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Bible Question: Could you explain whate Matthew 5, 34 means?
“Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:33-37
While profanity is addressed in God’s law, this commandment is about making oaths. An example of the ancient law that Jesus referred to is, “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:2
Jesus said that of old time it had been said “not to forswear thyself”. Forswearing yourself would be like perjury in our system of justice today. This is a violation of the law in Numbers 30:2
Because the people who run our court systems are accustomed to hearing witnesses lie on the stand, we have a custom of “swearing in” a witness before they give their testimony. This custom says to the witness, “we expect the truth from you, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And, if you should decide to bear a false witness to us, there is a consequence for you of the charge of perjury.” This oath taking is both proper and necessary.
But, in a similar way, people are so accustom to lies and lying that it was common, even in Jesus’ day, to qualify a statement with an oath saying basically, “OK, I may sometimes lie, but I swear that this thing I am saying is true.” He may use some object of value to qualify his oath. “I swear on my mother’s grave”…This is what Jesus’ command prohibits.
While on the surface it may seem harmless enough, the use of oaths implies that the simple statement of the user is not to be believed. The fact that one swears what he says is true implies that he does not expect his hearer to believe his simple word, and this in turn presupposes that his word ordinarily is not worthy of belief.
Tell the truth! Be so truthful in all that you say that it will be unnecessary to swear to its truthfulness. Neither overstate nor understate the truth.
Bible Question: What is Amos’s role in the Old Testament? What is God’s message to the Christian world about Amos’s message?
The Prophet, Amos, delivered a message against the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel. It began with the adjoining nations: (1) Damascus, on the north, (2) the Philistines, on the west; (3) Tyre, to the northwest; (4) the Edomites, to the south; (5) the Ammonites, nearly on the east; (6) the Moabites, also to the south; (7) Judah, to the south; and lastly, the center of the Prophet’s message, Israel--the ten-tribe kingdom. His message included the punishment, the destruction, against Israel for their sins. God promises that this destruction will not last forever for in Amos 9:14-15 Amos shares God’s wonderful promise of "And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. "
Please see our articles upon this restoration of Israel, that we can see now in our day and age at:
http://biblestudents.com/Israel.cfm
Following is an excerpt from our article about Amos available at :
http://www.biblestudents.com/htdbv5/r3422b.htm#x20054
which gives insight to your question of how Amos message applies to the Christian world:
"Another lesson in connection with Amos’ message is that his opponents rose up from amongst those who were professedly religious--the priests; and so it was with our Lord and the apostles. The priests and religious teachers of their day were the chief opponents of the Gospel in its truth and purity, and we must expect the same in our day. The Truth, in proportion as it has been declared in its purity, has always aroused opposition, and has always found its chief opposers amongst those who have a "form of godliness"--but generally amongst those who lack its power. "
Not only can we hold to the promise of the restoration of Israel, but we can be encouraged by Amos’s message that we are to hold to what we believe to be true and from God, despite what the "religious teachers" may say.
Bible Question: What are the three worlds?
The Apostle Peter ’s 3 Ages (worlds) are the Three Dispensations in God’s plan for the fall and recovery of mankind. In each dispensation there is a heaven and an earth or world that is being dealt with. These represent the spiritual ruling powers, heaven and the social order, earth or world.
2 Pet.3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: This is the first dispensation the period from creation to the flood of Noah’s day. The first dispensation was under the ministration of the angels. Genesis 6:2 tells of that some of the angels deflected and began to mingle with mankind creating an unauthorized race. God destroyed that order in the flood and began anew with Noah’s family.
2 Pet.3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
This is the second dispensation called the world that now is, or the present evil world Gal. 1:4. Its spiritual ruler is Satan, "The God of this world." The fire is symbolic of destruction and trouble. God’s day of judgement is a thousand years. In the forepart the fire will wipe away the old order.
