Daily Bible Nugget #450, Matthew 24:28

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 24:28　 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.　

My Comment:

Now just what might this verse mean?

The most sure way to come up with the right answer is to let the Bible explain itself.

How may this be done?

Consult the cross references that are given for this verse in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

Here are the references I have collected for this verse:

For. FS74, +Jdg 5:31.

wheresoever. FS184C, +Mat 4:9, +*Deut 28:49, Job 39:27, 28, 29, 30, Jer 16:16, Hos 8:1, Am 9:1-4, Hab 1:8, *Luk 17:37.

the carcase. Deut 28:26, **1Sa 17:46, Psa 110:6, +*Isa 66:24, **Eze 39:4; **Eze 39:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Mar 6:29, +**#Luk 17:37 note.

the eagles. or, vultures. Lev 11:13, +*Deut 28:49, **1Sa 17:44; **1Sa 17:46, +*Psa 79:2, Lam 4:19, Eze 17:3, Dan 7:4, Hos 8:1, Hab 1:8, Zec 5:9, +**Luk 17:37 note. Joh 11:48.

be gathered. Job 39:30, Pro 30:17, **Eze 39:17; **Eze 39:18, Hos 8:1, *Rev 19:17; *Rev 19:18.

In particular, what does the word “carcase” refer to? Older but highly respected Bible scholars have had various opinions about what Jesus was speaking of. I have presented some of these varied opinions at a note I have placed at Luke 17:37 which is a parallel passage. Here are my cross references and my notes for Luke 17:37 as now given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Luk 17:37　 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Wheresoever. FS138C, +Gen 22:14. Luk 21:35, Job 39:29-30, +**Isa 66:24, Eze 39:4-5; Eze 39:11-18, +*Dan 9:26; +*Dan 9:27, Joe 3:2; Joe 3:9-16, Am 9:1, 2, 3, 4, +*Zep 3:8, Zec 13:8-9; Zec 14:2, Mat 24:28, Joh 11:48 x, Rom 2:8-9; Rom 2:16, 1Th 2:16, *Rev 16:14, 15, 16; Rev 19:17, 18, 19, 20, 21.

the body. Note: The word σωμα here must signify the same as πτωμα, a dead carcase, in Mat 24:28, by which is intended the Jewish nation, which was morally and judicially dead, doomed to be devoured by the Roman armies, called eagles, partly from their strength and fierceness, and partly from their military ensigns, which were gold or silver eagles. The Roman fury pursued these wretched men wherever they were found: see the horrible account in Josephus, Bel. l. vii. c. 2, 6, 9-11, **Eze 39:11-15, **Dan 7:11, +*#Mat 24:28, Rev 19:18.

Whatever interpretation and application is made here of the term “body,” must consistently apply equally to the term “carcass” used in +*#Mat 24:28.

To suggest the body is that of Christ, or believers, or the nation Israel, does not harmonize with Scripture.

Rather, suggesting that “body” and “carcass” refer to the defeated armies gathered against Jerusalem at the end of the tribulation described in Eze 39:17, 18, 19, 20, 21, seems to fit precisely, and is no doubt the event Christ is alluding to, reinforced by the mention of “eagles” directly in this connection, for the “feathered fowl” are invited to feast upon the carnage after that great battle (Eze 39:17).

To suggest that eagles here represent the Romans is not supported by the context, for the Romans are not otherwise alluded to in this passage, and the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is not the subject of this prophecy, for here these events take place at the second advent, when “the Son of man shall be revealed” (Luk 17:30).

Neither is it necessary to regard the eagles as being angels, nor is it necessary to suggest that they are the saints (the position taken by Peters, Theocratic Kingdom, vol. 2, p. 320). They are literal eagles, birds of prey, gathered to feast literally upon the dead bodies left after the great battle of Eze 39:4, 5, 6.

Peters sees here the translation or rapture of the saints, which my notes (on Luk 17:34 and Mat 24:41) conclusively show to be a mistaken view.

