Tag: Jesus

Paneas and Sacrifice

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Resurrection, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things that are of God, but those that are of men.”

Matthew 16:23

This is a startling and sharp rebuke to Peter. It is evidence of His emotionally humanistic conception. Because of that, Peter is aligning himself with Satan’s plan. One that would deter Jesus from fulfilling His mission. The rebuke is harsh and demonstrates to us the focus Jesus had on His mission. He was sent to die.

Peter’s fear is revealed at the thought of Jesus dying. That fear also gives an opportunity for offense. Peter stumbles. This Foundation the church is built upon is not Peter, but it is the Rock of offense. In the last post, the idea of the Rock Jesus spoke of would be Himself. Testified to previously by Peter himself.

Long after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter expounds on this theme by cutting the Tanakh.

Coming to Him as to a living stone who is rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4–6

Peter now understands the issue clearly. Jesus is the Rock chosen by God Himself and would give the greatest sacrifice. Jesus is the Foundation the church is being built upon. Peter is one of those living stones, as is every believer. Like every believer, we are like Jesus, kings and priests working for God.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:5b–6

The Acceptance of Obedience

Just as Jesus laying down His life was a spiritual sacrifice; we believers are called to do the same.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1–2

The idea of sacrificing ourselves to the work of Jesus is the same as that of living stones in a spiritual house. Like Murray’s, or denial of ourselves comes with gifts for service to Him and others. Paul explains it this way.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sound judgment, according to the measure of faith God has distributed to every man. For just as we have many parts in one body, and not all parts have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and all are parts of one another. We have diverse gifts according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:3–8

Just as each stone is selected and purposefully cut to fit into the overall structure, the same is with the spiritual house (or body of Christ.) A stone crafted to be a lintel does not fit as a doorpost or wall stone. Each has a carefully crafted purpose. This is the idea, that we yield ourselves to be conformed to the purposes God has chosen for us. In this, we prove His perfection.

The Rejection of the Disobedience

For also it is contained in the Scripture, “Look! I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes in Him shall never be put to shame.”
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. But to those who are disobedient, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, to which also they were appointed.

1 Peter 2:7–8

As believers, we will never be put to shame no matter what we may do. That is a simple truth.

The same is not valid for those who disobey and never believe. These are offended at the thought that the Anointed King would have to die. Let alone Him dying for their sins. Obedient belief is appointed to Israelis. Yet they reject it stumbling in their own disobedience.

Jesus calls all of us to a living sacrifice, just as He did. We know He died and rose again. And we can expect the same for us because of His promises.

Sacrifice at the Gates of Hell

The sacrifices offered at the Gates of Hell stood in stark contrast. The pagan gods worshipped there completely consumed the dead sacrifices offered to them.

The Grotto of Pan is a cave. It was the reason the nearby sanctuary was built. A natural spring gushed water into what is now called the Banias River. This river feeds the Jordan River. In ancient times, water entered the cave and disappeared into a deep fissure in the rock. It is estimated to have been over 800 feet deep. Subsequent seismic activity destroyed much of the features of the cave.

When a sacrifice was made, the dead carcass was thrown into the mouth of the cave. The waters carried it into the natural abyss at the back of the cave. The victim disappeared into the water. If no blood appeared in the nearby springs, the offering was thought to be accepted.

Panic and the Cure

It is fitting in this setting to speak of these things as a rich backdrop to what Jesus is saying and doing. This is the Gates of Hell, the Grotto of Pan. Pan is considered by some to be one of the first deities. He is a fertility god and is the embodiment of nature. He is also known for enticing fear with panic. The word panic is derived from his name.

Way back in the garden, the idea of death was whitewashed by the shining one (serpent.) Even was persuaded to partake of the forbidden, and in turn, gave to her husband. Something changed. They knew they were naked and covered themselves. When God called, they hid in fear. Death came to humanity, and with it came fear. Death became the bondage of Adam’s race.

Yet Adam was not supposed to know death. This bondage to death is the very thing the enemy has used to shackle people. When people are confronted with sudden death, fear and then panic take hold. The shining one brought war to God through humans. The mythologies of old subtly obscure the truth.

Jesus in rebuking Peter, hoped to shock him from panic. It was Jesus on His mission to end the war of the gods and free humanity. Jesus was going to do it by dying. His resurrection destroyed the power of death. Fear and panic are decimated. We know that by hindsight. Think of how many times the Bible tells us to not be afraid, even in the presence of God.