2 Pet.3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. This is the third dispensation which will be have a new heavens or spiritual ruling power, Christ and his church and a new earth, social order. This new social order will consist of the resurrected world of mankind on trial for life. Those who obey the heavenly rule will live forever in this new dispensation called the world to come.
God’s kingdom consists of a heavenly part and an earthly part as our Jesus expressed in the Lord’s prayer Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. God is now calling his Gospel Church who will be joint heirs with Jesus in heaven. They will be associated with Jesus in blessing the remainder of mankind when all in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth. John 5:28,29
For more information see http://www.biblestudents.com/htdbv5/htdb0071.htm
Bible Question: Who are called? Who are chosen?
The Called are those who have heard the Gospel message and have considered its terms of sacrifice. The Gospel message includes belief that Jesus gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time. I Tim. 2:6. Those who believe in Jesus sacrifice are invited to follow in his footsteps by sacrificing their earthly life to reign with him in heaven. Jesus expressed this call in Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. The Apostle Paul spoke of the same call in 2Tim 2:12, If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
The gospel call will end when all of the called shall be chosen. Mat 20:16, So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Not everyone who is called will be chosen, only the faithful who willingly carry out their sacrifice will be chosen to be associated with Jesus in the kingdom reign. God is seeking a little flock who will bless the remainder of the world of mankind by raising them to life and instructing them in righteousness. If they are obedient they will gain everlastng life Luke 12:3, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
There are two salvations secured by the one sacrifice of Jesus, a heavenly salvation and an earthly salvation. I John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus pointed this our in the familiar prayer: Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God created man to live upon the earth in evelasting life and happiness. The sin of Adam caused all of his children into a dying condition. Jesus died to remove this curse upon mankind and to eventually restore all the willing and obedient back to everlasting life in a restored earth. Meanwhile a special chosen class is being developed, they will receive a heavenly reward and share in the blessing of all the families of the earth.
Read more at the following link: http://www.biblestudents.com/whyareyouachristian_01.cfm
Bible Question: Who are two witnesses in revelation?
A heavily loaded question! As you may know, the Book of Revelation is a symbolic language book. Not surprising! Just as Jesus spoke in parables—word pictures—we would expect the visions he gave to John to record are symbolic of literal realities. Matt 13:34 “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them.” So he was really not talking about literal seeds or literal sheep. (Even the Old Testament is full of “types” or “shadows” of things to come for our later understanding (Col. 2:17, etc.). The Passover sacrifice of the lamb, of course, pointed forward to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ dying for all mankind.
SYMBOLIC BOOK. But our specific premise in understanding the book of Revelation is symbolic is based on an opening statement in Ch. 1, verse 1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” The word “signified” means that the Revelation was given in signs or symbols, so that in understanding this revelation we should expect to find symbolic language. (See, for example John 12:33 on the word “signified,” Vine’s Expository Dictionary). Thankfully, in a few instances, parts of the visions are decoded from symbolic to literal. For example, “waters” are symbolic of peoples in Rev 17:15, “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”
TWO WITNESSES PROPHESY AND TEMPLE TROD UPON DURING THE SAME TIME. The setting in which the “two witnesses” are mentioned relate to the “temple” being trodden “under foot” while the “two witnesses” at the same time are prophesying for 1260 “days” in “sackcloth.” Rev 11:1-5 “And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. ‘And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. 3 ‘And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These [the two witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth” (NAS). (The “two witnesses” are identified with the “the two olive trees,” and the 1260 days are the same as the 42 months.)
TWO WITNESSES SAME AS TWO OLIVE TREES. Also, these “two witnesses” are similarly described parallel to the “two olive trees” in a prophecy in Zechariah (4:1-3). The “two olive trees” would symbolically support the true Church during the Christian Age—the “candlestick all of gold” with “seven lamps.” “And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” What has supported the true Church during the Christian Age? The Bible! And the Bible has “two [agreeing] witnesses”—the Old and New Testaments—which have given strength and nourishment to the true Church during the Christian Age. Just so, the “two olive trees” through the Scriptures have taught and provided the holy Spirit for the Church during this Age.
