Romans 1
“18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
-In the bold Paul is saying, it is obvious God exists by the universe we live in. Look around and everywhere you can see God. “…being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
-In the bold Paul is saying, the people idolized. This can be applied to anything today, whether it be a car, or video games, a relationship or a job. Anything that is put before God could easily be put in place of this statement. I have some work ahead of me, that’s certain.
Romans 2
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
In the bold: Do you really want that type of burden? When you judge you are adding to your load. Judgment is weight to your already burdened being. Lets be honest, when we judge can we really hold up to the standards we are applying for someone else’s life? Every time you judge, it is a double standard. There is only one Judge. You are a sinner, he is the judge, I am a sinner, he is the judge. A sinner cannot judge a sinner.
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
In the Bold: Imagine a dam holding a huge lake full of water, and you are in the valley where the water would flow if the dam ever broke. If that dam opens (the day of God’s wrath) You are dead. That’s IT… But if you repent, its like a secondary dam on the other side of the lake releases all the water and safely empties the lake.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
In Bold: To Be discussed.
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."[b]
In the Bold: I cant just say I am a Christian, I need to be a Christian, and live like one as well. “24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."[b
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Study of the “Law” & “Sin” Pt. 1
The Old & New Covenant (The Laws)
A covenant is a contract, an agreement, between two parties. When God is one of those parties, it is a very serious contract, a sacred agreement. In fact, God looked at the Old Covenant as a "marriage" contract between Himself and Israel.
In the Old Testament, the word “law” is used to translated the Hebrew word torah, “instruction.” The Hebrew word for “law” probably comes from the causative form of the verb yarah, “to throw,” “to shoot (arrows).” In the hiphil stem, the verb horah means “to point, guide, instruct, teach.” Hence, the law is that which provides authoritative guidance. In the New Testament, the Greek word used for law is nomos. Nomos means “that which is assigned,” hence, “usage, custom,” and then “law,” or “a rule governing one’s actions.”
The Old Covenant Or “Mosaic Law” The law that, according to the Old Testament, God gave to the Israelites through Moses. The Mosaic law begins with the Ten Commandments and includes the many rules of religious observance given in the first five books of the Old Testament. In Judaism, these books are called the Torah, or “the Law.”
Old Covenant Fact: Commandments are divided into positive and negative commands, which are treated differently in terms of --Divine and human punishment. Positive commandments (of which tradition holds there are 248) require an action to be performed, and thus bring one closer to God. Negative commandments (traditionally 365 in number) forbid a specific action; thus violations create a distance from God. In striving to "be holy" as God is holy, one attempts so far as possible to live in accordance with God's wishes for humanity, striving to more completely live with each of these with every moment of one's life. 613 Total
Galatians 3:16 & 19 (The Old until the New) 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[a] meaning one person, who is Christ. 19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.
The New Covenant Or “God’s Law” "'The day will come,' says the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah . . . . But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,' says the Lord. 'I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Jeremiah 31:31,33).
Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and create a new covenant between God and His people. The old covenant was written in stone, but the new covenant is written on our hearts, made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His own blood to atone for the sins of the world. Luke 22:20 says, "After supper, [Jesus] took another cup of wine and said, 'This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you – an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.'"
Now that we are under the new covenant, we are not under the penalty of “the law”.
Summary: Old Covenant: The Ten commandments, and a bunch of rituals and rules of religious observance. Before Jesus died and essentially beat ALL sin that will ever exist, (An infinite amount of sin, would require an infinitely perfect sacrifice) people were required to follow certain guidelines that God established in order to stay “Clean” The New Covenant was made real when Christ died. This covenant is a set of rules applied to your heart. The new covenant changes the heart, not just the mind. “'I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts” So we observe the law (10 Commandments) but you have really entered into this covenant when these laws are on your heart. (Desire to fulfill them)
A covenant is a contract, an agreement, between two parties. When God is one of those parties, it is a very serious contract, a sacred agreement. In fact, God looked at the Old Covenant as a "marriage" contract between Himself and Israel.
In the Old Testament, the word “law” is used to translated the Hebrew word torah, “instruction.” The Hebrew word for “law” probably comes from the causative form of the verb yarah, “to throw,” “to shoot (arrows).” In the hiphil stem, the verb horah means “to point, guide, instruct, teach.” Hence, the law is that which provides authoritative guidance. In the New Testament, the Greek word used for law is nomos. Nomos means “that which is assigned,” hence, “usage, custom,” and then “law,” or “a rule governing one’s actions.”
The Old Covenant Or “Mosaic Law” The law that, according to the Old Testament, God gave to the Israelites through Moses. The Mosaic law begins with the Ten Commandments and includes the many rules of religious observance given in the first five books of the Old Testament. In Judaism, these books are called the Torah, or “the Law.”
Old Covenant Fact: Commandments are divided into positive and negative commands, which are treated differently in terms of --Divine and human punishment. Positive commandments (of which tradition holds there are 248) require an action to be performed, and thus bring one closer to God. Negative commandments (traditionally 365 in number) forbid a specific action; thus violations create a distance from God. In striving to "be holy" as God is holy, one attempts so far as possible to live in accordance with God's wishes for humanity, striving to more completely live with each of these with every moment of one's life. 613 Total
Galatians 3:16 & 19 (The Old until the New) 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[a] meaning one person, who is Christ. 19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.
