The day celebrated on December 25th as the time when the Savior of the world, the Holy Babe from the womb of Mary, the betrothed wife of Joseph, descendant of David from Nazareth of Galilee is one of the greatest events in all Christendom; but is affixed point in historical time really true, or even likely? There is a lot of debate on when this celestial and supernatural event occurred and even if it happened at all as reported in the Gospels, and numerous writings of the early Church Fathers and theologians vary as to chronology, so it is imperative that one diligently search the Scriptures to find as much information as possible and then like pieces of a puzzle, put each little bit together to see what the whole picture reveals.
PART I
Luke 1: 26-28, 30-33, 35-36, 38
Now in the sixth month [Elul; August-September] the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth (“the guarded one”), to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; the virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the LORD (Mar YAH) is with you; [Blessed are you among women]!” Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus (Yeshua). “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the LORD God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Cp. II Samuel 7: 12-17; Isaiah 9: 6-7; Daniel 7: 13-14).” Then the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit (Ruach ha Kodesh) will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has “also” conceived a son in her old age; this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
NOTE: Elizabeth must have conceived around the twelfth month [Adar; February-March]. Also, the angel Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth is “also” pregnant [just like you now are]. SEE also verses. 41-43. The city where Elizabeth lived, as a descendant of Aaron, was most probably Hebron (Cp. Joshua 21: 13).
Luke 1: 56-57
And Mary remained with her (Elizabeth) about three months, and returned to her house [in Nazareth]. Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.
NOTE: Mary probably stayed with her cousin Elizabeth until she delivered and then returned back to Nazareth in Galilee. However, the virgin who is espoused to the devoutly religious Joseph is showing signs of a three month pregnancy after supposedly visiting her cousin; and what a dilemma for both of them now.
Matthew 1: 18-23
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit (Ruach ha Kodesh). And you shall bring forth a Son and call His name “JESUS” [Yeshua] and He shall save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, bear a Son, and they shall call His name “IMMANUEL,” meaning, ‘GOD WITH US.’ (Cp. Isaiah 7: 14 )
Luke 2: 1-2, 4-7
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire world should be registered [for taxation]. This census first took place while Quirinus was governing Syria. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (“house of bread”), because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes [a blanket used to put upon sick animals] and laid Him in a manger [a feeding trough for animals], because there was no room for them in the inn.
NOTE: It is curious why a descendant of King David, Jewish royalty in fact, would live such a meager life of deprivation, squalor, poverty and obscurity.
LUKE 2: 8-12, 15-18
Now there were in the same country [Judea] shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the LORD stood before them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings [‘Evangelion’- “Good News”] of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ [Meshiyach] the LORD. “And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this [wondrous] thing that has come to pass, which the LORD has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made known [spread the word] the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
NOTE: Mary most likely gave birth to Jesus in the third month [Sivan; May-June] which coincidentally is near the same time as the Feast of Firstfruits and the Barley/Wheat Harvest on the 6th day of the third month [Sivan; May-June]. Interestingly, Jesus said in John 12: 24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
PART II
Matthew 2: 1-7, 9, 11a, 12, 16
Now after Jesus [Yeshua] was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [Magi or Astrologers] from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ [Meshiyach] was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” [COMMENT: Curiously, Matthew doesn't include the part in Micah that mentions "Whose goings forth are from of old, from Everlasting," and in Matthew 2: 6b, "Who will shepherd My people Israel" is found in II Samuel 5: 2??]. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the Star appeared. When they heard the heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came and stood over where the young Child was. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshipped Him. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not depart to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry [maddeningly insane or a psychopath]; and he sent forth and put to death the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the districts; from two years old and under, according to the time which had been determined by the wise men.
NOTE: At Jesus’ birth, recorded in LUKE’S Gospel, the living arrangement for the family was outside at a place for lodging the animals but now they are in a house; which is at least two years later in Bethlehem. It is puzzling that king Herod and the religious leaders were kept in the dark about the greatest event in human history because the shepherds certainly told everybody they could in Bethlehem and the surrounding area what they witnessed, and not only that, but Mary, after the days of her [ritual] purification, she and Joseph brought Jesus [Yeshua] to the Temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to the LORD (Cp. Luke 2: 22-24; Exodus 13: 2).
Also, at the Temple were the devout Simeon and Anna, a prophetess and the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who upon seeing Jesus [Yeshua], recognized and blessed Him through the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh] as the Redeemer of Israel. It is unlikely that all of this attention plus what the shepherds said would not have caused quite some excitement and doubtless people would have carefully investigated these things and continually visited where the holy family stayed until they fled to Egypt; and after some time left that country and settled in Nazareth of Galilee way up in the North.
Now, regarding the Nativity Star:
Genesis 49: 10
The Scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until He comes to whom it belongs.
Numbers 22: 2, 5
Now Balak the son of Nippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River [Euphrates] in the land of his people [Amau or the city of Mari in the Euphrates Valley].
Numbers 24: 17
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And shatter the forehead of Moab, and destroy all the sons of the “people in an uproar” [Moab].
NOTE: Moab is the place name of modern-day ‘Kerak’ when Yemeni tribes entered the lower Eastern district of Jordan around AD 200 [Referenced in Bible Dictionary, Smith and Peloubet, 1948, The John C. Winston Company, Moab, pgs. 411-412].
Although there have been noted cosmic phenomenon associated with the births of certain great historic rulers in the kingdom of men that have their destiny revealed among the heavenly bodies such as with the star Regulus, the planet Jupiter, the constellations and all of that; but Jesus is the King of kings and the LORD of Lord’s, so the annunciation and heralding of His birth [into and among humanity] had to be undertaken by the very holy and celestial angels of Heaven themselves. Now, the narrative in Matthew talks about stargazers from the “East” but little else is mentioned. The one clue is that Balaam was from the region around the Euphrates River, which is coincidentally, ‘East’ of Judah and Israel.
Astronomy was first cultivated by the Chaldeans of Mesopotamia, along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates. The question which many have not sought to answer is why would these men come from another country [if they are not Jews] searching for the King of the Jews that they might come and worship Him? Of course, the Babylonians/Persians [modern-day Iraqis] could be good candidates as 'Magi,' as found in Isaiah 46: 13, which says: You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers and stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up and save you from these things that shall come upon you.
Some of these ancient Babylonian astronomers might have come to believe in the God of Israel, like their king, according to Daniel 4: 36-37: And at the end of days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. At the same time that my reason returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and brightness [intelligence] returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those who work in pride he is able to abase.
Let's not forget that of the thousands of captives taken to Babylon during the "Seventy" years, many of them remained. Over the intervening centuries these families, although ethnically, racially, and culturally are more Babylonian/Persian than Hebrew, doubtless they still retained some of the Jewish religious practices as well as studying the 'Tanakh' (Jewish Old Testament). It is plausible that some of these learned men are the "Magi" or wise men (Cp. Daniel 2: 2, 10, 13, 27; 4: 6-7; 5: 11) are referred to in MATTHEW'S Gospel.
Additionally, it is a little known fact that the ancient Persians [Iranians] were most like the Jews in religion of all nations in the Middle East or world at a particular time period. They believed in One God and did not worship idols, and “light” was represented in their worship as the symbol of deity; much like “fire” was represented among Ur of the Chaldeans. Ellicott, quoting the works of Roman historians Tacitus and Suetonius, tells us that everywhere throughout the East [Middle East??] men were looking for the ‘Advent’ of a King who would arise from among the Jews; and this thought was fermented among Jews and pagans alike. Virgil the poet, writing earlier, says that a child from heaven was looked for who would one day restore the ‘Golden Age’ and take away sin [Referenced in Bible Dictionary, Smith and Peloubet, 1948, The John C. Winston Company, Magi, pg. 374].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 19, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A perspective about the meaning of the word “Hebrew”
It seems that the traditional origin of the word “Hebrew” is derived from ‘Eber,’ which means beyond the other side. Abram is first called ‘Hebrew’ by the Canaanites in whose land he dwelt (Cp. Genesis 14: 13a), who at that time the Amorites must have been living in the region. Another point-of-view is that some believe the term refers to Abram crossing over to the West side of The Euphrates River, but the Scriptures do not mention anything about his crossing that body of water during his wanderings, so lacking any credible Biblical evidence to the contrary, such opinions are just pious conjecture and speculation. Since Abram pitched his tent by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which is in Hebron (Cp. Genesis 13: 18b), it is reasonable that he could be called a Hebrew as a result of living in Hebron, but only as a foreigner who perhaps spoke the language, and not as a native-born citizen of the land.
35: 27
Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at (31c) Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt.
Since Abraham and Isaac spent some time in Hebron, Jacob probably lived there awhile, too (Cp. Genesis 35: 27; 37: 1). Remember how Joseph was looking for his brothers who were tending their father’s flock in Shechem, out of the Valley of Hebron, and found them in Dothan (Cp. Genesis 37: 1, 12-17). Joseph was called a “Hebrew” (Cp. Genesis 39: 1, 14; 41: 12, 17) and the descendants of Jacob [Israel] were called ‘Hebrews’ by Moses in Exodus 7: 16a. Joseph even stated at one point that he was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews (Cp. Genesis 40: 15a), and so where else would that be except in Hebron? To sum it all up then, Hebrew is probably an ethnic designation as well as a Semitic dialect spoken by the inhabitants living around Hebron in the land of Canaan after the times of the Amorites.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 16, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
35: 27
Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at (31c) Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt.
Since Abraham and Isaac spent some time in Hebron, Jacob probably lived there awhile, too (Cp. Genesis 35: 27; 37: 1). Remember how Joseph was looking for his brothers who were tending their father’s flock in Shechem, out of the Valley of Hebron, and found them in Dothan (Cp. Genesis 37: 1, 12-17). Joseph was called a “Hebrew” (Cp. Genesis 39: 1, 14; 41: 12, 17) and the descendants of Jacob [Israel] were called ‘Hebrews’ by Moses in Exodus 7: 16a. Joseph even stated at one point that he was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews (Cp. Genesis 40: 15a), and so where else would that be except in Hebron? To sum it all up then, Hebrew is probably an ethnic designation as well as a Semitic dialect spoken by the inhabitants living around Hebron in the land of Canaan after the times of the Amorites.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 16, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Shemite Family, Jewish and Arab ancestry in the Book of GENESIS
Genesis 2: 8a
The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the East.
Genesis 11: 1-2, 4
Everyone on earth had the same language and the same words. And as they migrated from the East, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar [Chaldea/Babylonia] and settled there. And they said, “Come, let us build us a (1) city, and a (2) tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves; lest we shall be scattered all over the world (earth).
NOTE: Are ‘they’ all mankind or just the descendants of Shem; specifically the descendants through Arphaxad (Cp. 11: 10-19).
NOTE: Chapter 11 should precede 10 when it comes to making sense of the Nations of the Earth and their habitations, geographical boundaries, tribes, clans, and ethnicities.
Genesis 11: 5-9
Then the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower that man had built [or were building??], and the LORD said, “Indeed, the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they purpose to do will be out of their reach. “Come, Let Us go down and there confuse [‘bālall’] their language, that they might not understand one another’s speech.” And the LORD scattered them from there over the face of the entire earth; and they stopped building the (2) city. Therefore its name is called Babel [‘bālall’ not Babylon], because there the LORD confused the speech [language] of the entire earth; and from there the LORD scattered them over the face of the entire earth.
NOTE: The tower [‘ziggurat’ or Jacob’s ladder; Cp. 28: 10-13] must have already been built.
Genesis 11: 10-19
This is the genealogy of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old, and begot Arphaxad two years after the flood. After he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah. After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber. After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Eber lived thirty-four years, and begot Peleg. After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. Peleg lived thirty years, and he begot Reu. After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.
NOTE: Somewhere between 137 and 346 years after the “Flood,” in the time of Peleg, the Earth became divided, perhaps because the LORD confounded the speech of mankind and scattered them over the face of the Earth (??). GENESIS chapter 10 should commence after this. Interestingly, the Biblical narrative doesn’t mention anything about at what age did Shem’s younger brothers begot their families or even what was going on with Noah because he was alive up until Abraham’s 53rd birthday.
Genesis 10: 22-30
The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber. To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided [‘pālag’ into languages]; and his brother’s name was Joktan. Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazar-maveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountains of the East.
Genesis 10: 8, 10-11
Cush also begot Nimrod, who was the first man of might on earth. The beginnings of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar [Chaldea/Babylonia]. From that land Nimrod [Asshur??] went forth and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah that is the great city.
It is interesting that the Super Families, of whom Shem is their ancestor (Cp. 10: 22; Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram) are respectively: The highlands East of Babylonia-Persia or Southern Iran; Asshur or Assyria; Arphaxad-Northeast of Nineveh or Iraq; Lud-Lydia of the Greeks (Hittites), Ludbu of the Assyrians or Ludda (Lydia) in Western Turkey?; and Aram-Ancestor of the Aramean tribes in the steepes of Mesopotamia, or more specifically, Syria. The people of the East are the people of Bethuel the Syrian (Aramean), Abraham’s great nephew (Cp. 22: 20-23; 24: 15, 24, 29; 28: 2), living in Paddan Aram. In chapter 28: 5, Laban is mentioned as the son of Bethuel, but in chapter 29: 5, Laban is called the son of Nahor, but he is in reality, Nahor’s grandson.
Last, but not least, is the city of Mesopotamia or Paddan Aram (where Abraham’s relatives are living), which is Haran (Cp. Genesis 22: 20; 24: 10b, 15, 24; 27: 42-43). And thus, it seems the people of the East are Arameans or Syrians who are from the region of Mesopotamia; originally or from ancient times, Ur of the Chaldeans. The great ancestor and father of the Jewish and Arab people, Abraham or Ibrahim was born in this area, which is probably close to modern-day Kuwait in the region of Iraq. Also, as pertaining to the Arabs, their ancestress, in the person of Hagar, is Egyptian (Cp. Genesis 16: 1, 15). Not only that, but her son Ishmael marries an Egyptian (Cp. Genesis 21: 21). Even Esau married one of the daughters of Ishmael named Mahalath (Cp. Genesis 28: 9), Abraham's son, who would also be his half-uncle. It seems that Esau lived in the land of Seir, the country of Edom (the land of present day Southern part of Jordan).
Now, let's look some more at Ishmael:
Genesis 17: 18, 20
And Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!" [Then God said], "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
NOTE: Did this blessing from God mean the establishment and continuity of a great Arab nation or Ottoman Empire?
Genesis 25: 12, 13b-16
Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore Abraham. The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth [Heights]; then Kedar [Dark-skinned], Adbeel [Offering of God], Mibsam [Sweet odor], Mishma [Hearing], Dumah [Silence], Massa [Burden], Hadad/Hadar [Mighty], Tema [Desert], Jetur/Iturea [Enclosure; land of Jether], Naphish [Refreshment], and Kedemah [Eastward]. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements (encampments), twelve princes according to their nations.
