to deliver His people from spiritual Egypt and its bondage (2:15). of our confession. Christ is the center of our confession of faith in the gospel, both in creed and public testimony. The term is used again in 4:14 and 10:23 (cf. 2 Cor. 9:13; 1 Tim. 6:12). In all 3 uses in Hebrews there is a sense of urgency. Surely, the readers would not give up Christ, whom they had professed, and reject what He had done for them, if they could understand the superiority of His person and work.

3:2 house. The term refers to a family of people rather than a building or dwelling (cf. v. 6; 1 Tim. 3:15). Those who were stewards of a household must above all be faithful (1 Cor. 4:2). Both Moses (Num. 12:7) and Christ (2:17) faithfully fulfilled their individual, divine appointments to care for the people of God.

3:3, 4 He who built. Moses was only a part of God’s household of faith, whereas Jesus was the creator of that household (cf. 2 Sam. 7:13; Zech. 6:12, 13; Eph. 2:19–22; 1 Pet. 2:4, 5) and, therefore, is greater than Moses and equal to God.

3:5, 6 servant…Son. The term for “servant” implies a position of dignity and freedom, not slavery (cf. Ex. 14:31; Josh. 1:2). However, even as the highest-ranking servant, Moses could never hold the position of Son, which is Christ’s alone (cf. John 8:35).

3:5 spoken afterward. Moses was faithful primarily as a testimony to that which was to come in Christ (cf. 11:24–27; see note on John 5:46).

3:6 whose house we are. See notes on v. 2; Eph. 2:22; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:5; 4:17. if we hold fast. Cf. v. 14. This is not speaking of how to be saved or remain saved (cf. 1 Cor. 15:2). It means rather that perseverance in faithfulness is proof of real faith. The one who returns to the rituals of the Levitical system to contribute to his own salvation proves he was never truly part of God’s household (see note on 1 John 2:19), whereas the one who abides in Christ gives evidence of his genuine membership in that household (cf. Matt. 10:22; Luke 8:15; John 8:31; 15:4–6). The promise of God will fulfill this holding fast (1 Thess. 5:24;Jude 24, 25). See note on Matt. 24:13. hope. See the writer’s further description of this hope in 6:18, 19. This hope rests in Christ Himself, whose redemptive work has accomplished our salvation (Rom. 5:1, 2; see note on 1 Pet. 1:3).

3:7–11 The writer cites Ps. 95:7–11 as the words of its ultimate author, the Holy Spirit (cf. 4:7; 9:8; 10:15). This passage describes the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings after their delivery from Egypt. Despite God’s miraculous works and His gracious, providential faithfulness to them, the people still failed to commit themselves to Him in faith (cf. Ex. 17; Num. 14:22, 23;Ps. 78:40–53). The writer of Hebrews presents a 3-point exposition of the OT passage: 1) beware of unbelief (vv. 12–19); 2) be afraid of falling short (4:1–10); and 3) be diligent to enter (4:11–13). The themes of the exposition include urgency, obedience (including faith), perseverance, and rest.

3:7 Today. The reference is to the present moment while the words of God are fresh in the mind. There is a sense of urgency to immediately give heed to the voice of God. This urgency is emphasized by repeating the reference to “today” from Ps. 95:7 three more times (vv. 13, 15; 4:7) and is the theme of the writer’s exposition (cf. 2 Cor. 6:2).

3:11 My rest. The earthly rest which God promised to give was life in the land of Canaan which Israel would receive as their inheritance (Deut. 12:9, 10; Josh. 21:44; 1 Kin. 8:56). Because of rebellion against God, an entire generation of the children of Israel was prohibited from entering into that rest in the Promised Land (cf. Deut. 28:65; Lam. 1:3). The application of this picture is to an individual’s spiritual rest in the Lord, which has precedent in the OT (cf. Ps. 116:7; Is. 28:12). At salvation, every believer enters the true rest, the realm of spiritual promise, never again laboring to achieve through personal effort a righteousness that pleases God. God wanted both kinds of rest for that generation who was delivered from Egypt.

3:12 brethren. This admonition is addressed to those having the same potential characteristics as the generation which perished in the wilderness without ever seeing the Land of Promise. They were unbelieving Jewish brethren who were in the company of the “holy brethren” (v. 1). They were admonished to believe and be saved before it was too late. See Introduction: Interpretive Challenges. an evil heart. All men are born with such a heart (Jer. 17:9). In the case of these Hebrews, that evil manifested itself in disbelief of the gospel which moved them in the opposite way from God.

3:13 exhort one another daily. Both individual accountability and corporate responsibility are intended in this admonition. As long as the distressing days were upon them and they were tempted to return to the ineffective Levitical system, they were to encourage one another to identify completely with Jesus Christ.hardened. Repeated rejection of the gospel concerning Jesus results in a progressive hardening of the heart and will ultimately result in outright antagonism to the gospel. Cf. 6:4–6; 10:26–29;Acts 19:9. deceitfulness. Sin lies and deceives, using every trickery and stratagem possible (cf. Rom. 7:11; 2 Thess. 2:10;James 1:14–16). The Hebrews deceived themselves with the reasoning that their rejection of Jesus Christ was being faithful to the older system. Their willingness to hang on to the Levitical system was really a rejection of the living Word (4:12) of the “living God” (v. 12), who through Christ had opened up a “new and living way” (10:20). Choosing the path of unbelief always leads only to death (v. 17; 10:26–29; cf. 2:14, 15; Jude 5).

3:14 The exhortation is similar to that in v. 6. It repeats the theme of perseverance.

3:15–19 The quotation from Ps. 95:7, 8 is repeated (cf. v. 7). The first quotation was followed with exposition emphasizing “today” and the urgency that word conveys. This second quotation is followed with exposition emphasizing the word “rebellion” (vv. 15,16) and presenting the theme of obedience by means of its antithesis, disobedience. Four different terms are employed to drive the point of rebellion home: “rebelled” (v. 16), “sinned” (v. 17), “did not obey” (v. 18), and “unbelief” (v. 19). This initial third (see notes on vv. 7–11) of the writer’s exposition of Ps. 95:7–11is summed up by the obvious conclusion that the Israelites who died in the wilderness were victims of their own unbelief (v. 19)

4:1–10 The second section of the writer’s exposition of Ps. 95:7–11 goes beyond the description of unbelief and its dire consequences (3:12–19) to define the nature of the “rest” which the disobedient had forfeited. The first section had dealt primarily with Ps. 95:7, 8; the second section deals primarily with Ps. 95:11.

4:1 promise. This is the first use of this important word in Hebrews. The content of this promise is defined as “entering His rest.” His rest. See note on 3:11. This is the rest which God gives, therefore it is called “My rest” (Ps. 95:11) and “His rest.” For believers, God’s rest includes His peace, confidence of salvation, reliance on His strength, and assurance of a future heavenly home (cf. Matt. 11:29). come short. The entire phrase could be translated “lest you think you have come too late to enter into the rest of God” (cf. 12:15). With reverential fear all are to examine their own spiritual condition (cf. 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Cor. 13:5) and to actively press for commitment on the part of others (cf. Jude 23).