TWO WITNESSES IN “SACKCLOTH,” MOURNING. But the Bible was for a time in a mourning state, “clothed in sackcloth.” The Scriptures were banned by the nominal Church in power and hardly accessible to the common Christian. Still Jesus watched over his true church, a “little flock,” throughout the seven periods of time throughout the Christian Gospel Age. So as Jesus is described as caring for the 7 candlesticks at the end of Chapter 1—so the 7 stages of the Church’s history are then described in Chapters 2 and 3: Ephesus, Smyrna, etc. Rev 1:12-20 “And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man [Jesus], clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle. . . ."As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” NAS These seven lampstands of Revelation 1 would confirm our understanding of the Zechariah prophecy. (The Bible is its own interpreter!)
CHURCH FIRST PERSECUTED BY PAGAN ROME “DRAGON.” In prophecy, a “day” equals a year. Ezek 4:6 “. . .I have appointed thee each day for a year.” During the Christian Age, true Christians were sustained and carried for those 1260 “days” or 42 “months” (42 x 30 = 1260) by the truths of the Bible—even though the Bible was banned and in “sackcloth.” When did this time start and when did it end? Chapter 12 of Revelation is an overview of the Christian age, during which is also mentioned the 1260 “days.” But first, the “dragon” persecuted Christians. The “dragon” of Pagan Rome persecuted Christians in the first centuries. The “woman” of Vs. 1 would describe the early church with the “twelve stars” of the apostles as her “crown.” But festering in the early church already was the “mystery of iniquity” (2 Thessalonians 2:7)—which could not be, so to speak, born until Pagan Rome was thrown out of ruling the false spiritual “heavens.” The Pagan Roman “dragon” enjoyed both spiritual and civil rule—until thrown out of “heaven” (spiritual) to the “earth” (civil).
CHURCH FLEES TO WILDERNESS ON TWO WINGS OF EAGLE FOR 1260 YEARS. But then, Christian church leaders who were grasping for power at Constantine’s time united with the civil Rome—and lo, the “man of sin” was born! As a result, the “woman” had to flee to the “wilderness”—for how many “days”? “A thousand two hundred and threescore days,” that is, 1260 years. The true Church separated (in spirit if not actually) from the false church in power. The prophecy says she was carried in this “wilderness” condition on the “two wings of a great eagle.” The “two wings” here would represent the Old and New Testament carrying and nourishing the true church—often called heretics—during those 1260 years. “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent” (Rev. 12:14). This would described the same period of time: 360 + (2 x 360) + 360/2 = 1260 “days” or 1260 literal years when the “two witnesses” prophesied in “sackcloth.”
Revelation 11 Revelation 1 Revelation 12 Zechariah 2
Old & New Testaments 2 witnesses;
2 olive trees (Jesus in midst of 7 candlesticks) 2 Wings of eagle 2 Olive trees
True Church Temple 7 Candlesticks (7 churches) Woman 7 Lamps
(TIME)
1260 Years Prophesy 1260 days;
Holy city trod on 42 months (vs. 2) N/A Fled to wilderness 1260 days N/A
BIBLE NO LONGER PROPHESYING IN “SACKCLOTH.” When did this 1260 years begin and end? They began when the papacy was fully installed in power in A.D. 539 A.D. when the Bishop of Rome was grant ed actual authority in the Western Roman Empire. This period concluded exactly 1260 years later in the very year 1799 A.D.—when Napoleon broke the persecuting power of the papacy when the pope—whom he put in jail—died. Very shortly after the persecuting power of the Roman Church’s power was broken, the Bible began to be widely published and available to the common people. “After three days and a half” (Rev. 11:11) [31/2 years) in 1803, The British and Foreign Bible Society conceived of and then in 1804 founded which proliferated Bibles at reasonable costs for everyone who would want one. (http://www.revelation-today.com/Ch11-foo.htm) The “two witnesses” no longer taught the Church in “sackcloth.”