Ishmaelite/Arab History:
Nebaioth's descendants first settled in SE Palestine until they came to Kedar looking for pasturage (Cp. Isaiah 60: 7). They may be the same as the Nebaioth of Arabia Petrea or the same people as the Nebat of Chaldea.
Kedar's descendants are the name of a great tribe of Arabs who settled on the NW peninsula of the confines of Palestine. They are the most conspicuous of all the Ishmaelite tribes and are called Arabians universally by this name. They are referred to in numerous prophetical utterances (Cp. Isaiah 21: 13-17; Ezekiel 27: 21; Psalms 120: 5; and Isaiah 42: 11).
Adbeel's descendants are thought to be a progenitor of an Arab tribe but nothing else is known about them.
Mibsam's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
Mishma's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy, either.
Dumah's descendants are the most probable founder of the Ishmaelite tribe of Arabia, and hence the principal name of that tribe in Isaiah's prophesy against Edom [Jordan] in Isaiah 21: 11.
Massa's descendants might be the Masani, placed there by Ptolemy in the East of Arabia near the borders of Babylonia.
Hadad's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
Tema's descendants are identified with a small town on the confines of Syria. The name is mentioned in Job 6: 19; Jeremiah 25: 23; and Isaiah 21: 13-14.
Jetur's descendants colonized the small province of the NW border of Palestine, lying along the base of Mount Hermon, adjoining Trachonitis, and lying along the base of Libanus between Tiberias and Damascus [Syria]. It is situated in the modern province of Jedur, which is the Arabic form for the word Jetur.
Naphish's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
Kedemah's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
NOTE: Historical information referenced from BIBLE DICTIONARY, by Smith and Peloubet, Zondervan, 1948.
Genesis 25: 18a
They [Ishmael’s descendants] dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is East of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.
Genesis 3: 11
The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
NOTE: The Amalekites also occupied this region in the peninsula of Sinai, intervening between the southern hill ranges and the border of Egypt (Cp. 1 Samuel 15: 7). Havilah is thought to be around north central Arabia or in Yemen. Shur [between Beersheba and Egypt] may have been a fortified town East of the ancient head of the Red Sea [Yam Adam], and probably the last Arabian town before entering Egypt. Again, references obtained from BIBLE DICTIONARY, by Smith and Peloubet, Zondervan, 1948.
Ethnically and racially speaking then, the Arabs are quite diverse and some of them are part of the stock of Arameans/Syrians, Israelis/Jews, Chaldeans [Ur of the Chaldeans/Iraqis or Kuwaitis], Egyptians and Edomites/Jordanians. As far as those who pray for peace in the Middle East, pertaining to an offering of the olive branch between Jews and their Arab cousins, although a beautiful goal, Genesis 16: 12 says: He [Ishmael] shall be a wild one-free and untamed as a wild ass. His hand will be against every man [non Arabs or Muslims], and every man’s hand [non Arabs or Muslims] will be against him. But he will live near [in the vicinity of] the rest of his brethren [Jews/Israelis].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 18, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the East.
Genesis 11: 1-2, 4
Everyone on earth had the same language and the same words. And as they migrated from the East, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar [Chaldea/Babylonia] and settled there. And they said, “Come, let us build us a (1) city, and a (2) tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves; lest we shall be scattered all over the world (earth).
NOTE: Are ‘they’ all mankind or just the descendants of Shem; specifically the descendants through Arphaxad (Cp. 11: 10-19).
NOTE: Chapter 11 should precede 10 when it comes to making sense of the Nations of the Earth and their habitations, geographical boundaries, tribes, clans, and ethnicities.
Genesis 11: 5-9
Then the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower that man had built [or were building??], and the LORD said, “Indeed, the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they purpose to do will be out of their reach. “Come, Let Us go down and there confuse [‘bālall’] their language, that they might not understand one another’s speech.” And the LORD scattered them from there over the face of the entire earth; and they stopped building the (2) city. Therefore its name is called Babel [‘bālall’ not Babylon], because there the LORD confused the speech [language] of the entire earth; and from there the LORD scattered them over the face of the entire earth.
NOTE: The tower [‘ziggurat’ or Jacob’s ladder; Cp. 28: 10-13] must have already been built.
Genesis 11: 10-19
This is the genealogy of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old, and begot Arphaxad two years after the flood. After he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah. After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber. After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. Eber lived thirty-four years, and begot Peleg. After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. Peleg lived thirty years, and he begot Reu. After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.
NOTE: Somewhere between 137 and 346 years after the “Flood,” in the time of Peleg, the Earth became divided, perhaps because the LORD confounded the speech of mankind and scattered them over the face of the Earth (??). GENESIS chapter 10 should commence after this. Interestingly, the Biblical narrative doesn’t mention anything about at what age did Shem’s younger brothers begot their families or even what was going on with Noah because he was alive up until Abraham’s 53rd birthday.
Genesis 10: 22-30
The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber. To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided [‘pālag’ into languages]; and his brother’s name was Joktan. Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazar-maveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountains of the East.
Genesis 10: 8, 10-11
Cush also begot Nimrod, who was the first man of might on earth. The beginnings of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar [Chaldea/Babylonia]. From that land Nimrod [Asshur??] went forth and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah that is the great city.
It is interesting that the Super Families, of whom Shem is their ancestor (Cp. 10: 22; Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram) are respectively: The highlands East of Babylonia-Persia or Southern Iran; Asshur or Assyria; Arphaxad-Northeast of Nineveh or Iraq; Lud-Lydia of the Greeks (Hittites), Ludbu of the Assyrians or Ludda (Lydia) in Western Turkey?; and Aram-Ancestor of the Aramean tribes in the steepes of Mesopotamia, or more specifically, Syria. The people of the East are the people of Bethuel the Syrian (Aramean), Abraham’s great nephew (Cp. 22: 20-23; 24: 15, 24, 29; 28: 2), living in Paddan Aram. In chapter 28: 5, Laban is mentioned as the son of Bethuel, but in chapter 29: 5, Laban is called the son of Nahor, but he is in reality, Nahor’s grandson.
Last, but not least, is the city of Mesopotamia or Paddan Aram (where Abraham’s relatives are living), which is Haran (Cp. Genesis 22: 20; 24: 10b, 15, 24; 27: 42-43). And thus, it seems the people of the East are Arameans or Syrians who are from the region of Mesopotamia; originally or from ancient times, Ur of the Chaldeans. The great ancestor and father of the Jewish and Arab people, Abraham or Ibrahim was born in this area, which is probably close to modern-day Kuwait in the region of Iraq. Also, as pertaining to the Arabs, their ancestress, in the person of Hagar, is Egyptian (Cp. Genesis 16: 1, 15). Not only that, but her son Ishmael marries an Egyptian (Cp. Genesis 21: 21). Even Esau married one of the daughters of Ishmael named Mahalath (Cp. Genesis 28: 9), Abraham's son, who would also be his half-uncle. It seems that Esau lived in the land of Seir, the country of Edom (the land of present day Southern part of Jordan).
Now, let's look some more at Ishmael:
Genesis 17: 18, 20
And Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!" [Then God said], "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
NOTE: Did this blessing from God mean the establishment and continuity of a great Arab nation or Ottoman Empire?
Genesis 25: 12, 13b-16
Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore Abraham. The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth [Heights]; then Kedar [Dark-skinned], Adbeel [Offering of God], Mibsam [Sweet odor], Mishma [Hearing], Dumah [Silence], Massa [Burden], Hadad/Hadar [Mighty], Tema [Desert], Jetur/Iturea [Enclosure; land of Jether], Naphish [Refreshment], and Kedemah [Eastward]. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements (encampments), twelve princes according to their nations.
Ishmaelite/Arab History:
Nebaioth's descendants first settled in SE Palestine until they came to Kedar looking for pasturage (Cp. Isaiah 60: 7). They may be the same as the Nebaioth of Arabia Petrea or the same people as the Nebat of Chaldea.
Kedar's descendants are the name of a great tribe of Arabs who settled on the NW peninsula of the confines of Palestine. They are the most conspicuous of all the Ishmaelite tribes and are called Arabians universally by this name. They are referred to in numerous prophetical utterances (Cp. Isaiah 21: 13-17; Ezekiel 27: 21; Psalms 120: 5; and Isaiah 42: 11).
Adbeel's descendants are thought to be a progenitor of an Arab tribe but nothing else is known about them.
Mibsam's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
Mishma's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy, either.
Dumah's descendants are the most probable founder of the Ishmaelite tribe of Arabia, and hence the principal name of that tribe in Isaiah's prophesy against Edom [Jordan] in Isaiah 21: 11.
Massa's descendants might be the Masani, placed there by Ptolemy in the East of Arabia near the borders of Babylonia.
Hadad's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
Tema's descendants are identified with a small town on the confines of Syria. The name is mentioned in Job 6: 19; Jeremiah 25: 23; and Isaiah 21: 13-14.
Jetur's descendants colonized the small province of the NW border of Palestine, lying along the base of Mount Hermon, adjoining Trachonitis, and lying along the base of Libanus between Tiberias and Damascus [Syria]. It is situated in the modern province of Jedur, which is the Arabic form for the word Jetur.
Naphish's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
Kedemah's descendants don't leave a traceable genealogy.
NOTE: Historical information referenced from BIBLE DICTIONARY, by Smith and Peloubet, Zondervan, 1948.
Genesis 25: 18a
They [Ishmael’s descendants] dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is East of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.
Genesis 3: 11
The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
NOTE: The Amalekites also occupied this region in the peninsula of Sinai, intervening between the southern hill ranges and the border of Egypt (Cp. 1 Samuel 15: 7). Havilah is thought to be around north central Arabia or in Yemen. Shur [between Beersheba and Egypt] may have been a fortified town East of the ancient head of the Red Sea [Yam Adam], and probably the last Arabian town before entering Egypt. Again, references obtained from BIBLE DICTIONARY, by Smith and Peloubet, Zondervan, 1948.
Ethnically and racially speaking then, the Arabs are quite diverse and some of them are part of the stock of Arameans/Syrians, Israelis/Jews, Chaldeans [Ur of the Chaldeans/Iraqis or Kuwaitis], Egyptians and Edomites/Jordanians. As far as those who pray for peace in the Middle East, pertaining to an offering of the olive branch between Jews and their Arab cousins, although a beautiful goal, Genesis 16: 12 says: He [Ishmael] shall be a wild one-free and untamed as a wild ass. His hand will be against every man [non Arabs or Muslims], and every man’s hand [non Arabs or Muslims] will be against him. But he will live near [in the vicinity of] the rest of his brethren [Jews/Israelis].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 18, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Baptism in the Name of Jesus [Yeshua]
One of the most widely practiced liturgical rites of the Christian Church is baptism by immersion in water. In almost all cases the candidate has these words spoken to them before they go under the water, namely, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." While this 'Trinitarian' formula is widespread, there is another group of believers who baptize in the name of "Jesus [Yeshua]" only.
Matthew 28: 19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
NOTE: this statement has been used to support the doctrine of the “Trinity,” but is this true? The passage does ‘NOT’ say baptizing in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6: 4 says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD [YHVH] our God, the LORD is One.” Jesus [Yeshua] says in John 10: 30, “I and My Father are One.”
John 17: 6a
I have manifested [made known] Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.
In order to better understand this statement in Matthew 19, it is prudent to look at Matthew 1: 20b-21, which says: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh]. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus [Yeshua], for He shall save [shua] His [YAH’s] people from their sins.” So, the Name Yeshua honors the LORD’s Name, ‘YAH’ (Cp. Isaiah 12: 2; 26: 4; 38: 11; Psalms 83: 18a). Now the question is, how was this statement understood by the disciples of the early Church?
Luke 24: 47
Repentance and remission of sins preached in His Name [Jesus-Yeshua] to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2: 38
Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiyach] for the remission of sins.
8: 16b
They had been baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus [Yeshua].
10: 48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the LORD {YHVH}/[Yeshua].
19: 5b
They were baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus [YHVH Yeshua].
In conclusion, either Matthew’s narrative about “The Great Commission” in chapter 28 was understood by Jesus’ earliest followers to baptize candidates in the “Name of Yeshua (Jesus)” and as such, invalidates the modern ‘Trinitarian’ baptismal rite which is not according to this practice. Many will argue that it doesn’t really matter and that either method is just as efficacious as the other, but it would seem to run counter to the several examples found in the Book of ACTS. When prayers are offered to God in the Name of Jesus [Yeshua], is it to be thought of as the same as in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit, which are titles or descriptions; if not, then why not?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 9, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Matthew 28: 19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
NOTE: this statement has been used to support the doctrine of the “Trinity,” but is this true? The passage does ‘NOT’ say baptizing in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6: 4 says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD [YHVH] our God, the LORD is One.” Jesus [Yeshua] says in John 10: 30, “I and My Father are One.”
John 17: 6a
I have manifested [made known] Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.
In order to better understand this statement in Matthew 19, it is prudent to look at Matthew 1: 20b-21, which says: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh]. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus [Yeshua], for He shall save [shua] His [YAH’s] people from their sins.” So, the Name Yeshua honors the LORD’s Name, ‘YAH’ (Cp. Isaiah 12: 2; 26: 4; 38: 11; Psalms 83: 18a). Now the question is, how was this statement understood by the disciples of the early Church?
Luke 24: 47
Repentance and remission of sins preached in His Name [Jesus-Yeshua] to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2: 38
Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiyach] for the remission of sins.
8: 16b
They had been baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus [Yeshua].
10: 48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the LORD {YHVH}/[Yeshua].
19: 5b
They were baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus [YHVH Yeshua].
In conclusion, either Matthew’s narrative about “The Great Commission” in chapter 28 was understood by Jesus’ earliest followers to baptize candidates in the “Name of Yeshua (Jesus)” and as such, invalidates the modern ‘Trinitarian’ baptismal rite which is not according to this practice. Many will argue that it doesn’t really matter and that either method is just as efficacious as the other, but it would seem to run counter to the several examples found in the Book of ACTS. When prayers are offered to God in the Name of Jesus [Yeshua], is it to be thought of as the same as in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit, which are titles or descriptions; if not, then why not?
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 9, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Mark of the Beast
Nothing strikes more fear in the hearts of Bible-believing Christians than the chilling “mark” of the beast. Along with all the apprehension, panic, and hysteria are numerous convincing theories that range anywhere from the Roman Emperors Nero or Domitian to an infamous Roman Catholic Pope around the same generation or two from the Church’s infancy. Using Greek, Latin, or Hebrew ‘Gematria’ can lead to a seeming unending arrangement of numerical valuations in the letters of a person’s name or title to produce the dreaded “666,” but is this the methodology and determination of chance that this solemn revelation would be dependant upon to make known one of the most significant and ominous symbols contained within the Holy Scriptures?