So then, as the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who through fear of death were throughout their lives subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:14–15

It is my opinion that the eventual devastation of this grotto is proof that God destroyed the power of death. The sacred places of the old gods are in ruins now.

That fear of death that binds no longer has power. Jesus died to give us precious respite from the justice due to us for our sins. He rose again to give us victory over sin. It is in that freedom we have an opportunity to be reconciled to God Himself.

Rest assured, though… If one dies in their sins, the destiny is everlasting perdition.

Paneas and Peter’s Rebuke of Jesus

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Resurrection, Spiritual Warfare1 Comment

Then Peter took Him and began rebuking Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall not happen to You.”

Matthew 16:22

Peter attempts to teach the Teacher. He criticizes Jesus assuming he knows better. Peter is primed with (to him) contemporary thinking that the Messiah came to vanquish enemies. Jesus couldn’t do that if He died, right?

The Conquering Messiah

In the political climate of the time, there was a short list of agreement among Jewish sects. This included important differences on the expectation of the Messiah. The Essenes were expecting a military hero that would reform temple worship. The Sadducees had no messianic expectations, denied resurrection, and therefore had limited expectations of a future Davidic Kingdom. The Idumaeans (Herodians) would also not be interested in a competing leader. The Pharisees however, expected a Messiah.

One particular agreement amongst the sects was a longing for freedom from Roman rule. This idea had roots in the earlier Maccabean revolt and eventually culminated in AD70. There are important Jewish writings that many are unfamiliar with, and this would include an apocryphal work called the Psalms of Solomon. This book has ties to the Maccabean revolt and is considered non-canonical, yet it was part of the Septuagint. Some of these psalms demonstrate an awareness of the Roman conquest of Jerusalem. Others are clearly Messianic. One in particular Psalms of Solomon 17 is similar to Psalm 72 (also attributed to Solomon.)

It was this Psalms of Solomon 17 that seems to have formed much of the political expectations that the Pharisees had of the Messiah. This idea would also be known among the citizenry of Israel. This particular Psalm is messianic. I will cite a part of it from the Septuagint that demonstrates the expectation.

See, O Lord, and raise up their king for them, a son of David, for the proper time that you see, God, to rule over Israel your servant. And undergird him with strength to shatter unrighteous rulers. Cleanse Jerusalem from the nations that trample it in destruction, to expel sinners from the inheritance in wisdom, in righteousness, to rub out the arrogance of the sinner like a potter’s vessel, to crush all their support with an iron rod; to destroy lawless nations by the word of his mouth, for Gentiles to flee from his face at his threat, and to reprove sinners by the word of their heart.

Psalms of Solomon 17:23–27 — The Lexham English Septuagint (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

The Servant

It is a line in that Psalm above that takes us to the next point, the identity of the servant. Second Temple era Judaism interpreted much of the texts speaking of the suffering servant as an identification of the nation Israel. Just as it is above.

But what does the Bible show us?

Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one, in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon him;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1

You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.

Isaiah 43:10

He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Isaiah 49:3

See, My servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 52:13

Hear this, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends sitting before you, for these men are a sign. I am bringing My servant, the Branch. The stone that I have set before Joshua, on that single stone is seven eyes. And I will engrave an inscription, says the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in one day.

Zechariah 3:8–9

I offer a few of the texts to demonstrate that this servant idea applies to both Israel as a nation and to the Messiah. It might be clear to us modern thinkers, but not so much for any Israeli at that time.

Being that an Israeli would consider the servant to be the nation of Israel, writings such as Psalm 22 would be taken as a cry from the nation as a servant. Isaiah 53 would also be understood as not messianic in nature.

Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before Him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground. He has no form or majesty that we should look upon him nor appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from him;
he was despised, and we did not esteem him.
Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was struck. His grave was assigned with the wicked, yet with the rich in his death,
because he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; He has put him to grief. If he made himself as an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the anguish of his soul and be satisfied.
By his knowledge My righteous servant shall justify the many, for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, thus he bore the sin of many
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:1–12

This portion of Isaiah is not known by many Jewish folk today. It is called the forbidden chapter. It is excluded from haftara portions that are read openly in synagogues.

In hindsight, this particular chapter outlines the mission of the Messiah as told beforehand in excruciating detail. He would necessarily suffer and die for sins.

Perhaps it was overlooked that if Messiah made Himself an offering for sins, it also says “(H)e shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” Th were is no other way to describe that but as resurrection. No other explanation can be made as to how someone can prolong Their days after One dies.

With all that in mind, it seems apropos that Jesus would begin to speak about resurrection.

