Tag: The Cross

If Justification Comes to All Can it be Rejected?

On By TimIn Justification, Romans 052 Comments

How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.

Romans 5:9

Some do not believe this. They think they can abandon Jesus at whim. One cannot undo their justification. I do like the hint of surety of a pre-tribulation rapture of believers, but that is for another time.

The teaching of traditions produces a shallow understanding of justification. The very fact that a person lives after they sin is proof that they are indeed being justified freely and unconditionally. Paul wrote this plainly.

But first, it is necessary to know that the wages of sin is death. The wages of sin is not eternal. It is not being remanded to Hell. It is not eternity in perdition. From the beginning, God was clear on what happens when a person sins. He (or she) dies. The wages of sin death is the same death that God declared would happen to Adam… “In the day you eat you shall die.”

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Genesis 2:16–17

Because Adam did not die that day, it has led to incorrect traditions being applied. These are commonly named original sin and spiritual death. These things are not real at all. Adam lived after sinning because of the justification that came with Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. Perhaps you object that He wouldn’t even be born until some almost 4,000 years later. But He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

When a person sins and lives to draw another breath is certain proof of justification upon them. This is clearly what Paul taught. It is also patterned in the Torah at the exodus with Passover, and again in the ordinances of Yom Kippur.

Because people don’t die immediately on setting off to sin, clearly indicates that a stay of execution is in place.

It is the death of Jesus that saves all from the wages of sin. It is the resurrected Savior Who gives righteousness and eternal life to any who believes. Those are two different ideas. One is unconditional, while the other is conditioned upon the exercise of faith. The ones that believe this are justified, accounted as righteous, and receive eternal life.

All Are Being Justified Freely

This is one of the simplest ideas to understand, yet it is hidden away with religious nonsense and tradition.

Paul spoke plainly… All fall short, whether saved or not. But those same all that fall short are being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God has set Him forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood. This is a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed. This is in Romans 3.

That comes after Paul’s explanation that nobody is justified by the works of the law. That is, you are not justified by doing good things. In fact, nothing one does or does not brings justification.

So it follows that all are being justified freely, and to say that it is proven by the fact that they live after they sin. It is right there.

One may object to the idea that people are being justified, which means they are not justified yet. The verb tense is purposefully present and passive, because justification is always with a person as long as they are alive. In fact, it is what keeps them alive. If it were not a present thing, none could live long enough to believe and seek remission of sins.

It is important to note that the verb tense is passive. It is happening to the people because of something outside of them and what they do. This justification comes to everyone who falls short, and that unconditionally.

When God spoke to Adam about the consequences of eating from just one tree, He told Adam that He would die immediately for sin. God said to Adam, “You shall surely die.” Those words indicate the certainty of death for the action; they do not indicate immediacy. But that is not all that God said. The phrase includes the immediacy with “in the day you eat from it.” Adam did not die in the day he ate from the tree, though his death was certain.

Adam was being justified freely by something (really Someone) external to him. It is pictured in the fact that God covered his nakedness. This is the pattern being established. It is ultimately demonstrated by the work of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Justification is freely and unconditionally given to all. One cannot reject it. One can ignore it or oppose it, but those still live because Jesus died. If people really wanted to reject it, they would have to remove themselves from this life. As one lives, it is impossible to reject it.

All who live live because of Jesus Christ giving them life at birth, and justification of life after they sin. The unbelieving benefit and the believing do, too. Even Christians need that just to live after sin.

Though Paul is writing to Jewish brothers in Rome, we can learn from his words. What follows contains a profound idea in how the free justification that comes to all turns into righteousness.

Now to him who works, wages are not given as a gift, but as a debt. But to him who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. Even David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness without works: Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

Romans 4:4–8

Abraham did it. He believed God, even in his own sin, his belief was credited as righteousness. Justification doesn’t come with belief. Righteousness does.

Therefore just as through the trespass of one man came condemnation for all men, so through the righteous act of One came justification of life for all men. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:18–19

Paul is saying that the entire lot of humanity is being made righteous outside of the constraints of the law and morality. Many balk at that, even some Christians who think they are justified and righteous by what they have done.

Yet there are many who purposefully ignore what Jesus has done for them. They perish in perdition, just as Jesus said: “Unless you believe I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Think about that. One is freely given life, and it is not acknowledged and even ignored. What would be the consequences of such actions?

That is why people go to perdition. It isn’t because they’ve sinned. That problem has been handled resoundingly. They go because they really don’t appreciate life and the One Who gives it freely.

This is Directed to You

Whether you believe this or not is irrelevant to its beauty and its veracity. The simple fact that you’re alive today is because Jesus died. To not consider and acknowledge that in this life has eternal consequences. Those who believe have eternal life. And if the opposite of life is death (not non-existence,) then the opposite of eternal life is eternal death. That is the reality.

It’s time to believe what God says. It is time to praise Him alone for that work done.

It is also time to teach the pure word of God… Not the gunked-up traditions of men imposed onto it.

Daniel 9 and Holy Week

On By TimIn Daniel 09, Last Days, Prophecy1 Comment

I will endeavor to look at Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks in a new way to me, as it intersects Holy Week. The center crux of the prophecy is the presentation and then cutting off of the Messiah. That single event is precisely foretold.

It comes as Daniel is praying for his people. He knows the end of exile is near, as he pondered the writings of Jeremiah. His intercessions for the nation called for Hod to be merciful and restore the people. Before he could finish praying, Gabriel swiftly arrived and gave an interpretive answer to Daniel’s prayer.

It is my opinion that since Daniel was interceding for his people, that the answer involved Israel. I also think that the interpretation is solely for Israel, which means the 70 weeks would accomplish the restoration of Israel. In the entire prophecy, the odd thing is that Israel is not completely retired until the end. A second temple would be rebuilt and the city destroyed. Then it is foretold that the restored city and sanctuary would be destroyed yet again. I think it will be clear that the final week of years for Israel to come at the end, sometimes yet future.

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

At the start, Israel’s weeks are established and the summary of accomplishments for those are given. At the close of the 70 weeks, there are six things determined to be completed.

  • Finish the transgression
  • Make an end of sins
  • Make atonement for iniquity
  • Bring in everlasting righteousness
  • Seal up the vision and prophecy
  • Anoint the Most Holy Place

I will note that these things are to be accomplished in Israel and not some task or extended program for Gentiles, or that the universal church is the completeness or replacement of Israel. It is clear from some New Testament writings l that the first three of these things were accomplished by Jesus’ death in Jerusalem. The last three have not yet happened. Yet it follows that they will, and they will most likely happen in Jerusalem.

The list also provides the first hint of a division here. (There are more divisions or gaps in the prophecy.) It’s something that must be kept in mind, as three of the above list have not yet seen fulfillment. It points to something yet to come. As it does point to the future, the fact that the Most Holy Place being anointed one can assume there is a need for a physical temple. It is a real suggestion that a temple must then exist. One in need of cleansing, perhaps say from an abomination of the Most Holy Place.

Previous chapters in Daniel have outlined the abomination by Antiochus. Daniel was written far before that event occurred in 164 BC. The precision of that prophecy leads to the precision timing Gabriel gives of a seminal event in history, the first advent of Messiah. If this list is ordered, then the anointing of the Most Holy Place in the Temple happens last.

Sunday 10 Nisan

The seven-day week was established by God at creation; six days of work, followed by the seventh day of rest. As that week of days was established, it then follows that a week of years in the same pattern can be established. And it is.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land that I give you, the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. For six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruit, but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. That which grows by itself from your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your unpruned vines, for it is a year of complete rest for the land.

Leviticus 25:1–5

The natural extension of the pattern of a week also seems to extend and apply to millennia (a thousand years.) Some hold that the amount of time given to Earth before makeover is 7,000 years. (A week of millennia.) 6,000 years of work, and 1,000 years of rest, the Millennium. As Biblical types go, the Promised Land is an analog to the Millennium. Well, the Millennium is the fulfillment of the Promised Land of rest.

I think those things are an important concept to keep in mind. The patterns have real significance. And if the significance is real, could there be a similar starting reference?

What I mean is, that this pattern of a week of days has a starting reference. It is Sunday. In the same way, so does a week of years, it is Nisan.

Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: This month shall be the beginning of months to you. It shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: On the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a household.

Exodus 12:1–3

As the month of Nisan becomes the first month of the year, attention is drawn to the significance of the tenth day of that month. It is the day that the Passover lamb was chosen and brought into the household. It is also the day that the Israelis entered the Promised Land. When Joshua led the camp into and out of the Jordan River, the priests and the Ark remained. When all had crossed, Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan!” This is another significant pointer to Nisan and specifically the tenth day.

Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped at Gilgal, on the eastern border of Jericho.