4:2 faith. Mere knowledge of God’s message is not sufficient. It must be appropriated by saving faith. Later in the epistle a much longer exposition will take up this topic of faith (10:19—12:29). The writer’s point of comparison is that, like the Jews who left Egypt (3:16–19), his generation had also received God’s message through the preaching of the gospel—they had been evangelized.

4:3 we…do enter. Those who exercise faith in the message of God will enter into their spiritual rest. This is the corollary of Ps. 95:11 which states the opposite side: that the unbeliever will not enter into the rest which God provides. finished from the foundation of the world. The spiritual rest which God gives is not something incomplete or unfinished. It is a rest which is based upon a finished work which God purposed in eternity past, just like the rest which God took after He finished creation (v. 4).

4:4, 5 By way of explanation for the statement in v. 3, the writer cites the illustration of the seventh day of creation and quotes Gen. 2:2. Then he repeats the last part of Ps. 95:11.

4:6, 7 The opportunity to enter God’s rest remains open (cf. “a promise remains” in v. 1). It is not yet too late. God had offered the rest to His people in Moses’ time and continued to offer it in David’s time. He is still patiently inviting His people to enter His rest (cf. Rom. 10:21). Quoting Ps. 95:7, 8 once again (see 3:7,15), the author urges an immediate, positive response. The themes of urgency and obedience are thus combined in a clear invitation to the readers.

4:8–10 God’s true rest did not come through Joshua or Moses, but through Jesus Christ, who is greater than either one. Joshua led the nation of Israel into the land of their promised rest (see note on 3:11; Josh. 21:43–45). However, that was merely the earthly rest which was but the shadow of what was involved in the heavenly rest. The very fact that, according to Ps. 95, God was still offering His rest in the time of David (long after Israel had been in the Land) meant that the rest being offered was spiritual—superior to that which Joshua obtained. Israel’s earthly rest was filled with the attacks of enemies and the daily cycle of work. The heavenly rest is characterized by the fullness of heavenly promise (Eph. 1:3) and the absence of any labor to obtain it.

4:9 rest. A different Gr. word for “rest” meaning “Sabbath rest” is introduced here, and this is its only appearance in the NT. The writer chose the word to draw the readers’ attention back to the “seventh day” mentioned in v. 4 and to set up the explanation in v. 10 (“ceased from his works as God did from His”).

4:11–13 The concluding third part of the exposition of Ps. 95:7–11 emphasizes the accountability which comes to those who have heard the Word of God. Scripture records the examples of those in the wilderness with Moses, those who entered Canaan with Joshua, and those who received the same opportunity in David’s day. It is the Word which must be believed and obeyed and the Word which will judge the disobedient (cf. 1 Cor. 10:5–13).

4:12 two-edged sword. While the Word of God is comforting and nourishing to those who believe, it is a tool of judgment and execution for those who have not committed themselves to Jesus Christ. Some of the Hebrews were merely going through the motions of belonging to Christ. Intellectually, they were at least partly persuaded, but inside they were not committed to Him. God’s Word would expose their shallow beliefs and even their false intentions (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Pet. 4:5). division of soul and spirit. These terms do not describe two separate entities (any more than “thoughts and intents” do) but are used as one might say “heart and soul” to express fullness (cf. Luke 10:27;Acts 4:32; see note on 1 Thess. 5:23). Elsewhere these two terms are used interchangeably to describe man’s immaterial self, his eternal inner person.

4:13 open to the eyes of Him. “Open” is a specialized term used just this one time in the NT. It originally meant to expose the neck either in preparation for sacrifice or for beheading. Perhaps the use of “sword” in the previous verse triggered the term. Each individual is judged not only by the Word of God (cf. John 12:48), but by God Himself. We are accountable to the living, written Word (cf. John 6:63, 68; Acts 7:38) and to the living God who is its author.

4:14—7:28 Next, the writer expounds on Ps. 110:4, quoted in 5:6. Not only is Christ as Apostle superior to Moses and to Joshua, but as High-Priest, He is superior to Aaron (4:14–5:10; cf. 3:1). In the midst of his exposition, the writer gives an exhortation related to the spiritual condition of his readers (5:11–6:20). At the conclusion of the exhortation, he then returns to the subject of Christ’s priesthood (7:1–28).

The Sabbath – “Keep And Remember” – God’s Gift To The Jews

Click onto any blue letter, number of symbol to view the videos and typed text on the blog.

Consider the opening two videos on Shabbat/Sabbath. The first video is one that is more of instruction. The second video is more enriching of the soul.

It is probably the memory of most people that “the Sabbath” dealt with “not doing!” Much of that mindset was, “don’t go fishing on Sunday;” or, “don’t go shopping on Sunday;” or, “don’t go to the movies on Sunday.” Of course, there were many other “don’t do things” that were related to Sundays. Of course, many people are now learning, “Sunday is not the Sabbath.” The Sabbath is that twenty-four hour period of time that begins at sundown on Friday, and ends at sundown on Saturday. And, no matter how hard we might try to do it, we can not rent an excavator and dig up “the Sabbath,” and move it to any other day of the week and call that day, “our Sabbath.” It just won’t work! The Sabbath day is the seventh day of the week, beginning on Friday afternoon and ending on Saturday afternoon.

It is a shame that we did not know that honoring the Sabbath has a great “positive” to it. Consider the following information that relates to honoring the Sabbath. God created the Sabbath day, so we should honor it. Consider the following verses that relate to the Sabbath, and to the special relationship that exists between God and the Jews.

The “seventh day” is written in Genesis 2:2-3 in relation to the rest that God took after He created the world. The words “seventh day” do not appear in the same context until Exodus 16:24, which was when He gave the Sabbath to the Jews to “keep and remember, to keep holy.” The Sabbath was given by God to the Jews, in Exodus 31:16-17, as a sign between God and the Jews, and only between God and the Jews. The Law was given by God to the Jews in Exodus, Chapters 19 20; and only by God to the Jews. Only the descendants of Jacob (Israel), were present when the Law was given. The descendants of Ishmael, Midian, and Esau were not present, and were not recipients of the Law. The Law, to include the Sabbath, had its fulfillment in Yeshua. Still, non-Jews should honor that which God gave to the Jews. Moral laws were given by God to all of mankind; consider Adam and Eve hiding themselves from God after they had sinned (Genesis 2:8).

It is important to relate beliefs of scripture, “to scripture,” and not to “other than scripture.” The following idea should be helpful in determining an understanding of God’s Holy Word: “book, chapter, verse.” If a teaching can not be found in a “book, chapter, verse” context, such a teaching is not inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16)

Authority Of The Sabbath

Genesis 1:31-2:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) – God declared the seventh day of the week to be holy.

31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.
1 So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.

Exodus 16:22-29 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The following passage is the first time that the word “Sabbath” is mentioned since Genesis 2:3, which is a period of abut 2500 years. Notice in verse in verse 23 “a holy Sabbath to the LORD.” Notice in verse 29 “the Lord has given you the Sabbath,” which makes the Sabbath a gift to the Jews.