Much more could be said, Maherlia! But we hope this scriptural explanation of the “two witnesses” sounds reasonable. There is an excellent interpretive rendering of Revelation 11 which, if you choose, would also lead you to a website on the entire Book of Revelation: http://revelation-today.com/Ch11-2Wit.htm
We would welcome any questions or comments you might have. What a privilege and responsibility we have to consult the “two witnesses” of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible to find out about God’s plan and character.
Bible Question: What does the bible say about suing someone. And where, what scriptures? Thank you
The guidelines are different if the aught is against another fellow Christian, compared to being against someone in the world. We have listed scriptures about both situations below.
Jesus spoke to the issue of Christians being sued by the worldly in Matthew. (Mat 5:40) And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. This refers to a Christians responsibility in his dealings with the world.Christians are to be law-abiding, whether they consider the laws just or unjust.
The Apostle Paul speaks of Christians suing fellow Christians. He warns against suing a brother in a court of law. Instead he suggests that we settle it by judgement of the church or else we endure the injustice. I Corinthians 6:1-7 addresses this issue.
(1Cor. 6:1) Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? The unjust refers to earthly courts, those who have not been justified by the blood of Christ.
(1Co 6:2) Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? The judging will be in the nature of a trial or testing, to determine how many of humanity can be helped up to perfection.
(1Co 6:3) Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Refers to a trial or testing of these spirits in prison who were once disobedient, in the days of Noah; this implies a hope for them. The holy angels need no trial, no judging.
(1Co 6:4) If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
If they have lost confidence in the leaders whom the Lord has set in the Church, they should at least choose as judges the least esteemed in the Church as preferable to a court of unbelievers.
(1Co 6:5) I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
(1Co 6:6) But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
If they had no confidence in each other, they at least should not manifest more confidence in outsiders.
(1Co 6:7) Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another.
Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
We should rather suffer wrong and take injury from a brother in Christ than take the matter before the world of unbelievers and thus risk a general odium upon the Lord’s cause.
We are not given specific do’s and don’t’s in Gods word concerning this issue. The Christian is at liberty not under the Law, therefore he is to consider what would best honor and glorify his cause as a son of God. There may be times when for the protection of others and for the defense of truth it would be necessary to appeal to the Law. The Apostle Paul appealed to the Law, to maintain his influence for the Christian cause.
To read further see: http://www.iblestudents.com/htdb0147.htm
Bible Question: as a born again Christain, will I have a guardian angel to be with me during death ?
Every Christian who has covenanted to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, sacrificing this present life to attain a heavenly reward, has been promised a guardian angel. Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? The ministering spirits are the guardian angels which are to oversee the interests of the Christian. They are the representatives of the Lord to do any needed work for us according to God’s will. They protect, guide, and administer chastening to test and develop each child of God.
We have the reassurance of God’s word that our guardian angels are invisibly present with us
Matt. 18:10, In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father.
Psa 34:7, The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
We can be sure that each saint’s death is of great importance to God as shown in Psa 116:15, Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. God’s ministering angels would surely be with his people as they finish their earthly course.
To read more about Christian’s purpose and experience see following link: http://www.biblestudents.com/whyareyouachristian_01.cfm
Bible Question - Graven images?
Why is it acceptable to see, and or make films about the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Like the Gospel of John movie, but not to have art work which shows a Biblical scene depicting the Lord Jesus?
What does it mean not to make any engraved images in Greek and Hebrew?
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament is often translated as “engraved images” and refers to carved or molten images in a likeness of something worshiped. Israel was constantly being tempted and influenced to serve these “false gods” embedded in the cultures and peoples surrounding them.