Joshua 9:19

The Israelis were instructed to begin counting their weeks of years “When you come into the land that I give you.” That happened on 10 Nisan. It follows that the starting reference for a week of years will be 10 Nisan. This date is foundational in discussing these weeks of years. Just as Sunday is the first day of the week, 10 Nisan becomes the first day of the year.

The Triumphal Entry of Messiah

“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.

Daniel 9:25

Gabriel gives a starting reference. He also provides a breakdown that involves the first 69 weeks of years. It is broken into two segments… 7 weeks and 62 weeks. These are weeks of years. Generally, the first is one group of 49 years and encompasses the time it took to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. There is another period of 434 years following when exiled Israelis returned to Israel.

From the reference and the year count, there is a precise day foretold. It is the advent of the Prince Messiah. Using the 360-day lunar year of the ancients, 483 years total 173,880 days until the Messiah comes. We know Jesus entered Jerusalem. We commemorate that day as Palm Sunday. Some scholars think the day of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem was on 6 April AD 32.

Gabriel clearly says to Daniel that the interval between the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem until the presentation of the Messiah as King would be 173,880 days. The commandment to restore Jerusalem was given in the month of Nisan by Artaxerxes Longimanus. No exact date is given, which is taken to mean the first day of the month of Nisan. That date is 14 March 445 BC on the solar calendar. Note that the command is the one to rebuild Jerusalem, not just the temple.

Now, do some mathematical calculations from 14 March 445 BC. From that date to 14 March AD 32 is 476 years. 476 x 365 days in a year = 173,740 days. Correcting for leap years adds another 116 days. From 14 March to 6 April is another 24 additional days. The math works out precisely, 173,740 + 116 + 24 = 173,880 days!

That precision is remarkable. Remember the discussion of weeks?

The Holy Spirit offers us another degree of precision. In the Gospel of John, we are provided a reckoning of the date Jesus came into Jerusalem. He says that six days before passover, Jesus went to Bethany. Passover is 15 Nisan, six days before is 9 Nisan. The next day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, making the date 10 Nisan. We can also count the days backward from the resurrection of Jesus, which was Sunday, 17 Nisan. 10 Nisan, the first day of the week and the first day of the week of years all coincide. By the reckoning of Daniel’s prophecy, this was to be the beginning of the 70th week of years.

So many things coalesce on this day. It is precisely the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, really the unwieldy colt of a donkey. The signs were unmistakably precise to the astute person.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! And cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king is coming to you; he is righteous and able to deliver, he is humble and riding on a donkey, a colt, the offspring of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; and the bow for battle will be cut off. He will speak peace to the nations; and his dominion will be from one sea to another, and from the Great River to the ends of the earth. And as for you, because of the blood of your covenant, I will send your prisoners from the empty, waterless pits. Return to your stronghold, prisoners who now have hope. Today I declare that I will return to you a double portion.

Zechariah 9:9–12

Jesus did ride into Jerusalem in exactly that way. And He came on the colt. It is with a double portion just as Matthew records it.

When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go over into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them.’ And he will send them immediately.”
All this was done to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Look, your King is coming to you,
humble, and sitting on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their garments on them, and He sat on them. A very large crowd spread their garments on the road. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went before Him and that followed Him cried out:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

Mathew 21:1–9

The First Pronouncement of Delay

As Jesus prepared to ride into Jerusalem, we are given an aside, He wept over Jerusalem. Because of their unbelief and rejection of Him, the truth was hidden from their eyes. They didn’t know the day. He foretells destruction over the city and by extension the Temple, the same that Daniel’s prophecy will foretell.

When He came near, He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known even today what things would bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you and surround you, and press you in on every side. They will dash you, and your children within you, to the ground. They will not leave one stone upon another within you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Luke 19:41–44

The Israelis were expected to know the signs indicating the importance of this day. Yet they did not. Jesus then proceeded to the Temple. The daylight was then quickly fading away.

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. When He had looked around at everything, as the hour was now late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mark 11:11

Monday 11 Nisan

Now that blindness had come over the city and the people for their rejection of Jesus, the next day as Jesus returned to Jerusalem, He encountered a fig tree. Here the fig tree is a Biblical type representative of the nation of Israel.

On the next day when they had returned from Bethany, He was hungry. Seeing from afar a fig tree with leaves, He went to see if perhaps He might find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing except leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Jesus said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And His disciples heard it.

Mark 11:12–14

It can seem trivial to the disciples who heard it as recorded here. Mark will later add more information to show the significance of this. Jesus is showing yet again, that the kingdom would be delayed because of the fruitlessness of Israel. Other Gospels record the tree withering.

As the day progresses, Jesus again goes to the Temple. He cleanses the place of money changers. Then He and His disciples leave the city.

Tuesday 12 Nisan

Returning to Mark for his recording of the events of the next day.

In the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter, calling to remembrance, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

Mark 11:20–21

The fig tree is dried up, unable to produce fruit. The message being conveyed is that Israel is dried up. That the ministry and privileges it now enjoys are gone.

To compound the problem, the people don’t recognize the One they’ve been waiting to see. The days interlaced with the underlying intrigue of the leaders of Israel. It is overtly revealed that they are looking for an opportunity to kill Jesus.

As the day progresses, Jesus is questioned as to the origin of His authority. His interlocutors are hoping to trip Him up. Jesus answers that question with another to them.

Jesus answered them, “I will also ask of you one question. Answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”
They debated among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for everyone held John to be a real prophet.
So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”
Jesus answered them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Mark 11:29–33

They could not answer, so Jesus did not answer their question of the origin of His authority. They remain in the dark

Jesus teaches through many questions designed to trip Him up. Amongst the answers are parables. Each has significance as it pertains to the Holy Week and what Daniel wrote. I leave that for the astute reader to explore. But I draw attention to one of these that is necessary to understand.

The Delay of the Kingdom

“Listen to another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and built a wall around it. He dug a winepress in it and built a tower. Then he rented it to vinedressers and went into a distant country. When the season of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers to receive his fruit.
“The vinedressers took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did likewise to them. Last of all, he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
“But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they caught him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

Matthew 21:33–40

I know most understand this parable. The season of fruit drew near. The Messiah was presented as King. The parable reveals that Jesus is also prophesying of Himself and His impending death. It is the answer to the question that becomes fascinating.

They said, “He will severely destroy those wicked men and rent his vineyard to other vinedressers who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

Matthew 21:41

Jesus has their answer that they knew the vineyard will be given to another. So He continues to show them from their Scriptures exactly what is happening right before them.

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits. Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces. But on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”

Matthew 21:42–44

They didn’t know their visitation. They didn’t know the Messiah on the day they were to expect Him. They didn’t know He would be killed at their hands. They didn’t know the Kingdom would be delayed. Yet they knew Jesus was talking about the nation of Israel in the parable.

When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But as they tried to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, because they held Him as a prophet. In the midst of the Holy Week, Jesus is meticulously showing that the double-portion kingdom coming to Israel will be delayed.

Matthew 21:45–46

The Destruction of the Temple

As the day wound down and Jesus and His disciples exited the temple. Even His disciples had not really caught many of the things Jesus was saying.

As some spoke of how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, He said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when not one stone shall be left on another that will not be thrown down.”

Luke 21:5–6

Jesus then teaches those disciples present about what will happen in the coming end of days. This private briefing is known as the Olivet Discourse. It is recorded in the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke.) It is Luke’s version where a short synopsis is given, followed by an interruption.

“But before all these things, they will seize you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. It will turn out as a testimony for you. Therefore resolve in your hearts beforehand not to practice your defense. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your opponents will be able to neither refute nor resist. You will be betrayed by parents and brothers and relatives and friends. And they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake, but not a hair of your head shall perish. In your endurance you will gain your souls.

Luke 21:12–19

While this is yet future for the disciples hearing it, the fulfillment of that is recorded for us in history and the Bible. These friends of Jesus endured some severe persecution. Along with the foretelling of that persecution is the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple of God. This is also part of the prophecy of Daniel.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that its desolation has drawn near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the city depart, and let not those who are in the country enter it. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led away captive to all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 21:20–24

For the astute reader, it is clear that there is an extended period of time that comes with the last phrase, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This also tracks with everything Jesus taught in that Holy Week, that the program for Israel will be delayed and given to another.

Following as if this were narrative, is what happens next:

“There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:25–28

The ideas conveyed here are often confused. But make note of the distinctions. First is between the groups of people… They and your. What they witness is going to be perplexing. The second is the before and after these things begin to happen. Jesus says clearly that when these things begin to happen, redemption comes for believers.

Why aren’t the fearful and perplexing happenings the hallmarks of the nearness of redemption?

Jesus clearly states that it is before these things happen. So as redemption comes for believers, concerning and foreboding disasters will follow for the world. Everything will be shaken, and then Jesus comes in judgment. In another place, the people mourn His return.