22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, four quarts apiece, and all the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’”
24 So they set it aside until morning as Moses commanded, and it didn’t smell or have any maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the Lord. Today you won’t find any in the field. 26 For six days you may gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”
27 Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find any.28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep My commands and instructions? 29 Understand that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day He will give you two days’ worth of bread. Each of you stay where you are; no one is to leave his place on the seventh day.”

Exodus 31:12-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Observing the Sabbath

In the following passage of scripture, vs 16-17, notice that the Sabbath “is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites,” which is a sign between God and the Israelites. No other group of people has such a relationship with God through the Sabbath.

12 The Lord said to Moses: 13 “Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart. 14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people. 15 Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest,dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”

Consider the command that was given to the Israelites by God.

Exodus 20:8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (New American Standard Bible)

Deuteronomy 5:12 “Be careful to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy as the Lord your God has commanded you.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The Jews, The Sabbath, And God’s Love For The Jews

Genesis 12:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Call of Abram

1 The Lord said to Abram:
Go out from your land,
your relatives,
and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.
2 I will make you into a great nation,
I will bless you,
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
I will curse those who treat you with contempt,
and all the peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.

God chose the Jews to be a holy and righteous people, to bring a Holy and Righteous Messiah into the world

Genesis 50:24 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

God’s promise to Abraham ran through the blood line of Jacob (Israel), and not to any other of the descendants of Abraham or of Isaac. The promise of the land, the promise of the Sabbath, and the giving of the Law, were made only between God and Israel. For an understanding of the Law being given only to the Jews, “to keep,” please read Exodus, Chapters 19 and 20. It is important to know that well before the law was given to the Jews, conscience had been given to everyone (Genesis 3:3-8).

24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will certainly come to your aid and bring you up from this land to the land He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Deuteronomy 7:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

6 For you are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be His own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

John 4:22 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.

The words of God for all to pray for the Jews is ever before us.

Psalm 122:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you prosper;

The plan that God designed for Israel did not change when His chosen people were dispersed from their lands in 722 B.C. and 597-586 B.C. Consider a people, a land, and the work of God’s Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:24-29 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB).

The Restoration of Israel

24 “For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances. 28 Then you will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and will not bring famine on you.

Keeping And Remembering The Sabbath.

Keep (Shamor); Remember (Zakhor).

Keep and Remember. Consider those two words and the way that Jews honor Shabbat, the Sabbath. Consider how you may also honor Shabbat, the Sabbath. The candle lighting begins on Friday evening, at eighteen minutes prior to sundown. Usually, a woman will light the candles. It was a woman who brought “the Light” into a world of darkness.

Shabbat Candles

Shedding light on the day of rest

By Richard Siegel, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld and Sharon Strassfeld

shabbat candles

As a ceremonial object or art, the candle is generally overlooked, yet it has great significance. Whether intended for practical purposes such as providing light, or for more evocative, quasi-magical ends, such as rekindling the winter sun, almost every festival and celebration incorporates the use of candles at some point.

Fire in Judaism

Fire is universally recognized as one of the basic elements of the world. It is mysterious, frightening, mesmerizing. Its attraction is almost irresistible. In the Kabbalah, the image of a multicolored flame emanating from a candle is taken as a metaphor for God’s relation to the world and man. The flame is a single entity, yet it appears to be undergoing constant change. The flame adheres to, relies on, and appears to emanate from the candle, yet is a distinct and separate entity. The white interior of the flame is constant, but its exterior is always in motion and changes color.

Woman lighting shabbat candles

Reducing fire to a few metaphors, however, robs it of its natural power and mystique. Fortunately the tradition, by incorporating the lighting of candles into the celebratory cycle in a number of different ways [e.g., Shabbat candles, Havdalah (at the end of Shabbat), Hanukkah candles, memorial candles], left open the possibilities for recognizing the many potentialities of fire. It is for us to rediscover those potentialities and allow them to “illumine our eyes.”

On Friday night, one is required to light candles in the house for the sake of shalom bayit (harmony in the home) and oneg Shabbat (Sabbath joy). The candles ought to be in the room where the Sabbath meal is to be eaten.

How to Light the Candles

It is normally woman who lights the candles, but men may light them when no woman is present. Candles may be lit, at the earliest, 1-1/4 hours before sunset, but the [customary] time is up to 18 minutes before sunset. [Click here for Shabbat candlelighting times] If the [traditional 18-minute] time limit cannot be met, candles may be lit during the 18 minutes immediately preceding sunset.

At least two candles should be lit. These represent “shamor” [“keep”] and “zakhor” [“remember”], the first words of the commandments [in the two Ten Commandments passages in the Torah] concerning Shabbat (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12). They also symbolize the unity underlying all apparent duality, such as man and woman, body and soul, speech and silence, creation and revelation.
It is permissible to light more than two candles. In fact, it is considered particularly meritorious to do so. This is implied in an interpretation of “And God blessed the seventh day” (Genesis 2:3). “With what did he bless it? Light.” Some people light an additional candle for each child in the family. Once you’ve lit a certain number, it is a custom never to decrease that number. Students away from home should light candles for themselves, as they are no longer within the household of their parents

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/87131/jewish/Shabbat-Candles-Instructions.htm

Candle LIghting

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/command.html

The Ten Commandments/The 613 Commandments

The Ten Commandments are the first ten of the 613 commandments given by God to the Jewish people. They form the foundation of Jewish ethics, behavior and responsibility. These commandments are mentioned in order twice in the Torah – once each in the Book of Exodus and the Book of Deuteronomy.

1) I am the Lord thy god, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
2) Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4) Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5) Honor thy father and thy mother.
6) Thou shalt not murder.
7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8) Thou shalt not steal.
9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor.
10) Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy neighbor.

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/613_mitzvot.html

The 613 Mitzvot (Commandments)

The following is a breakdown of the 613 mitzvot, or commandments, given by God to the Jewish people. There are a number of debates as to which commandments are included in the 613, this breakdown is according to Sefer Hamitzvot of the Rambam. This breakdown divides the commandments in 248 positive and 365 negative mitzvot.

248 Positive Mitzvot

P1: Believing in Gd
P2: Unity of Gd
P3: Loving Gd
P4: Fearing Gd
P5: Worshiping Gd
P6: Cleaving to Gd
P7: Taking an oath by Gd’s Name
P8: Walking in Gd’s ways
P9: Sanctifying Gd’s Name
P10: Reading the Shema twice daily
More …

AG-03 The Teaching Of The Passover – Draft

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos and texts on the blog.

The Teaching Of The Passover – Draft

The following draft can be used as a teaching tool for a Sabbabth/Shabbat teaching and meal. A completed post will be published and distributed prior to the beginning of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on Friday, April 22, at Sundown. The Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread will continue until the following Saturday, April 30, at sundown. The teaching of the Passover of the Jews is important for Christians to understand. The videos and information on the Passover Seder are presented from a Jewish point of understanding. It is important for Christians to understand such a mindset in order for them to engage Jews in conversation about matters of God’s Holy Word. As a pastor, it is also important for me to show the Messianic teaching in God’s Word. In the Seder, Yeshua is seen. Remember to pray for God’s chosen people, who are the Jews, per Psalm 122:6. There are colored illustrations and pictures that will not be visible in this post. If anyone would like to see the worksheet that has those missing items, please let me know and I can email them.