In the New Testament, our Lord addresses the subject when he says; “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 Jesus is calling our attention to the fact that the true God is invisible to men and other Scriptures assure us that a spirit has not flesh and blood such as the creatures the graven images represent. Therefore, it is impossible to make a graven image to look like God. Instead, we are to worship in spirit, which means to worship with the heart sincerely. Secondly to worship “in truth” is to do so in harmony with the divine arrangement, in the true way—through Christ.
To “see” a representation of Jesus or of Biblical scenes does not automatically mean one is worshiping a graven image. If one prayed to an image of any kind or believed some “artifact” or object had divinity or godly power, he would be violating the second commandment of the Old Testament and our Lord’s instruction in John 4:24. But just as we can be drawn closer to God by considering His creation and the “majesty” of His handiwork, instructive materials that rely on the senses of sight and sound can be tools to help us better comprehend our Father, His son and the messages preserved in the Holy Book. Of course any media can portray a false picture of God, His character and message! Any media (art, movies, music) should be squared with the Bible message before accepted as a “teaching tool”.
Clarke, a Bible commentary, concludes that the second commandment prohibits every type or form of external idolatry, as the first commandment prohibits all idolatry that may be classified as internal or mental. It is false worship, along with all image worship, including superstitious rites and ceremonies that is abhorrent to our God.
For further study, please read the following with Bible in hand entitled:
“BABYLON BEFORE THE GREAT COURT. HER CONFUSION—ECCLESIASTICAL”
It is found in one book of six that are Bible study aids for the Christian desiring to draw closer to God and learn His plan for mankind. It can be accessed online at:
Bible Question: what is the significance of the 42 months in the book of Revelations?
We read this phrase - 42 months in Rev 11:2 & 13:5.
Some scholars have applied this period of forty and two months – (1260
literal years) as beginning in 539 AD and ending in 1798 AD when Napoleon
Bonaparte took the Pope of Rome prisoner to Paris. We agree with this
application of the scripture because indeed this dark period of the church,
recorded in the history books, began when the Papacy attained ecclesiastical
power in 539 AD. This began her reign of terror which lasted 1260 long
years; until in 1799 AD when “the man of destiny”, Napoleon Bonaparte broke
her power to persecute.
This same period is spoken of in Daniel 12:7 & Rev. 12:14 as: a time, and
times, and half a time……..(31/2 prophetic years or 1260 literal years)
Dan 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of
the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and
swore by him that liveth forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a
half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy
people, all these things shall be finished.
Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she
might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a
time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
For an in depth study of this topic, go to:
http://www.biblestudents.com/htdbv5/htdb0093.htm and read - THE MAN OF
SIN--ANTICHRIST
We hope that these thoughts are helpful. If you have further questions
please ask. May the Lord bless your desire to know him and his plan with a
more in depth understanding of the bible and a deeper personal relationship
with him.
The book of Revelation is placed last in the Bible for a reason. Not only
was it the last book written, but it presupposes that its readers will have
a working Familiarity with all of the other books of the Bible which come
before it.
Revelation does not stand alone. In it are quotations and references to
other parts of the Bible. To study Revelation without knowledge of the rest
of the Bible is not wise because a successful appreciation of Revelation
relies on a solid background of Scriptural information and principles.
The title, Revelation, is taken from its first verse:
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his
servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified
it by his angel unto his servant John"
Notice this peculiar phrase: "...he sent and SIGNIFIED it by his angel...".
Many fall into erroneous interpretations of Revelation because they fail to
note this phrase. "SIGNIFIED" here means "PUT INTO SIGNS (OR SYMBOLS). So we
must first realize that this book is written in symbols, and then we must
learn how to interpret these symbols or this code language.
Bible Question: What significant the United States will play in Revelations, if any?