The Delay of the Kingdom Will Be Revoked

Coupled with the idea of before the bad stuff happens, is that the withered fig tree Jesus cursed. It is going to produce leaves.

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are sprouting leaves already, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So in like manner, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Luke 21:29–31

This is the precursor to the restoration of the kingdom. The culmination of which will be the fulfillment of the last three items from the list above.

“Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Luke 21:32–33

Those in the generation that witness the new budding of the tree will not pass away before these things are done.

Wednesday 13 Nisan

Now the feasts of the Passover and of Unleavened Bread were two days away. And the chief priests and the scribes looked for a way to seize Him secretly and kill Him. But they said “Not on the feast day, lest there will be an uproar among the people.”

Mark 14:1–2

The narrative now enters the days of Passover and the Feast. The days before, people are to prepare. They are to remove leaven from their homes.

The Betrayal

As with the underlying tension in all of the accounts of Holy Week, there is the intrigue of those in power. They are looking for an opportunity to seize Jesus and kill Him. Enter the one to betray Him. This will be by one of those He chose to be His friend.

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. When they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him silver. So he looked for how he might conveniently betray Him.

Mark 14:10–11

Now the plot is afoot. I will not give a comprehensive account, but the crucifixion of Jesus is central to this discussion, as are some of the events that immediately precede it.

The Preparation for Passover and the Feast

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

Mark 14:12

Here is where we encounter some blurriness. Each of the Gospels relates details that are not always chronological nor identical. I also think that some other details that are lost in translating from Aramaic to Hebrew and then to English. What is known is that the day Passover Lambs are slaughtered is 14 Nisan. The first day of Unleavened Bread is 15 Nisan. This means that given the word for word translation above, it may be a loose account of an idea. Maybe even a type of synechdoche. The underlying Greek can mean something like, “Now at the beginning of the time of Unleavened Bread.” In my mind, this makes a bit more sense.

When looking to the other Gospels, they do not alleviate the seeming confusion, either. The word day is inserted but can be left out.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will You have us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

Matthew 26:17

There are other contextual problems. Passover, as originally instituted, is on 14 Nisan with the celebrations being kept in homes. Later provisions added to Passover required it be kept in Jerusalem. This presents a logistical problem. According to Josephus, he records that over 250,000 lambs were sacrificed for Passover in 4 BC.

So He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you there. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it as He had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:13–16

In my mind, it would seem that there may have been a Passover season. One in which people prepared for Passover and then the Feast of Unleavened Bread. These texts may indicate that. Nevertheless, it is my speculation. If some seders were kept in homes, as the one Jesus held, it could be the day before with a private slaughter of the lamb. Though noticeably absent are the other traditional items at a Passover meal like lamb and bitter herbs. So I like to think on Wednesday, they prepared for the meal, which would occur that evening. Others speculate that because of the sheer number of lambs needed, it could not all happen on that one day, 14 Nisan.

Thursday 14 Nisan

Remember the days for Israel begin at evening. Jesus would sit with His disciples for a seder meal, the Passover meal in the evening. That means the Last Supper would come on Wednesday, 14 Nisan after sunset.

The Passover With the Disciples

In the evening He came with the twelve. As they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.”

Mark 14:17–18

There are other accounts of the events that happened at that meal. I will leave that for another time.

Judas did betray Jesus. He was led away, and questioned by many. The people of Jerusalem were adamant on having Jesus executed even though the governor did not find anything He could assign guilt to Jesus. At least no guilt worthy of capital punishment.

Messiah Shall be Cut Off

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. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:26

As it has come to that point in the week where the Messiah is betrayed, and then cut off at Golgotha. Many times Jesus told the Jewish people present with Him that the kingdom for them is delayed. It will be given to another. They understood this, and in their blindness did not see the prophetic patterns in play. Jesus did indeed die with nothing.

When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Listen, He is calling Elijah!”
One man ran and filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on a stick, and gave it to Him to drink, saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
But Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up the spirit.

Mark 15:33–37

Beyond Holy Week

After the death of the Messiah, the city and the Temple would be destroyed. History informs us of this as happening in AD 70. What I hope is clear, is that the patterns in Daniel 9 have not yet all been completed. There are still three things that remain from the list:

  • Bring in everlasting righteousness
  • Seal up the vision and prophecy
  • Anoint the Most Holy Place

The New Modern Temple

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Mark 15:38

After Jesus died, the veil in the sanctuary that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn. This signifies that the presence of God is no longer veiled. It foreshadows that God’s dwelling place and temple will now be in men’s hearts.

What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:19

Though the temple of God exists today in every believer, there will be a future building in Jerusalem called the Temple of God. That is overwhelmingly attested to in prophetic writings. Things are going to happen in that temple, namely sacrifice and offering, which will cease. This will be clear from what Gabriel spoke to Daniel.

The Prince Who Shall Come

And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 9:27

After this other prince arrives, he will make an agreement with many. Many is often a rhetorical device used to mean the nation of Israel. The unspoken idea is that Israel accepts this impostor as Messiah. He makes an agreement. One which allows Israel to make sacrifices and offerings. Presumably, it is the reinstitution of the Mosaic system. With those things comes the necessity of a sanctuary. The Temple is necessary to the Mosaic system.

A sudden change in situations occurs as this prince reveals his true self. He stops the offerings and sacrifices. Gabriel offers a reference to abominations that make desolation. The Tanakh tends to describe the idols of other nations as abominations. It follows that this abomination is an object for worship. It is not unlike before where Antiochus stops the sacrifices. The appalling event becomes another pattern. One that is dastardly reenacted in history and culminates at some future point. Paul foretells the same event to the church in Thessalonica.

Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning our gathering together unto Him, we ask you not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here. Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–4

I believe that the resumption of the Mosaic law is part of the covenant established with the impostor prince. I hold that the falling away described here is not an apostasy of believers from the universal church. The gist of that is Paul’s use of the Greek word apostasia. It is used only twice in the Scriptures. The only other occurrence is in the New Testament is here. It is used in the context of forsaking (or abandoning) the law of Moses. So it follows that when the man of lawlessness is revealed, it will come with a breaking of the covenant, and the compulsory forsaking of the Mosaic Law. He won’t allow sacrifices, but to himself as he sees himself to be God to worship. These multiple abominations reveal the desolator. And with this event is the defilement of the sanctuary. Precision timing markers indicate this happens in the middle of a week of years.

He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. And he was given authority to wage war for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to speak blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to wage war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe and tongue and nation.

Revelation 13:5–7

For One Week

The covenant made is for one week. It is the final missing week of years from Daniel’s prophecy. It doesn’t go with the first 69 weeks. It is not Holy Week. It comes after Messiah is cut off. It comes after the city and the sanctuary are destroyed. It comes after the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles.

One week of years is 84 months. The prince who shall come breaks his word in the 42 months into the final week. He was given authority to wage war with the saints for 42 months after. The timing markers are precise, to help identify the time, place, and person. Yes, there will be saints in the last week of years. But because this is Israel, these will primarily be Jewish in nature. This is deduced from this text, and in that last week of Daniel 144,000 evangelists are revealed from the twelve tribes of Israel.

Don’t be tricked into thinking God gave or granted the authority this false prince. He comes with the work of Satan and that power, signs, and false wonders. It is the dragon who grants his authority.

One Week Yet Future

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. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 9:26–27

The decreed destruction poured out on the desolator is the end when Jesus returns and destroys this appalling abomination. It is the end of the war. Jesus consumes those who oppose Him with the breath of His mouth. This is the underlying answer to Daniel’s prayer. His prayer included petitions to God to restore Israel. Israel’s restoration comes after the war is ended and the desolator is gone.

The restoration of Israel is the Millennium. In Gabriel’s answer to Daniel’s prayer, there is no real revelation of the restoration for which Daniel interceded. The foretelling of the deliverance of the people seems to come a bit later in the book, though in the same time-frame as the first year of Darius. Daniel 9 is written to have occurred in the first year of Darius. The deliverance of the people comes after a time of great trouble.

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Daniel 12:1–4

The premillennial nature of this is difficult to ignore. Yet, as we’ve witnessed Jesus attest to the delay of the Kingdom. Just as it was foretold to Daniel. The Kingdom is restored to Israel, which is also foretold to Daniel. One of the best witnesses of the premillennialism comes as a dispute arose among the early church holy ones.

The controversy being addressed was whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas were dispatched to Jerusalem. Leave it to the Pharisees’ legalism to point us in the right understanding. And it is not about circumcision.

Then some believers of the sect of the Pharisees rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.”

Acts 15:5

There was much discussion on the matter. There was no lack of dissension.

After much disputing, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God decided among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, approved of them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and made no distinction between them and us, and purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why test God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Acts 15:7–11

After Peter spoke, Paul and Barnabas relayed what God had done with the Gentiles. The matter was heavy and amidst some silence, James spoke up.