Peters further errs here when he takes the question “Where, Lord” to mean “i.e. when shall this be witnessed or made known” (vol. 2, p. 320, 321). But the question is not when, but where, and Peters’ next statement that “the evidence of such a removal will be openly shown when these very ones shall be gathered together at the overthrow of Antichrist” (p. 321), citing Zechariah 14, Revelation 19, Joel 3, in “his efforts to crush the Jews at Jerusalem,” in a “mighty confederation against the truth” (Peters, Theocratic Kingdom, vol. 2, p. 105), is correct in placing these events at Jerusalem, but incorrect in taking this to be the translation of the saints.

“In comparing prophecy it is distinctly announced that he shall unite nations and armies into an expedition into Palestine and a siege against Jerusalem, Daniel 11, last part and Dan 12:1; Isa 14:24-27; Joel 3; Zechariah 14; Rev 14:20; Rev 16:16; Eze 38:8-19, and that he is to be destroyed by a revelation of Christ in Palestine, Eze 38:21-23; 2Th 2:8; Rev 19:11-20, etc.” (Peters, vol. 2, p. 105).

This passage therefore answers the question where, not when, for Christ already informed them as to when these events would take place (Luk 17:30, at his advent). The eagles are not the saints, and there is not a reference here to the rapture or translation of the saints, for the rapture or translation of the saints logically must be prior to Christ’s revelation in power and glory with his saints (+*Psa 149:5, 6 7, 8, 9, +*Zec 14:5). Eze 39:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Dan 7:11, +Mat 24:28, Rev 19:18.

the eagles. or, vultures. Gen 40:17-19, %Deut 28:49, *Job 39:27-30, Pro 30:17, Isa 18:6; %+*Isa 40:31, Jer 16:4, **Eze 39:17-21, %Hos 8:1, Hab 1:8, +*#Mat 24:28, %Rev 4:7; *Rev 19:17-21.

be gathered together. **1Sa 17:44; **1Sa 17:46, **Eze 39:4; **Eze 39:17.

When you want to find out what the Bible actually teaches about Bible prophecy, you will find the explanation is given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. Cross references to the explanatory passages are given at every verse more completely in this resource than any other. Included are helpful notes at the more difficult passages as seen in the example above.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #449, Exodus 20:15

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Exodus 20:15　 Thou shalt not steal.　

My Comment:

I recently discussed here another of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not kill.” When any of the Ten Commandments are studied carefully by means of cross reference Bible study, much new light is shed upon just what is involved in keeping each one. Much is revealed on how any person may violate a given commandment without being aware of doing so. So, much is involved in not violating the Eighth Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15) that is not immediately apparent.

I have placed a new note at Exodus 20:15 which discusses the implications of the Eighth Commandment in my new work, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, my vast expansion of my original Bible study reference work, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Here is the note and associated cross references for Ex 20:15,

Thou shalt not steal. Under this commandment A. C. Price observes “In one sense this Commandment would cover also breaches of all the other Commandments, for every violation of duty to God or man is really robbing them of what is their due, but the reference here is clearly to what we know as theft, i.e. the wrongful acquisition of the property of some other person.

It is not however always recognized how much even in this narrower sense it involves. We are apt…to neglect…the perversion of character and moral blindness from which it springs, for thefts are included by Christ among the evil things which ’proceed from the heart’ (Mar 7:21-22).”

“We forget also that law is only an imperfect embodiment of morality, and tend to regard all that is not punishable by law as morally justifiable. For the Christian at any rate the Commandment must be interpreted by the Law of Love (Mat 7:12), and the gist of it seems to be that he should himself be thoroughly honest in heart, that honesty should characterize all his dealings with others, and that to enrich himself by taking advantage of the weakness or necessities or ignorance of others is a sin in the sight of God.”

“…it is hard to see how the teaching of Christ can be made to square with such things as the confiscations that have been the scandal of most revolutions, …the ’bearing’ and ’bulling’ on the Stock Exchange, …the extortion of enormous rents when there is dearth of accommodation; nor how any nation is entitled to be called Christian in which inferior goods are foisted on poor or ignorant purchasers and caveat emptor is regarded as a legitimate basis for business transactions, or employees are ’sweated’ by their employers, or workmen cannot be trusted to do their best unless under the eye of a master.