PASSOVER AND THE JEWS

Greetings, “Friends”

male–chaver; female — chaverah; friends–chaverim

pronounced: hah vare.. .hah vare ah. ..hah vare eem

Silent “c.” sounds like “ha;” as in “ha ha ha ha ha”

Thanks to Teresa, a ministry partner in Washington State

Passover And Resurrection Sunday (Compare and Contrast)

The Passover, The Sabbath, and The Law are special in relationship between God and the Jews. Non-Jews benefit from respecting those, and other, “God-Jew” intimacies of relationship. This post relates to the Passover, and how it relates to the Jews being delivered from the oppressive Leader of Egypt.

Joseph sold into slavery (1897 B.C.)
Beginning of Jewish Slavery in Egypt (1875 B.C.)
Deliverance of Jews from Egypt (1445 B.C.)

Exodus 12:40-42 New Living Translation (NLT) (Israel in Egypt 430 years) (The Passover to be kept by the Jews)

12:40, 41 four hundred and thirty years. Abraham had been told that his descendants would be aliens mistreated in a foreign land for 400 years, using a figure rounded to hundreds (Gen. 15:13). (Mac Arthur Study Bible Note)

Genesis 15:13 New Living Translation (NLT) (Abraham was told by God of Israel being oppressed in Egypt)

13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.

Genesis 50:24 New Living Translation (NLT) (Joseph tells his brothers that God will take them out of Egypt)

The Passover Deals With The Jews’ Being Delivered From Israel By God.

The Path To The Passover

Exodus 1:1-22 – Harsh Labor – Death of Jewish Infants (Read the key verses below)

11 So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Rameses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel. 13 The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.
22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.” (The babies became crocodile food. Aborted babies of today have similar abominable things to happen to them and their body parts. Later, when the Egyptian army was pursuing the Jews across the dried up Red Sea; those who were caught in the middle when the water returned became fish food – how ironic!)

Consider our government of today (abortion)

The “church” (?) seems to oppose the leader of Egypt for the killing of little babies. But, the liberal churches of today (red and yellow, black and white) show no opposition to our leader, nor to any leaders of his party for not protecting the lives of unborn babies…even allowing seven, eight, and nine pound babies to be murdered in their mothers wombs, up to the point of birth… Neither do those same, who are “church in name only,” oppose our leader, for using the force of government to promote the killing of unborn babies. This same indictment relates to any other members of our leader’s party who are seeking to replace him. It also applies to other members of our leader’s party who are silent on the matter. It also applies to people who have continued to vote for our leader and for his party, with the knowledge of that party having a party platform which endorses abortion on demand. Our leader, members of his party, and those who continue to vote for such pro-abortion candidates, are…”not born again…awaiting their judgment of Revelation 20:15″ (“if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, they were thrown into the lake of fire”). For the pastors who support such pro-death candidates, scripture has a stern warning: “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. “(James 3:1) Our nation’s leader, the other leaders of his party, and those who continue to vote for such “pro-death” candidates, may think that they can “fool our voters, and even fool themselves; but, they can not fool God!” Revelation 20:15 is serious! Let’s make this personal: “If a pastor does not hold to God’s Word against the killing of little babies, that pastor should be fired! If you attend a church that has such an apostate pastor, and if that apostate pastor has not been fired, then you should leave that congregation and find one that is not a church of apostasy. After all, you and your children will continue to be subject to a leader who has not been born again, one who is an apostate leader, one who will continue to lead a congregation to be apostate followers.” Let me say something very clearly. There is no way that the Spirit of God dwells within the spirit of a person who continues to vote for candidates who promote abortion on demand. Neither is there any possible way that a person’s spirit can dwell within the Spirit of God if that person continues to vote for candidates who promote abortion on demand. Such a person has not been born again! Remember the words of John 3:3, “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Exodus 5:6-13 – Cruel labor techniques (Read)

God’s Plagues On Egypt In Exodus

The Exodus of Israel from Egypt and the Passover.

God Commands The Sacrifice Of The Passover Lamb: Exodus 12:1-11 (Read)

Redemption: By Blood: Exodus 12:12-13 (Read)

The Passover: A Memorial Of Redemption: Exodus 12:14-28 (Read)

The Feasts Of The Lord: The Passover: Christ Our Redeemer: Leviticus 23:4-5. Fulfilled in death of Christ: 2 Cor 5:7. (Read)

The Feasts Of The Lord: Unleavened Bread: Leviticus 23:6-8. Fulfilled in the sinlesssness of Christ: 1 Cor 5:8. (Read)

The Last Passover Of Jesus With His Disciples:

The Preparation Of The Passover Meal: (Read All)

The Humility Of Jesus At The Passover Meal: (Read)

John 13:1-5: Consider the humility of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, to include Judas. Consider the cultural aspect of washing someone’s feet.

Passover Seder Plate Description – Refer to plate and brochure.

The Passover Meal

Matthew 26:20-30. It was a meal with wine. It was not an “itsy bitsy wafer” and an “itsy bitsy sippy cup.” (Read)

What is a Passover Seder?

What happens at a Passover Seder meal?

Consider the Passover Seder Of Today. (The following information explains the procedure that Jews take to observe the Passover)

Meaning

The word haggadah (הַגָּדָה) comes from a Hebrew word meaning “tale” or “parable,” and it contains a sort of outline or choreography for the seder. The word seder (סֵדֶר) literally means “order” in Hebrew, and there’s a very specific “order” to the seder service and meal

Kiddush Cup

Drinking the ritual wine.

Shabbat and Jewish holiday meals begin with a blessing over a cup of wine. Many families have a special glass or goblet specifically for the purpose, often an heirloom that has been passed down through the generations, but any cup can function as a Kiddush cup if necessary. Either wine or grape juice may be used for this blessing, and some families stand for Kiddush, while others sit

The Seder Plate

The placement and symbolism of the items on the seder plate.

Many of the elements of this sensory experience appear on the seder plate (k’arah), which serves as the centerpiece of the seder table. The seder plate traditionally holds five or six items, each of which symbolizes a part (or multiple parts) of the Passover story.

The Seder Plate and Its Symbolism

There are a number of symbols that occur throughout the seder, but perhaps the focal point of the whole event is the seder plate. It contains:

a roasted shankbone, symbolizing the Pesach sacrifice in the Temple,
a roasted egg symbolizing either the spring season or mourning (for the destruction of Jerusalem),
maror (bitter herbs) to represent the bitter experience of the Hebrew slaves,
haroset (a mixture of apples, nuts, raisins, spices, wine) symbolizing the mortar the Hebrew slaves used to build for the Egyptians,
karpas (parsley, celery, or another green vegetable) symbolizing the green of spring.
The table must also have three pieces of matzah, each piece used for a different purpose, usually held in a special pouch made to be used during the seder.