Revelation 13: 11-18
Then I saw another beast coming out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those [my own people] who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the [first] beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the [first] beast who was wounded by the sword and lived (Cp. 13: 1-3). He [the “second” beast] was granted power to give breath (life??) to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the (1) mark or the (2) name of the beast, or the (3) number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
NOTE: Several things need to be mentioned, namely: The Lord Jesus [Yeshua] was asked about whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, and He said in Matthew 22: 19-21a: “Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose ‘image’ and ‘inscription’ is this?” They said unto Him, “Caesars.” The second beast with the horns (strength) of a lamb spoke as a dragon. This particular governmental entity (religious, secular)through the working of a super being (false prophet) performs apparently miraculous-looking signs (fire coming down from heaven or the sky) to deceive those who live on the earth; all in the sight of the ‘first’ beast which recovered from a near-fatal wound (physical, spiritual??). The second beast convinces the other nations or governments to make an “image” to the [first] beast which receiving power from the ‘dragon,’ not only gives breath [life??] to the image and but causes those who refuse to worship the ‘beast’ to be killed [not tormented or put into prison]. No one can engage in commerce or trade without having the sign or seal from the ‘first’ beast in the form of its mark, name, or number; of which a significant clue is given as 666.
14: 9, 10b-12
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the (1) mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; [here are those] who keep the commandments of God and the faith ‘of’ Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiyach].
17: 3, 5-6
So he carried me away in the Spirit unto the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast [ the first one] which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And on her forehead a name written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus [Yeshua]. And when I saw her I marveled with great amazement.
NOTE: Unless the last part of verse 6 is redundant repetition, who are the “saints” and secondly, the “martyrs” of Jesus [Yeshua]? Is the color of 'scarlet' associated with the army of Imperial Rome? Lest one also forget, Rome was the presecutor of the Church, and then the Emperor Constantine makes Christianity the official religion throughout the Roman Empire.
17: 10-11, 13
There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is [at present], and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue for a short time. The [first] beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition [destruction].
19: 20
Then the [second] beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image (Cp. 13: 11-14). These were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
NOTE: There seems to be inconsistency with the popular viewpoint regarding the interpretation of symbols. For one thing, if the "Woman” is Papal Rome or Babylon [modern country of Iran], then who is this ‘second’ beast? Some conclude that the United States is this beast, but is that so? Does America fit the description of exercising the authority (ecclesiastical, economic, military) of the ‘first’ beast and forces or deceives the other countries of the world to worship the ‘first’ beast’s image and receive its mark, name, and number? Also, the second beast reintroduces some kind of an International geopolitical governmental, socioeconomic or religious system on a worldwide basis that perhaps in some way resembles the earlier one of the first beast and the 'Woman.'
15: 2
And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his (1) mark and over the (3) number (666) of his (2) name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
20: 4a
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God (Cp. 17: 5), who had not “worshipped” the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.
7: 2-3
Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
NOTE: the earth and the sea is where the first and second “beasts” came out of (Cp. 13: 1a, 11a).
Referring back to another aspect regarding the “beast,” is the more important and often ignored one of spiritual or religious ‘worship’ (Cp. 14: 9; 19: 20; 20: 4a). In fact, this is what causes one to receive and to accept the mark, name, and number of the beast. This is in contrast to those who receive the seal of God by keeping His commandments (Cp. 14: 12). But in what sense is this to be understood? Remember the chilling words spoken to Jesus [Yeshua] by satan in Luke 4: 5-7: Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment [throughout all] of time. And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish (Cp. Revelation 13: 1-2b, 4). "Therefore, If you shall worship before me, all will be yours." And Jesus [Yeshua] answered and said to him, "For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you shall serve.' " (Cp. Deuteronomy 6: 13; 10: 20)
Isaiah 8: 16
Bind up the testimony, Seal up the Law [“Torah”] among My disciples.
Matthew 5: 17
“Do not think that I came to destroy [annul] the Law [“Torah”] and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Romans 3: 31
Do we then make void [annul] the Law [“Torah”] through ‘faith’? Certainly not [God forbid]! On the contrary we establish the Law [“Torah”].
7: 12, 14
Therefore the Law [“Torah”] is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. For we know that the Law [“Torah”] is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
James 1: 25
But he who looks into the perfect Law [“Torah”] of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Besides keeping God’s commandments or Law [“Torah”], the final part is the mysterious number, triple six (666), which has intrigued Christian believers, Gnostics, Occultists, Cabalists, Sufis, etc. for millennia. It must be kept in mind that the author of “REVELATION” was most likely Jewish, considering all the symbolism and allusions in the prophesies (Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, etc.) contained in the Jewish Bible [“Tanakh”]. It is also reasonable to conclude that he wrote in Hebrew, if not Aramaic and therefore used “Gematria” based on the numerical values of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This being the case, a possible combination for six-hundred sixty six could be: final ‘Mem’ (600), ‘Samekh’ (60), ‘Vav (6) or ‘Tav’ (400), ‘Resh’ (200), ‘Samekh’ (60), ‘Vav (6).
Be that as it may, those to whom this letter was penned undoubtedly were taught and understood what this coded acronym was as opposed to the mostly commendable scholarly guesswork of modern-day Bible theologians, the “Last Days” or “End Times” proponents, Seventh-day Adventists, and a host of others.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 1, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Revelation 13: 11-18
Then I saw another beast coming out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those [my own people] who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the [first] beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the [first] beast who was wounded by the sword and lived (Cp. 13: 1-3). He [the “second” beast] was granted power to give breath (life??) to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the (1) mark or the (2) name of the beast, or the (3) number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
NOTE: Several things need to be mentioned, namely: The Lord Jesus [Yeshua] was asked about whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, and He said in Matthew 22: 19-21a: “Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose ‘image’ and ‘inscription’ is this?” They said unto Him, “Caesars.” The second beast with the horns (strength) of a lamb spoke as a dragon. This particular governmental entity (religious, secular)through the working of a super being (false prophet) performs apparently miraculous-looking signs (fire coming down from heaven or the sky) to deceive those who live on the earth; all in the sight of the ‘first’ beast which recovered from a near-fatal wound (physical, spiritual??). The second beast convinces the other nations or governments to make an “image” to the [first] beast which receiving power from the ‘dragon,’ not only gives breath [life??] to the image and but causes those who refuse to worship the ‘beast’ to be killed [not tormented or put into prison]. No one can engage in commerce or trade without having the sign or seal from the ‘first’ beast in the form of its mark, name, or number; of which a significant clue is given as 666.
14: 9, 10b-12
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the (1) mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; [here are those] who keep the commandments of God and the faith ‘of’ Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiyach].
17: 3, 5-6
So he carried me away in the Spirit unto the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast [ the first one] which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And on her forehead a name written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus [Yeshua]. And when I saw her I marveled with great amazement.
NOTE: Unless the last part of verse 6 is redundant repetition, who are the “saints” and secondly, the “martyrs” of Jesus [Yeshua]? Is the color of 'scarlet' associated with the army of Imperial Rome? Lest one also forget, Rome was the presecutor of the Church, and then the Emperor Constantine makes Christianity the official religion throughout the Roman Empire.
17: 10-11, 13
There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is [at present], and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue for a short time. The [first] beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition [destruction].
19: 20
Then the [second] beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image (Cp. 13: 11-14). These were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
NOTE: There seems to be inconsistency with the popular viewpoint regarding the interpretation of symbols. For one thing, if the "Woman” is Papal Rome or Babylon [modern country of Iran], then who is this ‘second’ beast? Some conclude that the United States is this beast, but is that so? Does America fit the description of exercising the authority (ecclesiastical, economic, military) of the ‘first’ beast and forces or deceives the other countries of the world to worship the ‘first’ beast’s image and receive its mark, name, and number? Also, the second beast reintroduces some kind of an International geopolitical governmental, socioeconomic or religious system on a worldwide basis that perhaps in some way resembles the earlier one of the first beast and the 'Woman.'
15: 2
And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his (1) mark and over the (3) number (666) of his (2) name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
20: 4a
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God (Cp. 17: 5), who had not “worshipped” the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.
7: 2-3
Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
NOTE: the earth and the sea is where the first and second “beasts” came out of (Cp. 13: 1a, 11a).
Referring back to another aspect regarding the “beast,” is the more important and often ignored one of spiritual or religious ‘worship’ (Cp. 14: 9; 19: 20; 20: 4a). In fact, this is what causes one to receive and to accept the mark, name, and number of the beast. This is in contrast to those who receive the seal of God by keeping His commandments (Cp. 14: 12). But in what sense is this to be understood? Remember the chilling words spoken to Jesus [Yeshua] by satan in Luke 4: 5-7: Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment [throughout all] of time. And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish (Cp. Revelation 13: 1-2b, 4). "Therefore, If you shall worship before me, all will be yours." And Jesus [Yeshua] answered and said to him, "For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you shall serve.' " (Cp. Deuteronomy 6: 13; 10: 20)
Isaiah 8: 16
Bind up the testimony, Seal up the Law [“Torah”] among My disciples.
Matthew 5: 17
“Do not think that I came to destroy [annul] the Law [“Torah”] and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Romans 3: 31
Do we then make void [annul] the Law [“Torah”] through ‘faith’? Certainly not [God forbid]! On the contrary we establish the Law [“Torah”].
7: 12, 14
Therefore the Law [“Torah”] is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. For we know that the Law [“Torah”] is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
James 1: 25
But he who looks into the perfect Law [“Torah”] of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Besides keeping God’s commandments or Law [“Torah”], the final part is the mysterious number, triple six (666), which has intrigued Christian believers, Gnostics, Occultists, Cabalists, Sufis, etc. for millennia. It must be kept in mind that the author of “REVELATION” was most likely Jewish, considering all the symbolism and allusions in the prophesies (Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, etc.) contained in the Jewish Bible [“Tanakh”]. It is also reasonable to conclude that he wrote in Hebrew, if not Aramaic and therefore used “Gematria” based on the numerical values of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This being the case, a possible combination for six-hundred sixty six could be: final ‘Mem’ (600), ‘Samekh’ (60), ‘Vav (6) or ‘Tav’ (400), ‘Resh’ (200), ‘Samekh’ (60), ‘Vav (6).
Be that as it may, those to whom this letter was penned undoubtedly were taught and understood what this coded acronym was as opposed to the mostly commendable scholarly guesswork of modern-day Bible theologians, the “Last Days” or “End Times” proponents, Seventh-day Adventists, and a host of others.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 1, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
Could the Advent of the LORD Jesus [Yeshua] occur in this Generation?
There have been many attempts to predict when the Savior Jesus Christ [Yeshua Meshiyach] will return back on Earth to judge the good and bad. Perhaps the most noted person in modern times is the chronologer and Seventh-Day Adventist, William Miller, who predicted that ‘Great Day’ would occur in 1843; and then recalculated the day the world would end to be 1844. While not wanting to fall into the same trap of pinpointing a definite calendar date or time because Jesus [Yeshua] said: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Cp. Matthew 24: 36).
But He also said: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky; but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Cp. Matthew 16: 3b). These ‘signs’ might be those in the starry heavens as in “Astrology” but it could also mean something else; such as sacred numbers or Feast Days. Aramaic scholar Andrew Gabriel Roth sees a pattern in the Year of Jubilee (Cp. Leviticus 25: 8-17), of which the children of Israel celebrated the first one in the land of Canaan after their liberation from Egyptian slavery. If say, this was in 1435 BCE, then accounting for two ‘Jubilees’ every century, then the ADVENT CLOCK might look like this:
(1) 1435 BCE; (3) 1335 BCE; (5) 1235 BCE; (7) 1135 BCE; (9) 1035 BCE; (11) 935 BCE; (13) 835 BCE; (15) 735 BCE; (17) 635 BCE; (19) 535 BCE; (21) 435 BCE; (23) 335 BCE; (25) 235 BCE; (27) 135 BCE; (29) 35 BCE; (31) 67 CE; (33) 167 CE; (35) 267 CE; (37) 367; (39) 467 CE; (41) 567 CE; (43) 667 CE; (45) 767 CE; (47) 867 CE; (49) 967 CE: (51) 1067 CE; (53) 1167 CE; (55) 1267 CE; (57) 1367 CE; (59) 1467 CE; (61) 1567 CE; (63) 1667 CE; (65) 1767 CE; (67) 1867 CE; (69) 1967 CE; (70) 2017 CE.
NOTE: As any student of Scripture knows, the numbers 7 or 70 refer to cycles of completion and it must be remembered that Jesus [Yeshua] did not mention anything about not knowing the season, cycle, or month; only the day and hour. According to Leviticus 25: 8-9, the Year of Jubilee starts around the Day of Atonement (“Yom Kippur”), which is in the seventh month (‘Tishri’) and tenth day on the sacred Jewish calendar or between September and October of the secular calendar. It could very well be that we are indeed living in the LAST DAYS as well as the 70th Jubilee Year timeline.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 18, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
But He also said: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky; but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Cp. Matthew 16: 3b). These ‘signs’ might be those in the starry heavens as in “Astrology” but it could also mean something else; such as sacred numbers or Feast Days. Aramaic scholar Andrew Gabriel Roth sees a pattern in the Year of Jubilee (Cp. Leviticus 25: 8-17), of which the children of Israel celebrated the first one in the land of Canaan after their liberation from Egyptian slavery. If say, this was in 1435 BCE, then accounting for two ‘Jubilees’ every century, then the ADVENT CLOCK might look like this:
(1) 1435 BCE; (3) 1335 BCE; (5) 1235 BCE; (7) 1135 BCE; (9) 1035 BCE; (11) 935 BCE; (13) 835 BCE; (15) 735 BCE; (17) 635 BCE; (19) 535 BCE; (21) 435 BCE; (23) 335 BCE; (25) 235 BCE; (27) 135 BCE; (29) 35 BCE; (31) 67 CE; (33) 167 CE; (35) 267 CE; (37) 367; (39) 467 CE; (41) 567 CE; (43) 667 CE; (45) 767 CE; (47) 867 CE; (49) 967 CE: (51) 1067 CE; (53) 1167 CE; (55) 1267 CE; (57) 1367 CE; (59) 1467 CE; (61) 1567 CE; (63) 1667 CE; (65) 1767 CE; (67) 1867 CE; (69) 1967 CE; (70) 2017 CE.
NOTE: As any student of Scripture knows, the numbers 7 or 70 refer to cycles of completion and it must be remembered that Jesus [Yeshua] did not mention anything about not knowing the season, cycle, or month; only the day and hour. According to Leviticus 25: 8-9, the Year of Jubilee starts around the Day of Atonement (“Yom Kippur”), which is in the seventh month (‘Tishri’) and tenth day on the sacred Jewish calendar or between September and October of the secular calendar. It could very well be that we are indeed living in the LAST DAYS as well as the 70th Jubilee Year timeline.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 18, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Friday, October 16, 2009
Was the Pharaoh during the Israelite Enslavement and Deliverance a Native Egyptian?
Exodus 1: 5-10
All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy-five persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). And Joseph died; all his brothers, and all that generation. But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and became very numerous; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children are more mightier than we; “come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemy and fight against us, and go up out of the land.”