We cannot say that the United States and its role is specifically spelled
out in the book of Revelation. But we can say that the United States has
been greatly blessed and used of the Lord to disseminate the truth and
separate out individual members of the true church; which is the great work
if this (Gospel) age. We also believe that the United States is part of
Christendom or "Babylon" of Revelation. The "Babylon" of Revelation is the
antitypical citadel (fortress or stronghold) of false Christendom. "Babylon"
made "all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication"
(Revelation 14:8)
Through the centuries papacy deluded the kings of earth into thinking they
would be better off married to her. She is a "harlot" because she did not
wait for Jesus Christ to return to set up his kingdom. Instead she
impatiently united with the kings of earth to set up their own kingdom of
God.
Babylon is the "habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and
a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" because of the false doctrines and
evil practices inside the system (Rev. 18:2). Soon, the false system, the
Antichrist, will be thrown down into the "sea" of anarchistic masses of
people who once supported her (Revelation 18:21).
Now speaking of this last book of the bible in general, we would like to
point out that the title, Revelation, is taken from its first verse:
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his
servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified
it by his angel unto his servant John"
It is important to consider the meaning and implication of this title. When
John received this message from God, Jesus had been gone from the earth for
about 60 years. This was the last written message to His Church, all of whom
wanted to know about his return. Revelation, while it does deal with Jesus’
return, also does much more. It tells about the nearly 2,000 years which
would intervene before Jesus’ return. Note the words again in the first
verse: "...things which must shortly come to pass."
Revelation is a history in advance of the events in the religious world
starting in John’s day and leading into the time of the return of Jesus (a
period of nearly 2,000 years). Many believe that Revelation is only about
events that take place when the Lord returns. Much of the book, however, is
about history that, in our day, is already past.
Revelation is not primarily about how Jesus will be revealed when he
returns, but rather it is primarily about how he will be revealed to his
Church while he is yet absent -- how the events of history will gradually
allow the church to understand Jesus’ power and presence with them before
his personal return…….as Rev. 1:1 indicates –
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his
servants things which must shortly come to pass..."
Notice in verse I the peculiar phrase: "...he sent and SIGNIFIED it by his
angel...". Many fall into erroneous interpretations of Revelation because
they fail to note this phrase. "SIGNIFIED" here means "PUT INTO SIGNS (OR
SYMBOLS). So we must first realize that this book is written in symbols, and
then we must learn how to interpret these symbols or this code language.
Revelation is placed last in the Bible for a reason. Not only was it the
last book written, but it presupposes that its readers will have a working
Familiarity with all of the other books of the Bible which come before it.
Revelation does not stand alone. In it are quotations and references to
other parts of the Bible. To study Revelation without knowledge of the rest
of the Bible is not wise because a successful appreciation of Revelation
relies on a solid background of Scriptural information and principles.
Bible Question: when Abraham looked outside the tent and saw three men and two were angels and the third was God. What form had God taken on for Abraham to see him so clearly.I want to know if my answer that I think is right. Please answer soon. Thank-you and God Bless
There are some today who are saying that the LORD, The Almighty God, was the one who appeared to Abraham, ignoring evidently the clear Word of God, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him”. John 1:18
The Word of God, as the apostle John explains, is God’s representative, His chief messenger, His right hand. The Word of God, Logos in the Greek, was with God in the beginning, and was God’s chosen instrument throughout all creation; and it was he that communicated with Abraham in Genesis 18.
The Lord and his two angelic companions could have appeared to Abraham as to Moses in a flame of fire in the burning bush, or as the bright angel appeared to Daniel, or as an angelic form with less glory and brightness; but God was dealing with Abraham according to faith--he wished him to learn to walk by faith and not by sight. Hence the angels appeared as strange men and were entertained as such, and Abraham’s hospitality was demonstrated and became a lesson to all the children of God. St. Paul noting this, urges that the Lord’s people should be hospitable to strangers, and reminds us of how Abraham entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2
On special occasions, for special instruction, God has granted similar power to other spirit beings, angels, enabling them to appear as men, in bodies of flesh and bones which ate and talked to those they instructed, just as our Lord did. Consider Ps 34:7, Heb. 1:14, along with the accounts of Elisha, Balaam, Gideon, and Samson’s parents.