The Passover Haggadah demands that each person see him or herself as having personally come forth out of Egypt. Accordingly, the seder is one of the most sensory-heavy rituals of the Jewish year. During the seder, we don’t just tell the story of the Exodus, we see, smell, feel, and taste liberation.
Many of the elements of this sensory experience appear on the seder plate (k’arah), which serves as the centerpiece of the seder table. The seder plate traditionally holds five or six items, each of which symbolizes a part (or multiple parts) of the Passover story.

Karpas (a green vegetable, most often parsley)

parsleyKarpas represents the initial flourishing of the Israelites during the first years in Egypt. At the end of the biblical book of Genesis, Joseph moves his family to Egypt, where he becomes the second-in-command to Pharaoh. Protected by Joseph’s exalted status, the family lives safely for several generations and proliferate greatly, becoming a great nation. The size of this growing population frightens the new Pharaoh, who enslaves the Israelites, lest they make war on Egypt. Even under slave conditions, the Israelites continue to reproduce, and Pharaoh eventually decrees that all baby boys be killed. In the course of the seder, we dip the karpas in salt water (Ashkenazi custom) or vinegar (Sephardi custom) in order to taste both the hope of new birth and the tears that the Israelite slaves shed over their condition.

Karpas also symbolizes the new spring. One of the names for Passover is Hag Ha-Aviv or the “holiday of spring.” Right around Passover the first buds emerge, and we look forward to the warmth and sense of possibility that accompany the beginning of spring. Some Ashkenazi Jews use a potato for karpas, as green vegetables were not readily available in Eastern Europe.

Haroset (Sweet Fruit Paste Symbolizing Mortar)

This mix of fruits, wine or honey, and nuts symbolizes the mortar that the Israelite slaves used to construct buildings for Pharaoh. The name itself comes from the Hebrew word cheresor clay. Ashkenazi Jews generally include apples in haroset, a nod to the midrashic tradition that the Israelite women would go into the fields and seduce their husbands under the apple trees, in defiance of the Egyptian attempts to prevent reproduction by separating men and women.

Sephardic recipes for haroset allude to this fertility symbolism by including fruits, such as dates and figs, mentioned in Song of Songs, the biblical book that is most infused with images of love and sexuality.

Maror (Bitter Herb, Often Horseradish)

This bitter herb allows us to taste the bitterness of slavery. Today, most Jews use horseradish asmaror. Originally, though, maror was probably a bitter lettuce, such as romaine, or a root, such as chicory. Like life in Egypt, these lettuces and roots taste sweet when one first bites into them, but then become bitter as one eats more. We dip maror into haroset in order to associate the bitterness of slavery with the work that caused so much of this bitterness.

Hazeret (Second Bitter Herb, Often Romaine)

A second bitter herb, used in korech or the Hillel sandwich, which consists of matzah and bitter herbs (some add haroset as well). Many Jews use horseradish for maror and romaine lettuce or another bitter green for hazeret. Others use the same vegetable for both parts of the seder, and do not include hazeret on the seder plate at all.

Z’roa (Shankbone)

A roasted lamb shank bone that symbolizes the lamb that Jews sacrificed as the special Passover offering when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. The z’roa does not play an active role in the seder, but serves as a visual reminder of the sacrifice that the Israelites offered immediately before leaving Egypt and that Jews continued to offer until the destruction of the Temple. Vegetarians often substitute a roasted beet, both because the red of the beet resembles the blood of the sacrifice and because the Talmud mentions beets as one of the vegetables sometimes dipped during the seder.

Beitzah (Egg)

A roasted or hard-boiled egg that symbolizes the hagigah sacrifice, which would be offered on every holiday (including Passover) when the Temple stood. The roundness of the egg also represents the cycle of life — even in the most painful of times, there is always hope for a new beginning.

Placement

There are a few traditions regarding the arrangement of items on the seder plate. Most commonly, the maror is placed in the middle of the plate. The hazeret is at the six o’clock position followed by, moving clockwise, karpas (seven o’clock), beitzah (11 o’clock), z’roa (one o’clock), and haroset (five o’clock).

On the Table

In addition to the items on the seder plate, the seder table should also have three pieces of matzahwrapped or covered in a cloth and a container of salt water or vinegar in which to dip the karpas. Some seder plates have a compartment for matzah underneath, or include space for salt water among the other symbols. In most cases, though, matzah and salt water or vinegar sit near, but not on, the seder plate.

One way to encourage participation in the seder is to ask each guest to bring one item that, for him or her, represents liberation. Participants might bring family heirlooms that remind them of their family’s immigration story, newspaper stories about current liberation struggles, or other symbolic objects. Each guest should place this item near the seder plate and, at an appropriate time in the seder, explain its significance.

Must-Know Passover Terms

Key words and phrases for Passover.

Afikoman—From a Greek word meaning “dessert.” A piece of matzah that is hidden during the course of the seder, found after dinner, and eaten as dessert at the end of the seder meal.
Arba Kosot — Hebrew for “four cups.” In this case, it refers to the four cups of wine drunk at the Passover seder.
Barekh— The 12th step of the Passover seder, in which birkat hamazon, the grace after meals is said.
matzah-morality-hp.jpg
Beitzah — Hebrew for “egg.” A roasted or hard-boiled egg is placed on the seder plate to symbolize rebirth.
Chad Gadya —Hebrew for “one goat,” this is the last of the songs sung at the conclusion of the seder and tells the story of the little goat a father bought for a pittance. To hear the song clickhere and for lyrics click here.
Chag Ha Aviv — Hebrew for “The Spring Holiday.” One of the alternate names for Passover.
Dayenu — Hebrew for “enough for us,” this is the name of a song sung at the Passover seder that tells of all the miracles God performed for the Israelites. Listen to it and see the transliteration in this video below.
Gebrochts — Yiddish for “broken,” this refers to matzah that has absorbed liquid. It is customary among some Orthodox Ashkenazi Jews to avoid gebrochts as an extra stringency on Passover.
Haggadah — Hebrew for “telling” or “recounting.” A Haggadah is a book that is used to tell the story of the Exodus at the seder. There are many versions available ranging from very traditional to nontraditional, and you can also make your own.
Hallel — The 13th step of the Passover seder, in which psalms of praise are sung.
Hametz — Bread or any food that has been leavened or contains a leavening agent, hametz is prohibited on Passover.
Haroset — A sweet mixture of nuts, wine, and apples on the seder plate that symbolizes the mortar used by slaves in Egypt.
Hol HaMoed — The intermediate days of the holiday, between the first two days of holiday, and the last two days of holiday.
Kaddesh — The first step of the Passover seder, in which a blessing over a glass is recited.
Karpas — The third step of the Passover seder, in which a piece of greenery such as parsley is dipped into salt water and then eaten.
Kitniyot — Hebrew for legumes, the term here also includes corn and rice. These items were prohibited for use on Passover by some Ashkenazic rabbis in the medieval period, but many Sephardic Jews (and increasingly Conservative Jews) do allow them on Passover.
Korekh — The ninth step in the Passover seder, in which bitter herbs are eaten together with a piece of matzah.
Maggid — The fifth and most substantial step of the Passover seder, in which the story of the Exodus is recounted.
Maror — Bitter herbs. The eighth step in the Passover seder, in which the herbs (usually horseradish), symbolizing the bitterness of life under Egyptian rule, are eaten.
Matzah — Unleavened bread. According to the Bible the Israelites ate matzah right before they left Egypt. Today matzah is eaten during Passover to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt.
Motzi Matzah — The seventh step in the Passover seder, in which a piece of matzah is eaten.
Nirtzah — The 14th and final step of the Passover seder, in which the night is concluded by saying “Next year in Jerusalem.”
Pesach —Hebrew for “pass over.” Cooked meat that, according to the Bible, was eaten by the Israelites just before they left Egypt.
Rahtza — The sixth step of the Passover seder, in which the hands are washed for a second time, and a blessing is recited.
Seder — Hebrew for “order.” The Passover ritual where family and friends gather on the first one or two nights of Passover to retell the story of the Exodus. The story is told in a particular order, with specific rituals.
Shir Hashirim — The Song of Songs, the text read in synagogue during the Shabbat of Passover.
Shulhan Orekh— The 10th step in the Passover seder, in which the meal is served. Pass thematzah balls!
Tzafun — The 11th step of the Passover seder, in which the afikoman is found and eaten as dessert.
Urchatz — The second step of the Passover seder, in which the hands are washed but no blessing is recited.
Yahatz — The fourth step of the Passover seder in which a piece of matzah is broken in half.
Zeroa — Shank bone. The bone is placed on the seder plate and recalls the blood on the doorposts and the terror and the anticipation of the night of the plague of the first born.