NOTE: There are several things worth consideration in this early narrative, namely the placement of this part. Of the 75 people among Israel’s descendants who settled down in Egypt, Joseph, his brothers and all that generation died, so how could the remaining number become so abundant in such a short period of time where the land was filled with them? Also, why is it that this new king did not know about Joseph, who was a Governor over Egypt under the previous Pharaoh and there were doubtless archival records of his accomplishments as well as among the memories of the people. It is interesting that the new ruler mentioned that these descendants of Israel (“Hebrews”) are mightier than he and his people and yet they were able to be made subservient slaves; so the question is again, how could this be? Is it possible that this is an invading army from a foreign nation who came into the country [Upper or Lower Egypt] whose leader became the king of Egypt in this region? Did the numbers of Israelites pose a national security risk by possibly siding with an enemy and tipping the balance-of-power in another direction and to then depart from the land? This new king of Egypt was concerned about the children of Israel multiplying but it seems that they were already experiencing an unnatural exponential growth that cannot be explained outside of divine intervention.
1: 11-14
Therefore they [who are they?] set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Ramses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread (fear) of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage- in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.
NOTE: How could the Israelites have built the storage city of Rameses when it says in Genesis 47: 5-6a, 11: Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. “The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen.” And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
2: 15b-19; 3: 1
But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh (Cp. 2; 23A; 4: 19) and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by the well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filling the troughs to water their father’s flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?” And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.” Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
NOTE: Why is it that Moses was called an Egyptian? The seven daughters of Reuel/Jethro came to ‘draw water’ and Moses’ name means “drawn out of the water.” Reu[El] was most likely a worshipper of the True God by virtue of his name and lived in the vicinity of the Mountain of God (Horeb). This does not mean that he was necessarily a monotheist.
2: 23a, 24a
Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of their bondage. So God heard their groaning. . .
NOTE: Since the ruler of Egypt who did not know about the deeds of Joseph and through cunning, enslaved the children of Israel; now that he is dead, why are the Israelites still oppressed. Did his heir or successor continue his policy of oppression and subjugation of the Hebrews?
The Angel of the LORD says to Moses in 3: 7, 9-10
And the LORD said, “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrow (pain).” “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel out of Egypt.”
3: 13-14; 5: 1-2
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His Name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may keep a pilgrim-feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ” And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”
NOTE: One of the things that might have gone unnoticed, and which is quite significant in the entire history of the children of Israel’s 400 years of Egyptian servitude is whether this King/Pharaoh of Egypt was a “foreigner” and therefore, it is understandable that God’s Name was unknown to him. Also, unless the pharaoh live a long time, the 400 year span would have included several kings or Pharaoh's of Egypt [the Land].
According to James Bonwick, in his book “Egyptian Belief and Modern Thought,” (p. 395) as well as Godfrey Higgins in his monumental work, “Anacalypsis, vol. II p. 17,” state that the ancient Egyptians had a Name for God which was ‘Nuk-Pa-Nuk’ [translated as, “I AM WHO I AM”]. Among those supporting this position are Clement of Alexandria in his work called “Stromatis,” T.W. Doane in his book “Bible Myths and Parallels in Other Religions,” and Professor Renouf in “Religion of Ancient Egypt,” (p. 99). It seems after the abundance of research that the sacred acronym or ‘Tetragrammaton (YHWH, JHVH) are borrowed from the Egyptian “I-ha-h” or “I-ha-hou” or “Y-ha-Ho” where the transliterated Divine Names Yahweh [Egyptian “Ioa”] and Jehovah are formulated. Not only that, but the divine Name or title Jehovah is the Egyptian “Huhi” from which comes the name “Ihuh.” Since the latter ‘J’ was not added to the English alphabet [there is no equivalent in Hebrew] until the 17th century, the Hebrew consonants representing the ‘Tetragrammaton’ was originally, at least, corresponded to IHUH; and then later JHUH, from which we get JEHOVAH. It is strange that the word used as a substitute for the ineffable and unpronounceable sacred Name is “Adonai” (Lord), which is taken from the Phoenician or Greek god “Adonis.”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 15, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy-five persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). And Joseph died; all his brothers, and all that generation. But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and became very numerous; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children are more mightier than we; “come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemy and fight against us, and go up out of the land.”
NOTE: There are several things worth consideration in this early narrative, namely the placement of this part. Of the 75 people among Israel’s descendants who settled down in Egypt, Joseph, his brothers and all that generation died, so how could the remaining number become so abundant in such a short period of time where the land was filled with them? Also, why is it that this new king did not know about Joseph, who was a Governor over Egypt under the previous Pharaoh and there were doubtless archival records of his accomplishments as well as among the memories of the people. It is interesting that the new ruler mentioned that these descendants of Israel (“Hebrews”) are mightier than he and his people and yet they were able to be made subservient slaves; so the question is again, how could this be? Is it possible that this is an invading army from a foreign nation who came into the country [Upper or Lower Egypt] whose leader became the king of Egypt in this region? Did the numbers of Israelites pose a national security risk by possibly siding with an enemy and tipping the balance-of-power in another direction and to then depart from the land? This new king of Egypt was concerned about the children of Israel multiplying but it seems that they were already experiencing an unnatural exponential growth that cannot be explained outside of divine intervention.
1: 11-14
Therefore they [who are they?] set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Ramses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread (fear) of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage- in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.
NOTE: How could the Israelites have built the storage city of Rameses when it says in Genesis 47: 5-6a, 11: Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. “The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen.” And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
2: 15b-19; 3: 1
But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh (Cp. 2; 23A; 4: 19) and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by the well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filling the troughs to water their father’s flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?” And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.” Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
NOTE: Why is it that Moses was called an Egyptian? The seven daughters of Reuel/Jethro came to ‘draw water’ and Moses’ name means “drawn out of the water.” Reu[El] was most likely a worshipper of the True God by virtue of his name and lived in the vicinity of the Mountain of God (Horeb). This does not mean that he was necessarily a monotheist.
2: 23a, 24a
Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of their bondage. So God heard their groaning. . .
NOTE: Since the ruler of Egypt who did not know about the deeds of Joseph and through cunning, enslaved the children of Israel; now that he is dead, why are the Israelites still oppressed. Did his heir or successor continue his policy of oppression and subjugation of the Hebrews?
The Angel of the LORD says to Moses in 3: 7, 9-10
And the LORD said, “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrow (pain).” “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel out of Egypt.”
3: 13-14; 5: 1-2
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His Name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may keep a pilgrim-feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ” And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”
NOTE: One of the things that might have gone unnoticed, and which is quite significant in the entire history of the children of Israel’s 400 years of Egyptian servitude is whether this King/Pharaoh of Egypt was a “foreigner” and therefore, it is understandable that God’s Name was unknown to him. Also, unless the pharaoh live a long time, the 400 year span would have included several kings or Pharaoh's of Egypt [the Land].
According to James Bonwick, in his book “Egyptian Belief and Modern Thought,” (p. 395) as well as Godfrey Higgins in his monumental work, “Anacalypsis, vol. II p. 17,” state that the ancient Egyptians had a Name for God which was ‘Nuk-Pa-Nuk’ [translated as, “I AM WHO I AM”]. Among those supporting this position are Clement of Alexandria in his work called “Stromatis,” T.W. Doane in his book “Bible Myths and Parallels in Other Religions,” and Professor Renouf in “Religion of Ancient Egypt,” (p. 99). It seems after the abundance of research that the sacred acronym or ‘Tetragrammaton (YHWH, JHVH) are borrowed from the Egyptian “I-ha-h” or “I-ha-hou” or “Y-ha-Ho” where the transliterated Divine Names Yahweh [Egyptian “Ioa”] and Jehovah are formulated. Not only that, but the divine Name or title Jehovah is the Egyptian “Huhi” from which comes the name “Ihuh.” Since the latter ‘J’ was not added to the English alphabet [there is no equivalent in Hebrew] until the 17th century, the Hebrew consonants representing the ‘Tetragrammaton’ was originally, at least, corresponded to IHUH; and then later JHUH, from which we get JEHOVAH. It is strange that the word used as a substitute for the ineffable and unpronounceable sacred Name is “Adonai” (Lord), which is taken from the Phoenician or Greek god “Adonis.”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 15, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Textual Criticism of the book of JONAH
Jonah 1: 1-2
Now the Word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it: for their wickedness has come up before Me.”
NOTE: This is very interesting because nowhere else in O.T. Scripture does the LORD send a prophet to a foreign nation to offer them a message to repent or perish. The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah came up before God also, and if only ten righteous persons could have been found within them, destruction could have been averted but there was no Missionary outreach available to them (Cp. Genesis 18: 20-21, 23, 32).
1: 3
But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish [“Tyre”] from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going for Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
NOTE: The geography is right on the money in this one because Jonah was from Gath Hepher in the territory of Issachar (Cp. II Kings 14: 25b; Joshua 19: 13), and Joppa was to the South in the territory of Dan (Cp. Joshua 19: 46). Tarshish is along the Mediterranean Coast toward the far North in Tyre (Cp. Isaiah 23: 1). Jonah sought to flee from the LORD’S presence, just like Adam and Eve (Cp. Genesis 3: 7-10) but he should have read Psalms 139: 7, which states: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence (Cp. verses 8-12)?
1: 4-5
But the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners [seamen] were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.
NOTE: This is very similar to the tempest and waves that tossed the boat where Jesus (Yeshua) was asleep in (Cp. Matthew 8: 23-27).
1: 8-9
Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? (1) What is your occupation? (2) Where do you come from? (3) What is your country? (4) And of what people are you?” So he said to them, “(4) I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD (YHVH), the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.
NOTE: The sailors asked Jonah four questions but he only answered the last one.
1: 11a, 12a
Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?” And he said to him, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will be calm for you.”
1: 14-16
Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, “We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.
NOTE: These pagan mariners from Tarshish [Tyre] had some sense of a moral or spiritual compass because they were hesitant to throw Jonah overboard and tried to row past the storm. They finally acquiesced to Jonah’s request and like the cargo that went “deep six,” lifted him up and tossed him over the side of the boat. Before that, however, they prayed to the LORD not to charge them with shedding innocent blood in Jonah’s apparently certain death.
1: 17
Now the LORD prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
2: 1, 2b
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. “Out of the belly of Sheol [the Land of the Dead], and LORD You heard me.”
NOTE: Perhaps the belly of the great fish is just an allegory for “Sheol” and Jesus [Yeshua] said in Matthew 12: 40: “For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The ‘great fish’ that swallowed Jonah could be DEATH just as the Son of Man tasted this for every man (Cp. Hebrews 2: 9).
2: 3, 5-6
You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me. I was buried beneath Your wild and billowy waves. I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But You, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!
NOTE: These would hardly be the words of a man who was enclosed within the body of a great fish; if taken literally, that is. It is however plausible that the LORD sent the great fish to preserve Jonah’s ebbing life as he was about to die from drowning, and given another opportunity to carry out God’s mission to the Ninevites while recuperating in the insides of a divinely prepared ‘great’ fish; as verse 7 indicates below:
2: 7, 10
As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to You into Your holy Temple. So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
NOTE: The fish carried Jonah all the way to land and expelled him from its insides [along with other undigested matter] in perhaps a not so pleasant environment.
3: 1-2
Now the Word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”
3: 3-4
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the Word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, so large a city that it takes three days to see it all. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
NOTE: Noah was called a preacher of righteousness (Cp. II Peter 2: 5), and if that was the case he probably warned the ‘Antediluvian’ people about the upcoming Flood. Since Noah “walked with God” probably at age 500 after the birth of his sons, he doubtless preached 100 years until the rain came and the floodgates of the deep burst open (Cp. Genesis 5: 32; 6: 5-13; 7: 6, 11). Conversely, the people of Nineveh had only forty days to repent and thus avert God’s wrath.
3: 5-10 “The people and king of Nineveh repent at the preaching of Jonah”
NOTE: Why was this message so disturbing to the Ninevites from a foreigner that they would repent before the God of the Hebrews when they worshipped, like Sennacherib king of Assyria [capitol of Nineveh] Nisroch his god (Cp. II Kings 19: 36-37a). Perhaps the Ninevites have had some contact with God as a result of prophesies found in Nahum 3: 1-19 and Zephaniah 2: 13-15. There is a universal principle found in Jeremiah 18: 7-8, which says, “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, “if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring against it.”
4: 1-2
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, One who relents from doing harm (Cp. Exodus 34: 6; Numbers 14: 18a; Psalms 86: 5, 15; Joel 2: 13b).
4: 3-4
“Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” Then the LORD said [asked], “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah is a very interesting psychological and spiritual study as he voices anger to God because He doesn’t destroy the Ninevites as well as God causing a plant to grow providing shade for Jonah from the heat of the day. He then prepares a worm which damages and causes the plant to wither the next day. It seems Jonah cared more for the gourd than for human lives of people from another land. Jonah mentioned about it being better for him to die which he repeats three times (Cp. verses 3b, 8b, 9b), but he must have so soon forgotten about his previous “Near Death Experience” of being in the “belly of the great fish.”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 10, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Now the Word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it: for their wickedness has come up before Me.”
NOTE: This is very interesting because nowhere else in O.T. Scripture does the LORD send a prophet to a foreign nation to offer them a message to repent or perish. The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah came up before God also, and if only ten righteous persons could have been found within them, destruction could have been averted but there was no Missionary outreach available to them (Cp. Genesis 18: 20-21, 23, 32).
1: 3
But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish [“Tyre”] from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going for Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
NOTE: The geography is right on the money in this one because Jonah was from Gath Hepher in the territory of Issachar (Cp. II Kings 14: 25b; Joshua 19: 13), and Joppa was to the South in the territory of Dan (Cp. Joshua 19: 46). Tarshish is along the Mediterranean Coast toward the far North in Tyre (Cp. Isaiah 23: 1). Jonah sought to flee from the LORD’S presence, just like Adam and Eve (Cp. Genesis 3: 7-10) but he should have read Psalms 139: 7, which states: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence (Cp. verses 8-12)?
1: 4-5
But the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners [seamen] were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.
NOTE: This is very similar to the tempest and waves that tossed the boat where Jesus (Yeshua) was asleep in (Cp. Matthew 8: 23-27).
1: 8-9
Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? (1) What is your occupation? (2) Where do you come from? (3) What is your country? (4) And of what people are you?” So he said to them, “(4) I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD (YHVH), the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.
NOTE: The sailors asked Jonah four questions but he only answered the last one.
1: 11a, 12a
Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?” And he said to him, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will be calm for you.”
1: 14-16
Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, “We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.
NOTE: These pagan mariners from Tarshish [Tyre] had some sense of a moral or spiritual compass because they were hesitant to throw Jonah overboard and tried to row past the storm. They finally acquiesced to Jonah’s request and like the cargo that went “deep six,” lifted him up and tossed him over the side of the boat. Before that, however, they prayed to the LORD not to charge them with shedding innocent blood in Jonah’s apparently certain death.
1: 17
Now the LORD prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
2: 1, 2b
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. “Out of the belly of Sheol [the Land of the Dead], and LORD You heard me.”