In Exodus 3:2, we are distinctly informed that the one representing
Jehovah and using his most distinguished name, "I am," was "the angel [messenger] of Jehovah." That this honored messenger was "the Word" of John 1:1, our Lord Jesus in his pre-human estate, we do not for a moment question. But the highest and most honored messenger should not be confounded with the one whom he represents and in whose name he speaks and whose power he exercised and bestowed upon Moses.
Bible Question: Please help me understand the meaning of "Esther" what do you think our message is?
The account of Esther occurs after the decree of Cyrus. This decree permitted the Jews to leave their homes in the Persian Empire for the first time in seventy years, and a few made the journey back to rebuild Jerusalem. Others, however, remained in the Empire.
As Jews of all ages have assimilated into the societies of their dispersion, these Jews had melded into their Persian surroundings and felt no strong reason to leave and join the small band of Jews who had returned to Jerusalem.
Perhaps these lessons were meant to increase their longing for their own homeland. Perhaps they were meant to serve as a reminder that they were a chosen people, taken out of the nations for a special purpose. And, perhaps these events served only to test and increase their faith and dependence upon their God, in whom they trusted.
The crux of this account and the key to its message to us all seems to be the words of Mordecai, Esther’s Uncle.
Esther, who was enjoying the prestige and privilege of royalty as the King’s new Queen, was brought to the realization that her people the Jews were being targeted for extinction by the hateful and ambitious man, Haman. Up until this time, the fact that Esther was a Jew was not known to the King, nor to Haman. And, if her true identity were kept secret, she surely would have been exempted from any persecution to the Jews. However, Esther’s Uncle Mordecai said to her directly, “Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Essentially, there are times in life when the principals of right must be held in highest regard, above position, status, home, and even life. Of course, for the Jew, the matter was doubly critical since the decision would also be an indicator of faith in God.
“Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:13-16
It is often when we let go of matters of the gravest concern to us, and leave them in the hands of the LORD, that we are delivered and set free. And so it was for Esther and the Jewish people, but especially for her Uncle Mordecai who was vindicated and honored not only in the eyes of the King, but also in the eyes of all the Jewish communities in Persia.
The entanglements of the world, the flesh, and the devil each try to take away a part of our freedom in Christ; and many of these entanglements have their roots in fear. But, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim. 1:7
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Bible Question: NEED TO UNDERSTAND Psalms139:1-24
This is a beautiful Psalm showing God’s intimate knowledge of and care over His people. He knows our thoughts and everything about us. There’s no place we can go where we won’t be under His protecting power. His wisdom is wonderful and beyond our comprehension. The end of the Psalm shows how we’re brought into harmony with God’s perfect standard of righteousness when we learn to hate evil and learn to love and want to be everything that God approves. The meaning is much plainer to me in a modern language bible. I use my King James version all the time, but I’d like to quote the Good News bible for this Psalm. See if it’s clearer to you:
Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts.
You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions.
Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.
You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power.
Your knowledge of me is too keep; it is beyond my understanding.
Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence?
If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. (accessible to divine power)
If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west,
You would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night,
But even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart.
When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was
there.
you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.
O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!
If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
O God, how I wish you would kill the wicked! How I wish violent men would leave me alone!
They say wicked things about you; they speak evil things against your name.
O Lord, how I hate those who hate you! How I despise those who rebel against you!
I hate them with a total hatred; I regard them as my enemies.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.
Please let us know if we can be of further service.
Bible Question: What does the "ancient landmarks" refer to?
I believe that you must be referring to:
Pro 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Only the Douay version of the Bible translates the word landmark in the plural sense. All other translations that I found translate this in the singular.