The New Covenant Or “God’s Law” "'The day will come,' says the Lord, 'when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah . . . . But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,' says the Lord. 'I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Jeremiah 31:31,33).
Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and create a new covenant between God and His people. The old covenant was written in stone, but the new covenant is written on our hearts, made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His own blood to atone for the sins of the world. Luke 22:20 says, "After supper, [Jesus] took another cup of wine and said, 'This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you – an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.'"
Now that we are under the new covenant, we are not under the penalty of “the law”.
Summary: Old Covenant: The Ten commandments, and a bunch of rituals and rules of religious observance. Before Jesus died and essentially beat ALL sin that will ever exist, (An infinite amount of sin, would require an infinitely perfect sacrifice) people were required to follow certain guidelines that God established in order to stay “Clean” The New Covenant was made real when Christ died. This covenant is a set of rules applied to your heart. The new covenant changes the heart, not just the mind. “'I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts” So we observe the law (10 Commandments) but you have really entered into this covenant when these laws are on your heart. (Desire to fulfill them)
Saturday, July 22, 2006
European Union. The New Rome?
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a statue...
A head of gold
Breast and arms of silver
Belly and thighs of bronze
and feet of iron and clay
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream is interpreted by most bible scholars to represent the four major empires that have existed in world history. Daniel confirms the first of these empires to be Babylon (head of gold) in Daniel 2:37-38) Knowing the head is Babylon, we can then figure out the rest of the dream by following world history. Silver is Persia, Bronze is Greece, Iron is Rome and the feet, the feet of iron and clay? Well this part has not come to pass, yet. The Bible speaks of the Roman empire to have received a "mortal wound" from this wound. She has fallen but is not destroyed. It is said she will rise again. In 1957 the treaties of Rome were signed which, established the European Economic Community (EEC) Then in 1965 the Brussels Treaty was signed which began the process of rebuilding the old Roman Empire through reunification of European states under one political system. This treaty established a commission, council, parliament, and court for the union. The European Union is currently made up of over 25 countries. Some are calling the EU the "United States of Europe."
Below is a map of the Roman Empire and the European Union. Hmm looks the same...
The European Union is a federation of many different countries that include many different cultures and background. Maybe the most diverse community of people on this earth..
Daniel 2:40 "It will be strong, yet mixed" (part of potters clay and part of iron, the kingdom will be divided) But will be strong.
So why is this so important to us? Well it is believed that this 4th and last empire is the empire the anti-Christ will rule before Jesus Christ returns. Plans for an EU presidency that will replace the 6 month rotating presidency (which is the current setup) are already being discussed. A president of Europe? That would create a very powerful international leader with HUGE influence on the global stage. The anti-Christ is said to become a great and beautiful person. He will talk about peace, and unity, and ultimately call himself God. Blasphemy!
Even the currency being used by the E.U is parallel to scripture.
"The Euro has replaced currencies that were, for many of the countries concerned, centuries-old symbols and instruments of their national sovereignty. In doing so, the new currency has moved Europe considerably closer to economic union. It has also given EU citizens a much clearer sense of sharing a common European identity" -
http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/index7_en.htm
The EU Is striving to create "Economic and monetary union" thru the Euro. No its not a bad idea, But its relevant cause it coincides with scripture...
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666" (Rev. 13:16-18).
Monetary union would be the first step in fulfilling this prophecy. The symbol on the currency may be the mark of the beast which will be given.
The EU also has there own Anthem. Cute right? Not exactly Its the "Ode to Joy" Is the prelude to the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The EU states its actually an "ode to freedom, community and peace" But, the lyrics by Friedrich von schiller, are about the entering of the shrine of a pagan goddess and the uniting of all men in brotherhood, by the power of magic. What the..?
It gets better. "The Eu constitution has also raised the ire of protestant leaders by banning the mention of Christianity as part of Europe's cultural heritage, while at the same time, including references to the civilizations of Greece and Rome, and the philosophical heritage of the Enlightenment. Eu government representatives excused this revisionist view of history by claming any mention of Christian values would upset the Muslim Population of the EU." http://www.contenderministries.org
As you can see, its not hard to relate the development of the EU to the rise of the last empire described in the visions from the book of Daniel, from which the anti-Christ will arise in the end times. I guess we will have to wait and see.
A head of gold
Breast and arms of silver
Belly and thighs of bronze
and feet of iron and clay
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream is interpreted by most bible scholars to represent the four major empires that have existed in world history. Daniel confirms the first of these empires to be Babylon (head of gold) in Daniel 2:37-38) Knowing the head is Babylon, we can then figure out the rest of the dream by following world history. Silver is Persia, Bronze is Greece, Iron is Rome and the feet, the feet of iron and clay? Well this part has not come to pass, yet. The Bible speaks of the Roman empire to have received a "mortal wound" from this wound. She has fallen but is not destroyed. It is said she will rise again. In 1957 the treaties of Rome were signed which, established the European Economic Community (EEC) Then in 1965 the Brussels Treaty was signed which began the process of rebuilding the old Roman Empire through reunification of European states under one political system. This treaty established a commission, council, parliament, and court for the union. The European Union is currently made up of over 25 countries. Some are calling the EU the "United States of Europe."
