Some possibilities for the Millennial reign of Christ:
Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 22, 2014
Millennium speculation
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 16, 2014
The Way to Life
“`Go ye in through the strait gate, because wide [is] the gate, and broad the way that is leading to the destruction, and many are those going in through it;”. Matthew 7:13
Jesus no doubt said this as he was teaching on the Mount of Olives. There was a broad road leading west to the temple.
“And as he is going, they were spreading their garments in the way, and as he is coming nigh now, at the descent of the mount of the Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began rejoicing to praise God with a great voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying, `blessed [is] he who is coming, a king in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.'” Luke 19:36-38
This road was called the descent of the Mount of Olives. It lead to a viaduct which crossed the Kidron Valley. No doubt the viaduct was relatively narrow. So Jesus is visually showing that broad is the way that leads to destruction, and narrow is the way that leads to life (the temple). What destruction? Many Christians assume this means he’ll, but could it be more specific? Jesus was probably referring to those whose made their calling and election secure (narrow – the bride of Christ), with those who would fail of achieving that crown.
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 15, 2014
Daniel & Daniel
It seems that the apostles were convinced for awhile that Jesus would return in their lifetimes. Jesus said many things to give this impression. They further took the seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel to buttress their thoughts. But some point about the mid 60s AD, it became apparent that Jesus would not return for a very long time. Hence the difference between first and second Peter.
“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7
“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:3-9
Likewise, in our day there is much speculation and confusion because of Daniel’s prophecies that knowledge and travel would increase. Hence the second coming is looked for. But just as the first century world did not know exactly when Daniel’s seventy weeks started, so in our day we don’t know the scope of when increasing knowledge and travel will have reached their limits.
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 14, 2014
Books referenced in the Old Testament
The Book of the Wars of the Lord. Numbers 21:14
The Book of Jasher. Joshua 10:13
The Book of the Acts of Solomon. 1 Kings 11:41
The Book of Nathan the Prophet. 1 Chronicles 29:29
The Book of Gad the Seer. 1 Chronicles 29:29
Th Prophecy of Ahijah the Shiloite. 11 Chronicles 9:29
The Visions of Iddo the Seer. 11 Chronicles 9:29
The Book of Shemiah the Prophet. 11 Chronicles 12:15
The Book of Jehu the Son of Hanani. 11 Chronicles 20:34
The Sayings of Hosai. 11 Chronicles 33:19
Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 10, 2014
One Flesh
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” Genesis 2:24-25
Many see the one flesh as sex, but is there a more literal meaning? Yes. Children. Kids are the literal fusing of man and woman into an embryo that matures into a full person.
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:31-32
So then, if Jesus is to marry the church in heaven, will their one flesh also be children? What kind of children? Could heavenly parents have earthly children? Why does Revelation say: “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 9, 2014
The Almond Tree
“Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side. Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower—so for six branches going out from the lampstand; and in the lampstand four cups shaped like almond blossoms, its bulbs and its flowers. A bulb shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. Their bulbs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it.” Exodus 25:31-37
The almond blossoms were a huge part of the lamp stand in the holy place of the tabernacle/temple.
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a rod for each father’s household: twelve rods, from all their leaders according to their fathers’ households. You shall write each name on his rod, and write Aaron’s name on the rod of Levi; for there is one rod for the head of each of their fathers’ households. You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you. It will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout. Thus I will lessen from upon Myself the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling against you.” Moses therefore spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ households, twelve rods, with the rod of Aaron among their rods. So Moses deposited the rods before the Lord in the tent of the testimony.
Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the Lord to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. But the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die.” Thus Moses did; just as the Lord had commanded him, so he did.” Numbers 17:1-11
By this method, God chose Aaron’s clan as the priests. The preists represent the bride of Christ, who will have intimate part in bringing light to the world through the resurrection.
“The word of the Lord came to me saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a rod of an almond tree.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:11-12
Here God equates the rod of an almond tree to His Word.