The Rock

Zechariah told us the servant is the Rock. The Bible talks about Jesus being the precious cornerstone that to some, specifically Israelis, would be a rock of offense. One to stumble over, just as Peter did.

Why not? Because they did not seek it by faith, but by the works of the law. For they stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written:
“Look! I lay in Zion a stumbling stone
and rock of offense, and whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.”

Romans 9:32–33

Peter is expecting the Conquering King. He is expecting a Righteous Ruler. A suffering Servant was not expected. The talk of resurrection would also be unexpected and go right over his head.

As Jesus had stated before this rebuke of Peter, He would suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes. All of which would lead to His death. Yet He boldly said He would prolong His days and be raised on the third day.

Peter’s response to it is disbelief. To his credit, I might be able to understand that thinking. It raises a question in my mind.

Why would a Conquering King need to die before taking His rightful place on the throne?

There are other messianic texts that fill in details. The prophecies were clear.

“Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until the Prince Messiah shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. It shall be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of trouble. After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.

Daniel 9:25–26

Messiah will be cut off and have nothing. The euphemism cut off is a reference to sudden death. Peter has no excuse not to know this as the penalty for sin that is ascribed in the law. Yet plainly, the mission of the Messiah is clearly outlined in the Tanakh. Peter is taking an emotionally humanistic view, not quite understanding the precise timing.

Seventy weeks have been determined for your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

Daniel 9:24

That text comes before the prophecy of the Messiah being cut off. It lays out the planned timing. 70 weeks are given (that’s a figure of speech meaning 490 years.) Messiah is cut off after 69 weeks.

It follows that if Messiah is to put an end to all of that, one week is left after being cut off. He would need to prolong His days to accomplish the task. He would have to be alive after dying.

To this day, controversy is afoot concerning these passages in Daniel. Some say the prophecies are done. Others say seven more years remain for Israel. One must also consider why a nation was destroyed and its people scattered, survived as a people for millennia. They are now being gathered into a nation called Israel born in a day. A student of prophecy knows that the nation as a whole has not been regathered in history. We are witnesses to God keeping His Word.

End Thoughts

Daniel 9:24 speaks to a finish of transgression, end of sins, atonement and to bring in everlasting righteousness. Our experience demonstrates these things are yet (very near) future. As the scattered Israelis are continually being called home.

To the first century Jewish mind, it would be murky at best. Especially when the nation is under brutal Roman occupation. Read that as being lorded over by Gentile mutts. Peter wanted a King. He did not want what seemed a suicide mission.

ImOur attention must be brought into focus. Jesus spoke of His death and His resurrection. Both are an integral part of His mission. And each accomplish different tasks. One a Satisfaction off the justice due for sins. The other as complete removal of sins.

This two-fold mission of the Rock is also the very thing that presents itself as a stumbling block. It is that sense, this same Rock is the Cornerstone Jesus is going to build His church on. Some are going to stumble over that. The mensch Peter didn’t get the death part because he didn’t expect the victory in resurrection.

Paneas and the Church

On By TimIn Church, Matthew 16Leave a comment

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:15–18

Peter’s declaration is the truth. It is a truth that is revealed to people by the Father. It is the truth that changes the world. It is the truth that changes people.

Blessed are you Simon… I tell you that you are Peter. Putting these two phrases together helps to see the significance. It is here that Jesus gives a new name to Simon. By this very thing, Jesus is once again demonstrating that He is God. We have to refer back to Genesis for the first occurrence.

No longer will your name be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Genesis 17:5

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. It signifies a few things. In Abram’s situation, the Hebrew letter heh, was added. Because the Hebrew letters connote significant meaning, heh conveys the idea of spirit of breath. Abram had that inserted into his name. It becomes a sort of prophecy to God putting His Spirit in believers. In the same way, Sarai’s name was changed.

We also know that there are other places where people’s names have been changed. Daniel has his name changed, as well as his friends’ names when they were assimilated into Babylon.

When Jesus changes Peter’s name, we must think back to these things. That God changes names, Jesus is showing that He is God. The name change show Peter to be assimilated into a new culture. Peter is connected to the promises of God, and like Abraham, he serves God by making Him known to the world. Abraham was an integral part of the promise of God, as was Sarah. And now we see Peter, too in the same way. In that moment, Peter overcame.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it.

Revelation 2:17

The believer is granted a new name. One that shows such has been assimilated into a new culture. One that says this one is an integral part of the promises of God.

Of course, Revelation is speaking of a future time. In the present, the moment we believe, each of us is given a new name. We are called Christian. The new name also includes a new identity as a child of God, and joint-heir with Jesus Himself. We are part of a new culture.