These are the words of Solomon and he gave these words toward the completion of the building of the temple. Briefly, what Solomon was saying is forget not the “Tabernacle,” which was God dwelling place with the Nation of Israel prior to the completion of the Temple. The Temple represents the Kingdom of God, the blessing of all the families of the earth. On the other hand the Tabernacle represented the development of the Spiritual phase of that Kingdom, the sacrificing Church.
The Tabernacle is full of wonderful truths. Solomon was saying in prophecy, the Kingdom of God will be beautiful as is illustrated by this temple, but don’t forget that this Kingdom is only possible because of the sacrifice of Christ and his Church.
Bible Question: Fallen Angels Materializing Today?
In the pre-flood days, when the angels came down & had relations with the daughters of men, were the offspring (Nephilim) always sons? And what stops the fallen angels from doing this today?
THREE WORLDS. In order to understand the status of the fallen angels today, it would be good to go back to see what was happening in the “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6). Apostle Peter tells us actually that there were three worlds—periods of time under a specific rulership. After the “world that was” is the “present evil world” under Satan, the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” under Christ’s reign is the third world.
FIRST WORLD RULED BY ANGELS. Although no specific scripture says so, Apostle Paul makes the statement, “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak” (Hebrews 2:5). From that statement, we may conclude that the angels were charge of the “first world” after man’s fall and up to the flood. They were given the opportunity to rule over mankind. Instead , the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Gen 6:2). The results were disastrous because the resulting children, Nephalim, created more evil in the world than ever.
FALLEN ANGELS CAST INTO TARTAROO. These fallen angels did not stay in the spirit realm, but materialized and came to earth and made worse the downward fall of man by intermarrying and producing giants of despicable character. In the flood they returned to the spirit realm but were then confined to a certain place until a certain time—the Judgment Day. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6). Where are they kept until then? 2 Peter 2:4 says, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [tartaroo], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” This place “tartaroo” (Strong’s #5020) only occurs once in the Bible and is translated “hell.”
UNTIL THE 1,000-YEAR JUDGMENT DAY. The two other words translated “hell” used often in the New Testament are “Hades” (Strong’s #86) and “Gehennah (Strong’s #1067). These words are entirely different than where the angels are being held until the Judgment Day. We would understand that the fallen angels were then restrained (but not with literal “chains”) in the earth’s atmosphere until the Judgment day. As a result, they have not been able to materialize as before—even until today. Peter tells us God’s judgment day is not 24 hours, but a thousand years. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:7, 8). Some of the fallen angels, we would understand, will have repented having benefited from observing for thousands of years the sinful course of mankind.
FALLEN ANGELS TESTED IN THE JUDGMENT DAY. The features of the 1,000-year Judgment Day will open gradually open, beginning with the judgment of the nations and then the judgment of individuals of mankind. It is the same period during which Satan is bound (Revelation 20:1-3), so mankind will have a real opportunity to escape his blinding influence as god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). But it also opens with a time of trouble caused by spiritual as well as earthly forces resisting the setting up of Christ’s Kingdom. The fallen angels will, no doubt, also be tested being given ability to materialize again to determine whether they have really reformed and accepted God’s will and purpose for them or not.
Bobbi, hope these thoughts weaving the scriptures together are helpful and reasonable for you to consider. Let us know if you have any questions, comments or would like us to go further on how we know when the Judgment Day starts.
WERE THE APPOSTLE PETER & PAUL MARRIED?
Mark 1:30 tells us Apostle Peter was married. "But Simon’s [Peter] wife’s mother lay sick of a fever..."
1 Cor. 7:1, 6-8 tells us that Apostle Paul was NOT married. Quoting from the New Amer. Standard Translation, "Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.... But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I."
Apostle Paul found it advantageous to be unmarried because he was able to accomplish greater service to the Lord without having to be concerned with the necessary obligations one would have to a spouse. But he says this is not a command to be single. Not everyone is able to be content with being single, so it is not wrong to marry.
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