NOTE: Perhaps the belly of the great fish is just an allegory for “Sheol” and Jesus [Yeshua] said in Matthew 12: 40: “For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The ‘great fish’ that swallowed Jonah could be DEATH just as the Son of Man tasted this for every man (Cp. Hebrews 2: 9).
2: 3, 5-6
You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me. I was buried beneath Your wild and billowy waves. I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But You, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!
NOTE: These would hardly be the words of a man who was enclosed within the body of a great fish; if taken literally, that is. It is however plausible that the LORD sent the great fish to preserve Jonah’s ebbing life as he was about to die from drowning, and given another opportunity to carry out God’s mission to the Ninevites while recuperating in the insides of a divinely prepared ‘great’ fish; as verse 7 indicates below:
2: 7, 10
As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to You into Your holy Temple. So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
NOTE: The fish carried Jonah all the way to land and expelled him from its insides [along with other undigested matter] in perhaps a not so pleasant environment.
3: 1-2
Now the Word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”
3: 3-4
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the Word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, so large a city that it takes three days to see it all. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
NOTE: Noah was called a preacher of righteousness (Cp. II Peter 2: 5), and if that was the case he probably warned the ‘Antediluvian’ people about the upcoming Flood. Since Noah “walked with God” probably at age 500 after the birth of his sons, he doubtless preached 100 years until the rain came and the floodgates of the deep burst open (Cp. Genesis 5: 32; 6: 5-13; 7: 6, 11). Conversely, the people of Nineveh had only forty days to repent and thus avert God’s wrath.
3: 5-10 “The people and king of Nineveh repent at the preaching of Jonah”
NOTE: Why was this message so disturbing to the Ninevites from a foreigner that they would repent before the God of the Hebrews when they worshipped, like Sennacherib king of Assyria [capitol of Nineveh] Nisroch his god (Cp. II Kings 19: 36-37a). Perhaps the Ninevites have had some contact with God as a result of prophesies found in Nahum 3: 1-19 and Zephaniah 2: 13-15. There is a universal principle found in Jeremiah 18: 7-8, which says, “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, “if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring against it.”
4: 1-2
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, One who relents from doing harm (Cp. Exodus 34: 6; Numbers 14: 18a; Psalms 86: 5, 15; Joel 2: 13b).
4: 3-4
“Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” Then the LORD said [asked], “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah is a very interesting psychological and spiritual study as he voices anger to God because He doesn’t destroy the Ninevites as well as God causing a plant to grow providing shade for Jonah from the heat of the day. He then prepares a worm which damages and causes the plant to wither the next day. It seems Jonah cared more for the gourd than for human lives of people from another land. Jonah mentioned about it being better for him to die which he repeats three times (Cp. verses 3b, 8b, 9b), but he must have so soon forgotten about his previous “Near Death Experience” of being in the “belly of the great fish.”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 10, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Feasts celebrated by the Jews since the Wilderness of Mt. Sinai
In Exodus 23: 14-17 the LORD God commands three annual mandatory Feasts [(1) Unleavened Bread {“Passover”}, (2) Feast of Harvest [“Pentecost”}, (3) Feast of Ingathering at year’s end], and that all Jewish males are to appear before Him to offer sacrifices. Since that time of the Wilderness of Mount Sinai when Moses received these statutes from the LORD, it is interesting to see how these specific solemn feasts were kept since that time onward.
NOTE: Exodus 34: 22-23 includes the ‘firstfruits’ as part of the Feast of [Wheat] Harvest.
Joshua 5: 10-11
Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits [when the Children first enter and settle in the land of Canaan].
2 Kings 23: 21
Passover [and Unleavened Bread]
2 Chronicles 2: 4b
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3), appointed Feasts (Cp. 2 Chronicles 8: 13; Exodus 23: 14-19; Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering).
2 Chronicles 30: 1, 5, 13-23 (esp. 26).
Passover, Unleavened Bread.
2 Chronicles 31: 3-4
Sabbaths, appointed Feasts (Cp. 2 Chronicles 8: 13; Exodus 23: 14-19; Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering), New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3).
2 Chronicles 35: 1 (esp. 18).
Passover [Unleavened Bread].
2 Chronicles 36: 21
Sabbaths
Ezra 3: 4-5
Feast of Tabernacles (Cp. Leviticus 23: 34, 40, 42; Deuteronomy 16: 13), New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3).
Ezra 5: 16, 19-22
The Dedication of the Temple (Cp. 1 Kings 8: 63; 2 Chronicles 7: 5), Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Nehemiah 8: 13-18
Feast of Tabernacles (Cp. Leviticus 23: 34, 40, 42; Deuteronomy 16: 13; “Booths”).
Nehemiah 10: 33
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3), appointed Feasts (Cp. 2 Chronicles 8: 13; Exodus 23: 14-19; Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering).
Esther 8: 17-19, 26-28, 31-33
Feast of Purim
Ezekiel 45: 17-25; 46: 1, 3, 6, 11
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3), Feasts, Passover, Unleavened Bread.
Isaiah 1: 13-15
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3).
Matthew 26: 17
Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover.
Mark 14: 1, 12
Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover.
Luke 22: 1, 7
Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover.
John 2: 13
Passover [and Unleavened Bread] of the Jews.
John 3:23
A dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification (??).
John 7: 2
The Jew’s Feast of Tabernacles (Cp. Leviticus 23: 33-36; Numbers 29: 12-38; Deuteronomy 16: 13-15).
John 10: 22
Feast of Dedication (Cp. 1 Kings 8: 63; 2 Chronicles 7: 5).
John 11: 55
The Passover [and Unleavened Bread] of the Jews and purification (Cp. 3: 23??).
John 12: 20
Greeks coming to the Passover Feast [and Unleavened Bread].
John 13: 1, 29
Feast of the Passover [and Unleavened Bread].
Acts 2: 1
Day of Pentecost (Cp. Exodus 23: 16; 34: 22-23; Leviticus 23: 15-21; Numbers 28: 26-31; Deuteronomy 16: 9-12).
Acts 12: 3
Days of Unleavened Bread, [and Passover??].
Acts 18: 21
The Apostle Paul wanted to keep the coming Feast (Day of Pentecost; 20: 16??) in Jerusalem.
Acts 20: 6
The Days of Unleavened Bread [and Passover??].
Acts 20: 16
The Apostle Paul was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost (Cp. Acts 2: 1; 18: 21; Exodus 23: 16; 34: 22-23; Leviticus 23: 15-21; Numbers 28: 26-31; Deuteronomy 16: 9-12).
I Corinthians 5: 8
Therefore let us keep the ‘Feast,’ [“Unleavened Bread/Passover;” Cp. Exodus 12: 15-20; 13: 3-10; Leviticus 23: 5; Numbers 9: 1-14; 28: 16; Deuteronomy 16: 1-7] not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
I Corinthians 16: 8
But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost (Cp. Acts 18: 21; 19: 21a, 22b; 20: 1-2??).
Colossians 2: 16
So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival [Feast??], or a New Moon or Sabbaths. . .
It seems that from the times of Jewish antiquity (the Wilderness of Sinai), the Feasts of Unleavened Bread/Passover was observed up until Jesus’ Day and beyond. The Sabbaths and New Moons were kept during the Babylonian Captivity (Cp. Isaiah 1: 13-15) and after the seventy years prophesized by Jeremiah, the returning exiles settling back again to Judea/Jerusalem observed the Feast of Tabernacles. After the Second Temple was built, it was dedicated like in the Days of Solomon, along with celebrating again, New Moons and the appointed feasts [probably Unleavened Bread/Passover, Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering.
Curiously, the ‘Synoptic Gospels’ (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) only mention the Feast of Unleavened Bread/Passover. The Gospel of John mentions these in addition to the Feast of Tabernacles (“Booths”) and the Feast of Dedication (Second Temple). In the book of Acts, the author includes the Day of Pentecost (Harvest/Weeks: Cp. Exodus 23: 16; 34: 22-23; Leviticus 23: 15-21; Numbers 28: 26-31; Deuteronomy 16: 9-12) several times.
NOTE: Again to reiterate from the beginning of the article, Exodus 34: 22-23 includes the ‘firstfruits’ as part of the Feast of [Wheat] Harvest.
In the book of I Corinthians the Apostle Paul alludes to Passover/Unleavened Bread as well as mentioning again about [the Day of] Pentecost. Since Pentecost/Weeks is included along with the Feast of Harvest/Ingathering and Passover from ancient times, its importance could very well have Eschatological significance as symbolizing the gathering up of the 'firstfruits' or saints at the "End of the World." Finally, one of the last Feasts to be mentioned in the New Testament are Sabbaths and the New Moons in the book of Colossians (Cp. 2: 16).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 13, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
NOTE: Exodus 34: 22-23 includes the ‘firstfruits’ as part of the Feast of [Wheat] Harvest.
Joshua 5: 10-11
Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits [when the Children first enter and settle in the land of Canaan].
2 Kings 23: 21
Passover [and Unleavened Bread]
2 Chronicles 2: 4b
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3), appointed Feasts (Cp. 2 Chronicles 8: 13; Exodus 23: 14-19; Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering).
2 Chronicles 30: 1, 5, 13-23 (esp. 26).
Passover, Unleavened Bread.
2 Chronicles 31: 3-4
Sabbaths, appointed Feasts (Cp. 2 Chronicles 8: 13; Exodus 23: 14-19; Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering), New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3).
2 Chronicles 35: 1 (esp. 18).
Passover [Unleavened Bread].
2 Chronicles 36: 21
Sabbaths
Ezra 3: 4-5
Feast of Tabernacles (Cp. Leviticus 23: 34, 40, 42; Deuteronomy 16: 13), New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3).
Ezra 5: 16, 19-22
The Dedication of the Temple (Cp. 1 Kings 8: 63; 2 Chronicles 7: 5), Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Nehemiah 8: 13-18
Feast of Tabernacles (Cp. Leviticus 23: 34, 40, 42; Deuteronomy 16: 13; “Booths”).
Nehemiah 10: 33
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3), appointed Feasts (Cp. 2 Chronicles 8: 13; Exodus 23: 14-19; Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering).
Esther 8: 17-19, 26-28, 31-33
Feast of Purim
Ezekiel 45: 17-25; 46: 1, 3, 6, 11
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3), Feasts, Passover, Unleavened Bread.
Isaiah 1: 13-15
Sabbaths, New Moons (Cp. Numbers 28: 11-15; Psalms 81: 3).
Matthew 26: 17
Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover.
Mark 14: 1, 12
Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover.
Luke 22: 1, 7
Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover.
John 2: 13
Passover [and Unleavened Bread] of the Jews.
John 3:23
A dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification (??).
John 7: 2
The Jew’s Feast of Tabernacles (Cp. Leviticus 23: 33-36; Numbers 29: 12-38; Deuteronomy 16: 13-15).
John 10: 22
Feast of Dedication (Cp. 1 Kings 8: 63; 2 Chronicles 7: 5).
John 11: 55
The Passover [and Unleavened Bread] of the Jews and purification (Cp. 3: 23??).
John 12: 20
Greeks coming to the Passover Feast [and Unleavened Bread].
John 13: 1, 29
Feast of the Passover [and Unleavened Bread].
Acts 2: 1
Day of Pentecost (Cp. Exodus 23: 16; 34: 22-23; Leviticus 23: 15-21; Numbers 28: 26-31; Deuteronomy 16: 9-12).
Acts 12: 3
Days of Unleavened Bread, [and Passover??].
Acts 18: 21
The Apostle Paul wanted to keep the coming Feast (Day of Pentecost; 20: 16??) in Jerusalem.
Acts 20: 6
The Days of Unleavened Bread [and Passover??].
Acts 20: 16
The Apostle Paul was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost (Cp. Acts 2: 1; 18: 21; Exodus 23: 16; 34: 22-23; Leviticus 23: 15-21; Numbers 28: 26-31; Deuteronomy 16: 9-12).
I Corinthians 5: 8
Therefore let us keep the ‘Feast,’ [“Unleavened Bread/Passover;” Cp. Exodus 12: 15-20; 13: 3-10; Leviticus 23: 5; Numbers 9: 1-14; 28: 16; Deuteronomy 16: 1-7] not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
I Corinthians 16: 8
But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost (Cp. Acts 18: 21; 19: 21a, 22b; 20: 1-2??).
Colossians 2: 16
So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival [Feast??], or a New Moon or Sabbaths. . .
It seems that from the times of Jewish antiquity (the Wilderness of Sinai), the Feasts of Unleavened Bread/Passover was observed up until Jesus’ Day and beyond. The Sabbaths and New Moons were kept during the Babylonian Captivity (Cp. Isaiah 1: 13-15) and after the seventy years prophesized by Jeremiah, the returning exiles settling back again to Judea/Jerusalem observed the Feast of Tabernacles. After the Second Temple was built, it was dedicated like in the Days of Solomon, along with celebrating again, New Moons and the appointed feasts [probably Unleavened Bread/Passover, Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering.
Curiously, the ‘Synoptic Gospels’ (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) only mention the Feast of Unleavened Bread/Passover. The Gospel of John mentions these in addition to the Feast of Tabernacles (“Booths”) and the Feast of Dedication (Second Temple). In the book of Acts, the author includes the Day of Pentecost (Harvest/Weeks: Cp. Exodus 23: 16; 34: 22-23; Leviticus 23: 15-21; Numbers 28: 26-31; Deuteronomy 16: 9-12) several times.
NOTE: Again to reiterate from the beginning of the article, Exodus 34: 22-23 includes the ‘firstfruits’ as part of the Feast of [Wheat] Harvest.
In the book of I Corinthians the Apostle Paul alludes to Passover/Unleavened Bread as well as mentioning again about [the Day of] Pentecost. Since Pentecost/Weeks is included along with the Feast of Harvest/Ingathering and Passover from ancient times, its importance could very well have Eschatological significance as symbolizing the gathering up of the 'firstfruits' or saints at the "End of the World." Finally, one of the last Feasts to be mentioned in the New Testament are Sabbaths and the New Moons in the book of Colossians (Cp. 2: 16).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 13, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Gospel message to convert the Jews
There are those among the clergy and leadership in the Christian Church, especially among the Gentile believers who neglect ministering the Word to those unbelieving Jews. It has even been said that is a waste of time and that no Jewish person would ever accept that Jesus [Yeshua] is the Christ [Mesiyach], in fulfillment of the Old Testament Law [“Torah”], Psalms, and Prophets; but is that necessarily the case? The Apostle’s Peter and Paul seem to have had some success as recorded in the book of ACTS, and if human nature is basically the same, then the same method of preaching or teaching using the same Scriptural references should net the same results; if not, then why not? Not only that, but many believers tend to forget the Apostle Paul’s example, if not outright injunction to offer the message of salvation to the Jews first, and then the Gentiles (Cp. Romans 1: 16).
In the references below are sermons that touched the hearts of those Jews who received the Word and after believing and repenting of their sins, obtained forgiveness of their sins by obedience to what they were taught.
Acts 2: 14, 16
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Cp. Joel 2: 28-32).”
NOTE: Peter’s sermon leaves out: For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
22-25
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus [Yeshua] of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know-Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. “For David said concerning Him: (Cp. Psalms 16: 8-11).”
29-34
“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God has sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ [“Mesiyach”] to sit on his throne, “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ [“Mesiyach”], that His [not David’s] soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. “This Jesus God has raised up [from the dead] of which we are witnesses. “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: (Cp. Psalms 110: 1).”
36-39, 41
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus [Yeshua], whom you crucified, both LORD and Christ [“Mesiyach”].” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mesiyach] for the remission (forgiveness) of sins; and you shall (1) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh]. For (2) the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off (Cp. Romans 4: 1-3, 9 {Psalms 32: 1-2}, 10-14, 16-17a; 9: 6b-8, 24-25 {Hosea 2: 23; 1: 10} as many as the LORD our God will call.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
NOTE: The (1) Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh] is given to those who obey God (Cp. Acts 4: 31; 8: 15, 17; 10: 44-45; 11: 15-16; 19: 1-2, 4-6; II Corinthians 1: 22; 5: 5; Ephesians 1: 13b-14a). (2) The promise is first mentioned in Genesis 22: 18: “In your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice (Cp. Genesis 26: 4b).
Acts 3: 12-15
So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why do you look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus [Yeshua], whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murdered to be granted to you, “and killed the Prince of Life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
17-23
“Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ [Mesiyach] would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD, “and that He may send Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mesiyach], who was ordained for you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. “For Moses truly said to the fathers (Cp. Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18-19).”
24-26
“Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold of these days. “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham (Cp. Genesis 12: 3b; 18: 18b; 22: 18; 26: 4; 28:14). “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
13: 14-25
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law [“Torah”] and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with Mighty power He brought them out of it. “Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. “And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. “And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, “(Cp. Psalms 89: 20a; I Samuel 13: 14b).” From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior [“Messiah”]-Jesus [Yeshua] - “after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. “And John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ ”
26-33
“Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the message of this salvation has been sent. “For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. “And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. “But God raised Him from the dead. “He was seen for many days by those who had come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are witnesses to the people. “And we declare to you glad tidings [“Evangelion”- The Gospel or Good News], that promise which was made to the fathers. “God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus [Yeshua]. As it is written in the second Psalm ‘(Cp. Psalms 2: 7)’:
34-40, 43
“And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption (decay), He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David’ (Cp. Isaiah 55: 3)
NOTE: This passage from Isaiah is out of place and doesn’t belong here.
“Therefore He also says in another Psalm ‘(Cp. Psalm 16: 10)’: “For David, after he served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption [his body underwent decay]; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. Therefore let it be known to you brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the Law [“Torah”] of Moses. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
If bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mesiyach] to the Jews is futile, then why does Paul feel like this: “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh], that I have a great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I wish that I myself were accursed from Christ [Mesiyach] for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law ["Torah”], the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ [Mesiyach] came, who is over all; the eternally blessed God. Amen. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ [Mesiyach] is the end of the Law [“Torah”] for righteousness to everyone who believes (Cp. Romans 9: 1-5; 10: 1-4).
Following the Missionary activities of the Apostle Paul in the Church history book of ACTS, whether he traveled through GALATIA [Turkey in Asia Minor: These assemblies were in Pisidian Antioch (Cp. Acts 13: 14); Iconium (Cp. Acts 14: 1); Lystra & Derbe (Acts 14: 6-7, 20); Perga {in Pamphylia} (Cp. Acts 14: 25)]. Europe: MACEDONIA [Philippi (Cp. Acts 16: 12); Thessalonica (Cp. Acts 17: 1); Berea (Cp. Acts 17: 10)]; and even the Churches in GREECE (Corinth, Athens), or Rome Italy, he always sought out the synagogues where his Jewish brethren would be conducting Sabbath services first; and of which in many instances there were also in attendance God-fearing Gentile/Greek-speaking proselytes.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 3, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
In the references below are sermons that touched the hearts of those Jews who received the Word and after believing and repenting of their sins, obtained forgiveness of their sins by obedience to what they were taught.
Acts 2: 14, 16
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Cp. Joel 2: 28-32).”
NOTE: Peter’s sermon leaves out: For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
22-25
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus [Yeshua] of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know-Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. “For David said concerning Him: (Cp. Psalms 16: 8-11).”
29-34
“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God has sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ [“Mesiyach”] to sit on his throne, “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ [“Mesiyach”], that His [not David’s] soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. “This Jesus God has raised up [from the dead] of which we are witnesses. “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: (Cp. Psalms 110: 1).”
36-39, 41
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus [Yeshua], whom you crucified, both LORD and Christ [“Mesiyach”].” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mesiyach] for the remission (forgiveness) of sins; and you shall (1) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh]. For (2) the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off (Cp. Romans 4: 1-3, 9 {Psalms 32: 1-2}, 10-14, 16-17a; 9: 6b-8, 24-25 {Hosea 2: 23; 1: 10} as many as the LORD our God will call.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
NOTE: The (1) Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh] is given to those who obey God (Cp. Acts 4: 31; 8: 15, 17; 10: 44-45; 11: 15-16; 19: 1-2, 4-6; II Corinthians 1: 22; 5: 5; Ephesians 1: 13b-14a). (2) The promise is first mentioned in Genesis 22: 18: “In your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice (Cp. Genesis 26: 4b).
Acts 3: 12-15
So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why do you look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus [Yeshua], whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murdered to be granted to you, “and killed the Prince of Life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
17-23
“Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ [Mesiyach] would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD, “and that He may send Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mesiyach], who was ordained for you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. “For Moses truly said to the fathers (Cp. Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18-19).”
24-26
“Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold of these days. “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham (Cp. Genesis 12: 3b; 18: 18b; 22: 18; 26: 4; 28:14). “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
13: 14-25
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law [“Torah”] and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with Mighty power He brought them out of it. “Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. “And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. “And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, “(Cp. Psalms 89: 20a; I Samuel 13: 14b).” From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior [“Messiah”]-Jesus [Yeshua] - “after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. “And John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ ”
26-33
“Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the message of this salvation has been sent. “For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. “And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. “But God raised Him from the dead. “He was seen for many days by those who had come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are witnesses to the people. “And we declare to you glad tidings [“Evangelion”- The Gospel or Good News], that promise which was made to the fathers. “God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus [Yeshua]. As it is written in the second Psalm ‘(Cp. Psalms 2: 7)’:
34-40, 43
“And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption (decay), He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David’ (Cp. Isaiah 55: 3)
NOTE: This passage from Isaiah is out of place and doesn’t belong here.
“Therefore He also says in another Psalm ‘(Cp. Psalm 16: 10)’: “For David, after he served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption [his body underwent decay]; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. Therefore let it be known to you brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the Law [“Torah”] of Moses. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
If bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mesiyach] to the Jews is futile, then why does Paul feel like this: “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh], that I have a great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I wish that I myself were accursed from Christ [Mesiyach] for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law ["Torah”], the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ [Mesiyach] came, who is over all; the eternally blessed God. Amen. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ [Mesiyach] is the end of the Law [“Torah”] for righteousness to everyone who believes (Cp. Romans 9: 1-5; 10: 1-4).
Following the Missionary activities of the Apostle Paul in the Church history book of ACTS, whether he traveled through GALATIA [Turkey in Asia Minor: These assemblies were in Pisidian Antioch (Cp. Acts 13: 14); Iconium (Cp. Acts 14: 1); Lystra & Derbe (Acts 14: 6-7, 20); Perga {in Pamphylia} (Cp. Acts 14: 25)]. Europe: MACEDONIA [Philippi (Cp. Acts 16: 12); Thessalonica (Cp. Acts 17: 1); Berea (Cp. Acts 17: 10)]; and even the Churches in GREECE (Corinth, Athens), or Rome Italy, he always sought out the synagogues where his Jewish brethren would be conducting Sabbath services first; and of which in many instances there were also in attendance God-fearing Gentile/Greek-speaking proselytes.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 3, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Should Christian clergy be armed during Worship or any other sacred Assemblies?
There has been an increasing escalation of violent acts, including murder, happening in Christian Churches, as well as in Jewish Temples and daycare centers in the news such that the worshipper’s safety is potentially at risk. There was a time when any house of worship was the last place where such disregard for the sacred would take place; that was then, but this is now. There are some members of the clergy who have a gun concealed underneath their Ecclesiastical vestments (robes) or have off-duty law enforcement officials who are members of their congregations, who as a general rule, always carry a firearm. Besides asking the overly simplified question of “What would Jesus [Yeshua] do, is there any references in the Scriptures that can aid us in this disturbing modern dilemma?
Matthew 28: 47, 55
And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber [criminal, insurrectionist, murderer], with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.” (Cp. Mark 14: 43, 48-49)
28: 62-66
On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure [by posting one of the soldiers to stand guard] until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception is worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the tomb and posting a guard.
Luke 22: 52
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the Temple [Temple police or security force], and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber [criminal, insurrectionist, murderer], with swords and clubs?”
John 18: 3
Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
There are several things to consider, namely, whether “PASSIVE RESISTANCE” in all circumstances is at all in accord with true spiritual principles and the Word of God. Consider the Ten Commandments or the Law [“Torah”] of Moses which was written by the finger of God, but nowhere does it say, “Thou shall not Fight (Cp. Exodus 21: 12-26).” Now the next thing is the passage in Matthew 5: 39 & Luke 6: 29, but in order to understand the context, it is prudent to read Matthew 6: 38-39, which reads:
“You have heard it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Jesus was teaching against retaliation or vengeance and not necessarily about taking action to protect yourself or a loved one from harm or even allowing yourself to be robbed. This last part is a sort of implied meaning that is found in Luke 11: 21-22, which states: When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own place, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.
Even reading all the Gospel narratives it appears that there was some kind of Temple police or security officials, including the rank of Captain and a guard that was dispatched to watch the tomb where Jesus was laid. It would suggest that such a force might be used on other occasions, perhaps to keep peace and order during Feast days, protect the temple precincts from vandalism, or to separate adversaries during heated discussions by rabbis about the Mishnah or Talmud, or to protect against robbers looting the temple treasury as well as the offerer.
To reiterate this point on using violence, the Apostle Paul wrote: Repay no one evil for evil (Cp. Romans 12: 17a), and while it is certainly prudent to be concerned about having a gun-totin,’ Second Amendment zealous pulpit or trigger-happy undercover law enforcement sitting in the pew, it is, at least from what has been reviewed thus far, reasonable to have some type of officially trained security force or guard to watch for any unusual circumstance or behavior of any person which could place the safety of worshippers in harm’s way. Last, but not least, Psalms 71: 1-3a, 4 says: "In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 3, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Matthew 28: 47, 55
And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber [criminal, insurrectionist, murderer], with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.” (Cp. Mark 14: 43, 48-49)
28: 62-66
On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure [by posting one of the soldiers to stand guard] until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception is worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the tomb and posting a guard.
Luke 22: 52
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the Temple [Temple police or security force], and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber [criminal, insurrectionist, murderer], with swords and clubs?”
John 18: 3
Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
There are several things to consider, namely, whether “PASSIVE RESISTANCE” in all circumstances is at all in accord with true spiritual principles and the Word of God. Consider the Ten Commandments or the Law [“Torah”] of Moses which was written by the finger of God, but nowhere does it say, “Thou shall not Fight (Cp. Exodus 21: 12-26).” Now the next thing is the passage in Matthew 5: 39 & Luke 6: 29, but in order to understand the context, it is prudent to read Matthew 6: 38-39, which reads:
“You have heard it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Jesus was teaching against retaliation or vengeance and not necessarily about taking action to protect yourself or a loved one from harm or even allowing yourself to be robbed. This last part is a sort of implied meaning that is found in Luke 11: 21-22, which states: When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own place, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.
Even reading all the Gospel narratives it appears that there was some kind of Temple police or security officials, including the rank of Captain and a guard that was dispatched to watch the tomb where Jesus was laid. It would suggest that such a force might be used on other occasions, perhaps to keep peace and order during Feast days, protect the temple precincts from vandalism, or to separate adversaries during heated discussions by rabbis about the Mishnah or Talmud, or to protect against robbers looting the temple treasury as well as the offerer.
To reiterate this point on using violence, the Apostle Paul wrote: Repay no one evil for evil (Cp. Romans 12: 17a), and while it is certainly prudent to be concerned about having a gun-totin,’ Second Amendment zealous pulpit or trigger-happy undercover law enforcement sitting in the pew, it is, at least from what has been reviewed thus far, reasonable to have some type of officially trained security force or guard to watch for any unusual circumstance or behavior of any person which could place the safety of worshippers in harm’s way. Last, but not least, Psalms 71: 1-3a, 4 says: "In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 3, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Jesus’ last Passover Feast with the Disciples before His Crucifixion
The memorable and heartbreaking scene forever etched in our minds by the ominous depiction as the “Last Supper” is one of the most familiar, being depicted in works of art and in motion pictures by actor/director Mel Gibson. The New Testament Gospels portray an emotionally-tinged narrative that is compelling as well as revealing in the various nuances and shades of meaning behind what each writer presented and what was intentionally omitted. The scene is set in the following:
Matthew 26: 17, 19
Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
20-23, 25
When evening had come, He sat down with the “Twelve.” Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them [including Judas Iscariot] began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
26-29 “The LORD’S Supper”
30, 36
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olivet. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane.
Mark 14: 1, 3-6, 10-11
After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery (deception) and put Him to death. And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper [NOT!!- Aramaic. “Simon the Jar maker or Potter”], as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly perfume of nard and spikenard. Then she broke [Aramaic. “opened”] the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.” Then Judas Iscariot, one of the “Twelve,” went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
12, 16-20
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed (sacrificed) the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” So His disciples went out, and came to the city, and found it just as He had said to them: and they prepared the Passover. In the evening He came with the Twelve. Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one [including Judas Iscariot], “Is it I?” He answered and said to them, “It is one of the “Twelve,” who dips with Me in the dish.
22-25 “The LORD’S Supper”
26, 32a
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olivet. Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane.
Luke 22: 1-6
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the “Twelve.” So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
7-9, 13
Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover [lamb] must be killed (sacrificed). And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” So they went out and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
14-20
“The LORD’S Supper”
21, 23
[Jesus said], “But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.” “Then they began questioning among themselves [Judas Iscariot included], which one of them it was who would do such a thing.
24-27
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ “But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I AM among you as the One who serves.”
NOTE: This is undoubtedly the backdrop for the “Foot washing” example found in John 13: 3-10.
Luke 22: 39-40a
Coming out [of Bethany??], He went to the Mount of Olivet, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place [Gethsemane], He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation (Cp. 22: 46b).”
John 13: 1-2, 4-8
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He should depart from this world to the father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ [including Judas Iscariot who was to betray Him] feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I AM doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
12-16
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? “You call Me Teacher and LORD, and you say well, for so I AM. “If I then, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. “ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
21-30
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “LORD, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, Judas had the money box that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
18: 1
When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook of Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
It can be seen that all of the Gospel narratives identify Judas Iscariot as Jesus’ betrayer but only John’s version introduces “Foot-washing” while at the same time leaves out one of the centerpieces in the faith practices of Christendom, namely, the “LORD’S Supper” or ‘Eucharist.’ There are of course a few denominations who practice this rite, such as Seventh-Day Adventists and Church of God in Christ, among doubtless a few others, too. The majority of believers will deem that this practice was only for the benefit of Jesus’ disciples or the “Twelve” at that time to teach them a lesson because of their pettiness, competitiveness, lack of spiritual discernment and maturity; let alone the fact that there were probably some Alpha males in the group, or at least one, in the person of Simon Peter.
While this point is valid but what the LORD Jesus [Yeshua] set forth as an example is much bigger than just those twelve or more of His earliest followers because it has implications down to modern times of today and there could be a wonderful blessing in store for those who really discern the wealth of spiritual power in this sincere, heartfelt and unconditional surrender of ‘self’ and the ‘ego.’ Remember that Jesus told Peter that if He didn’t wash him that he didn’t have any part with Him, but why did He say that over a matter which would appear on the surface to be a gracious and magnanimous display of humility?
The LORD told Peter that he didn’t understand this act then but he would later; especially when Jesus went into more detail. This was more than simple humility but a deep and enriching spiritual awakening for the disciples which led to Jesus giving the “New Commandment” to ‘Love one another’ (Cp. John 13: 35; 15: 12). Perhaps the issue of this practice requires a second look because Jesus says to His disciples in Matthew 16: 24: “If anyone desires to come after Me,(1) let him deny himself, (2) take up his cross, and (3) follow Me.
Somebody might say, “I don’t think it takes all of that just to be a Christian, or to prove that I love God,” and while one could understandably justify within themselves such a point-of-view, consider this again and to reiterate; Jesus said, “If I then, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. “ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (Cp. John 13: 12-16)
John 15: 9-10, 13-14
“As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; abide in My love. “If you keep My commandments you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments (Cp. Mark 10: 45; I Timothy 2: 6; Hebrews 10: 5-10) and abide in His love. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
When Simon the sorcerer thought that he could buy the gift of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh], Peter told Him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased wit money! “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Cp. Acts 8: 20-21)
Is it possible that those who resist such a practice do not have their heart right before God and are like those whom Stephen addressed in Acts 7: 51: “You stiff-necked (stubborn) and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” Jesus said in John 13: 10b, 11b: “Not all of you are clean,” but He also said, “You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you (Cp. John 15: 2).”
In Acts 5: 32 it reads: “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” It is not to be a demagogue and attempt to coerce or put a guilt trip upon someone if they do not participate in ‘Foot-washing’ because that alone won’t gain the favor of God; no matter how many people you wash their feet or any other fruit-bearing activities because without “Love” whatever you do won’t profit you a thing (Cp. I Corinthians 13: 3). Lastly, Luke 17: 10 says: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
September 26, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Matthew 26: 17, 19
Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
20-23, 25
When evening had come, He sat down with the “Twelve.” Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them [including Judas Iscariot] began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
26-29 “The LORD’S Supper”
30, 36
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olivet. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane.
Mark 14: 1, 3-6, 10-11
After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery (deception) and put Him to death. And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper [NOT!!- Aramaic. “Simon the Jar maker or Potter”], as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly perfume of nard and spikenard. Then she broke [Aramaic. “opened”] the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.” Then Judas Iscariot, one of the “Twelve,” went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
12, 16-20
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed (sacrificed) the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” So His disciples went out, and came to the city, and found it just as He had said to them: and they prepared the Passover. In the evening He came with the Twelve. Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one [including Judas Iscariot], “Is it I?” He answered and said to them, “It is one of the “Twelve,” who dips with Me in the dish.
22-25 “The LORD’S Supper”
26, 32a
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olivet. Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane.
Luke 22: 1-6
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the “Twelve.” So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
7-9, 13
Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover [lamb] must be killed (sacrificed). And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” So they went out and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
14-20
“The LORD’S Supper”
21, 23
[Jesus said], “But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.” “Then they began questioning among themselves [Judas Iscariot included], which one of them it was who would do such a thing.
24-27
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ “But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I AM among you as the One who serves.”
NOTE: This is undoubtedly the backdrop for the “Foot washing” example found in John 13: 3-10.
Luke 22: 39-40a
Coming out [of Bethany??], He went to the Mount of Olivet, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place [Gethsemane], He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation (Cp. 22: 46b).”
John 13: 1-2, 4-8
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He should depart from this world to the father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ [including Judas Iscariot who was to betray Him] feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I AM doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
12-16
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? “You call Me Teacher and LORD, and you say well, for so I AM. “If I then, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. “ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
21-30
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “LORD, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, Judas had the money box that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
18: 1
When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook of Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
It can be seen that all of the Gospel narratives identify Judas Iscariot as Jesus’ betrayer but only John’s version introduces “Foot-washing” while at the same time leaves out one of the centerpieces in the faith practices of Christendom, namely, the “LORD’S Supper” or ‘Eucharist.’ There are of course a few denominations who practice this rite, such as Seventh-Day Adventists and Church of God in Christ, among doubtless a few others, too. The majority of believers will deem that this practice was only for the benefit of Jesus’ disciples or the “Twelve” at that time to teach them a lesson because of their pettiness, competitiveness, lack of spiritual discernment and maturity; let alone the fact that there were probably some Alpha males in the group, or at least one, in the person of Simon Peter.
While this point is valid but what the LORD Jesus [Yeshua] set forth as an example is much bigger than just those twelve or more of His earliest followers because it has implications down to modern times of today and there could be a wonderful blessing in store for those who really discern the wealth of spiritual power in this sincere, heartfelt and unconditional surrender of ‘self’ and the ‘ego.’ Remember that Jesus told Peter that if He didn’t wash him that he didn’t have any part with Him, but why did He say that over a matter which would appear on the surface to be a gracious and magnanimous display of humility?
The LORD told Peter that he didn’t understand this act then but he would later; especially when Jesus went into more detail. This was more than simple humility but a deep and enriching spiritual awakening for the disciples which led to Jesus giving the “New Commandment” to ‘Love one another’ (Cp. John 13: 35; 15: 12). Perhaps the issue of this practice requires a second look because Jesus says to His disciples in Matthew 16: 24: “If anyone desires to come after Me,(1) let him deny himself, (2) take up his cross, and (3) follow Me.
Somebody might say, “I don’t think it takes all of that just to be a Christian, or to prove that I love God,” and while one could understandably justify within themselves such a point-of-view, consider this again and to reiterate; Jesus said, “If I then, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. “ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (Cp. John 13: 12-16)
John 15: 9-10, 13-14
“As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; abide in My love. “If you keep My commandments you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments (Cp. Mark 10: 45; I Timothy 2: 6; Hebrews 10: 5-10) and abide in His love. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
When Simon the sorcerer thought that he could buy the gift of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh], Peter told Him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased wit money! “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Cp. Acts 8: 20-21)
Is it possible that those who resist such a practice do not have their heart right before God and are like those whom Stephen addressed in Acts 7: 51: “You stiff-necked (stubborn) and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” Jesus said in John 13: 10b, 11b: “Not all of you are clean,” but He also said, “You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you (Cp. John 15: 2).”
In Acts 5: 32 it reads: “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” It is not to be a demagogue and attempt to coerce or put a guilt trip upon someone if they do not participate in ‘Foot-washing’ because that alone won’t gain the favor of God; no matter how many people you wash their feet or any other fruit-bearing activities because without “Love” whatever you do won’t profit you a thing (Cp. I Corinthians 13: 3). Lastly, Luke 17: 10 says: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
September 26, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Jesus, John the Baptizer, and the Apostle Paul encounter the Herodian Dynasty
HERODIAN FAMILY DYNASTY
(“Wikipedia”)
Herod Antipas
|
Antipater
|
Herod the Great (Judea; died in 4 BCE)
|
Archelaus (Judea)
Antipas (Galilee, Perea)
Herod Philip I (NW Judea, Edom, Samaria; died in 34 AD)
|
Agrippa I (part of Judea, Edom and Samaria)
|
Agrippa II (Northern part of Judea, Edom and Samaria)
According to Matthew 2: 1, 3, 15a, 16, 19a, 22-23; Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea [approximately two years], they fled to Egypt until Herod [the Great] or King Herod was dead and Archelaus (King Herod’s son) was reigning over Judea. An angel of the LORD told Joseph to take Mary and the Child to leave Egypt and go to the land of Israel [Galilee], to which he did and the family settled in Nazareth.
NOTE: This narrative is later than Luke’s account because it would be quite dangerous for a newborn infant and mother to make the arduous trip across the rugged terrain to Egypt (Cp. 2: 7b, 11a, 13b, 16). In Luke 2: 1-12, the scene is earlier as Joseph and Mary leave Nazareth of Galilee and go up to Bethlehem of Judea to register for the census, where she gives birth to the holy Child. Luke 2: 11-12 says: For there is born to you this day in the city of David [Bethlehem] a Savior, who is Christ [Mesiyach] the LORD. And this will be the sign to you. You shall find the “Babe” [newborn infant as opposed to young ‘Child’ in Matthew’s account] wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager [feeding trough for animals].
Luke 3: 1 says: Herod [‘Antipas’??] being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis; Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene. Luke 23: 6-11 says that Pilate, upon learning that Jesus was from Galilee sent him to Herod, which make sense and this would place Him within the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas. John the Baptizer was beheaded by Herod, but which one? In Matthew 14: 1-12 and Luke 9: 7-9, Herod tetrarch is mentioned, however, Mark 6: 14-18 refers to King Herod beheading John the Baptizer and apparently the author didn't know the difference between someone being a King and a tetrarch; whom, although a ruler, still the person is not as powerful nor has the same authority as that of a King.
The little fly in the ointment in all of this is that John the Baptizer ministered in Bethany beyond the Jordan, which was in the region of Judea, where Herod Archelaus ruled; thereby making him the most likely to have executed John the Baptizer than his brother Antipas. Not only that, but the Gospels do not mention John the Baptizer preaching outside of Bethany beyond the Jordan in Judea. In the book of ACTS, the Apostle Paul had an audience before King Agrippa and his wife Bernice (Cp. 25: 13), but was it Agrippa I or II? Historians say that Paul appeared before Herod Agrippa II and Agrippa I was the despot who ordered the death of James, son of Zebedee and brother of John (Cp. Acts 12: 1-2).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
September 26, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
(“Wikipedia”)
Herod Antipas
|
Antipater
|
Herod the Great (Judea; died in 4 BCE)
|
Archelaus (Judea)
Antipas (Galilee, Perea)
Herod Philip I (NW Judea, Edom, Samaria; died in 34 AD)
|
Agrippa I (part of Judea, Edom and Samaria)
|
Agrippa II (Northern part of Judea, Edom and Samaria)
According to Matthew 2: 1, 3, 15a, 16, 19a, 22-23; Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea [approximately two years], they fled to Egypt until Herod [the Great] or King Herod was dead and Archelaus (King Herod’s son) was reigning over Judea. An angel of the LORD told Joseph to take Mary and the Child to leave Egypt and go to the land of Israel [Galilee], to which he did and the family settled in Nazareth.
NOTE: This narrative is later than Luke’s account because it would be quite dangerous for a newborn infant and mother to make the arduous trip across the rugged terrain to Egypt (Cp. 2: 7b, 11a, 13b, 16). In Luke 2: 1-12, the scene is earlier as Joseph and Mary leave Nazareth of Galilee and go up to Bethlehem of Judea to register for the census, where she gives birth to the holy Child. Luke 2: 11-12 says: For there is born to you this day in the city of David [Bethlehem] a Savior, who is Christ [Mesiyach] the LORD. And this will be the sign to you. You shall find the “Babe” [newborn infant as opposed to young ‘Child’ in Matthew’s account] wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager [feeding trough for animals].
Luke 3: 1 says: Herod [‘Antipas’??] being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis; Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene. Luke 23: 6-11 says that Pilate, upon learning that Jesus was from Galilee sent him to Herod, which make sense and this would place Him within the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas. John the Baptizer was beheaded by Herod, but which one? In Matthew 14: 1-12 and Luke 9: 7-9, Herod tetrarch is mentioned, however, Mark 6: 14-18 refers to King Herod beheading John the Baptizer and apparently the author didn't know the difference between someone being a King and a tetrarch; whom, although a ruler, still the person is not as powerful nor has the same authority as that of a King.
The little fly in the ointment in all of this is that John the Baptizer ministered in Bethany beyond the Jordan, which was in the region of Judea, where Herod Archelaus ruled; thereby making him the most likely to have executed John the Baptizer than his brother Antipas. Not only that, but the Gospels do not mention John the Baptizer preaching outside of Bethany beyond the Jordan in Judea. In the book of ACTS, the Apostle Paul had an audience before King Agrippa and his wife Bernice (Cp. 25: 13), but was it Agrippa I or II? Historians say that Paul appeared before Herod Agrippa II and Agrippa I was the despot who ordered the death of James, son of Zebedee and brother of John (Cp. Acts 12: 1-2).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
September 26, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Overview of the O.T. Messianic references in the Gospels
The book of LUKE has more events than any of the other gospels but MATTHEW appears to be the source, especially prophesies from the Old Testament, which are included in the other narratives. The book of MATTHEW will be used in this study as the basis for comparison to see which Old Testament citations taken from there are listed in the other books. The numbering system is based upon MATTHEW with 1-34 separate prophesies, and the list increases from there.
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
1: 22-23 [(1) Isaiah 7: 14]
2: 5b-6 [(2) Micah 5: 2]
2: 17 [(3) Isaiah 31: 15]
3: 3 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3]
4: 14-16 [(5) Isaiah 9: 1-2; (6) Isaiah 42: 7]
8: 17 [(7) Isaiah 53: 4]
11: 5 [(8) Isaiah 29: 18; (9) Isaiah 35: 4-6; (10) Isaiah 61: 1]
11: 10 [(11) Malachi 3: 1]
12: 17-21 [(12) Isaiah 42: 1-4]
13: 14-15 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10]
13: 35 [(14) Psalms 78: 2]
15: 7-9 [(15) Ezekiel 33: 31b; (16) Isaiah 29: 13]
21: 4-5 [(17) Zechariah 9: 9]
21: 9 [(18) Psalms 118: 26a]
21: 42 [(19) Psalms 118: 22-23]
26: 31, 56 [(20) Zechariah 13: 7]
26: 62-63a [(21) Isaiah 53: 7]
26: 64 [(22) Daniel 7: 13]
26: 67 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (24) Isaiah 53: 5]
27: 9 [(25) Zechariah 11: 12b-13] Spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet-NOT!!