You Are Petros

When Jesus gives that name to Peter, and then declares He will build His church, there is a play on words. In the underlying Greek, Peter (Petros) is a name that means stone or pebble.

When Jesus says “on this rock” (ho petra) He is NOT speaking about Peter. Though the words are almost the same, there are differences. One is masculine and the other feminine. In English, this distinction is insignificant at best. But in other languages, the genders of the nouns and the verbs associated with them must match. Peter (stone; Petros; masculine) is not the same as rock (petra; feminine.)

“On this rock” is a reference to bedrock or massive rock formations like the mountain that towered by them. This isn’t a declaration that Peter is the first pope. Nor is it a declaration that Peter is the stand-in for Jesus on Earth.

No. It is on the bedrock truth, that Jesus is the living Son of God and that is the foundation of the church He will build. This Son of God is living as opposed to the disembodied spirits and others remanded to the netherworld.

The Gates of Hell

The Gates of Hell will not withstand the onslaught of the truth.

In all practical purposes, Jesus is saying the church is not defensive… Waiting for the enemy’s attack. We have the upper hand. Jesus has prevailed. We are the conquerors who take enemy territory. That means we reclaim real ground and help rescue people from fires of perdition.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life.

Jude 20–23

Jesus is calling each of us into battle. The idea is to grow to maturity in the faith. The moment you became a believer is when you entered real spiritual warfare. Your testimony in Jesus reminds the fallen of their shame.

Fallen angels and demons have no blood, no life in a body, and no Kinsman Redeemer. Therefore, angels and demons have part in resurrection.

Binding and Loosing

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:19

The previous citation in Jude introduced us to the authority and responsibility we have. You’ve probably been taught that these things are only given to leaders. That would be a mistake to continue to think that. I am going to cite another portion of Jesus’ last words before His assumption.

When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”

John 20:22–23

When Jesus breathed the Spirit on the apostles, it came with great responsibility. A pattern develops, that a believer does exercise the power of binding and loosing. (My stomach just bunches at that thought, I have explored a very similar idea.)

We believers have the authority and ability to save souls!

That means how we treat others for what they do or don’t do to us is heavy with meaning. We can hold anger over a person and bind them. That unforgiving anger can fester. When it does, it means that was given rights. The end result binds the heart that holds resentment. It lives rent-free in the mind.

This idea is sobering. We easily become aware of the striking reality. Each believer can bind or loose. That means whatever we permit will have rights. What we loose, won’t gain foothold. (Tuck that into your mind.)

Then He commanded His disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:20

It may seem odd to us for Jesus to want some secrecy. This is yet another subtle hint that He is indeed God. He is controlling the timing of what must happen. He was not keeping truth or salvation away from anyone, but that the time was not yet right.

Surprisingly, this is not done. Your bibles may have a topical division that seems to end this encounter with that statement. Jesus has more to say on this subject, and we will continue to examine it.

Paneas and The Gates of Hell

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Nephilim2 Comments

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

Matthew 16:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Most of us are laser-focused on the question asked. That’s for a good reason. But there is a context here that is quite lost in modern times.

Jesus and His disciples came into the region of Caesarea Philippi. In the modern day, it is called the Golan Heights. Jesus will use a phrase a bit later in the account that will tell us exactly the location. (For a refresher, take time and read Matthew 16:13–28. This will help avoid spoiler alerts.)

The Gates of Hell

This location was home to a place called the Grotto of Pan. We have a “Disney-fied” idea of Pan, and a bit of poking around that may surprise some. The Grotto of Pan is a place called Paneas in the Greek and Banias in recent days. It was a town occupied for nearly 2,000 years until destroyed in the Six-Day War. The grotto is at the foot of Mt. Hermon.

It is the place from where hell is defended. You know who the goat-man Pan is.

Mt. Hermon

This is the place of infamy. The Bible often uses this particular mountain as the one that opposes the Mountain of God in Jerusalem. This is the place where angels fell and came down to Earth.

I’ve dropped hints before about fallen angels. There is much to tell, and much to write. I’ve neglected that not quite knowing how to organize my thoughts. Thanks for indulging me.

Anyway, Genesis 6:4–6 clearly tells us something terrible happened in pre-flood times. The important point, angels left heaven and took human wives. They created a hybrid race the Bible calls Nephilim (among other names.) These have more familiar names from other cultures. In Greek, these were the famed Titans.

Rabbit Trail Alert

Has it ever made you wonder why our society is enamored with ancient Greek culture?