After they had become silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. Simon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for His name.

Acts 15:13–14

James is retelling a specific encounter Peter had. Most know of the account in Acts 10. When Peter returned from Caesarea, it was not without controversy. As many had heard that the Gentiles also received the word of God. As Peter expounded on what occurred in Caesarea, this is the conclusion:

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as He fell on us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?”
When they heard these things, they were silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then God has granted to the Gentiles also repentance unto life.”

Acts 11:15–18

I thank God that He has chosen to take a people for Himself from the Gentiles. When the Jewish elders of the church heard that these were baptized with the same Holy Spirit that came upon them, there was silence. They did glorify God, but why was there silence?

Perhaps they had suddenly recalled Jesus’ words from Holy Week, “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits.” Yet it was James who made the connection of this to what the prophets say, and he cites Amos:

With this the words of the prophets agree. As it is written:
‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tabernacle of
David, which has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will set it up;
that the rest of men may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
says the Lord who does all these things.’
Known to God are all His works since the beginning of the world.

Acts 15:15–18

After This

God says, “After this I will return.” After what?

All of what is ascribed in the answered prayer, then interpreted as prophecy, and given to Daniel by Gabriel.

Prince Messiah came first, precisely at the end of the 69 weeks of years. After Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Holy Week, He spoke many times of how the kingdom was going to be delayed, and even given to another people. Then Messiah was cut off with nothing.

The city and sanctuary would then be destroyed. And until the end of the war, the desolation of Israel will remain. The many will then fall for a charismatic leader who will give them a covenant for one week of 7 years. He will allow them to build a new temple and reinstate the Mosaic sacrifices. In the middle of that covenant week, this leader will make an appalling move that desolates the temple. These things culminate in the determined complete destruction of the desolator. At which time, the people would be delivered.

After this… I will return, says Jesus. The throne of David will be restored with the rightful promised King. He will bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy Place.

The Truth About Idols

On By TimIn 1 Timothy 03, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

Without question, great is the mystery of godliness:
God was revealed in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached to the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
taken up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16

Paul’s charge to his son in the faith Timothy is to reassure him that he knew how to conduct himself in the house of God. Amidst the instructions for overseers in the local church is this sentence which most think was a hymn or creed of those early Christians. It speaks of the mystery that we now know.

God is revealed in the flesh. The speaks of the incarnation of Jesus. Not that God changed places, but that He is revealed in flesh. This speaks to the Son’s existence before His virgin birth. As Paul wrote in Philippians 2, He being in the form of God. He is the brightness of His glory and the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3.) The Son is Spirit being revealed in the flesh. Jesus taught us that God is Spirit (John 4:24.)

That’s part of the mystery. It continues. Jesus was not justified in the flesh, but justified in the Spirit. That is attested to in His resurrection. When He came back from the dead in a new body, it proved there was no other entity that could lay hold on Him.

He is preached to the Gentiles, basically the truth is being spread to all nations. He is believed on in the world. Many people are saved because He is preached. We know He is taken up into glory. He sits at the right hand of the Father, as God.

Seen by Angels

It is this idea that Jesus was seen by angels, that draws me in. Jesus being seen by the angels means they could identify Him as God readily. But does it entail that He is known by them before being manifest in the flesh?

There seems to be testimony to that fact. It occurs in one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ ministry in Israel.

Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed Him from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan. And those from Tyre and Sidon, a great crowd, when they heard what great things He did, came to Him. He told the disciples to have a small boat ready for Him because of the crowd, lest they should crush Him. For He had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed on Him to touch Him. When unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him, crying out, “You are the Son of God.” But He sternly ordered them not to make Him known.

Mark 3:7–12

If we take Mark’s Gospel chronologically here, this incident occurred before Jesus selected any of His inner-circle of twelve disciples.

What is clear is that the people around Jesus are the time did not really know they were in the presence of God. Let alone that He is made flesh. Yet those unclean spirits know and testify to the fact right. They could apprehend the spiritual reality readily. But a question comes to mind. Where did they come from?

So many details are not included. I think it safe to assume that Jesus was casting unclean spirits out of people. Those spirits identified Him immediately. And He commanded them to not reveal Who He is. Did the crowd present hear and what did they understand?

I don’t know. I know there were spiritual beings present by witness of the text. Are there any indications that some of those were angels?

The text lends itself to that idea. The Bible reveals that there are two kinds of unclean spirits, fallen angels and demons. Demons are the disembodied spirits from the progeny of some fallen angels, the Nephilim.

The Disembodied Spirits Called Demons

When men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair and took as wives any they chose.

Genesis 6:1–2

Way back toward the beginning of it all, Moses reveals that angels took wives. The language used is not pleasant, and it isn’t without controversy. The term Sons of God is used sparingly in the Tanakh. As it is used in other places, it always means angels. That is direct creations of God and this by that same title given to Adam in Luke 3:38. (There are other resources that delve into this concept, the tag cloud can help in that pursuit.)

The progeny of the fallen angels and their taken human women were called Nephilim. They were the mighty men of old.

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 6:4

It is my opinion that the corrupted human bloodlines from these strange flesh unions were the vast majority of people that died in the flood. That idea comes from the Septuagint translation where it says that Noah was perfect in his generations. The Greek word translated is where the English word generations comes. It reveals a relationship to Noah’s genetics.

In fact, the entire incident of the ark hints that there were corrupted genetics in the human and animal kinds. God chose all the occupants of the ark. If Noah was perfect in his generations, it follows that the animals selected were perfect in theirs.

Now, it becomes a bit clearer that there are many unclean spirits, and kinds such as fallen angel and the disembodied spirits of angel/human hybrids known as demons. It follows that the unclean spirits (both angelic and demon) would see God as He is and readily identify Him in the flesh.

Before the Time

There is another encounter Jesus had with unclean spirits that is important to understand. It reveals yet another concept.

When He came to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two men possessed with demons, coming out of the tombs, extremely fierce, so that no one might pass by that way. Suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

Matthew 8:28–29

These unclean spirits are specifically identified as demons. They identify Jesus’ divinity readily. Yet it is those two questions. Apparently they knew of certain timings. And they knew of torment, and their consignment to it. One might ask, is there punishment spoken of in the Bible?

It takes a bit of sleuthing to get it out of the Tanakh. So the first stop is the last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. This particular Chester is full of details on the spiritual reality of Things.

They made Him jealous with strange gods;
with abominations they provoked Him to anger.
They sacrificed to demons, not to God,
to gods whom they knew not,
to new gods that recently came along,
whom your fathers did not fear.

Deuteronomy 32:16–17

Israel went to worship stage gods. These were actually demons. The Hebrew word is shedim, it appears only twice in the Bible.

The Israelis sacrificed to the demons. The text says these were new gods that recently came along. It seems to indicate that these came after creation. This is especially clear as it follows Genesis 6 above.

It bears mentioning that the mythological Golden Age hearkens back to the time when gods lived with humans. This would be before the flood. There is a stark difference between the mythological understanding and what God thinks of the days of Noah. There is a contemporary popular mantra announcing a new Golden Age. The Bible does tell us that the end days will be like the days of Noah. The gods will once again live with men.

There is a definitive judgment coming. And this is what the demons were alluding to about Jesus coming to them before the time. Jeremiah prophesied the demise of those gods.

Thus you shall say to them: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.

Jeremiah 10:11

Remember, in the encounter above that those demons also alluded to torment. That is a reference to eternal fire. Jesus told us the how and what for in that.

“Then He will say to those at the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:41

Eternal fire is made for the devil and his angels. By the testimony of the demons in the vicinity of the Gerasenes, they knew of their fate in torment. It follows that eternal fire is for the devil, fallen angels, and demons.

To come full circle, we are still before the time. The time comes in the judgment of the great day. The one reserved for all of the enemies of God, the Great White Throne of Revelation 20.

Idol Talk

This may shock the sensibilities of some. The idols of the Old Testament are real beings. They are not simple creations of carved wood and hammered metals. They are not figments of active imagination. They were and are real entities that take worship to themselves. They have a clear destination.

The loftiness of man shall be humbled,
and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low;
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day;
the idols He shall utterly abolish.

Isaiah 2:17–18

I know that many think idols are the creation of vivid imaginations. They are not. This truth gets further confused because of the allegorization of the idea of an idol. One that reinforces the notion that they are figments of the imagination which take us away from God.

I think that this allegorization has led to many folks putting their guard down. In other words, the west has been trained not to see these things. That makes it harder to understand the stark reality of the enemies against us as a race.

For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

The truths revealed in the Bible don’t always lend themselves to a personal application. Sometimes, that might obscure the reality. It then seems a bit silly to say that something like football or food becomes an idol for people. It may seem to lend itself that way, but the idols of the Old Testament are clearly real entities. Ones who do not want humans to flourish.

