It may come as surprise to some but instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus [Yeshua] on December 25th, He most likely celebrated a notable Jewish festival on this very date; as recorded in the gospel of John.
John 10: 22
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus [Yeshua] walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch.
1 Maccabees 4: 36-38, 47-51
Then Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up and purify the sanctuary [Temple] and rededicate it.” So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. They found the sanctuary desolate, the altar desecrated, the gate burned, weeds growing in the courts as in a forest or some mountain, and the priests chambers demolished. And they took uncut stones, according to the law [Torah], and built a new altar like the former one. They also repaired the sanctuary and the interior of the temple and purified the courts. They made new sacred vessels and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table [of shewbread] into the temple. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the lampstand, and these illuminated the temple. They also put loaves [of shewbread] on the table and hung the curtains. Thus they finished the work they had undertaken.
1 Maccabees 4: 52-56, 58-59
Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is the month of Chislev [“December”], in the year one hundred and forty eight [164 B.C.], they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law [Torah] on the new altar of holocausts [burnt offerings] that they had made. On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven [HaShem] who had given them success. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered holocausts and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar [Temple and all its vessels] should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev [“December’].
1 Maccabees 1: 21-23, 54-57, 61-62
He [Antiochus Epiphanes IV] insolently invaded the sanctuary [Temple] and took away the golden altar, the lampstand for the light with all its fixtures, the offering table, the cups and bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, the golden ornament on the façade of the temple. He stripped off everything, and took away the gold and solver and precious [holy] vessels. On the fifteenth day [twenty-fifth??] day of the month Chislev [“December”], in the year one hundred and forty-five [167 B.C.], king Antiochus Epiphanes IV erected the horrible abomination upon the altar of holocausts, and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars. They also burnt incense [to pagan gods] at the doors of the houses in the streets. Any scroll of the law [Torah] which they found they tore up and burnt. Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant and whoever observed the law [Torah] was condemned to death by royal decree. But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel.
COMMENTARY: The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus mentions that this celebration known as Feast of the Dedication which our LORD and Savior observed is the ‘Festival of Lights’ or Hanukkah [“Dedication”], which is derived from the revolt of Judas Maccabees and his brothers over the pagan armies of Antiochus Epiphanies IV and cleansing the Jewish sanctuary of ritual defilement. The lighting of the Menorah symbolizes the miracle that God performed because there was only enough oil to light the lampstand for one day but it lasted for eight. Instead of the entire festive atmosphere which usually surrounds the typical Yuletide and holiday Season, December 25th should be a solemn reflection and reminder about a people willing to sacrifice their very lives for their religious faith in order to please God and keep His covenant. On a spiritual level, just as the sanctuary was purified of defilement the believer must do the same with the temple of his body and rededicate it again in holy service to God (Cp. Romans 12: 1-2; 1 Corinthians 3: 17b).
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 25, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A brief overview on 1 Peter 1 thru 5
1 Peter 1: 1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach]. To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithnia. . .
John 7: 35
Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that wee shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks [Gentiles] and teach them?”
1 Peter 1: 6-7
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 is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach].
Job 23: 10
But He [God] knows the way I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Psalms 66: 10, 12b
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. We went through fire and water, but You have brought us out to rich (abundant) fulfillment.
1 Peter 1: 10-11
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He [God] testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ [Moshiach] and the glories that would follow.
Luke 24: 44, 46
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Then he said to them, “Thus it was written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ [Moshiach] to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”
1 Peter 1: 14; 2: 1, 11; 3: 8-9; 4: 3
As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
Romans 12: 2a
And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
1 Peter 1: 15-16
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy (Cp. Leviticus 1: 44a, 45b).”
1 Peter 2: 5, 9a
You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach]. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.
1 Peter 2: 10
Who were once not a people but now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Hosea 1: 9-10
Then God said; “Call his name Lo-Ammi, for you are not My people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there it shall be said to them, you are the sons of the Living God.
1 Peter 2: 12, 15; 3: 16
Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers [when they falsely accuse you of wrongdoing], they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation [His advent]. For this is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your conduct in Christ [Moshiach] may be ashamed.
1 Peter 2: 13a, 18a; 3: 1a; 5: 5a
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD’S sake. Servants be submissive to your masters with all fear. Wives, likewise be submissive to your own husbands. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another.
1 Peter 2: 20b-21-24
But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this were you called, because Christ [Moshiach] also suffered for you [not for Himself], leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps [Cp. Mark 8: 34b; Luke 12: 50; Matthew 20: 22b]: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth;” who, when He was reviled [mocked], did not revile in return; when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose [His] stripes you were [are] healed.