Students read The Iliad in the first year of high school. It serves as a sort of primer. The Greek alphabet is memorized. Clubs that mirror secret societies are introduced. Greek terms are preferred in science. Western education systems are Greek in nature. Colleges have Greek culture normalizing the acceptance of exclusive groups with secrets. There are even full-blown secret clubs reserved for a select few.

This could just be a coincidence. Or it could be the subtle trail of the gods of this world (Titans) and how they plan to come back.

Some 50 years ago, the public was introduced to the flying saucer. It invaded many aspects of society. Then fringe stories of abductions came. As time progressed, these accounts increased many times over. Pop culture tells you these are our “sky brothers.” Some scientists believe life on this planet was seeded by other beings (they understand life comes from life.) The acronym UFO has been changed to UAP (Unidentified Arial Phenomenon.) Deftly moving it from the woo-woo into reality. The US has just recently shot down an unidentified object.

Recall a lot of the motion pictures and other entertainment of the last few decades. Then think of these Nephilim as augmented humans (human+angel) and not just as hybrids. These could easily be considered superheroes. Disney’s Hercules introduced your children to that idea 25 years ago. Since then, we have the gamut of both the DC and Marvel universes splashed on giant screens in darkened immersive cinemas.

These children grew up on this constant diet, and many love to cosplay. They dress like these characters, even completely parroting what they see on screen.

It looks like planned desensitization… Because it is. The idea is to normalize someone coming down to augment humanity.

For this Bible and prophecy nerd, I know augmented humanity is already a thing. The richest folks in the world are spending their money on furthering this science in hopes of achieving immortality. Think of the old lie, you shall be as Gods.

The enemy has plans. Plans to make humans after himself. He needs the numbers, as his side is severely outnumbered two-to-one (not counting God, of course.)

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The enemy’s plan from the beginning is to delude humanity with the lie. Eve wanted the augmented knowledge the fruit gave. Humanity continues to stumble in that direction.

Back to Mt. Hermon

Some say that the Levant is the location of the garden of Eden. Mt. Hermon is a part of that place. My speculation is that Mt. Hermon is the place where Adam ate. It’s the place where the angels came down and augmented humanity. What is not my speculation is that it is the place of the gates of hell. Gates are defensive… They keep the bad guys outside, stopping an invasion.

I want you to think about how important understanding Paneas is. This is the place of warfare in which we are engaged. This is where the warning shot was given by Jesus.

One last thought, J.M. Barrie desensitized the world to Pan. He wrote Peter Pan. Perhaps the name of that character is a subtlety to point to the question Jesus asked Peter right here. “Who do you say I am?”

The Gates are being crashed! All know God wins! If you didn’t, you do now.

Forever Perfected

On By TimIn Encouragement, Jeremiah 02, SalvationLeave a comment

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the Lord: I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel is holy to the Lord,
and the first fruits of His harvest.
All who eat of it will become guilty;
disaster will come upon them,
says the Lord.

Jeremiah 2:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Just a late night thought…

This was part of my reading tonight. I find it fascinating. There’s a bit of a deeper idea there. Can you find it?

Here is what I saw.

Jeremiah tells us that God remembers the kindness of the youth of a relationship. It is spoken of with tenderness. It happened after the Exodus and before taking the land.

We all know that story. We, like Israel, take that first step of faith and follow God out of bondage. He miraculously draws us out of our old life into His new.

Like Israel, our faith struggles. Yet, still God understands. He acknowledged the espousals. Those are the words of agreeing to the Covenant and following with building and furnishing the tent of assembly. We know the nation did not want to hear from God, and chose to hear from a mediator Moses. They also made a golden image and worshipped it.

God sweetly remembers this time. In spite of it being real messy. We ought to do likewise.

For the law is a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of those things. It could never by the same sacrifices, which they offer continually year after year, perfect those who draw near.

Hebrews 10:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The writer of Hebrews is making the case that Jesus is better than everything else. In this text he is speaking of the remedies for willful sin available under that covenant law of old. The reading is quick, I will summarize some.

There were remedies in the law, but had to be done routinely. The writer makes the point that Jesus died once. As he continues, we see clearly that the hound of heaven, that conviction of sin can still come to any believer.

The one offering that Jesus made forever perfected those who are sanctified.

We can trust our God, that sanctified believers are forever perfected. If we mess up, we can still trust Him.