Below is a map of the Roman Empire and the European Union. Hmm looks the same...
The European Union is a federation of many different countries that include many different cultures and background. Maybe the most diverse community of people on this earth..
Daniel 2:40 "It will be strong, yet mixed" (part of potters clay and part of iron, the kingdom will be divided) But will be strong.
So why is this so important to us? Well it is believed that this 4th and last empire is the empire the anti-Christ will rule before Jesus Christ returns. Plans for an EU presidency that will replace the 6 month rotating presidency (which is the current setup) are already being discussed. A president of Europe? That would create a very powerful international leader with HUGE influence on the global stage. The anti-Christ is said to become a great and beautiful person. He will talk about peace, and unity, and ultimately call himself God. Blasphemy!
Even the currency being used by the E.U is parallel to scripture.
"The Euro has replaced currencies that were, for many of the countries concerned, centuries-old symbols and instruments of their national sovereignty. In doing so, the new currency has moved Europe considerably closer to economic union. It has also given EU citizens a much clearer sense of sharing a common European identity" -
http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/index7_en.htm
The EU Is striving to create "Economic and monetary union" thru the Euro. No its not a bad idea, But its relevant cause it coincides with scripture...
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666" (Rev. 13:16-18).
Monetary union would be the first step in fulfilling this prophecy. The symbol on the currency may be the mark of the beast which will be given.
The EU also has there own Anthem. Cute right? Not exactly Its the "Ode to Joy" Is the prelude to the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The EU states its actually an "ode to freedom, community and peace" But, the lyrics by Friedrich von schiller, are about the entering of the shrine of a pagan goddess and the uniting of all men in brotherhood, by the power of magic. What the..?
It gets better. "The Eu constitution has also raised the ire of protestant leaders by banning the mention of Christianity as part of Europe's cultural heritage, while at the same time, including references to the civilizations of Greece and Rome, and the philosophical heritage of the Enlightenment. Eu government representatives excused this revisionist view of history by claming any mention of Christian values would upset the Muslim Population of the EU." http://www.contenderministries.org
As you can see, its not hard to relate the development of the EU to the rise of the last empire described in the visions from the book of Daniel, from which the anti-Christ will arise in the end times. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream (The Rise of Powers)
The Dream...
"You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it smote the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces; then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." (Daniel 2:31-35 RSV)
Interpretation...
"This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand He has given, wherever they dwell, the sons of men, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, making you rule over them all - you are the head of gold."
"After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things; and like iron which crushes, it shall break and crush all these. And as you saw the feet and toes partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay."
"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever; just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold."
"A great God has made known to the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure." (Daniel 2:36-45 RSV)
Ok lets break this down...
Knowing that the head of gold is clearly Babylonia (Daniel 2:36-38) we then know the meaning to the rest of the dream. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's rule, conquered Jerusalem but was later defeated by the Persians in 536 B.C (the arms of silver) Two Centuries passed before the Greeks swallowed up the persian empire under Alexander the Great. (Belly and thighs of bronze" The "legs of iron" are thought to be the Romans who fell in about 500 AD But will have one final time and will rise up as a new Rome. Many believe this new Rome will be the European Union. European Union? Or "EU" is a union of twenty-five independent states based on the European Communities and founded to "enhance political, economic and social co-operation." Im currently researching this subject and will describe in detail the "EU" : )
"You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it smote the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces; then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." (Daniel 2:31-35 RSV)
Interpretation...
"This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand He has given, wherever they dwell, the sons of men, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, making you rule over them all - you are the head of gold."
"After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things; and like iron which crushes, it shall break and crush all these. And as you saw the feet and toes partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay."
"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever; just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold."
"A great God has made known to the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure." (Daniel 2:36-45 RSV)
Ok lets break this down...
Knowing that the head of gold is clearly Babylonia (Daniel 2:36-38) we then know the meaning to the rest of the dream. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar's rule, conquered Jerusalem but was later defeated by the Persians in 536 B.C (the arms of silver) Two Centuries passed before the Greeks swallowed up the persian empire under Alexander the Great. (Belly and thighs of bronze" The "legs of iron" are thought to be the Romans who fell in about 500 AD But will have one final time and will rise up as a new Rome. Many believe this new Rome will be the European Union. European Union? Or "EU" is a union of twenty-five independent states based on the European Communities and founded to "enhance political, economic and social co-operation." Im currently researching this subject and will describe in detail the "EU" : )
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Revelationships
For centurys humans have anticipated the end of all existince. Armageddon, God's return to earth to restore peace, and deliver judgment. Some believe Lucifers right hand MAN will come to rule in the form of a saint. And some believe this beast has already been. Is the truth hidden in the symbolisms or abstract prophecies of revelations? And are we already living in the "end times" ???
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