1 Peter 3: 13-14a, 17
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers [doers] of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3: 18; 4: 1a, 13, 14a, 16, 19; 5: 9-11
For Christ [Yeshua] also suffered once for sins, the just and the unjust, that He might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit. Therefore, since Christ [Yeshua] suffered for you in the flesh. . . But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ [Moshiach], blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but glorify God in this manner [on this behalf]. Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Resist him [the devil], steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world., But may the God of all grace, Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus [Moshiach Yeshua], after you have suffered awhile, will perfect, strengthen, and settle [establish] you.
COMENTARY: It seems that a major theme in this letter (epistle) of the apostle Peter to the Israelites living in Asia and Europe is that of experiencing some form of persecution or suffering for their faith. Since Peter was one of the few disciples who was nearby when the LORD Jesus was cruelly mistreated by undergoing being tortured [reviled, beaten and spit upon], and finally crucified, this made such a deep impression upon him that he never forgot. In fact, the way Peter looks at it, it is an honor to suffer unjustly for the sake of righteousness as one is following the very example of the Savior Jesus [Yeshua]. This is our calling or vocation and as we receive such treatment from others, God is glorified and we should praise Him for being counted worthy to suffer in His name. This is a process of spiritual refining, like heating rare and precious metals like gold and silver to high temperatures for removing the impurities and so when a Christian undergoes fiery trials this should remind us that Jesus chose to take our place on the Cross of Calvary and received in His body the physical and spiritual consequence for our sin.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 21, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach]. To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithnia. . .
John 7: 35
Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that wee shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks [Gentiles] and teach them?”
1 Peter 1: 6-7
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 is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach].
Job 23: 10
But He [God] knows the way I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Psalms 66: 10, 12b
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. We went through fire and water, but You have brought us out to rich (abundant) fulfillment.
1 Peter 1: 10-11
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He [God] testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ [Moshiach] and the glories that would follow.
Luke 24: 44, 46
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Then he said to them, “Thus it was written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ [Moshiach] to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”
1 Peter 1: 14; 2: 1, 11; 3: 8-9; 4: 3
As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
Romans 12: 2a
And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
1 Peter 1: 15-16
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy (Cp. Leviticus 1: 44a, 45b).”
1 Peter 2: 5, 9a
You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ [Yeshua Moshiach]. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.
1 Peter 2: 10
Who were once not a people but now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Hosea 1: 9-10
Then God said; “Call his name Lo-Ammi, for you are not My people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there it shall be said to them, you are the sons of the Living God.
1 Peter 2: 12, 15; 3: 16
Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers [when they falsely accuse you of wrongdoing], they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation [His advent]. For this is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your conduct in Christ [Moshiach] may be ashamed.
1 Peter 2: 13a, 18a; 3: 1a; 5: 5a
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD’S sake. Servants be submissive to your masters with all fear. Wives, likewise be submissive to your own husbands. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another.
1 Peter 2: 20b-21-24
But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this were you called, because Christ [Moshiach] also suffered for you [not for Himself], leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps [Cp. Mark 8: 34b; Luke 12: 50; Matthew 20: 22b]: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth;” who, when He was reviled [mocked], did not revile in return; when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose [His] stripes you were [are] healed.
1 Peter 3: 13-14a, 17
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers [doers] of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3: 18; 4: 1a, 13, 14a, 16, 19; 5: 9-11
For Christ [Yeshua] also suffered once for sins, the just and the unjust, that He might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit. Therefore, since Christ [Yeshua] suffered for you in the flesh. . . But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ [Moshiach], blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but glorify God in this manner [on this behalf]. Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Resist him [the devil], steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world., But may the God of all grace, Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus [Moshiach Yeshua], after you have suffered awhile, will perfect, strengthen, and settle [establish] you.
COMENTARY: It seems that a major theme in this letter (epistle) of the apostle Peter to the Israelites living in Asia and Europe is that of experiencing some form of persecution or suffering for their faith. Since Peter was one of the few disciples who was nearby when the LORD Jesus was cruelly mistreated by undergoing being tortured [reviled, beaten and spit upon], and finally crucified, this made such a deep impression upon him that he never forgot. In fact, the way Peter looks at it, it is an honor to suffer unjustly for the sake of righteousness as one is following the very example of the Savior Jesus [Yeshua]. This is our calling or vocation and as we receive such treatment from others, God is glorified and we should praise Him for being counted worthy to suffer in His name. This is a process of spiritual refining, like heating rare and precious metals like gold and silver to high temperatures for removing the impurities and so when a Christian undergoes fiery trials this should remind us that Jesus chose to take our place on the Cross of Calvary and received in His body the physical and spiritual consequence for our sin.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 21, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Monday, December 19, 2011
Which is the real Jesus?
The usual impression that people generally have regarding Jesus is someone who is friendly, nice and non-threatening in appearance religious teacher like the Dalai Lama of Tibet. He went around like a faith-healer and performed miraculous healings and supernatural signs, teaching people mostly through parables about the impending Kingdom of God, and who was later betrayed for crucifixion to the Roman officials in Palestine by instigation of the Jewish religious leaders and tribal elders. This Jesus is the one who blesses the little children and says they have guardian angels but is He all sugar and spice with only pleasant things to say or do, so is there a serious or harsher side of our LORD and Savior that is often overlooked in reading the gospel narratives?