Just as the Israelites were sanctified (set apart) by passing through blood on the sill and doorposts, we are sanctified through the blood of Christ. It is the day of salvation from the world. It was Israel giving the pattern at The Exodus, leaving the world… To plea the blood. It is the same thing for a believer today. It is the faith that did it, the love of your espousal, as God says. Those sanctified… They are forever perfected.

The writer also conveys the extending of God’s covenant to the believer is simply to not remember their sins at all. He says we have a bold confidence to enter the presence of God. It’s a new and living way, meaning we can confess sin at any time. Draw near to God in faith. Hold firmly to that profession of faith. Encourage other saints and meet with them.

Yeah, that sin still sucks, though. It sucks away life!

Remember the former days, after you were enlightened, in which you endured a great struggle of afflictions. In part you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions. And in part you became companions of those who were so abused. For you had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully endured the confiscation of your property, knowing that you have in heaven a better and an enduring possession for yourselves. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which will be greatly rewarded.

Hebrews 10:32–35 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is telling us to remember the things He remembers. Just as He reminisces over the early days. We ought direct our thoughts there and remember the early days of our own salvation. Compare those things, prayerfully.

Also know, a believer will wander through a wilderness of sin… Some for 40 days, some for 40 weeks. But like Israel, it takes some saints 40 or more years of wandering until they finally come to the land of promise.

No, this isn’t about losing salvation at all. It is an encouragement to stay committed even when the going gets tough. You can start over right now. And enter the land of promise… Peace with a place to serve Jesus.

Jesus Takes Away the Sins of the World

On By TimIn Jesus, John 01Leave a comment

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him, but for this reason I came baptizing with water: so that He might be revealed to Israel.”

John 1:29–31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In his Gospel, John first introduces us to John the Baptist. John the Baptist then introduces us to Jesus.

The words that John uttered to and about Jesus reveal the truth. Jesus takes away the sins of the world.

Jesus does not take away some of the sins of the world, nor does He take away the sins of some of the world.

Jesus takes away the sins of the world… From Adam to the end.

Isaiah 9: The People

On By TimIn Isaiah 09, Jesus, ProphecyLeave a comment

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As we have seen in the previous post, it is the people who walk in darkness that see the great light. This is prophetically speaking, and in a literal sense speaks to the people of the nation of Israel. Yet we see that Galilee is to be the focus of the nations, this prophecy is a pattern. The people that walk in darkness apply to everyone. All of our minds are darkened by the corrupting influence of sin. That is why Paul wrote it this way:

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth through unrighteousness.

Romans 1:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sin hides the truth. It veils truth. It brings darkness. and because of sin, humanity is in a precarious position that is indicted by impending death. All men dwell in the shadow of death. Hebrews tells us that all men have an inescapable appointment with death.

As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes the judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

After that death comes judgment. That’s the doom and darkness. Yet… That verse ends with a comma indicating the thought is not yet complete.

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to save those who eagerly wait for Him.

Hebrews 9:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the great Light. It’s Jesus! Isaiah is speaking to Him and His work to save all of humanity, first from the certain swift death justice for sin demands. He brings a stay of execution so that anyone may escape judgment.

It’s not just good news for Israelis, but for all men.

The night of the birth of Jesus… The sky erupted with stars. Yes, countless living stars proclaiming the goodness and goodwill. (Biblically, angels, and stars are treated as the same.) Doubtless, you know what happened.

And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”

Luke 2:8–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is good news! A Child is born unto men. But not just any child, One that would bring blessing to all. He would bring peace showing God’s goodwill toward humanity.

That’s the reality of what some celebrate today. The anticipation loaded in Isaiah’s words. The great Light had come and shined on the people, all of them. Even in Isaiah’s time.

Isaiah 9: Galilee

On By TimIn Isaiah 09, Jesus, ProphecyLeave a comment

Nevertheless there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time He contemptuously treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

Isaiah 9:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The prophet Isaiah is speaking of a time yet future for his contemporary Israelis. Instead of sending the lands mentioned into captivity, God will restore glory to them. Specifically, Galilee will become the future focal point of the nations of the world. Yet in the time of Isaiah, Galilee was a rather insignificant backwater.

This verse is also the only mention of Galilee in the prophets. In the order of the books in the Old Testament, it is the last reference to the region by the name Galilee.

It was in Galilee where the first sign of Jesus was done. It is considered the moment His Ministry began. That seemingly unnoticed yet long silence demonstrates the insignificance of the region that now commands attention.

Jesus left Galilee and went up to John the Baptist to be baptized. This is where God testified audibly to Who Jesus is. The Spirit testified visually.