“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand [picturing an almond tree] and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod [of almonds] which budded, and the tables of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.” Hebrews 9:1-5
So we have a rod of almonds in the Holy of Holies. This pictures heaven itself with God’s miracle light between the cherubim. Jeremiah was a priest whose call involved the equating of an almond rod with God’s word. The lamp stand, which is the light of the world, is like an almond tree.
Because of these symbolisms, some have speculated that the tree of life was an almond tree. Will it be among the trees of life lining the river that comes out from under Ezekiel’s Millenial temple? Even Mount Sinai where Moses was given the Law is named Jabal Al Lawz [Almond Mountain] in modern day Saudi Arabia.
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 8, 2014
The Law
The Law is an interesting thing. Most Christians believe the Law was nailed to the cross, totally done away with. But the scriptures declare that God will write the Law in our hearts. What? Law or no law? Some even quote Galatians where it says anyone trying to keep the Law is under a curse. But there’s a distinction. The Ten Commandments were written by God himself and put into the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies represent heaven. The extra laws expounded in the Torah were not put there. We realize that the Law will never justify, but those touched by the Spirit naturally fulfill the Law. Why did Jesus he say emphatically that he came NOT to abolish the Law but to fulfill it? We have to be careful how we interpret. For more: http://www.angelfire.com/la2/prophet1/WhatLawWasNailedToTheCross.html
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 4, 2014
Barabbas
“[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]. But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)”. Luke 23:17-19
Barabbas means ‘Son of the father’. Furthermore, some manuscripts have his first name as Jesus. Isn’t that amazing! So here we had Jesus, the real son of the Father, and Jesus, son of the father the criminal. One was released and one was killed. This matches one of the temple rituals:
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the Lord and died. The Lord said to Moses:
“Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. Aaron shall enter the holy place with this: with a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on. He shall take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. Then Aaron shall offer the bull for the sin offering which is for himself, that he may make atonement for himself and for his household. He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. Then Aaron shall offer the goat on which the lot for the Lord fell, and make it a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot for the scapegoat fell shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness as the scapegoat.” Leviticus 16:1-10
Jesus Barabbas was the scapegoat.
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | October 1, 2014
Jesus’ problems
“Indeed, He will speak to this people
Through stammering lips and a foreign tongue,”. Isaiah 28:11
Did Jesus stutter?
“Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10
And Moses also stuttered?
“He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:2-3
Was Jesus also ugly? Yes. He stuttered, was unattractive, sorrowful, and sickly. He was not one of the beautiful people. This was so that the truly humble would be his followers, and not those that want to hang out with the stars. You could also say he was a redneck:
“They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” Everyone went to his home.” John 7:52
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Posted by: biblestudyseattle | September 30, 2014
The crucifixion
Ernest L. Martin also makes a good case that not only was Jesus Crucified, he was also stoned. The question occurs: why did Jesus die while the two robbers were still alive? Also: the scripture ‘by his stripes we are healed’ could refer to more than just the Roman scourging.
“Behold, My servant will prosper,
He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.
Just as many were astonished at you, My people,
So His appearance was marred more than any man
And His form more than the sons of men.
Thus He will sprinkle many nations,
Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him;
For what had not been told them they will see,
And what they had not heard they will understand.” Isaiah 52:13-15
If Jesus was stoned for six hours by the Jews, his appearance could have been marred beyond recognition. Verse thirteen shows the Glory of Jesus after his resurrection. These kings are in the future understanding what actually happened to Jesus. This is when they have risen from the dead.
Many times the Jews tried to stone Jesus, but it was not to happen before the appointed time. “Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.” John 8:59
“The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.” John 10:31
“The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” John 11:8
Stoning was the only method of capitol punishment in the Law of Moses. “The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.” John 19:7
Because of the stoning, Jesus’ blood was sprinkled very liberally. This fits with the requirements of the sin offering. The blood had to be sprinkled all over the altar. And Jesus was crucified very near the Mishkan Altar.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Ernest L. Martin, Jesus Crucified
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