Changing Allegiance

The purpose for this lengthy article is to expose the reality. The hope is for the body of Christ to shake off the silly thinking that idols are imaginary things that keep us from God. The truth is these are real entities who have real power, that is if one extends it to them. When Jesus went to the cross, He removed the bondage. People can be free of these besetting and disabling influences in Jesus’ name.

In the Tanakh, there is no sinners’ prayer. Though the invitation is there as a call to change one’s mind… To repent. The reality is that to leave idols is to change allegiance. To come to God is to change allegiance.

Which leads to an important biblical principle. One that many do not quite grasp. The spirit world tends toward the legalistic. They cannot go where they do not have rights. From the beginning, this principle is laid out. Adam yielded rights to the dominion he was given by God.

This point is personally extended and explained in the New Testament. One yields their members, thus giving rights and permissions to the unclean spirits. Jesus spoke of this in John 8. Paul shows all exactly what it is.

Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.

Romans 6:13

God does not work in anyone until one lets Him do it. Ephesians 1:13 clearly demonstrates this principle. It is a truth that clobbers some fatalistic lies taught by some circles of Christianity. The Bible is clear, one serves who one yields to serve. That is why the Bible uses the term servants and slaves, as these have masters.

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for just as you have yielded your members as slaves to impurity and iniquity leading to more iniquity, even so now yield your members as slaves to righteousness unto holiness. For when you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit did you have then from the things of which you are now ashamed? The result of those things is death. But now, having been freed from sin and having become slaves of God, you have fruit unto holiness, and the end is eternal life.

Romans 6:19–22

The problem is that all have sinned. Universally, it is before anyone can know the requirements of the moral law. When that’s explained, the reality is all have missed the mark of perfection necessitated.

The ugly underbelly of that is a person who sins yields themselves to a master. Sin brings more sin, which brings death. Death brings judgment.

Jesus frees all from having to be bound to sin. When anyone repents and believes, God deposits His Spirit in that person freeing them from condemnation. The Spirit becomes a permanent presence and mark in them forever.

Indwelling Unclean Spirits

Another interweaving theme in the Bible suggests that the enemy counterfeits the things of God. It follows that those unclean spirits could also enter a person. There are many such cases detailed in the Scriptures. Consider what Jesus says about that from a different perspective.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be also with this evil generation.”

Matthew 12:43–45

Even though the principle Jesus is teaching is not necessarily about demon possession. He is using that truth to explain the activities of those who questioned and mocked His divine authority. It is a stern warning against the real dangers of stubborn disbelief. The important consideration being taught is that rejecting Jesus lends one to be more open and vulnerable to the principalities and powers of the air.

Think back to Jesus’ ministry, and the early days of the apostles. Possession of a person by indwelling unclean spirits was real. Jesus, the apostles, and even some others did cast demons out of folks. But did that problem just go away?

From present reality, no. It certainly seems foreign to many in western Christianized nations. It is as if the enemy has subtly hidden himself and his tactics. The activity of unclean spirits recessed in a way to not really be detectable. In modern times, demon possession is really just fodder for ghost stories and scary movies.

It did not just disappear. I see the evidence more frequently than I want to encounter it. And I’ve had personal encounters. I think there is a marked increase as the time quickly approaches. It is a last hurrah.

There are some immediately discernible behavioral indicators of influence and even possession by unclean spirits. These behavioral indicators have increased exponentially in contemporary populations because of the late hour. So… How does this happen?

It certainly does not without a person presenting themselves for the very purpose. Sometimes those rights and permissions are coerced by trauma, whether the trauma is purposed for that or not. Sometimes they are granted when one willfully ingests hallucinogenics into their body. It doesn’t matter if using those substances is legal or not. Others present themselves purposefully, knowing exactly what it is they are doing.

The language I use is indeed nuanced for various reasons. Mainly, I am not yet led to write in further detail on the subject. The point is that there are real unclean spirits and they attempt to influence the world in the same ways they did at the time of Jesus.

Humans are in a real spiritual war!

The Turning Point

There’s a reason why much of this has slipped under the proverbial radar. It is to avoid detection. But why?

Well, that leads to one of my favorite things about what Jesus did at the cross.

He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:14–15

It was the law that empowered sin because it exposed sin in everyone. At the cross, Jesus took the handwriting, really He took the certificate of indebtedness to sin and destroyed it. In effect, freeing the entire race of humanity from the bondage of sin. The enemies had to go underground. In light of the truth that nobody is bound to yield themselves to their influences.

It is the other part that is more important. He disarmed the authorities and powers. These unclean spirits really have no power, other than what anyone may be extended to them. Because Jesus removed the indebtedness, they have only whatever is willfully volunteered. The truth is that anything given can also be revoked by will. It is done in the name of Jesus Christ. It is by Him that folks are set free.

Concluding Thoughts

This is not meant to elicit fear. On the contrary, because Jesus died there is nothing to fear. As the introductory citation shows, His resurrection is proof of that.

For those who are reading, it may be that God is revealing some things to you. You may have extended rights and privileges you no longer want to do. That is easy to fix. You can revoke them at any time in the name of Jesus.

For those who have never really believed or changed allegiances, you can do that, too. Set your mind to serving God. Believe that Jesus did die. In so doing, demolished the certificate of indebtedness that shackled you. The proof is, He rose again. Believing that is what pleases God.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

It’s not Over

On By TimIn Matthew 26, The CrossLeave a comment

When evening came, He sat down with the twelve. And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
They were very sorrowful, and each of them began saying to Him, “Lord, is it I?”

Matthew 26:20–22

I noticed something as I read this. When reclined at what is called The Last Supper, there was a simple exchange of words that reveal a depth of profundity. This Gospel records it succinctly describing that, which would be followed by a meaningful gesture.

Since an Easter Sunday service in Greenville, SC over a decade ago, I cannot ever shake this idea that It Was Unexpected. What I mean is that earlier in the text, Jesus spoke of His being prepared for death and burial.

When Jesus perceived it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor always with you, but you do not always have Me. In pouring this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.”

Matthew 26:10–13

As it is always my way of seeing this, the statement seems to go largely ignored. Jesus spoke plainly of His impending demise and resurrection. I get that it’s an argument from silence, but the Gospels clearly demonstrate that Jesus’ talk of death and resurrection wasn’t understood well at all by His followers. It was always with a focus on the death and not the resurrection.

In like manner, there is something similar here. And it also comes with a bit of aloofness in the disciples not quite understanding what is happening.

Lord, is it I?

When Jesus speaks here about betrayal by one of His followers, it was received with sorrow, while they wondered who amongst them who it would be. Yet many times He told them that His betrayal must be, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him(.)”

He answered and said, “He who has dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Matthew 26:23–24

The meaning is that it was the determination in eternity past that the Son of Man would be betrayed and die for the lot of humanity. It is not that Judas was fatalistically chosen to have this lot. The way Jesus identified that betrayer proves it.

In that time, the sharing of the dipping of bread was a sign of intimate honor. It signified that the one receiving the gesture was really loved. Here, it was offered by the Messiah to the one who would betray Him that there was still time to believe.

The gesture also came with the assurance of reaping what is sown. That moment was not the culmination of a determination that Judas was the man. It was also an assurance that he was not remanded to eternity in perdition. The grace that Jesus gave to Judas included the same idea that God used to approach Cain.

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your countenance fallen? If you do well, shall you not be accepted? But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:6–7

I want you to pause reading and really think about that. Judas was given the sop. Cain was given a physical mark on his body. Both of these are signs of the abiding love of God toward both of them. In the moment, they were loved without regard to their future endeavors, by a God Who is present with each of them already IN those yet dastardly future endeavors.

Sin is not to Rule

One can always say no.

Yes, this pokes holes in fatalism and determinism. I am also certain there are going to be silent accusations of open theism. Yet it is the truth that the Bible presents. It’s not over until it’s over.

But the Scripture has confined all things under sin, that the promise through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 3:22

As long as one is breathing… There is still time to believe. Sin is not the inescapable prison.

For God has imprisoned them all in disobedience, so that He might be merciful to all.

Romans 11:32

Yes, it brings death. But death is delayed. Why?

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

It’s the goodness of God! The grace that is extended to both Cain and Judas exceeds their betrayals.

Sin is Rights

The scriptures say clearly not to give a foothold to the devil. Sin is the foothold. It’s the way he gets in.

From other Gospel narratives, at some point that night Satan entered Judas. He didn’t master his sin and extirpate it with faith. In a way, Satan’s entry into Judas mocks the Spirit God puts in us Christians. The sin Judas held gave foothold to the enemy, Judas extended him that right. One Gospel narrative pinpoints that this sop is the very moment Satan entered him.

Now, recall how the group responded with sorrow and wanted Jesus to point out the betrayer.