GOD’S CHOOSING OF ISRAEL (The following information shows that The Passover, the giving of The Sabbath, and the giving of The Law, relate to God and the Jews, only. When the Passover, The Sabbath and The Law were given, only the Jews were present. No other descendants of Abraham or Isaac were recipients of any of these three important gifts of God; which is important for us to understand. If only the Jews were present when these “big three” gifts of God were given, no other group of people would have known anything about the specifics of those gifts. Only, in time, did other groups of people learn of these three gifts. But, only the Jews were the “binding recipients” of these gifts.)

Joshua 24:1-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Joshua Reviews Israel’s History

1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. 4 To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau, and to Esau I gave Mount Seir to possess it; but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt. 5 Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt by what I did in its midst; and afterward I brought you out. 6 I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea; and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 But when they cried out to the Lord, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

GOD’S COVENANT
ABRAHAM Genesis 12:1-3; 25:8 (Death)
ISAAC Genesis 17:19-21; 26:1-5
JACOB Genesis 28:13-15

ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS AND THE PASSOVER, THE SABBATH, AND THE LAW
ABRAHAM (SARAH) ISAAC and Esau; AND JACOB (ISRAEL) – Genesis 37-50; Exodus (all through it)

ISAAC – Genesis 17-35:29 (Death)
Esau – Genesis 25 – 36:9 (No mention of his death)
Edomites – Genesis 36:9 – 36:43
Edom: Exodus 15:14-16 (Edom located on the eastern border of the Jordan River.
JACOB – Genesis 25 – 49:33 (Death) – Genesis 50:24 (Promised land to descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Exodus 1:1 – 1:5 (Descendants of Jacob entered Egypt; descendants of Ishmael and Midian not in Egypt). Exodus 3:15-16 (God told Moses, “speak to the children of Israel. Exodus 6:6, God told Moses that He would deliver the Israelites from Egypt. Exodus 19-29, The Law given to Israel, not to Ishmael or Midian. Exodus 31:17, the law given as a sign between God and Israel and for Israel to keep. Exodus 12-13 – Feasts of Passover and Unleavened established for Israel. Exodus 14: God delivered Israel from Egypt through the Red Sea. Joshua 3 (God leads the Israelites across the Jordan River: MIRACLE). No Ishmaelites or Midianites.

ABRAHAM (HAGAR) AND ISHMAEL:

ISHMAEL – Genesis 16-25:17 (Death) 25:18-19 Descendants settled outside of Egypt.

Ishmaelites: Genesis 37:25-36; 39:1-3; Judges 8:24

ABRAHAM (KETURAH) AND MIDIAN – Six sons. Midian most mentioned.

Midian: Genesis 25:1-3 (Midian) 25:4 Descendants; 25:5 (Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac). Unknown details of death.

Midianites: Genesis 37:36; Numbers 25:17; 31:1-7; Judges 6:1

Intimacy With God

John 4:24 New English Translation (NET Bible)

24 God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos on typed texts on the blog.

Worship of God does not relate to any particular place, date or time. Instead, worship in spirit and truth may be said to be,” all of us for all of Him (God).

4:24 God is Spirit. This verse represents the classical statement on the nature of God as Spirit. The phrase means that God is invisible (Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27) as opposed to the physical or material nature of man (1:18; 3:6). The word order of this phrase puts an emphasis on “Spirit,” and the statement is essentially emphatic. Man could never comprehend the invisible God unless He revealed Himself, as He did in Scripture and the Incarnation. must worship. Jesus is not speaking of a desirable element in worship but that which is absolutely necessary. in spirit and truth. The word “spirit” does not refer to the Holy Spirit but to the human spirit. Jesus’ point here is that a person must worship not simply by external conformity to religious rituals and places (outwardly) but inwardly (“in spirit”) with the proper heart attitude. The reference to “truth” refers to worship of God consistent with the revealed Scripture and centered on the “Word made flesh” who ultimately revealed His Father (14:6). (MacArthur Study Bible Note)

John 17:3 New English Translation (NET Bible)

3 Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.

In order for one of mankind to attain eternal life, such a person must have an intimate relationship with God the Father, through God the Son, being empowered by God the Holy Spirit.

17:3 that they know you . . . and Jesus Christ. Life consists in fellowship with God “who created us for Himself, so that our soul is restless unless it finds its rest in Him,” as Augustine expressed it. Knowledge, here as so often in Scripture, means more than mere intellectual grasp; it involves affection and commitment as well. By placing Himself and the Father together as the source of eternal life, Christ affirms His own deity. See “True Knowledge of God” at Jer. 9:24.(Reformation Study Bible)

Consider the word “know” as it relates to Genesis 4:1. That scripture illustrates the height of intimacy which comes through the closeness and intimacy of marriage.

Genesis 4:1 King James Version (KJV)

4 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

4:1 Adam knew Eve. The Hebrew word for “know” is used to denote the sexual intimacy of the marriage relationship. (Reformation Study Bible).