Matthew 8: 21-22
Then another of His disciples said to Him, “LORD, let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to Him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 10: 34
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Luke 12: 49
I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
Luke 2: 10-14 [CONTRAST]
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ [Moshiach] the LORD. “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manager.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Matthew 13: 49-50
So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing (grinding) of teeth.
Matthew 15: 22, 24-27
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O LORD, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed. But He answered her not a word. But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “LORD, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, LORD, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Matthew 22-23
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, LORD; this shall not happen to you!” But He turned to Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense (stumbling-block) to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Matthew 18: 8-9
If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into the hell fire (Gehenna).
Matthew 22: 13-15, 24-25, 27-28, 33
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation [judgment/damnation??]. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much the son of hell (Gehenna) as yourselves. Blind guides, who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they [you] are full of extortion and self-indulgence (unrighteousness). Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly; but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
Matthew 25: 40-41, 46a
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Then He will say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. And these will go away into everlasting punishment.”
Luke 4: 16, 28-29
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with rage, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city, and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
Luke 13: 1-3
There were some at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13: 23-24
Then one said to Him, “LORD, are there few who are [will be] saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
John 2: 13-16
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the Temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the Temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
John 5: 14
Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well [whole]. Sin no more, less a worse thing come upon you.
John 8: 21
Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”
John 9: 40-41
Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now [since] you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
COMMENTARY: The Jesus that is preached from quite a few liberal or progressive pulpits in the Christian churches is a message mostly about Love and not as great an emphasis concerning Judgment, Sin or Eternal damnation. Is His teaching more about living according to The Golden Rule and treating others with dignity, respect and tolerance. While this is certainly true, however, one cannot escape the legacy of “sin” inherited from Adam and Eve as well as the presence of evil and demonic forces in this world. This brief study will not answer all the issues but it should cause one to pause and reflect on which Jesus is “real” and what He wants from us as generally taught in the community of faith, or do we diligently search for ourselves as He is revealed in the Holy Bible; even in His Old Testament ‘theophany’ [pre-human manifestation/appearance]. There are even some who want to see Jesus [Yeshua] as somehow more approachable than the awesome God [El Shaddai, Yehovah or HaShem] of the Jewish Patriarchs, Judges, Prophets, Kings and the children of Israel but He and the Father are ONE [Heb. “echad”].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 19, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
Matthew 8: 21-22
Then another of His disciples said to Him, “LORD, let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to Him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 10: 34
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Luke 12: 49
I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
Luke 2: 10-14 [CONTRAST]
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ [Moshiach] the LORD. “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manager.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Matthew 13: 49-50
So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing (grinding) of teeth.
Matthew 15: 22, 24-27
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O LORD, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed. But He answered her not a word. But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “LORD, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, LORD, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Matthew 22-23
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, LORD; this shall not happen to you!” But He turned to Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense (stumbling-block) to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Matthew 18: 8-9
If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into the hell fire (Gehenna).
Matthew 22: 13-15, 24-25, 27-28, 33
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation [judgment/damnation??]. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much the son of hell (Gehenna) as yourselves. Blind guides, who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they [you] are full of extortion and self-indulgence (unrighteousness). Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly; but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
Matthew 25: 40-41, 46a
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Then He will say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. And these will go away into everlasting punishment.”
Luke 4: 16, 28-29
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with rage, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city, and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
Luke 13: 1-3
There were some at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13: 23-24
Then one said to Him, “LORD, are there few who are [will be] saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
John 2: 13-16
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the Temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the Temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
John 5: 14
Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well [whole]. Sin no more, less a worse thing come upon you.
John 8: 21
Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”
John 9: 40-41
Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now [since] you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
COMMENTARY: The Jesus that is preached from quite a few liberal or progressive pulpits in the Christian churches is a message mostly about Love and not as great an emphasis concerning Judgment, Sin or Eternal damnation. Is His teaching more about living according to The Golden Rule and treating others with dignity, respect and tolerance. While this is certainly true, however, one cannot escape the legacy of “sin” inherited from Adam and Eve as well as the presence of evil and demonic forces in this world. This brief study will not answer all the issues but it should cause one to pause and reflect on which Jesus is “real” and what He wants from us as generally taught in the community of faith, or do we diligently search for ourselves as He is revealed in the Holy Bible; even in His Old Testament ‘theophany’ [pre-human manifestation/appearance]. There are even some who want to see Jesus [Yeshua] as somehow more approachable than the awesome God [El Shaddai, Yehovah or HaShem] of the Jewish Patriarchs, Judges, Prophets, Kings and the children of Israel but He and the Father are ONE [Heb. “echad”].
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
December 19, 2011
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
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