Then Judas, who betrayed Him, answered, “Master, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”

Matthew 26:25

In my mind, I am thinking these are not the words of Judas, but those of the commandant of his body. I can hear the mockery.

The Goodness of God

The history is clear. Cain rebelled and never really sought after the things of God. Judas rebelled to the end.

Considering the grace that is extended in both circumstances. Each lived after their betrayal. They were given stern warnings about the exceeding sinfulness of sin and one reaps what is sown.

Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7–8

Giving in to sin reaps death… Always. The fact that death doesn’t come suddenly is proof of the goodness of God. Because one has life after they sin, there is still opportunity to sow to the Spirit and reap eternal life.

The admonition to Judas was to do quickly his intentions. But Judas lived after he did that, proving the goodness of God still gave him time for repentance. Judas still had a choice.

Do not Comply

Though it’s over for them, it’s not over for you.

Yes, Satan entered and rebellion escalated. Judas still had life, he still had opportunity to master sin by faith in what God says.

That’s the message to you. If you’ve read this far, and you’ve embraced the lies of the enemy… That you’re too far gone… There is great hope in Jesus. There is no rebellion that hasn’t been covered at the cross.

Maybe it’s embracing the message “You’re not good enough.” Perhaps it’s, “Nobody likes me.” Or it’s like, “I am not very attractive.” Other struggle are body dysmorphia, where the message is “You are not like ____.” These thoughts runs amok in your mind like an incessantly looping program. You can be free with one word, “Jesus!”

Even if you made a covenant with your own blood, there is a greater covenant that God made with His!

The Bible says He erased the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and nailed it to the cross. Those you’ve made agreements with have been exposed to not have any real power…

And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:15

The enemies trick you into giving rights to them. That is the only way they have it. And you have the authority in Jesus’ name to revoke and renounce it at any time.

No longer comply. Resist the devil, he has to flee.

Spirit, Soul, and Body

On By TimIn Genesis 01, Resurrection, Triune God1 Comment

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 1:26–27

It is hardly hidden that we are made in the image of God. We also know God to be triune in nature, Father, Son, and Spirit. It is not accepted in some circles that we humans are also three-part beings. Is that true?

Here is what Paul said of the matter:

May the very God of peace sanctify you completely. And I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Paul tells us that a human is spirit, soul, and body. In my study, I prefer the Biblical principal that a matter is established by two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15.) Considering that, let’s see if we can find another.

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

Genesis 2:7

From the very first moment Adam was created, a body was fashioned from the dust of the ground. Then God breathed spirit into that body. And finally, Adam became a living soul. It’s the three parts that make one whole.

For another witness, we have this:

For the word of God is alive, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

This text is a nexus for many other ideas. Especially when considering the immediate context. The verse that follows this hints at hyperspaces. That is another discussion for another time.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that all things are revealed to God. There is no hiding things from Him. His Word is powerful and can divide the spirit and the soul. There are two of the parts of the human. The third comes in the next phrase, where it also divided the joints and marrow. That is most definitely speaking of the physical body. This text indicates three parts.

There is another distinction in this verse, I think. The spirit and the soul seem to be containerized. That is, the body is the house for the soul and the spirit.

Body Shelters Spirit and Soul

We know that if our earthly house, this tent, were to be destroyed, we have an eternal building of God in the heavens, a house not made with hands. In this one we groan, earnestly desiring to be sheltered with our house which is from heaven. Thus being sheltered, we shall not be found unsheltered. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life. Now He who has created us for this very thing is God, who also has given to us the guarantee of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:1–5

It is of utmost importance to understand this concept. It goes right to the very heart of what it is to be Christian. Our current physical body is a home to our spirit and soul. Paul says when we die, leaving this shelter behind, we have an everlasting one in heaven awaiting us.

Because sin has been sequestered to the flesh, we are burdened by it. And our physical bodies show the wear and tear of sin. Our spirits and souls do not. How can that be?

Paul calls that the circumcision made without hands.

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:11–15

Paul uses the metaphor of circumcision to explain what happened when we got saved plain to understand. Listen, when someone is circumcised, what is cut away is not reattached, it doesn’t grow back again, and it is removed to be discarded.

It’s like what happens to us Christians. The flesh part is separated from the other parts, the soul and the spirit. That is why Paul says that a believer is a new creation.

So from now on we do not regard anyone according to the flesh. Yes, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we do not regard Him as such from now on. Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:16–17

We don’t regard any believer according to the flesh… Yes, we know them physically, but we don’t know them by their foibles. E we don’t identify our brothers and sisters by their sins. They, like us, are new creations.

It’s as if there is some kind of out-of-this-world surgery done… My mind screams Hebrews 4:13. It is the Word of God that divides joints and marrow. The Word is Jesus! He saves, and that is why the resurrection is so much better than the cross.

It’s the Resurrection

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. So it is written, “The first man Adam was made a living soul.” The last Adam was made a life-giving spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:42–45

We see clearly that something about the natural physical body we have now cannot get to heaven. It is the natural man the Bible speaks of, the part that cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Just as we see in Jesus’ life, the ugliness of the cross…. What came before… Does not compare with the glory of resurrection. Just as we do baptism, we provide a picture of this very thing. Baptism proclaims resurrection.

We are going to put off these bodies. They don’t go to heaven.

However, that which is spiritual is not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second man was the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:46–49

At creation, God formed a body for Adam. We all share the genes given to Adam. They are part of the physical body in this physical world. We bare the image of the man of dust, and we bare the image of the One True God.

But there’s a problem.

Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

1 Corinthians 15:50

In the Twinkling of an Eye

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:51–53

I know some of you may roll your eyes at talk of rapture. It seems to be controversial. But Paul called it our blessed hope. And that is what it is. We move around burdened by these bodies marked up with sin. Our spirit and soul long to be free of what besets us.

Most importantly, we see from the very beginning of why these things are so. If they weren’t, who really could be saved?

One last point, the angels in heaven are not made like we are. They do not have these three-part bodies. They do not bear the image of God. They have no Kinsman to redeem. That is why they tremble.

But you and I do.

The First Miracle

On By TimIn Jesus, John 02Leave a comment

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there. Both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Six water pots made of stone were sitting there, used for ceremonial cleansing by the Jews, containing twenty to thirty gallons each.
Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
Then He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the master of the feast.”
And they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water that had been turned into wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who drew the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom, and he said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and after men have drunk freely, then the poor wine is served. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

John 2:1–10

I assume that all have read this in their Bible. I also assume many have heard it as part of a sermon or teaching. I post it for you as a quick reference and in case someone has not read it.

In the past, I have not paid any real particular attention to it. At least, not until I started reading Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge. This account was used to demonstrate the extravagant generosity of Jesus. I had not even considered that thought in the thinking part of my mind, but I guess it would lurk somewhere in the background. As the Spirit of God would have it, looking deeper into what happened at that wedding He revealed something I had not encountered anywhere else. Come with me and see.

The First Sign

This, the first of His signs, Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

John 2:11

As John recounts in his Gospel what had happened, he closes this punctual account by saying it was the first of Jesus’ signs. This part of the narrative follows the calling of His first disciples. John’s intent is to promote belief in Jesus by telling of His words and the signs He did.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:30–31

When reading the Gospel of John, pay close attention to the unfolding revelation. He opens with a testimony of Who Jesus is that parallels and expounds on Genesis 1. Later, we encounter John the Baptizer and his ministry of preparing the world for Jesus. Like Elijah speaking truth, John the Baptizer testifies to the ministry of Jesus, just as the apostle John records.

The Lamb of God

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

The apostle John is unique in recording the words of John the Baptizer. “Behold the Lamb of God” that takes away sin. In a way, he points to this first sign at Cana, which then points to another sign.

Let’s go back to Cana.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there. Both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

John 2:1–3

John recounts the first week of the ministry of Jesus. After being baptized and calling the first disciples, his small troupe is invited to a wedding. Already, we ought to pay attention to the timing mentioned. John is writing in retrospect, recording this decades after the events occurred. He has hindsight of the events in Jesus’ life, it is likely that there is something more to the phrase than just the narrative on the third day. It is something to keep in mind.

As we continue with the account, trouble arises when the open bar runs dry. Mary (Jesus’ mother) says that there is no more wine. There is then nothing left with which to continue the celebration.

A Mother Knows

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

John 2:4

This makes me smile. Not just what seems like abrupt language. What did she expect Him to do?

What did she know?

Even more intriguing… How did she know He could help?

I think the Bible helps us to know.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Luke 1:32–33

Mary had a special briefing given by a messenger from God. She knew her Son. She knew He is the Anointed One, Son of the Most High. She knew He is forever King. I think she even knew Him as God, having command over material things.

Had He done miracles before this?

We are not given any information on that except for John’s telling us this is the first of His signs. It could be a small attestation when as a preteen, He remained behind at the temple and taught. It is something to consider.

What we can determine is that Mary knew Jesus could readily help in this situation. Jesus affirms this by His response to her. We take Jesus’ response to His mother as somewhat sharp. In the language at the time, it was a respectful address. Jesus is telling her that what concerns her doesn’t concern Him. He continues by letting her know to leave Him alone, His time has not yet come.

My Hour

This is the specific phrase used. It refers to a particular time. This is a reference that leads us to the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry. It points us to something future.

As John’s narrative unfolds, Jesus uses this word hour to point to a yet future time. He uses it in speaking with the woman at the well in John 4:21; 23. He uses it again to point to a future time period in John 5:25; 28. (The list continues: John 7:30, 8:20, 12:23; 27, 13:1, 16:32, & 17:1.) John explains the hour:

Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

John 13:1

In my opinion, from reading John’s Gospel, the hour refers to the time period that begins around Jesus’ death and stretches to His return to Earth and the Millennial Kingdom. The hour will be marked with resurrection, I would say multiple resurrections. Yet, I digress.

For the purpose of this sign, my hour refers to the cross as the beginning of it. John is exclusive in his extensive writing of the words and actions of Jesus in the period of time leading to the cross.

That Seeming Reluctance

Did you pick up on the reluctance Jesus demonstrated toward His mother?

Do you think it is significant as a parallel in His hour?

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray close by.” He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Wait here, and keep watch with Me.”
He went a little farther, and falling on His face, He prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Matthew 26:36–39

It is not necessarily the same way, but I think the reluctance to do His mother’s will belies a very human emotional response. That emotion is amplified many times as demonstrated in His hour. In speaking with His Father, He wanted to find a way out. Nevertheless, as the Man, He honored His father by doing what His father wanted, just as He honored His mother’s will.

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

John 2:5

It is these few things that leads me to see some things that I think are hidden signs in this sign.

The Specifics

Six water pots made of stone were sitting there, used for ceremonial cleansing by the Jews, containing twenty to thirty gallons each.
Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
Then He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the master of the feast.”
And they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water that had been turned into wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who drew the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom, and he said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and after men have drunk freely, then the poor wine is served. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

John 2:6–10

Six water pots are filled to the brim. Each can hold a determinate amount of water. I’m not going to go through to the end.

The amount of wine that Jesus made would be the equivalent to 120 to 180 gallons. That is a lot of wine. The master says about the wine, that it is the good stuff and kept until now.

The Sign in the Sign

Consider the specific information given. There are six containers. It is considered by many scholars that six is the number of man. Seven is completion and the number of God, six is just short of that perfection. Humans were made on the sixth day. The number six here points to a human man.

Wine is considered the blood of the grape. Biblically, wine is often a representation of blood. We use the blood of the grape in the Lord’s Supper to remind us of the blood Jesus shed. The wine here ought to also remind us of the shed blood at the cross.

The containers being filled to the brim signify there is no more room for anything else. Think of sufficiency, as the blood of Jesus is sufficient, leaving no room for anything else. More important, had Jesus added something to change the chemical composition of the water, it would easily be detected by overflowing the brim.

Let us consider the quantity mentioned. The amount of wine that Jesus made would be the equivalent of 600 to 900 modern wine bottles. Again, that’s a lot of wine. Especially after the open bar has been emptied out. I don’t think it’s a far stretch to say that the amount of wine Jesus made was far more than sufficient to satisfy all of the guests. Weddings at this time lasted for days, even in the relative austerity the hosts would provide adequate provisions for the length of the celebration.

The wine Jesus made was also considered the best. Like the master of the feast said, the best is usually served first. In this account, the best is saved for last. The best speaks to the efficiency.

The Mediator of the New

This first earthly sign of Jesus was pointing to a future-fulfilling sign. The one when the Lamb of God would have His blood shed for the sins of humanity. It would be a Man. It would be a finite and sufficient amount. None more would be necessary. It would also be an efficient amount to more than satisfy the needs of all. And it would be better than all of the blood of animals shed for sins that came before.

Consider what another writer declares:

Then indeed, the first covenant had ordinances for divine services and an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was made. In the first part of the tabernacle, called the Holy Place, were the candlestick, the table, and the showbread. Behind the second veil was the second part of the tabernacle called the Most Holy Place, which contained the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid with gold, containing the golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Concerning these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests would regularly go into the first part, conducting the services of God. But only the high priest went into the second part once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people, committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was signifying through this that the way into the Most Holy Place was not yet revealed, because the first part of the tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, showing that the gifts and sacrifices offered could not perfect the conscience of those who worshipped, since they are concerned only with foods and drinks, ceremonial cleansings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies so that the flesh is purified, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:1–14

There is no room for another.

For this reason He is the Mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the sins that were committed under the first covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:15

Knowing all of this, one can be assured beyond doubt, that the work of Jesus is sufficient and efficient to cleanse the conscience from sin for any that ask. The way to approach God is no longer veiled to anyone. Jesus’ blood, and only His blood alone, made the Way.

And just like at the wedding, there was no license for the attendees to be drunk. Jesus was not even concerned of that. There was more than enough for each invited guest to enjoy.

Invited Guests

Jesus and His troupe were among the invited guests at the wedding. As with the hosts of the wedding, God invites people to His wedding feast. Where is that invitation?

Jesus spoke to them again by parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, but they would not come.
“Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited: See, I have prepared my supper. My oxen and fattened calves are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
“But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his business; the rest took his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. When the king heard about it, he was angry. He sent in his army and destroyed those murderers and burned up their city.
“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the streets, and invite to the wedding banquet as many as you find.’ So those servants went out into the streets and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man who was not wearing wedding garments. 12 He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding garments?’ And he was speechless.
“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1–14

I make the case that simply by being born of Adam’s race just as Jesus… You, like I am, are invited to the feast. God wanted you in His creation. It follows He wants you in His presence in heaven.

Being an invited guest, you can enter His presence anywhere at anytime. (Really, you’re already there because of that blood Jesus shed. And there is no place anyone can go to escape Him.) Just talk to Him.

He’s listening.

Paneas and the Cross

On By TimIn Matthew 16, ResurrectionLeave 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

There is more to be said in that last phrase you are not mindful of the things that are of God. Jesus was foretelling things that would soon take place. This is not the first time He spoke of this. Remember what Jesus said about Himself.

The Things of God

Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but may have eternal life.

John 3:14–15

Jesus was speaking of this account from the Torah.

So the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and many children of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, and He will take away the serpents from us.” And Moses prayed for the people.
The LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and put it on a pole, and it will be, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, will live.” Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, and if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the bronze serpent he lived.

Numbers 21:6–9

In that account, the Israelites had begun to complain and murmur against God’s provision. They refused to enter His rest (the Promised Land) and were remanded to wander in the wilderness of that sin. The circumstances of their present condition were of their own doing. Yet even in the midst of that wandering, God provided for their needs with manna from heaven.

God sent serpents to remind them of their precarious condition. They turned to God through Moses. Moses was instructed to make a likeness of the serpent from bronze, put it on a pole, and lift it up. Any who by faith, looked at the serpent to be healed of the poison would be cured and live. I can think that some in that multitude have thought that silly scheme and they perished. But to those who believed the declaration, they looked and lived.

It would be just like that for Jesus.

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

1 Corinthians 15:56

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men, because all have sinned.

Romans 5:12

Just as the sting of the poisonous serpent would bring certain death, we know that we have an appointment with death by the sting of sin. The serpent was the source of the sting that brought death to the Israelis in the wilderness. Mortality in humanity that came as a result of the serpent was the source of the sting that brought death to all men.

Moses made an effigy of the serpent, he did not put a real serpent on that pole. In like manner, the same would happen to Jesus. It is not that Jesus was not a real human. On the cross, the Bible tells us that Jesus became sin for us. He was like us in death.

The precision in these foreshadows is breathtaking. I am not saying Jesus was not human, or that something magic happened. His death is real. And His death satisfied the justice due for sins. He unabashedly spoke of His death.

Again, Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sins. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself? For He said, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ”
He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
They said to Him, “Who are You?”
Jesus said to them, “Just who I have been telling you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true. So I tell the world what I heard from Him.”
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing of Myself. But I speak these things as My Father taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

John 8:21–30

He also hinted at something more than just His death, but that was something most could not comprehend. We must also consider all the words of Jesus. Peter was not mindful of the things that are of God. Namely that Jesus would give His life and take it back up again to prolong His days.

Lifted Up

Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I received this command from My Father.”

John 10:17–18

This idea of being lifted up is also connected to what comes after His death. It is the destruction of the Gates of Hell. Resurrection would prolong His days, and then He would be received into heaven. That is, He is lifted up from this Earth. As His physical human advent on this planet careened to the culmination of the plan, death was not the end.

“Now My soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? Instead, for this reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
Jesus answered, “This voice came not for My sake, but for your sakes. Now judgment is upon this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself.” He said this to signify by what kind of death He would die.
The crowd answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever. Why do You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

John 12:27–34

Thankfully, we do not just look to a dead Christ on the cross to live. The cross is empty because He lives. We look to the living Jesus in glory. He signifies the hope that we have. He signifies our own resurrection. He takes the sting from death.

Any that would want to live, that is escape perdition, need only believe and put action to that faith by looking to Jesus for salvation.

Real Life After Death

Jesus spoke consistently of His death. It was also fitting in this location at the Grotto of Pan. He also spoke consistently of more to come after His death. It was His mission to die and experience death for everyone, believer or not. Through that death, He would bring many to glory. Any that would want it can have it.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He, by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.
For it was fitting for Him, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 2:9–10

Paneas and Resurrection

On By TimIn Atonement, Matthew 16, ResurrectionLeave a comment

From that time on, Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.

Matthew 16:21

This is the beginning of a marked change in Jesus’ ministry. His ministerial focus moves from primarily around the area of Galilee toward Jerusalem. He must go to Jerusalem. This is where the elders, scribes, and priests are. It is also home to Herod’s Temple containing the Holy Place where the presence of God is. The very place the chief priest ministered in the presence of God once a year.

For Israelis, Jerusalem is the entire center of the religious world. It is there that the maturest and most venerated leaders of the religious world were. The chief priests were those who presided over the 24 courses established by Daniel. These had charge of the temple. And finally, there are the scribes. At that time, these worked as if in the position of prophets.

There are many hints as to what Jesus is going to face in Jerusalem written of long ago. David sang of them in the Psalms. A few come to mind, Psalms 22, 27, and 35. That is far from a complete list, but as the Pesach (Passover) Lamb, He must be presented to the household of Israel, where He must be inspected as perfect.

The importance of this moment is reflected in the way Matthew thinks of this moment. He writes “(f)rom that time on.” Signifying the paradigm shift in reality. Jesus was going to die. His resurrection, though, would remain mysterious in the minds of the disciples. For the disciples, the resurrection was unexpected until it happened. (This is one of my favorite ideas that shows the four Gospels to be authentic, you can read it here, It Was Unexpected.)

Passover

Many typologies in the Torah point to Jesus. An important one is Passover (Pesach.) In the Exodus, it was the perfect Passover lamb slain, and its blood splashed on the lintel and doorposts of the house. The significance of this sign spared the firstborn of the house from death.

Romans 3:23–26 (MEV): For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

From my understanding, the blood of Jesus already abides on every person sparing the firstborn in that house from death. 2 Corinthians 5:1 teaches us that our body is a house. Because we are spared death when we sin, the blood of Jesus applies. The book of Revelation also tells us that the work of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world is not confined to one moment in time.

Good or bad, believer or not… It is the blood of Jesus that stops the angel of death when you sin. That is one typology.

Blood Atonement

There is another typology presented in Leviticus 16. That is the command for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement.)

Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat on which the lot of the Lord falls and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot falls to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement with it, that it may be sent away as a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:8–10

Already there is a distinction in the text. Two offerings, one dead and one alive. This points to the death of Jesus and His Resurrection.

Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, and bring its blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it over and in front of the mercy seat. And he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins, and so he shall do for the tent of meeting that remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Leviticus 16:15–16

The blood of the slain goat was sprinkled in the presence of God, for the people, for all of their sins. This is done even while they were yet sinners!

Remember when Jesus died, the veil separating the presence of God was torn in two. There is no more separation because the blood of Jesus is sprinkled in the presence of God for the people and all of their sins.

But only the high priest went into the second part once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people, committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was signifying through this that the way into the Most Holy Place was not yet revealed, because the first part of the tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 9:7–8

But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies so that the flesh is purified, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:11–14

It is essential to understand these things as the Bible presents them. The presence of God is no longer reserved for a privileged few.

Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way that He has opened for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and since we have a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:19–22

Understand that it is only by the blood of Jesus that you are sanctified. Sanctified means to be set aside. That is true for all, believer or not. Everyone has respite from the wages of sin. I repeat it, everyone.

That’s the first part of the atonement. And it is unconditional for all people. The second part is also for all people with a condition.

Removal of Sin

When he has made an end of atonement for the Holy Place, and the tent of meeting, and the altar, then he shall bring the live goat.

Leviticus 16:20–22

As we have gone back to the typologies, the high priest leaves the presence of God. This is important, as it proves the offering of blood is accepted as the priest walks out alive. That is the work of the cross, Jesus is declaring to everyone they are free.

Watch how the priest uses that freedom. He makes his way to the living offering. He presses onto the head confessing sins, in a sense transferring them to the goat. The goat is sent away, carrying the sins confessed on it into the wilderness never to return.

That is what the writer of Hebrews is saying… There is a new and living Way opened through the veil of separation. It was done by the blood that any may approach the live offering to confess our sins and have them removed forever. Jesus is the live offering, and He has taken a seat at the right hand of the Father.

We just confess our sins to have them removed. For that, we need a living offering. Jesus rose again.

Conclusion

For by one offering He has forever perfected those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:14

You and I cannot add to what Jesus did. It abides on us, and we acknowledge and celebrate that. Furthermore, it is a call to action. If we are forever perfected, and we are… What is there to really fear?

If we mess up and sin, we have an Advocate. A Living Offering Who takes away sin forever.

Sarah Laughs to Herself

On By TimIn Genesis 18, GraceLeave a comment

They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
And he said, “There, in the tent.”
One of them said, “I will certainly return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Genesis 18:9–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I assume some of you may be familiar with this account of God visiting Abraham. Three men (the they) come to Abraham where he had pitched his tent near the Oaks of Mamre. He makes them a meal and they eat. It is at this point that we get an indicator as to the identity of One of those.

The group asked after Sarah. But One of those made a promise to come a year later with the intent to fulfill the promise of God. God Himself made a promise to Abraham and Sarah they would have a child. And by the personal pronouns, we now know that One of these me is God.

As was the custom of the time, women remained unseen and Sarah was in the tent. She overheard the conversation.

Now Abraham and Sarah were old and very advanced in age, and Sarah was well past childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am so old and my lord is old also, shall I have pleasure?”

Genesis 18:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sarah has a moment of surprise, she laughs at what God said to Abraham. This is similar to Abraham’s reaction upon hearing the same promise from God that he and Sarah would have a son.

As Abraham was challenged to stretch his faith, the promise came as God changed Sarah’s name. God was showing Abraham her importance in that promise.

Now Sarah had the same surprise. She too now heard the promise from God Himself. Sequestered away from the men, she heard for herself that she is an important part of God’s plan. Yet there is an intriguing difference in the responses each gave. Can you discern what it is?

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man that is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Genesis 17:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Abraham laughed out loud but spoke his surprise silently. Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am so old and my lord is old also, shall I have pleasure?”

The different reactions teach us about God.

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I surely bear a child when I am old?’ Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Genesis 18:13–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God heard her secret laughter. Could there have been a bit of disbelief?

Perhaps, but God asks Abraham why she laughed. God then says is anything too difficult for Him?

It was her turn to exercise her faith. Now, the account turns a bit.

Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” because she was afraid.
But He said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Genesis 18:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sarah denied the truth and spoke a lie right back to God. Who could do such a thing and live?

Sarah did. God corrected her.

It is an awkward turn, Sarah sins before God and lives to tell about it. God does correct her. But what is not recorded here is any confession of Sarah for the wrongdoing.

This is an important concept. Eve confessed her sin to God. Adam confessed his. Even Hagar confessed hers as she was met by God.

I think the grace of God is pictured here. The very grace that Jesus extends to all. I mean all humans by His death on the cross. It’s the fact that the penalty for sin has just satisfaction.

It’s like God silently says to Sarah, I know what you did. You are free to go.

It is in that exchange that points straight to Jesus. This is the same loving God we k ow from the New Testament. He has not ever changed. Jesus is not God 2.0.

Atonement for All

On By TimIn Atonement, Romans 03Leave a comment

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The purpose of the law is to expose the futility of the bondage every human is in. It shows us sin.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:21–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Whether a believer or not, Israeli or not… There is no difference. All fall short of the mark of perfect righteousness. Yet righteousness comes by faith.

But it can only come because there is a respite from punishment… A period of justification to all, that the penalty of sin isn’t levied in a just manner. The penalty of death is satisfied by Another.

This means universally, every human is free to go after they sin. That’s exactly what Jesus did at the cross. It’s the proverbial golden ticket.

What people do with that freedom is exactly where the hinge of eternity pivots. Some believe and by that faith and are saved. Others do not and die in their sin.

But all of Adam’s race who are alive on earth are under the respite of punishment.

Don’t die in your sin.