As His Ministry grew, those in authority couldn’t help but to take notice. John records this in an interesting way. Those in the authority wanted Jesus arrested.

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?”
The officers answered, “No man has ever spoken like this Man.”
Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? Not at all. This crowd who does not know the law is accursed.”
Nicodemus, being one of them who came to Jesus by night, said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
They answered him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”

John 7:45–52 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

At first, it was the religious authorities who didn’t know. One would think that the Pharisees would know their Scriptures, and notice that the attention of the nation is being drawn to Galilee. As Israel is under the rule, that concern would spread to the government of the nations of the world at that time.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man was a Galilean.

Luke 23:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As with all prophecy, it’s a pattern given to be watchful for a match. That match can appear multiple times and in multiple ways. In this example, Jesus begins His Ministry in Galilee and consequently begins to draw the attention of the world to that region.

When Jesus spoke of His impending death to His disciples, take note of the place where they would go to Him.

But after I have risen, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Matthew 26:32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Matthew will continue to witness that Jesus is of Galilee.

Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”

Matthew 26:69 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What I am saying is testified to plainly in the Bible. When Peter preached at Cornelius’ house, it’s clear where Jesus started. (The testimony is so good, I will give most of it.)

Then Peter began to speak, saying, “Truthfully, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which He sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, the word, which you know, that was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. “We are witnesses of all that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. But God raised Him on the third day and presented Him publicly, not to all the people, but to witnesses previously chosen by God, to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets bear witness that whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins through His name.”

Acts 10:34–43 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We see the pattern worked, and it expands. Jesus’ Ministry in a temporal body began in Galilee as Peter testifies. Just as Matthew tells us His Ministry in His Resurrected body began in Galilee.

Note some important details Peter introduced. God is no respecter of persons. That there are believers accepted by God from other nations. The disciples are called to deliver the message, that whoever believes in Him will receive not just forgiveness of sin, but remission of the same.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. All the believers of the circumcision who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and magnifying God.
Then Peter continued, “Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these, who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?” So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 10:44–48 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They watched as the same Holy Spirit that baptized the Israeli disciples gathered on Pentecost (the inauguration of the church) fall on Gentiles. Gentiles could be Spirit-baptized believers, too.

This is yet another pattern we match back to Isaiah 9:1. And like the last mention of Galilee in the Tanakh, Acts 13 is the last reference to it by name in the New Testament.

Now we know that Galilee will be the gateway of the nations who come in peace to worship God. This pattern started with Jesus and will finish with Jesus. It points to yet a future time (for us) when glory is restored to Israel under the rightful King who will have dominion.

Keep all of this in mind as we move forward.

Why Not if There’s Safety and Security Today?

On By TimIn 2 Kings 20, JudgmentLeave a comment

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” And he said, “Why not, if there is peace and security in my days?”

2 Kings 20:19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is just one verse at the end of a long narrative. The word of the Lord that Isaiah spoke to Hezekiah was the doom of certain judgment.

For your own edification read the account from the first verse. It may help to offer insight as to the importance of what is happening.

In the beginning, Hezekiah is told to get his affairs in order as his death is near. He pled with God, and God extends his life for 15 years.

It is when dignitaries arrive from Babylon that things turn a bit sour. Hezekiah shows off. He gives the emissaries a grand tour of the treasures and storehouses.

When Isaiah asks about the visitors of what they wanted and whence they came, Hezekiah says they came from Babylon and were shown everything. The prophetic word given back is that Judah would be led away captive in the future.

Hezekiah’s answer was smug and self-serving. At least as long as Hezekiah reigns, there will be peace. Hezekiah confessed his actions, yes. But he did not confess any wrongdoing by those actions. He certainly showed no concern for the welfare of his progeny, either. In so doing, he ensured their future is dark and bleak.

I cannot help but to think of the United States… No almost every nation in the world. People are more than ever willing to place heavy and demanding burdens on their progeny for a bit of safety and security today.

What I mean is most currencies are debt-based. Like Hezekiah, national leaders cede responsibility by apathy. Central banks loan nations money. You and I pay the interest on the loans by taxes.

It used to be honorable to work and save, passing inheritance to our children. Mindsets changed. People pass on debt and with it slavery. They have themselves become bondservants to debt. That’s been the same deal from the garden where the enemy used deceit to enslave.

It’s the same principle ensuring a dark and bleak future, except we clearly see the danger looming.

Hezekiah was only thinking about himself.

Hezekiah enslaved his progeny and his nation simply because he didn’t confess his wrongdoing. Our nation, nay our world, is hurtling into chaos (by demonic design,) and many live like Hezekiah thinking it’s good enough now.