Consider the songs of this post, as they relate to intimacy between mankind and God. In the video of the Brownsville Revival, Pastor Steve Hill (now deceased) never was embarrassed or ashamed to call people to repentance and to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Please don’t dismiss the emotions of such repentance that is shown in the two videos that close this post. Warning! Selfish pride is a killer!We need to plead to God for His mercy on our nation. We are guilty of the murder of unborn babies. We are guilty of allowing men to marry men, and women to marry women. We are guilty of allowing men to go into the restrooms of women, because those perverted men “think they are women.” Lord we need your judgment on the abominable democrat party that is behind these and other abominable acts against you. Lord have mercy on us! Amen.

Just Give Me Jesus

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:20-21)

Click onto any blue letter, number or character to see the videos and typed text on the blog.

As I viewed the first video, and the one that follows, the emotional pull on me drew tears from my eyes and made me think of just how important it is for all of us to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. In the verses, the Greeks were Gentile proselytes to Judaism; they made a simple statement, “we would see Jesus.” How about you? Is your desire to “see Jesus;” to know Him as your Lord and Savior? The songs of this post are being used by God’s Holy Spirit to draw those of you who don’t have saving faith in Jesus to make the decision of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Stay with the second video. “Consider Jesus; ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, knowing that by doing so you will spend eternity with Jesus.”

Shabbat Fellowship Meal

Genesis 1:31-2:3 New King James Version (NKJV) “The evening and the morning,” in that order.

31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

The Early Church In Fellowship And Growth

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Shabbat, Shabbos, Shabbath, Sabbath

Next Saturday will be our monthly fellowship meal, which will also be a “Shabbat,” or Sabbath, time of worship. The scriptural authority is Acts 2:42: “and they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” In this passage those who were meeting in house churches were Jews who had very recently come to know Jesus as the Christ, their Messiah. “Breaking of bread” did not mean Lord’s Supper; it was a fellowship meal. One might ask if these early believers in Christ took time during their meals to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus; we don’t really know. But, if there was such a time, the bread was not an “itsy bitsy wafer” and the wine was not dispensed in an “itsy bitsy sippy cup.” The Apostles had very recently been with with Jesus at the Passover Meal (Thursday night before Friday afternoon’s crucifixion of Jesus). It was from the bread and wine of the meal that Jesus spoke of His impending death on the cross. During that meal Jesus didn’t exclude anyone, including Judas who betrayed Him. The feet of Judas were also washed by Jesus, just as were the feet of the others who were present. The problems that existed in the Church at Corinth, and their fellowship meals, will be discussed later. Someone might also ask when the Apostles who were present at the Passover meal with Jesus would take part in the next Passover meal. The answer is, “at the next time of Passover,” which would be about a year from the last Passover. The Apostles did not forsake their observance of the Passover. The only clear-cut reference to an event that might be called “The Lord’s Supper” would come about twenty-six years later, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians Chapter 11. Still, that were not a time when an “itsy bitsy” wafer of bread, or an “itsy bitsy” cup of wine was used to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:21:22). Nobody is going to “go hungry” for a lack of an “itsy bitsy” wafer of bread. Neither is anyone going to become drunk because they had a sip from an “itsy bitsy” cup of wine…. More to come… Also, consider this statement: “give me a list!”)

These first century believers in Christ met in homes, not of planning but of necessity. There were no free-standing buildings on street corners that had signs which read, “First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church, etc.” These early believers met in homes because they were convenient, available, and free of rent. Also, these Jews who had just recently come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior continued to attend temple worship (Acts 2:46). These Jews were born as Jews, and they died as Jews. The difference between them and their unbelieving Jewish friends was that the BELIEVING JEWS had been born again; they had the Spirit of FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT living within their born again spirits, and leading them to lives of righteousness. These BELIEVING JEWS continued their temple worship; they would not show a lack of respect for their elders. Also, there was no teaching of Jesus or the apostles for the born again Jews to desert their unbelieving Jewish friends. The Church, the born again body of Christ, has been called to tell the world of the message of CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED (1 Corinthians 2:1) Notice the simplicity and joy of these early church house fellowships (vs 46) . Notice the favor that the early believers in Christ had with their unbelieving neighbors (vs 47). Notice, also, the rapid growth of the early church that came as a result of the Lord adding to their number (the born again experience… John 3:3-8).

Come and join us for our a time of teaching, food, and fellowship next Saturday at 4:30. If you are in our local area, please consider joining us. If you are not near us; as I am aware of many of our ministry team who reside throughout and outside of the USA; you should consider having your own fellowship meals. If you do that, be sure to maintain a simplicity of fellowship. Because our time of teaching is essential to our gatherings, it is important that each person goes away with information on God’s Word that will help them to be a more effective witness. We strive for simplicity of fellowship, but we also strive for a time that is free from interference of teaching. We don’t have a nursery; we want all of our people to learn from the experience of our meetings. We ask therefore that only adults, and children of learning and obeying age, attend our gatherings. Times are very serious in our world. Our adults must be able to learn God’s Holy Word so that they can also teach their children the things of scripture that they will need to know as they face a more unbelieving and hostile world. Consider the words of the following verses of scripture that deal with the responsibility that parents have of teaching their children.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The teaching of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is called “The Shema.” Notice the pronunciation of Shema, which is not She-ma; it is more like “sha mah.” The following link will have the word properly enunciated.

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Torah/The_Shema/the_shema.html

AG-02 The Lord’s Sabbath – A Sign Between God And The Jews

Click onto the link to see the videos and typed text on the blog.

At this time of day most of the people who receive my posts, and reside in various nations around the world, are being blessed by the presence of the Lord’s Sabbath. The Sabbath is a special time of each week. The Sabbath begins each Friday at Sundown, and continues until the following Saturday at Sundown. The seventh day of the week is the Sabbath Day. No other day of the week can be substituted for the Sabbath Day. In essence, no one can contract a large excavator, dig up the seventh day of the week and move it to any other day of the week. So, we can clearly state that “the Sabbath Day is the Seventh Day, and can only be the Seventh Day.” We may want to make another day of the week a day of rest but no other day of the week can become “The Lord’s Sabbath.” The scriptures that follow clearly show that the seventh day of the week is special,and was made holy by God, to all of His creation. However, The Sabbath was given by God, only to the Jews to keep; and was given as a sign between God and Israel, forever! Please consider the words of the accompanying videos of worship and praise. Allow yourself to enter into a time of intimate worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Genesis 1:31-2:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

The following verses show that God made the seventh day holy. Therefore, the seventh day is holy to all of His creation.

31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Exodus 16:6-26 New King James Version (NKJV)

The time frame from God’s making the seventh day holy until the time of its being called the Sabbath Day was 2513 years. There was no mention of the Sabbath until the time of this writing.

6 Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening you shall know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord; for He hears your complaints against the Lord. But what are we, that you complain against us?” 8 Also Moses said, “This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.”

9 Then Moses spoke to Aaron, “Say to all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your complaints.’” 10 Now it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”

13 So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground.15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’”

17 Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. 18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. 19 And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted.

22 And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’” 24 So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it.25 Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

Exodus 31:12-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

As anyone can see from the scriptures, the only people who were present when God established the Sabbath, and the Law, were the children of Israel. No other group, or groups, of people were present. No other group, or groups of people, were privileged to know these communications that God had with Moses, Aaron and the children of Israel. No other people, other than the children of Israel, were bound by the conditions of the Sabbath and the Law, but all of God’s created beings should honor that which God has made, ordained, sanctified, set apart, made holy.

