Bible Study Seattle

Two passages seem to conflict. One states that two crucified with Jesus jeered at him. Another account says that one of the two spoke kind words to Jesus, asking him to remember him in the kingdom. How do we resolve this? The first clue is that one account in the Greek states they were robbers. The other account actually says criminals. The solution is that there were four crucified with Jesus. Two were crucified with Jesus, then two more later, but before Jesus died. Here’s a more detailed explanation: http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/how-many-were-crucified-with-jesus

Ephesians 5:21 is a very popular marriage verse to many.
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Since comments about wives follow, it is assumed that this is talking about marriage. But does this make sense? The husband submits to the wife? Could we also say Christ should submit to the church? No way! If the husband submits to the wife, then he does not have to lead her. Have you ever seen a ship with two captains? It doesn’t work very well! A better rendition of Ephesians 5:21-22 is:

“[Church members] Submit to each other out of reverence for Christ, and wives [do likewise] unto your husbands as unto the Lord.”

Jesus gave the example of washing each others’ feet. I would argue that the church should serve each other when necessary; they are actually only to submit to Christ. The mutual submission fallacy is one of those teachings that our itching ears want to hear. It is an improper reading of scripture. For a more thorough discussion: http://www.wordsofhealing.org/2000/12/is_mutual_submission_biblical/

“Then Martha said to Jesus: ‘Lord, if you had just been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. And yet, now I know that whatever you ask of God, He’ll give to you.’
And Jesus told her: ‘Your brother will stand again!’
Then Martha said: ‘I know that he’ll stand again in the resurrection on the Last Day.’
But Jesus said to her: ‘I am the resurrection and the life; so, whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. And all the living who believe in me won’t remain dead through the age. Do you believe this?’
And she answered: ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that you’re the Anointed One, the Son of God, and the one who was to come into the world.'” John 11:21-27

This is from 2001translation.com. Notice it says believers will not remain dead through the age. They will live through the Millennium and beyond it. Jesus is promising Martha a resurrection after she dies.

“And the Judeans replied: ‘We aren’t stoning you for good deeds, but for blasphemy! Why, although you’re just a man, you’re making yourself a god!’
Then Jesus asked: ‘Isn’t it written in your Law, I say that you are gods? So if He called those who were spoken against in God’s Word, gods (and you can’t void the Scriptures); how can you tell me (one who was made holy and sent into the world by the Father) that I blaspheme because I say that I’m God’s Son?
‘If I’m not doing my Father Will, don’t believe me. But if I am… why, even if you don’t believe me, believe in what I’m doing! Then you will come to know (and keep knowing) that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.'” John 10:33-38

Later on, Jesus prays that the disciples would be one as Jesus and the Father are one. Clearly, one in purpose, not person. The bible speaks of the one God, but also other gods, or mighty ones. These even include angels.

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
“From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” Daniel 12

This passage covers a longer period of time than most people realize. A time, times, and half a time is three and a half prophetic years or 1260 days. It’s also 1260 years. There are multiple fulfillments to this. The first started with the ten tribes destroyed by Assyria in 722BC. 1260 years later Papacy gets involved with civil affairs using military force to put down the nontrinitarian Arians at Ravenna in 539AD. 1260 years later, the pope loses much power at the hands of Napoleon in 1799AD. 1335 years after 539AD is 1874AD, which is exactly 6,000 years after the fall of Adam. There’s also a period of 1260 years from Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest of Palestine in 603BC to 658AD when Sunni Muslims dominate civil power in Palestine. From there, 1260 years lead to 1918AD when the Turkish resistance collapses and Islamic Arabs are no longer in total control of Palestine. 1290 years from 658AD is 1948, the start of the war for independence where Israel becomes a modern nation. 1335 years from 658 is 1993, when Israel and the PLO sign the Declaration of principles on interim self government and the Vatican officially recognizes Israel. The 2300 years of Daniel has a couple fulfillments. The lesser known is from May 334BC when Alexander the Great attacked and overthrew Persia. 2300 years later is 1967 when Jerusalem was restored to Israel. These insights are courtesy of Paul Mezera.