Here is a very good book discussing the particulars of the time of Jesus’ birth:
Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 8, 2024
The Time of Jesus’ Birth
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | September 18, 2024
Communion in the Kingdom
Communion is a staple in Christian services. It’s really just a repackaged Seder dinner of the Passover. And a very reduced dinner at that – only wine and unleavened (sometimes!) bread. What about communion during Christ’s 1,000 year reign?
“They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”
He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:13-20
In a sense, Jesus drank again after he rose from the dead:
“As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took them, and ate in front of them.” Luke 24:36-42
“That night, they caught nothing. But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”
So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead. So when they had eaten their breakfast…” John 21:3-13
What’s the meaning of this:
“For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it. For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you. When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken. What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.
For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.” 1 Corinthians 11:18-33
Is this foreshadowing Passover in the Kingdom? Will those unworthy be refused to eat of the trees of life?
“But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.” Matthew 5:22
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:23-26
Notice how the unrepentant are refused entry into Jerusalem in the Kingdom:
“Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Revelation 22:14-15
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | September 10, 2024
Limits of our Lives
God appears to have told us the maximum we can live. “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” Genesis 6:3 God decided to reduce man’s lifespan down to 120 years from 900+.
“Yahweh God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16
God put the limit of fallen Adamic life at 1,000 years (One Day). That means that most of us will have 900 or so years left to live when we are brought to life. Those that choose life will live on past 1,000 years into eternity. Interestingly, Solomon hints that death may still be around past Jesus’ millennial reign:
“If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial; I say that a stillborn child is better than he: for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other. Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don’t all go to one place?” Ecclesiastes 6:3-6
That one place he’s referring to is death. When death itself is destroyed is an open question. “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:25-26
“Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14
Posted by: biblestudyseattle | July 26, 2024
Minutes & Saints
There are 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day. Therefore, there are 1,440 minutes in a day. Revelation prominently figures 144,000 Christian and Hebrew saints in chapters 7 & 14. Is it a coincidence that there are 1,440 minutes to watch over our day just are there are 144,000 saints to watch over Christ’s Day? Probably not. No one knows exactly why there are 24 hours in a day, but isn’t it interesting that there are 12 tribes in Israel and 12 apostles of the Lamb?
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | June 26, 2024
The Mechanics of Rebirth
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:4
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:13-15
“Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.” Genesis 8:15-17
“Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.” Ezekiel 37:1-10
Will the bride of Christ come down to earth to have babies in the traditional way? Will people emerge from cocoons in the ground? How will the saints manifest on earth? Will they appear out of no where like Jesus did?
“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:13-31
“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” Luke 24:36-43
Will the saints stick around to encourage family and friends not in the heavenly state? How do we make sense of this:
“Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the Lord.
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
For your Maker is your husband—
the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
The Lord will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God.
“For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord your Redeemer.
“To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with lapis lazuli.
I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.
All your children will be taught by the Lord,
and great will be their peace.
In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you;
you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed;
it will not come near you.
If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
“See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;
no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54
Posted by: biblestudyseattle | June 5, 2024
Should we call down fire?
“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56
Sometimes we feel like this! Since we are made in the image of God we desire justice. It is so tempting to want instant judgment, especially with egregious sins. But ultimate judgment belongs to God alone. We may judge in daily matters but not ultimate matters. Even if we are a judge in a courtroom pronouncing the death sentence, we are not pronouncing ultimate judgment because God will raise everyone from the dead, even evil people like the Sodomites:
“However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them, so that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you have done in giving them comfort. And your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before [Alive]; and you and your daughters will return to what you were before [Alive].” Ezekiel 16:53-55
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | May 13, 2024
Repayment
“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14
Most people do not expect a second life. But God shows us that what we do in this life will carry into the next, both positive and negative.
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | April 24, 2024
Serving the Lord
“Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’” The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the Lord today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.” Exodus 32:25-29
At first blush, this appears to say that the Levites went and killed 3,000 random brothers and sisters. And they were rewarded for this?!? But this is not the case. Many times scripture is very spare leading us to some alarming conclusions. It should says that the Levites killed 3,000 leaders of the Golden Calf idolatry plot.
The point is that God rewards those who fight for him and against evil, even to the point of capitol punishment. The believers in God may be called to literally fight at the battle of Armageddon. “The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:7-9
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: bible, christianity, faith, god, Jesus
Posted by: biblestudyseattle | April 1, 2024
The Pearly Gates
Saint Peter stood at the pearly gates and asked why she should be let in…
This is the popular conception of Christianity. It is about believing in Jesus and floating away to the dreamy land of immortal people in white clothes floating around playing their harps for eternity.
But…. this is mostly wrong. It may involve people in white clothes and they might be able to float or fly but remember… “on earth as it is in heaven”. Heaven and earth are intimately linked. Heaven will eventually come down to merge with earth. And heaven isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Satan is a frequent visitor: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.” Job 1:6 Contrary to the perfect peace people assume in heaven, there has been war: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.” Revelation 12:7
Heaven is a higher plane of existence than earth but it is like parent and child. Those people God deems worthy to go to heaven will. And they will not only minister in heaven but on earth as well. It is not like there will be some infinite chasm between heaven and earth. Even Jacob had this dream:
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.” Genesis 28:13-14
When we reach the next life we will commune with our family even if we are in heaven and they on earth. This is why Jesus appeared to the disciples for 40 days after he rose from the grave. He may have able to walk through walls, but he still appeared in his human body as they had known his. He said to Thomas:
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | March 28, 2024
Jesus’ Return and Noah
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” Matthew 24:37-41
A commentary on this says: “It was not the flood, but the presence and work of Noah before
the flood which prefigured the Second Advent of Christ.” The scripture highlights the days before the flood but that doesn’t mean it excludes the days during the flood, for it also says ‘As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man’. That is, all the days of Noah.
It is true that most Christians even will be unaware when Jesus comes. That is because he will first come secretly. It is possible that verse 41 refers to a later event when Jesus’ presence becomes very obvious – the battle of Armageddon.
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