The Sabbath Law

12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”

18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Consider how you can honor the Sabbath Day, “the Lord’s Sabbath.”

AG-01 The Road To All Things New

John 8:30-36 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Click onto any blue letter, number or character to see the videos and typed texts on the blog.

Truth and Freedom (32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free)

30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered Him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. 36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

In the above videos a very nice man shows the proper technique to “grind an ax.” I am sure that the man is very efficient in all aspects of ax-grinding, and he should be commended for his craftsmanship in that regard. However, as it relates to God’s Holy Word, I have “no ax to grind,” only the ax of truth. My purposes in writing articles on the Bible relate only to the truth and clarity of scripture. No attempt is made to proselytize anyone to any faction or belief; God’s Holy Spirit is in charge of that task. However, there is one very important teaching of scripture that you will find to be dogmatic or “ax-grinding.” We need to check out John 3:3, which may be considered the “gate-keeper” question for entry into heaven: “have you been born again?”

John 3:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

So, here is my ax-grinding comment. “No one can see the kingdom of God, unless they are born again!” I will re-state my comment, as follows: “if you have not been born again, you’re not going to heaven when you die!” I will “grind on” the obvious! If you have not been born again, you will spend your eternity in Hell! It is very simple to understand; the born again experience gives all who have ever been an embryo, whether born or not born, a spirit that is as pure as the Spirit of “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” A born again spirit will dwell within the Spirit of “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” A born again spirit will have the indwelling presence of the Spirit of “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” A born again spirit will be led in every way of life by the Spirit of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

When Adam and Eve sinned they were expelled from the Garden Of Eden (Genesis 2 and 3). Their total “body, soul and spirit” entered a death spiral. Their spirits immediately became flawed and needed to be born again. Their bodies and souls began a death march. Through their procreation, their flawed spirits, their bodies of sin, and their sin natures, were passed to their children. In turn, their children, who were flawed from birth (body, soul, spirit), passed on their flawed body, soul and spirit to their offspring. The passing of that flawed body, soul and spirit will never end without the intervention of a Savior, who is Jesus.

The following verses explain the need for us to be born again, and can be called “The Romans Road” to salvation.

Romans 5:12 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) Sin and death were passed by Adam and Eve to everyone who has ever been conceived. Death did not result prior to the sin of Adam and Eve. Therefore, there were no cavemen or prehistoric animals who died before the sin of Adam and Eve.

12 Therefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed onto all men, for all have sinned.

Romans 3:10 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) – There is not one person who is free from the state of being unrighteous, upon being conceived. Only the born again experience will make one righteous.

10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) – All enter this world in a flawed state (body, soul, spirit).

23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:8 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) – Jesus died on the cross to save all (from Genesis through Revelation) who have been born again.

8 But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) – No one can earn salvation; it is a gift.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:13 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) – The way out of the death spiral is faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you believe, you are born again. If you are born again, you believe.

13 For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

You can jump ahead and read John 3:3-8 if you want to know how the “new birth,” or “birth from above” takes place. You can also go further to John Chapter 14 to read about the indwelling of spirits, and John Chapter 15:26 through 16:15 to learn about the “teaching” of the Holy Spirit to those whom have been born again. No person who has not been “born again,” will ever have their name written in the “book of life.” Check out the following verses of scripture that discusses the fate of such a person. Notice the words, “the dead,” which are the ones who have not been born again. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, the words, “the dead in Christ,” relate to those who have been born again; Jesus paid their sin debt when He took on their judgment when He died on the cross at Calvary. So, in the following scriptures, we are looking at a long line of people who are standing before God to be judged, and who will pay their own sin debt, because they were never born again. So, from the words of John 3:3, I will say again, “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Consider how belief relates to the new birth. If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have been born again. If we have been born again, we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The result of someone not being born again is to be condemned to eternal judgment and separation from God.

John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:18 King James Version (KJV)

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 8:1 King James Version (KJV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 King James Version (KJV) – When we have been born again, our spirits have become new, and have become as pure as the Spirit of Christ. Each of our spirits prompt our souls (our minds, thinking processes, emotions, wills) to be changed in the way that they function, from sinful motives to spiritual motives.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The following verses of scripture explain the destiny of those who have not been born again.

Revelation 20:11-15 (New American Standard Bible) Eternal condemnation, judgment and separation from God await those at the “Great White Throne Judgment.”

Judgment At The Throne Of God

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

As we viewed the opening videos, we saw the things that are needed “to grind an ax.” First of all, we saw a pleasant man. Then, we saw a vice, a stand on which the vice will be placed, a grinder, safety gloves, safety goggles and, of course, an ax! Wow! All of those things are needed to “grind an ax!” Now, let’s consider all of the tools that I will need for “ax grinding,” if it is to be called such a task; but, I will definitely be grinding the ax of truth. My tools are God’s Holy Word, the Bible, and my computer, of course. So, please let me invite you to become a part of my “Truth Of God’s Word Grinding Association!” We will constantly be digging for more scriptures that tell of God’s plan for His people and for His plan for the ages of time.

Each post that I write which deals with the route to “all things new,”(beginning with this one) will have a reference label which will begin with AG-01 (Ax Grinding-01). It is a guarantee that, if any are faithful in studying these posts, they will come to know more about God’s Holy Word than most people that they know, including pastors. And, no one has to “sign up;” just enjoy the journey.

But, let’s get serious for a moment. In the first song we heard the words, “I’m all churched out.” Some who read this post may be in situation. This study will have you as a primary target for God’s Holy Spirit to love you like you’ve never been loved before. The route for you, and others, will take you to the King, “King Jesus,” in the throne room of heaven where we will all fall down and worship Jesus. It’s okay to “enjoy the Lord,” so, through this study, “let’s really enjoy the Lord.” In the following verses, it is important that you see yourself, “actually there;” because, if you have been born again, you will someday be “actually there!”

Revelation 4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Scene in Heaven

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

The end of the road “to all things new” has a far different ending than what we find in Revelation 20:15, “the Great White Throne Judgment and the Lake of Fire.” Consider the comfort in the following verses that relate to the eternal destiny of those who have been born again.

Revelation 21 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Those, whose names are written in “the Lambs book of life,” (Jesus, the Lamb Of God) are only those who have had their souls to be “born again.” Consider the new heaven, earth, and Jerusalem. Consider no tears, death, mourning, crying or pain. Consider those who have been born again being in the eternal Presence of God. God will make “all things new.” This is not an allegory; it is a promise that will be fulfilled. Believers in Christ have the hopeful expectation of being in the Presence of God, every day of their/our eternal life, which is life without end. Such an eternity will be one with no darkness; only light; with the light being the light of God. (Rev 22:5). Yes! God will make all things new!

The New Heaven and Earth

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

The New Jerusalem

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 12 It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. 18 The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; 26 and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: