One of the first names which come to mind is the Danite hero Samson, recorded in the Old Testament book of JUDGES. Starting as far back as the antediluvian-Earth, there are sons of the “Nephilim” (Genesis 6: 2, 4); Nimrod (Genesis 10: 8; I Chronicles 1: 10); the sons of Anak (Numbers 13: 33; Deuteronomy 2: 11); King Og of Bashan(Deuteronomy 3: 11); Goliath (I Samuel 17: 1-11); a youthful KingDavid (I Samuel 17: 12, 26-27, 38-51; 21: 8-9); Elhanan the son of Jaareroregim a Bethlehemite(II Samuel 21: 19; I Chronicles 20: 5); Josheb-Basshebeth who was called Adino the Eznite (II Samuel 23: 8); Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite (II Samuel 23: 9-10); Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite (II Samuel 23: 11-12); Abishai the brother of Joab (II Samuel 23: 18); and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (II Samuel 23: 20-21).
Apparently, even the Apostle Peter was a rugged and physically rigorous person; as evidenced by John 21: 11, 18: Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
There is someone however, who is far mightier, more dangerous and sinister than all these men combined. Jesus reveals this person’s identity in Matthew 12: 26, 29 in this way: “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? “Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
Revelation 12: 7-9, 12b
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast with him. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.
Luke 10: 18
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
Job 1: 7
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
I Chronicles 21: 1
Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
Luke 4: 6
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. John 12: 31; 16: 11)
Luke 13: 11, 16
And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
Luke 22: 3
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
Luke 22: 31
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”
I John 3: 8b
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Indeed, the Devil is not like the well-dressed prankster played by Ray Wise of the hit TV show, “Reaper” airing on KSTW Channel 11 [Seattle], but is a murderer (I John 3: 8a, 12a). The lion is called the “king of the beasts” and the serpent [“devil”] is likewise, according to Genesis 3: 1a; and not only that, but in I Peter 5: 8, it reads: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, and seeking [“all"] whom he may devour.
And Satan is deadly serious, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Cp. Acts 5:
1-11). He sets traps or snares for people (Cp. Ephesians 4: 27; 6: 11; I Timothy 3: 6-7; II Timothy 2: 26), and will cast some into prison (Revelation 2: 10b). Satan disrupts marital relationships (I Corinthians 7: 5b), had the power of death (Hebrews 2: 14b), and can even transform himself into an angel of light
(II Corinthians 11: 14). Yet, no matter how formidable this strong man is, God provides us with the victory in Jesus.
I John 4: 4
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He [the “Holy Spirit”] that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Revelation 12: 10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the power of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 20: 1-2, 10
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 21: 4-6a
And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 21, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What would you do if Tomorrow Never Came?
I read a very inspirational testimony from by youngest sister as she witnessed to the glory of God in a dream, and whereupon she experienced the Celestial splendor of Heaven; accompanied by her Guardian Angel. She was enraptured and overcome with so much joy, which was unspeakable and inexpressionable such that the only words that came from her mouth as tears came streaming down her face, were those directed by the Holy Spirit through speaking in Tongues. It was for her an intimate, very personal, deeply moving, spiritual epiphany and she just had to share it because it was too overwhelming and powerful to just keep it bottled up inside her. I, for one, was honored and appreciated the portion of Divine grace that touched my heart and spirit after reading such an unexpected and wondrous email.
Since I hadn’t written an article for about a week or so, and certainly not one quite so personal, it did cause me to ponder another aspect, which serves as the title and theme for reflection in this writing. One of the relative certainties of the human experience and it is what most profoundly gives us a sense of hope, stability, rationality, and confidence, is that of looking forward to a “Tomorrow.” We never question that expectation because for whatever instinctive or innate reasoning as a sentient ‘being,’ it is as predictable and autonomic as breathing, something done without conscious thought, that indeed there will always be a tomorrow. But, “WHAT IF” today is the last day, and there is not another one to look forward to, ever again? We live in a world of materiality and physical substance, or as the Hindu sage would called it, ‘Maia’ [‘illusion’]; as though we have a guarantee of experiencing a future, that things will always work out and get done eventually; if not tomorrow then on some other day because after all, we have nothing to worry about because we have all the time in the world; but is that true?
Job 14: 1
Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.
James 4: 14
Whereas you do not know what will happen ‘tomorrow.’ For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
The notion that people would be busy with their daily routines, lifestyle, and habits when the Lord returns is underscored by the statement of Jesus recorded in Matthew 24: 36-39, 42, 44; 25: 13:
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, but My Father only. But, as in the days of Noah were, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away; so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
I Thessalonians 5: 1-4
But concerning the times and the seasons brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and Safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
A very poignant as well as explicit statement of arrogance, stubbornness and willful disregard for the longsuffering of God was penned by the Apostle Peter.
I Peter 3: 3-7, 9:
Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the Last Days, walking according to their own lusts [self-interests], saying, “Where is the promise [‘evidence {philosophical reasoning or scientific proof’}??] of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation [“The Big Bang”??]. For this they are willfully forget [they don’t want to know or accept the ‘TRUTH’]: that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the Heavens and the Earth which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that “all” should come to repentance.
Hebrews 3: 7-8; 15
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today,” if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
One of the more startling things that Jesus said is recorded in Matthew 7: 22-23, which reads: “Many will say to Me in that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders [‘miracles’] in Your Name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
This is all the more incredible because in Mark 9: 38-41:
Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your Name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us. But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My Name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
I Peter 4: 17-18
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely [‘barely’] saved; where will the ungodly and sinner appear?”
Luke 18: 8b
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find ‘Faith’ on the earth?”
This article started off on a positive note and it would only seem reasonable to end it that way after some of the more dire and solemn admonitions previously, so here are a few passages which administer grace:
I Peter 1: 3-4-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation; ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Whom having not seen you love. Though, now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith- the salvation of your souls.
Ephesians 3: 20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 21: 4
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have [‘all’] passed away. (Cp. Isaiah 65: 17??)
Lastly, to quote the Scripture used by my sister, which is found in
I Corinthians 2: 9
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor has it entered into the heart of man the Things which God has prepared for those who love Him
(Cp. Isaiah 64: 4).”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 11, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Since I hadn’t written an article for about a week or so, and certainly not one quite so personal, it did cause me to ponder another aspect, which serves as the title and theme for reflection in this writing. One of the relative certainties of the human experience and it is what most profoundly gives us a sense of hope, stability, rationality, and confidence, is that of looking forward to a “Tomorrow.” We never question that expectation because for whatever instinctive or innate reasoning as a sentient ‘being,’ it is as predictable and autonomic as breathing, something done without conscious thought, that indeed there will always be a tomorrow. But, “WHAT IF” today is the last day, and there is not another one to look forward to, ever again? We live in a world of materiality and physical substance, or as the Hindu sage would called it, ‘Maia’ [‘illusion’]; as though we have a guarantee of experiencing a future, that things will always work out and get done eventually; if not tomorrow then on some other day because after all, we have nothing to worry about because we have all the time in the world; but is that true?
Job 14: 1
Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.
James 4: 14
Whereas you do not know what will happen ‘tomorrow.’ For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
The notion that people would be busy with their daily routines, lifestyle, and habits when the Lord returns is underscored by the statement of Jesus recorded in Matthew 24: 36-39, 42, 44; 25: 13:
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, but My Father only. But, as in the days of Noah were, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away; so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
I Thessalonians 5: 1-4
But concerning the times and the seasons brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and Safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
A very poignant as well as explicit statement of arrogance, stubbornness and willful disregard for the longsuffering of God was penned by the Apostle Peter.
I Peter 3: 3-7, 9:
Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the Last Days, walking according to their own lusts [self-interests], saying, “Where is the promise [‘evidence {philosophical reasoning or scientific proof’}??] of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation [“The Big Bang”??]. For this they are willfully forget [they don’t want to know or accept the ‘TRUTH’]: that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the Heavens and the Earth which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that “all” should come to repentance.
Hebrews 3: 7-8; 15
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today,” if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
One of the more startling things that Jesus said is recorded in Matthew 7: 22-23, which reads: “Many will say to Me in that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders [‘miracles’] in Your Name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
This is all the more incredible because in Mark 9: 38-41:
Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your Name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us. But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My Name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
I Peter 4: 17-18
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely [‘barely’] saved; where will the ungodly and sinner appear?”
Luke 18: 8b
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find ‘Faith’ on the earth?”
This article started off on a positive note and it would only seem reasonable to end it that way after some of the more dire and solemn admonitions previously, so here are a few passages which administer grace:
I Peter 1: 3-4-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation; ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Whom having not seen you love. Though, now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith- the salvation of your souls.
Ephesians 3: 20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 21: 4
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have [‘all’] passed away. (Cp. Isaiah 65: 17??)
Lastly, to quote the Scripture used by my sister, which is found in
I Corinthians 2: 9
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor has it entered into the heart of man the Things which God has prepared for those who love Him
(Cp. Isaiah 64: 4).”
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 11, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Sunday, June 7, 2009
What People said in the Shadow of Jesus' Cross
Matthew 27: 39-43
(1) And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads (Cp. Psalms 109: 25) and saying, (2) “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days
(Cp. 26: 61; John 2: 19), (3)save Yourself! You are (4) the Son of God, (5) come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, (6) “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. [If He is (7) the King of Israel, let Him (5) come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. (8) He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him (Cp. Psalms 22: 18); for He said, “I am (4)the Son of God.”]
Mark 15: 19-22
(1) And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads (Cp. Psalms 109: 25) saying, “Aha! (2) You who destroy the temple and build it in three days (Cp. 26: 61; John 2: 19), (3) save Yourself, and (5) come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, (6) “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. “Let Christ, (7) the King of Israel, (5) descend now from the cross that we may see and believe.”
Luke 23: 35-37
And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying,
(6) “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If you are (7) the King of the Jews, (3)save Yourself.”
The last thing anyone wants to hear before they die are words laced with disdain, scorn, ridicule, insult, and rejection. The Lord of Heaven and Earth, bloodied, as His face was beaten almost beyond recognition from the constant pummeling by the fists of the Roman soldiers. He was spat upon, a crown of thorns placed around His forehead, and His limbs were stretched out on a living tree of wood in the form of a crucifix (‘T’ shaped) whereby His hands and feet were pierced with metal spikes, then His body was raised upon this beam and made secure.
With the full weight of Jesus’ body now uncomfortably supported by the extremities of His arms, shoulders, and upper back, the pain must have been excruciating and almost beyond human endurance as the sinews and tendons began to strain and tear away; not to mention the enormous pressure on His heart and lungs. Jesus endured this torture for six hours but it must have felt like an eternity to Him, and when God the Father’s Plan was finally accomplished for the Salvation of mankind and reconciling all creation back to Himself, in John 19: 30b, it reads: He [‘Jesus’] said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Although MATTHEW, MARK, and LUKE give slightly different variations of Jesus’ actual last words or those of His blasphemers, the one constant theme in all these accounts was when they derided Jesus by saying that He couldn’t save Himself; mocking Him in their words of poisonous envy, spiritual blindness, vacillation and ignorance. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and in act of violence, one of the disciples cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant in order to protect Jesus from His destiny or mission, Jesus said in Matthew 26: 53-54: “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will not provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? “How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
In John 3: 14; 12: 32, it reads: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people unto Me.” Jesus said in John 10: 17-18: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it [up] again. “No one takes it from Me." I have power [Gr. ‘exousia, dunamis’] to lay it down, and I have ‘power’ to take it [up] again. This command I have received from My Father.
So, the answer to Jesus’ accusers and those who don’t fully understand why the Lord of Glory and our Blessed Savior would undergo such an ordeal, Hebrews 12: 2, gives a little hint of that as it reads: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Now, what is this ‘joy’ so enormous and compelling that Jesus would freely and lovingly sacrifice Himself?
Hebrews 2: 9-11, 14-15
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for everyone {NOTE: It does Not say “like” }. For it was fitting for Him [‘Jesus’], for Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory (Cp. 12: 2), to make the captain of their salvation perfect [complete] through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Cp. I Corinthians 15: 5), and release those who through fear of death were their entire lifetime subject to bondage.
Lastly, the final triumphal victory that we have in Jesus is summed up in Revelation 20: 14; 21: 4: Then Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away [‘forever’].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 7, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
(1) And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads (Cp. Psalms 109: 25) and saying, (2) “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days
(Cp. 26: 61; John 2: 19), (3)save Yourself! You are (4) the Son of God, (5) come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, (6) “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. [If He is (7) the King of Israel, let Him (5) come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. (8) He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him (Cp. Psalms 22: 18); for He said, “I am (4)the Son of God.”]
Mark 15: 19-22
(1) And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads (Cp. Psalms 109: 25) saying, “Aha! (2) You who destroy the temple and build it in three days (Cp. 26: 61; John 2: 19), (3) save Yourself, and (5) come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, (6) “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. “Let Christ, (7) the King of Israel, (5) descend now from the cross that we may see and believe.”
Luke 23: 35-37
And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying,
(6) “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If you are (7) the King of the Jews, (3)save Yourself.”
The last thing anyone wants to hear before they die are words laced with disdain, scorn, ridicule, insult, and rejection. The Lord of Heaven and Earth, bloodied, as His face was beaten almost beyond recognition from the constant pummeling by the fists of the Roman soldiers. He was spat upon, a crown of thorns placed around His forehead, and His limbs were stretched out on a living tree of wood in the form of a crucifix (‘T’ shaped) whereby His hands and feet were pierced with metal spikes, then His body was raised upon this beam and made secure.
With the full weight of Jesus’ body now uncomfortably supported by the extremities of His arms, shoulders, and upper back, the pain must have been excruciating and almost beyond human endurance as the sinews and tendons began to strain and tear away; not to mention the enormous pressure on His heart and lungs. Jesus endured this torture for six hours but it must have felt like an eternity to Him, and when God the Father’s Plan was finally accomplished for the Salvation of mankind and reconciling all creation back to Himself, in John 19: 30b, it reads: He [‘Jesus’] said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Although MATTHEW, MARK, and LUKE give slightly different variations of Jesus’ actual last words or those of His blasphemers, the one constant theme in all these accounts was when they derided Jesus by saying that He couldn’t save Himself; mocking Him in their words of poisonous envy, spiritual blindness, vacillation and ignorance. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and in act of violence, one of the disciples cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant in order to protect Jesus from His destiny or mission, Jesus said in Matthew 26: 53-54: “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will not provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? “How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
In John 3: 14; 12: 32, it reads: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people unto Me.” Jesus said in John 10: 17-18: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it [up] again. “No one takes it from Me." I have power [Gr. ‘exousia, dunamis’] to lay it down, and I have ‘power’ to take it [up] again. This command I have received from My Father.
So, the answer to Jesus’ accusers and those who don’t fully understand why the Lord of Glory and our Blessed Savior would undergo such an ordeal, Hebrews 12: 2, gives a little hint of that as it reads: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Now, what is this ‘joy’ so enormous and compelling that Jesus would freely and lovingly sacrifice Himself?
Hebrews 2: 9-11, 14-15
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for everyone {NOTE: It does Not say “like” }. For it was fitting for Him [‘Jesus’], for Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory (Cp. 12: 2), to make the captain of their salvation perfect [complete] through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Cp. I Corinthians 15: 5), and release those who through fear of death were their entire lifetime subject to bondage.
Lastly, the final triumphal victory that we have in Jesus is summed up in Revelation 20: 14; 21: 4: Then Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away [‘forever’].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 7, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Exclusion of Some Miracles of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels
Another method in studying the Gospels is to look not only for areas of agreement between all the authors or sources but to notice divergence and exclusion because this could be an important key to discover subtle, but significant clues to underlying religious, psychological, social, political, or cultural differences which may have existed during that time period among the many groups with whom Jesus and His disciples came into contact with; or with those who were taught by Jesus' followers or their immediate successors in subsequent later generations.
Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit at a synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 1: 21-28; Luke 4: 31-37
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand at a synagogue on the Sabbath.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 3: 1-6; Luke 6: 6-11
Jesus heals two demon-possessed men in the country of Gadarenes.
Matthew 8: 28-34; Mark 5: 1-20 [“one man”]; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee [after feeding the five thousand].
Matthew 14: 2-33 [coming down from the mountain]; Mark 6: 45-52 [coming from the plain]; NOT IN LUKE
Many people touch Jesus’ garment and are healed in the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 14: 34-36; Mark 6: 53-56; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus heals the demon-possessed daughter of a Greek Syro-phoenician woman in the region of Tyre.
Matthew 15: 21-28; Mark 7: 24-30; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus heals a deaf mute while departing Tyre & Sidon, going through “Decapolis” to the Sea of Galilee.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 7: 31-37; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus raises the son of the widow in Nain after healing the Centurion’s servant in Capernaum.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 7: 11-17
Jesus feeds the four thousand.
Matthew 15: 32-39 [departs to “Magadan”]; Mark 8: 1-10 [departs to “Dalmanutha”]; NOT IN LUKE
John tells Jesus about someone casting out a demon who was not one of their number and they tried to prevent him.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 9: 38-41; Luke 9: 49-50
A Samaritan village rejects Jesus because He had His sight set towards Jerusalem.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 9: 51-56
Jesus sends out the ‘Seventy.’ [from “Samaria”??]
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 9: 51-52, 56b-57; 10: 1
Mary and Martha from a certain village [“Bethany”] worship and serve Jesus.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 10: 38-42
Jesus teaches the Lord’s [‘Model’] Prayer as part of the Sermon on the Mountain in the area around the Sea of Galilee.
Matthew 6: 9-13; NOT IN MARK; Luke 11: 1-4
Jesus heals a mute, demon-possessed man in Capernaum.
Matthew 9: 32-34; 12: 22-24; NOT IN MARK; Luke 11: 14-15
Jesus was told about those Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices while He was at one of the synagogues in Galilee.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 13: 1-5
Jesus heals a woman with a spirit of infirmity.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 13: 10-17
Jesus heals a man with dropsy.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 14: 1-6
Jesus heals ten lepers but only one of them [a ‘Samaritan’] came back to thank Him.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 17: 11-19
Jesus curses a fig tree.
Matthew 21: 18-22 [in ‘Bethany’]; Mark 11: 12-14, 20-24 [leaving from ‘Bethany’];
NOT IN LUKE
Jesus on trial before Herod [Cp. Luke 3: 1a; ‘Tetarch’??]
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 23: 6-12
COMMENTARY: Of these 21 incidents in this study, MATTHEW excludes 13 (61.9%), MARK does not include 11 of them (52.4%), and LUKE leaves out only 7 (33.3%). MATTHEW and MARK omit the same 9 events, and since MARK only had a total of 11 in the first place, that's a whopping 81.8%.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 3, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit at a synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 1: 21-28; Luke 4: 31-37
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand at a synagogue on the Sabbath.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 3: 1-6; Luke 6: 6-11
Jesus heals two demon-possessed men in the country of Gadarenes.
Matthew 8: 28-34; Mark 5: 1-20 [“one man”]; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee [after feeding the five thousand].
Matthew 14: 2-33 [coming down from the mountain]; Mark 6: 45-52 [coming from the plain]; NOT IN LUKE
Many people touch Jesus’ garment and are healed in the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 14: 34-36; Mark 6: 53-56; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus heals the demon-possessed daughter of a Greek Syro-phoenician woman in the region of Tyre.
Matthew 15: 21-28; Mark 7: 24-30; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus heals a deaf mute while departing Tyre & Sidon, going through “Decapolis” to the Sea of Galilee.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 7: 31-37; NOT IN LUKE
Jesus raises the son of the widow in Nain after healing the Centurion’s servant in Capernaum.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 7: 11-17
Jesus feeds the four thousand.
Matthew 15: 32-39 [departs to “Magadan”]; Mark 8: 1-10 [departs to “Dalmanutha”]; NOT IN LUKE
John tells Jesus about someone casting out a demon who was not one of their number and they tried to prevent him.
NOT IN MATTHEW; Mark 9: 38-41; Luke 9: 49-50
A Samaritan village rejects Jesus because He had His sight set towards Jerusalem.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 9: 51-56
Jesus sends out the ‘Seventy.’ [from “Samaria”??]
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 9: 51-52, 56b-57; 10: 1
Mary and Martha from a certain village [“Bethany”] worship and serve Jesus.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 10: 38-42
Jesus teaches the Lord’s [‘Model’] Prayer as part of the Sermon on the Mountain in the area around the Sea of Galilee.
Matthew 6: 9-13; NOT IN MARK; Luke 11: 1-4
Jesus heals a mute, demon-possessed man in Capernaum.
Matthew 9: 32-34; 12: 22-24; NOT IN MARK; Luke 11: 14-15
Jesus was told about those Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices while He was at one of the synagogues in Galilee.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 13: 1-5
Jesus heals a woman with a spirit of infirmity.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 13: 10-17
Jesus heals a man with dropsy.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 14: 1-6
Jesus heals ten lepers but only one of them [a ‘Samaritan’] came back to thank Him.
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 17: 11-19
Jesus curses a fig tree.
Matthew 21: 18-22 [in ‘Bethany’]; Mark 11: 12-14, 20-24 [leaving from ‘Bethany’];
NOT IN LUKE
Jesus on trial before Herod [Cp. Luke 3: 1a; ‘Tetarch’??]
NOT IN MATTHEW; NOT IN MARK; Luke 23: 6-12
COMMENTARY: Of these 21 incidents in this study, MATTHEW excludes 13 (61.9%), MARK does not include 11 of them (52.4%), and LUKE leaves out only 7 (33.3%). MATTHEW and MARK omit the same 9 events, and since MARK only had a total of 11 in the first place, that's a whopping 81.8%.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 3, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
The Son of God problem for the Jews
The Jewish religion from its inception was monotheistic, at least in belief and practice, with the unique distinction separating it from those of their Canaanite and Mesopotamian neighbors is mentioned in Deuteronomy 6:4, which says: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!.” Any idea that the Lord (YHVH) God of Israel could have a Son is totally inconceivable and anathema. One of the characteristics of nearly all divine pantheons of the gods is that of having a consort and offspring, so the idea of Jesus as being born the Son of God, and taking this a step further: to accept the divinity known as God, Whose very nature is transcendent, immortal, invisible, incorporeal, dwelling in unapproachable light, infinite in power, and existing on a spiritual (supernatural) plane far beyond human comprehension could condescend [empty Himself] to be involved in this physical substance called matter to undergo a physical birth by surrendering, or setting aside the prerogatives of Godhood, takes a great leap of faith, indeed!
The Old Testament writings prophesy that God would send a Mighty Deliver, Messiah, or Ruler and descendant from the House of David, who would redeemn His people Israel and destroy her enemies, as this is certainly what the contemporary Jews in Jesus' day were looking forward to (Matthew 2: 6;Luke 1: 68-75; 3: 15; John 1: 19-27).
Even Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18-19: The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from among your brethren. Him shall you hear. I will raise up from them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My Name, I will require it of him [he shall be destroyed from among the people].
Jesus’ earthly and public ministry commenced with His baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, the anointing by the Spirit of God like the form of a dove which sat upon Him, and the voice from heaven which said, “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 13-17). The narrative does not say if anyone else heard the voice besides Jesus and possibly John. Outside of Satan knowing who Jesus really was (Matthew 4: 6) and demons (Matthew 8: 28-29), Jesus referred to Himself by the enigmatic title, “Son of Man.” Interestingly, when the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph regarding Mary’s pregnancy, he said that she would bring forth a Son and you [Joseph] shall call His name Jesus (Matthew 1: 18-21).
In the book of Isaiah 7: 14, the Son is to be named Immanuel.
The multitudes thought Jesus was the Son of David (Matthew 12: 23b) and Herod the tetrarch thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead (Matthew 14: 1-11). Although Jesus alluded to His divinity in private with His disciples, it was apparent that they didn’t fully grasp the concept as recorded in Matthew 16: 13-17 because the rumor mill had it that Jesus was thought to be [a resurrected] John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets; until God finally revealed to Peter Who Jesus is. When Jesus entered Jerusalem the multitudes hailed Him as the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 21: 11). The Pharisees, disciples of the Herodians, and Sadducees saw in Jesus a great teacher (Matthew 2: 15-16, 23-24, 33). Also, the Pharisees thought the “Christ” was the Son of David (Matthew 22: 41-42).
When Jesus appeared before the ‘Sanhedrin’ (Jewish Supreme Court), they put Him under an oath before the living God to testify, or rather admit to being the Son of God; His reply was, “It is as you say [if you say so].” Jesus did quote
Daniel 7: 13, so in a way He did answer their question; for which He was accused of blasphemy. Although this was a kangaroo Court and an insult to the very rule of Law, jurisprudence, and legal precedent, still the deeply entrenched theological and psychological ramifications cannot be so easily ignored by the truth of this revelation.
If God can have a Son or become One, then what does that mean about the ‘Oneness’ of God, and not only that, but what about the implication of possibly a feminine aspect of deity (Divine Consort, Mother, Wife, or Goddess)? Since the children received God’s Law at Mount Sinai through Moses and written by the “finger of God,” the Jewish people have been warned about other gods and Asherah/Asherim. In the book of Jeremiah (44: 15-19) the people were quite obstinate and rebellious, refusing to listen to the word of the Lord as they continued offering incense, making cakes and pouring out drink offerings to the “Queen of Heaven.”
Now, as Jesus was delivered before Pontius Pilate, He was accused of being King of the Jews; posing a rather embarrassing problem for the political machinations of Rome in the region since Caesar had already appointed a King [an 'Edomite'] over the Jews. It is interesting that Jesus was not accused by the Jewish authorities of being the Son of God before the Governor of Judea, which might have been interesting to see if Pilate would have been more cautious in his dealings with Jesus. The immemorial words of Jesus which was spoken from the Cross of His Crucifixion, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, My God, My God,” why have You forsaken Me?” [recorded in MATTHEW and MARK]was lost in translation by the people in Judea who spoke Hebrew, and they thought He was calling for Elijah instead upon God His Father (Matthew 27; 45-47); that is because Jesus was from Galilee and spoke Aramaic.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 2, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
The Old Testament writings prophesy that God would send a Mighty Deliver, Messiah, or Ruler and descendant from the House of David, who would redeemn His people Israel and destroy her enemies, as this is certainly what the contemporary Jews in Jesus' day were looking forward to (Matthew 2: 6;Luke 1: 68-75; 3: 15; John 1: 19-27).
Even Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18-19: The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from among your brethren. Him shall you hear. I will raise up from them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My Name, I will require it of him [he shall be destroyed from among the people].
Jesus’ earthly and public ministry commenced with His baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, the anointing by the Spirit of God like the form of a dove which sat upon Him, and the voice from heaven which said, “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 13-17). The narrative does not say if anyone else heard the voice besides Jesus and possibly John. Outside of Satan knowing who Jesus really was (Matthew 4: 6) and demons (Matthew 8: 28-29), Jesus referred to Himself by the enigmatic title, “Son of Man.” Interestingly, when the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph regarding Mary’s pregnancy, he said that she would bring forth a Son and you [Joseph] shall call His name Jesus (Matthew 1: 18-21).
In the book of Isaiah 7: 14, the Son is to be named Immanuel.
The multitudes thought Jesus was the Son of David (Matthew 12: 23b) and Herod the tetrarch thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead (Matthew 14: 1-11). Although Jesus alluded to His divinity in private with His disciples, it was apparent that they didn’t fully grasp the concept as recorded in Matthew 16: 13-17 because the rumor mill had it that Jesus was thought to be [a resurrected] John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets; until God finally revealed to Peter Who Jesus is. When Jesus entered Jerusalem the multitudes hailed Him as the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee (Matthew 21: 11). The Pharisees, disciples of the Herodians, and Sadducees saw in Jesus a great teacher (Matthew 2: 15-16, 23-24, 33). Also, the Pharisees thought the “Christ” was the Son of David (Matthew 22: 41-42).
When Jesus appeared before the ‘Sanhedrin’ (Jewish Supreme Court), they put Him under an oath before the living God to testify, or rather admit to being the Son of God; His reply was, “It is as you say [if you say so].” Jesus did quote
Daniel 7: 13, so in a way He did answer their question; for which He was accused of blasphemy. Although this was a kangaroo Court and an insult to the very rule of Law, jurisprudence, and legal precedent, still the deeply entrenched theological and psychological ramifications cannot be so easily ignored by the truth of this revelation.
If God can have a Son or become One, then what does that mean about the ‘Oneness’ of God, and not only that, but what about the implication of possibly a feminine aspect of deity (Divine Consort, Mother, Wife, or Goddess)? Since the children received God’s Law at Mount Sinai through Moses and written by the “finger of God,” the Jewish people have been warned about other gods and Asherah/Asherim. In the book of Jeremiah (44: 15-19) the people were quite obstinate and rebellious, refusing to listen to the word of the Lord as they continued offering incense, making cakes and pouring out drink offerings to the “Queen of Heaven.”
Now, as Jesus was delivered before Pontius Pilate, He was accused of being King of the Jews; posing a rather embarrassing problem for the political machinations of Rome in the region since Caesar had already appointed a King [an 'Edomite'] over the Jews. It is interesting that Jesus was not accused by the Jewish authorities of being the Son of God before the Governor of Judea, which might have been interesting to see if Pilate would have been more cautious in his dealings with Jesus. The immemorial words of Jesus which was spoken from the Cross of His Crucifixion, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, My God, My God,” why have You forsaken Me?” [recorded in MATTHEW and MARK]was lost in translation by the people in Judea who spoke Hebrew, and they thought He was calling for Elijah instead upon God His Father (Matthew 27; 45-47); that is because Jesus was from Galilee and spoke Aramaic.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 2, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
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