The entire globe is on the precipice of the culmination of being led off into Babylonian-type captivity. I know this isn’t a rosy outlook. It’s Biblical, though. The Bible told us of these particular tribulations among many more things in advance.

So, what to do?

The first thing is to do what Hezekiah did not do. Get right with God. That’s going to mean different things to different people. But it means having nothing between you and God. If it’s sin, confess it. If it’s not believing… Believe!

Hezekiah did get right with God, but when he stumbled afterward… He failed to confess his sins to God. That’s an important thing. Hezekiah’s actions had grave consequences for others. Those consequences would remain because of his inaction on the matter.

What I do know, is there is a Remedy.

Like Hezekiah in this instance, all people have fallen short somewhere of the standards of doing right. I don’t care how short or how far away any fall is. I know the shortness cannot be made up in our own endeavors. You cannot clean yourself up enough to come to God. And you cannot fix a bright future without God.

But Jesus…

Yes, Jesus shed His own blood for that reason. Jesus covered the shortfall by giving of Himself He did that because each of us needs to be in good standing with God. That would be impossible if there is an impediment between you and God. Jesus obliterated all impediments. He opened the presence of God to any and all that would come, no matter their moral condition.

I also know the rose again. He defeated death resoundingly. And one day, there will be no death.

If you find yourself to be in the predicament of falling short and myopically thinking of numero uno… You can fix it now. It isn’t fancy preacher-type talk. It’s you alone going to God. Acknowledge Jesus is real and is Who He claimed to be. Believe He died for you and your sins, and can forgive them when confessed because He rose again. Confess this out loud to Him. Give to Him your burden of sin by confessing it to Him.

Second… Stay right with God.

My hope and prayer are that anyone reading this has talked to God in that way. For Christians, God is not some old man in the sky. He is a Heavenly Father Who wants many children. Even a child like you… No matter what it is you’ve done. Yeah, even that thing that just blasted into your mind.

God wants you as a child, no matter what it is you’ve done.

Humility, Unity and Confidence

On By TimIn Genesis 02, HumilityLeave a comment

The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We start at the beginning from creation forward. We read that the earth was formed, domains made, and inhabitants created to occupy those domains.

Our attention focuses on God planting a garden that included the very thing that would provide a problem. One that would introduce an enemy opposed to God.

We tend to think of time linearly because we experience it that way. An event happens then the next one and so on. Yet, we cannot go back in time or look forward in time.

That movement of time doesn’t happen with God. He doesn’t move backward or forwards in time. He doesn’t look to the future, either. He is in every single moment in every conceivable place concurrently. I know that’s a big concept to grasp. But it helps to try to apprehend that. The psalmist sings of these wonders in Psalm 139.

The existence of that one tree would lead to the downfall of God’s imagers. One that we know He had confidently purposed to rectify.

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with powerful works and wonders and signs, which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know. You have taken Him, who was handed over to you by the ordained counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by lawless hands have crucified and killed Him, whom God raised up by loosening the pull of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Acts 2:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is in the confidence of that already conceived plan that Jesus was crucified. It was set in order long ago before time existed… God, Himself would die for sins. The apostle John drops another bombshell about the “timelessness” of this fact.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was determined that Jesus would die for sins. It was also His Blood that atoned for the sin at the foundation of the world exactly when It was needed.

Consider this: It was Jesus Himself (John 1:3) Who planted that tree. He planted the tree of life, along with the tree of knowledge. The latter is that which brought death. Jesus then died on another tree. This is where death was defeated so that humans could have restored access to the tree of life and the garden of God.

In our experience, this is the entire swath of time from creation until the New Jerusalem and beyond. For God, these things don’t happen one after another as spread across time. There is unity in that. Just as there is a unity of purpose within God Himself.

Yet in the moment of the establishment of creation up to planting the garden, the humility of Jesus is a very present reality.

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is a lot of deep stuff to unpack there. I will leave that for another time.

There is humility built into the creation. There is also unity. One which exudes confidence. Confidence that the necessary tasks to be done would be carried out and have the desired outcome. (God is already there.)

That is part of what Paul is saying about each of us having that very mind. Humility, unity, and confidence.

If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, then fulfill my joy and be like-minded, having the same love, being in unity with one mind. Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Confidence that when we are called to lead, we lead. When called to teach, we teach. When called to love, we love. When called to have compassion, we are compassionate.

All of us are called to share Jesus Christ. We can be confident that we are able to do just that.