27: 12-14 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7]
27: 29 [(26) Psalms 69: 19-20; (24) Isaiah 53: 5]
27: 30 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (27) Isaiah 52: 14; (28) Micah 5: 1]
27: 31 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7]
27: 34 [(29) Psalms 69: 21]
27: 35 [(30) Psalms 22: 18]
27: 38 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a, 12b]
27: 43 [(32) Psalms 22: 8]
27: 46 [(33) Psalms 22: 1]
27: 48 [(29) Psalms 69: 21]
27: 55-56 [(34) Psalms 38: 11]
27: 60 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a]
GOSPEL OF MARK
1: 2 [(11) Malachi 3: 1] (found in Matthew 11: 10).
1: 3 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3] (found in Matthew 3: 3).
4: 12 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10] (found in Matthew 13: 14-15); “Lest they should turn and their sins be forgiven them.”- NOT RECORDED IN ISAIAH!!
7: 6-7 [(15) Ezekiel 33: 31b; (16) Isaiah 29: 13] (found in Matthew 15: 7-9).
11: 9-10 [(18) Psalms 118: 25-26a; (35) Psalms 148: 1] (found in Matthew 21: 9).
11: 17 [(36) Isaiah 56: 7; (37) Jeremiah 7: 11]
12: 10-11 [(38) Psalms 118: 22-23]
12: 35-37a [(39) Psalms 110: 1]
14: 27 [(20) Zechariah 13: 7] (found in Matthew 26: 31).
14: 60-61 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7] (found in Matthew 26: 62-63a).
14: 62 [(22) Daniel 7: 13] (found in Matthew 26: 64).
14: 65 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (27) Isaiah 52: 14; (28) Micah 5: 1] (found in Matthew 27: 30).
15: 4-5 [(23) Isaiah 53: 7] (found in Matthew 26: 62-63a; Matthew 27: 12-14).
15: 19 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (27) Isaiah 52: 14; (24) Isaiah 53: 5] (found in Matthew 26: 67; Matthew 27: 30).
15: 23, 36 [(29) Psalms 69: 21]
15: 24 [(30) Psalms 22: 18]
15: 28 [(40) Isaiah 53: 12]
15: 29a [(41) Psalms 22: 6-7; (42) Psalms 69: 7; (43) Psalms 109: 25]
15: 34 [(33) Psalms 22: 1] (found in Matthew 27: 46).
15: 36a [(29) Psalms 69: 21] (found in Matthew 27: 48).
15: 40-41 [(44) Psalms 38: 11]
15: 46 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a] (found in Matthew 27: 60). “And they made His grave with the rich at His death. . .
GOSPEL OF LUKE
3: 4-6 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3; (45) Isaiah 52: 10b] (found in Matthew 3: 3).
4: 17-19 [(10) Isaiah 61: 1-2] (found in Matthew 11: 5).
7: 27 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3; (11) Malachi 3: 1] (found in Matthew 3: 3; Matthew 11: 10).
8: 9-10 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10] (found in Matthew 13: 14-15).
13: 35 [(18) Psalms 118: 26] (found in Matthew 21: 9).
19: 38 [(18) Psalms 118: 26a]
19: 46 [(36) Isaiah 56: 7; (37 Jeremiah 7: 11] (found in Mark 11: 17).
20: 17 [(38) Psalms 118: 22] (found in Mark 12: 10).
20: 18 [(46) Isaiah 8: 14-15]
20: 41-44 [(39) Psalms 110: 1] (found in Mark 12: 35).
22: 37 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a, 12b (found in Matthew 27: 38).
22: 63 [(47) Psalms 69: 1, 4, 7-9; (23) Isaiah 50: 6] (found in Matthew 26: 67).
22: 69 [(22) Daniel 7: 14] (found in Matthew 26: 64).
23: 32 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a, 12] (found in Matthew 27: 38).
23: 35 [(48) Psalms 22: 17]
23: 46 [(49) Psalms 31: 5]
23: 49 [(44) Psalms 38: 11] (found in Mark 15: 40-41).
23: 53 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a] (found in Matthew 27: 60).
GOSPEL OF JOHN
1: 23 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3] (found in Matthew 3: 3).
7: 37 [(50) Isaiah 55: 1]
7: 38 [(51) Isaiah 12: 3; (52) Isaiah 44: 3; (50) Isaiah 55: 1]
7: 39 [(52) Isaiah 44: 3]
7: 41-42 [(2) Micah 5: 2] (found in Matthew 2: 5b-6).
12: 13 [(18) Psalms 118: 25-26] (found in Matthew 21: 9).
12: 14-15 [(17) Zechariah 9: 9] (found in Matthew 21: 4-5).
12: 34 [(53) Psalms 89: 36; (54) Isaiah 9: 6-7; (55) Micah 4: 7]
12: 38 [(56) Isaiah 53: 1]
12: 39-40 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10] (found in Matthew 13: 14-15).
16: 32 [(20) Zechariah 13: 7b] (found in Matthew 26: 31).
19: 3 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6b] (found in Matthew 26: 67)
19: 7-9 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7] (found in Matthew 27: 31).
19: 18 [(40) Isaiah 53: 12b] (found in Mark 15: 28; Luke 22: 37).
19: 24 [(30) Psalms 22: 18] (found in Matthew 27: 35).
19: 28-30 [(57) Psalms 22: 15]
19: 36 [(58) Psalms 34: 20]
19: 37 [(59) Zechariah 12: 10b; Zechariah 13: 6]
19: 41 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9] (found in Matthew 27: 60).
SCORECARD:
MATTHEW has 34 references with 4 repeating twice (Isaiah 50: 6; 53: 5; 53: 9; Psalms 69: 21) and a single citation repeating three times (Isaiah 53: 7).
MARK has 27 references and 4 repeating twice (Isaiah 50: 6; 52: 14; 53: 7; Psalms 69: 21), with 17/27 found in MATTHEW (62.9%).
LUKE has 17 references and 2 repeating twice (Isaiah 40: 3; Psalms 118: 26) and a single citation listed three times (Isaiah 53: 9); with 9/17 found in MATTHEW (52.9%) and 3/17 included in MARK (17.6%).
JOHN has 22 references and 2 repeating twice (Isaiah 44: 3; 55: 1), with 10/22 found in MATTHEW (45.5%), 1/22 in MARK (4.5%), and another 1/22 in LUKE, making it (4.5%), too.
COMMENTARY:
Not surprisingly, the gospel of JOHN has the greatest percentage of its prophetical material (45.5%) derived from sources other than MATTHEW; with one each found in MARK, and LUKE, as well as 10 other external references outside these. LUKE has the smallest degree of independent sources because MATTHEW and MARK comprise 70.5% of his prophetical references. MARK is in second place with a 62.9% dependence upon prophesies that are contained in MATTHEW’S gospel; but like JOHN, has 10 other independent citations not included in any of the other gospels. So then, in the entire combined Gospel narratives there are roughly 59 separate citations from the Old Testament Scriptures (“Tanakh”).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
September 9, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
1: 22-23 [(1) Isaiah 7: 14]
2: 5b-6 [(2) Micah 5: 2]
2: 17 [(3) Isaiah 31: 15]
3: 3 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3]
4: 14-16 [(5) Isaiah 9: 1-2; (6) Isaiah 42: 7]
8: 17 [(7) Isaiah 53: 4]
11: 5 [(8) Isaiah 29: 18; (9) Isaiah 35: 4-6; (10) Isaiah 61: 1]
11: 10 [(11) Malachi 3: 1]
12: 17-21 [(12) Isaiah 42: 1-4]
13: 14-15 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10]
13: 35 [(14) Psalms 78: 2]
15: 7-9 [(15) Ezekiel 33: 31b; (16) Isaiah 29: 13]
21: 4-5 [(17) Zechariah 9: 9]
21: 9 [(18) Psalms 118: 26a]
21: 42 [(19) Psalms 118: 22-23]
26: 31, 56 [(20) Zechariah 13: 7]
26: 62-63a [(21) Isaiah 53: 7]
26: 64 [(22) Daniel 7: 13]
26: 67 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (24) Isaiah 53: 5]
27: 9 [(25) Zechariah 11: 12b-13] Spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet-NOT!!
27: 12-14 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7]
27: 29 [(26) Psalms 69: 19-20; (24) Isaiah 53: 5]
27: 30 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (27) Isaiah 52: 14; (28) Micah 5: 1]
27: 31 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7]
27: 34 [(29) Psalms 69: 21]
27: 35 [(30) Psalms 22: 18]
27: 38 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a, 12b]
27: 43 [(32) Psalms 22: 8]
27: 46 [(33) Psalms 22: 1]
27: 48 [(29) Psalms 69: 21]
27: 55-56 [(34) Psalms 38: 11]
27: 60 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a]
GOSPEL OF MARK
1: 2 [(11) Malachi 3: 1] (found in Matthew 11: 10).
1: 3 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3] (found in Matthew 3: 3).
4: 12 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10] (found in Matthew 13: 14-15); “Lest they should turn and their sins be forgiven them.”- NOT RECORDED IN ISAIAH!!
7: 6-7 [(15) Ezekiel 33: 31b; (16) Isaiah 29: 13] (found in Matthew 15: 7-9).
11: 9-10 [(18) Psalms 118: 25-26a; (35) Psalms 148: 1] (found in Matthew 21: 9).
11: 17 [(36) Isaiah 56: 7; (37) Jeremiah 7: 11]
12: 10-11 [(38) Psalms 118: 22-23]
12: 35-37a [(39) Psalms 110: 1]
14: 27 [(20) Zechariah 13: 7] (found in Matthew 26: 31).
14: 60-61 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7] (found in Matthew 26: 62-63a).
14: 62 [(22) Daniel 7: 13] (found in Matthew 26: 64).
14: 65 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (27) Isaiah 52: 14; (28) Micah 5: 1] (found in Matthew 27: 30).
15: 4-5 [(23) Isaiah 53: 7] (found in Matthew 26: 62-63a; Matthew 27: 12-14).
15: 19 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6; (27) Isaiah 52: 14; (24) Isaiah 53: 5] (found in Matthew 26: 67; Matthew 27: 30).
15: 23, 36 [(29) Psalms 69: 21]
15: 24 [(30) Psalms 22: 18]
15: 28 [(40) Isaiah 53: 12]
15: 29a [(41) Psalms 22: 6-7; (42) Psalms 69: 7; (43) Psalms 109: 25]
15: 34 [(33) Psalms 22: 1] (found in Matthew 27: 46).
15: 36a [(29) Psalms 69: 21] (found in Matthew 27: 48).
15: 40-41 [(44) Psalms 38: 11]
15: 46 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a] (found in Matthew 27: 60). “And they made His grave with the rich at His death. . .
GOSPEL OF LUKE
3: 4-6 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3; (45) Isaiah 52: 10b] (found in Matthew 3: 3).
4: 17-19 [(10) Isaiah 61: 1-2] (found in Matthew 11: 5).
7: 27 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3; (11) Malachi 3: 1] (found in Matthew 3: 3; Matthew 11: 10).
8: 9-10 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10] (found in Matthew 13: 14-15).
13: 35 [(18) Psalms 118: 26] (found in Matthew 21: 9).
19: 38 [(18) Psalms 118: 26a]
19: 46 [(36) Isaiah 56: 7; (37 Jeremiah 7: 11] (found in Mark 11: 17).
20: 17 [(38) Psalms 118: 22] (found in Mark 12: 10).
20: 18 [(46) Isaiah 8: 14-15]
20: 41-44 [(39) Psalms 110: 1] (found in Mark 12: 35).
22: 37 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a, 12b (found in Matthew 27: 38).
22: 63 [(47) Psalms 69: 1, 4, 7-9; (23) Isaiah 50: 6] (found in Matthew 26: 67).
22: 69 [(22) Daniel 7: 14] (found in Matthew 26: 64).
23: 32 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a, 12] (found in Matthew 27: 38).
23: 35 [(48) Psalms 22: 17]
23: 46 [(49) Psalms 31: 5]
23: 49 [(44) Psalms 38: 11] (found in Mark 15: 40-41).
23: 53 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9a] (found in Matthew 27: 60).
GOSPEL OF JOHN
1: 23 [(4) Isaiah 40: 3] (found in Matthew 3: 3).
7: 37 [(50) Isaiah 55: 1]
7: 38 [(51) Isaiah 12: 3; (52) Isaiah 44: 3; (50) Isaiah 55: 1]
7: 39 [(52) Isaiah 44: 3]
7: 41-42 [(2) Micah 5: 2] (found in Matthew 2: 5b-6).
12: 13 [(18) Psalms 118: 25-26] (found in Matthew 21: 9).
12: 14-15 [(17) Zechariah 9: 9] (found in Matthew 21: 4-5).
12: 34 [(53) Psalms 89: 36; (54) Isaiah 9: 6-7; (55) Micah 4: 7]
12: 38 [(56) Isaiah 53: 1]
12: 39-40 [(13) Isaiah 6: 9-10] (found in Matthew 13: 14-15).
16: 32 [(20) Zechariah 13: 7b] (found in Matthew 26: 31).
19: 3 [(23) Isaiah 50: 6b] (found in Matthew 26: 67)
19: 7-9 [(21) Isaiah 53: 7] (found in Matthew 27: 31).
19: 18 [(40) Isaiah 53: 12b] (found in Mark 15: 28; Luke 22: 37).
19: 24 [(30) Psalms 22: 18] (found in Matthew 27: 35).
19: 28-30 [(57) Psalms 22: 15]
19: 36 [(58) Psalms 34: 20]
19: 37 [(59) Zechariah 12: 10b; Zechariah 13: 6]
19: 41 [(31) Isaiah 53: 9] (found in Matthew 27: 60).
SCORECARD:
MATTHEW has 34 references with 4 repeating twice (Isaiah 50: 6; 53: 5; 53: 9; Psalms 69: 21) and a single citation repeating three times (Isaiah 53: 7).
MARK has 27 references and 4 repeating twice (Isaiah 50: 6; 52: 14; 53: 7; Psalms 69: 21), with 17/27 found in MATTHEW (62.9%).
LUKE has 17 references and 2 repeating twice (Isaiah 40: 3; Psalms 118: 26) and a single citation listed three times (Isaiah 53: 9); with 9/17 found in MATTHEW (52.9%) and 3/17 included in MARK (17.6%).
JOHN has 22 references and 2 repeating twice (Isaiah 44: 3; 55: 1), with 10/22 found in MATTHEW (45.5%), 1/22 in MARK (4.5%), and another 1/22 in LUKE, making it (4.5%), too.
COMMENTARY:
Not surprisingly, the gospel of JOHN has the greatest percentage of its prophetical material (45.5%) derived from sources other than MATTHEW; with one each found in MARK, and LUKE, as well as 10 other external references outside these. LUKE has the smallest degree of independent sources because MATTHEW and MARK comprise 70.5% of his prophetical references. MARK is in second place with a 62.9% dependence upon prophesies that are contained in MATTHEW’S gospel; but like JOHN, has 10 other independent citations not included in any of the other gospels. So then, in the entire combined Gospel narratives there are roughly 59 separate citations from the Old Testament Scriptures (“Tanakh”).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
September 9, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
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