As to the last point it may be noticed how stress is constantly laid in the Bible on diligence, both in religious matters (+*Exo 15:26), and also generally (+*Pro 10:4); and as to idleness (+*Pro 18:9), to which we may add the parables of the Talents (Mat 25:14, etc.) and the Pounds (Luk 19:12, etc.), and the references to the continual work of God and Christ (Joh 5:17; Joh 9:4) and to Paul’s labor both religious and manual (+*Act 18:3)” (Biblical Studies, pp. 147, 148). Gen 44:8, Exo 21:16; *Exo 22:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; *Exo 22:7-13, Lev 6:1-7; +*Lev 19:11; Lev 19:13; Lev 19:35, 36, 37; Lev 25:17, *Deut 5:19; Deut 19:14; Deut 23:24-25; Deut 24:7; Deut 25:13, 14, 15, 16; Deut 27:17, *Jos 7:24; Jos 7:25, Job 20:19, 20, 21, 22; Job 24:2, Psa 37:21; Psa 50:18; *Psa 62:10, Pro 1:13, 14, 15; *Pro 3:27; Pro 6:30, 31; Pro 11:1; Pro 16:11; Pro 20:10; Pro 20:23; *Pro 22:22; Pro 22:28; Pro 23:10; *Pro 28:24; *Pro 29:24; *Pro 30:8; Pro 30:9, Isa 1:23; Isa 61:8, Jer 5:26, 27, 28, 29; Jer 7:8, 9, 10, 11; Jer 22:13, *Eze 3:15; Eze 45:10, Hos 4:2; Hos 12:7, Am 3:10; Am 5:11, 12; Am 8:4, 5, 6, Mic 6:10, 11; Mic 7:3, +*Zec 5:3; Zec 5:4, Mal 3:5; Mal 3:8, Mat 15:19; >Mat 19:18; Mat 21:13; Mat 22:21; Mat 23:14; Mat 23:25, Mar 7:22; >Mar 10:19; Mar 11:17; Mar 12:17; *Mar 12:40, Luk 3:13, 14; Luk 18:11; >Luk 18:20; +*Luk 19:8; Luk 19:46; Luk 20:25; *Luk 20:47, Joh 12:6, Rom 2:21; Rom 13:7; **>Rom 13:9, 1Co 5:11; **1Co 6:10, **Eph 4:28, +*Col 4:1, 1Th 4:6, 1Ti 1:10, *Tit 2:10, +*Jas 5:4, 1Pe 4:15, +*Rev 9:21.

steal. Young notes “The primary idea of the original word is, to do a thing secretly, as in Gen 31:27; Gen 40:15; 2Sa 15:6; 2Sa 19:3; 2Sa 19:41; Job 4:12; Job 21:18; Job 27:20,” *S# H1589: Gen 30:33; Gen 31:19, 20; Gen 31:26, 27; Gen 31:30; Gen 31:32; Gen 31:39; Gen 40:15; Gen 44:8, Exo 20:15; Exo 21:16; Exo 22:1; Exo 22:7; Exo 22:12, Lev 19:11, Deut 5:19, Jos 7:11, 2Sa 15:6; 2Sa 19:3; 2Sa 19:3; 2Sa 19:41; 2Sa 21:12, 2Ki 11:2, 2Ch 22:11, Job 4:12 (secretly brought; mg, by stealth). Job 21:18 (carried away; mg, stealeth away). Job 27:20, Pro 6:30; Pro 9:17; +Pro 30:9 (T1712). Jer 7:9, Hos 4:2, Ob 1:5, *Zec 5:3, **Rom 13:9, +*Rev 9:21.

There are other pertinent passages in the Bible that pertain to this theme if we consider them carefully:

Col_3:17　 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

If we do everything in the light of bringing honor to the Lord Jesus Christ, we will maintain a good testimony before others, as in the workplace or at school.

If we are students at school, we will attend our classes faithfully. We will complete our assignments when due. We will not be distracted in class by cell phones and messaging and whatever else goes on. When I last taught, I don’t think students yet had cell phones, but they did have another device that others could alert them to call them. Students were not supposed to have these things in school. But some students said they needed them in case a parent needed to alert them to an emergency.

In this day, we who claim the name of Christ need to take extreme care that we do not allow cell phones to distract us from our work. We should alert others who might wish to call us not to do so during working hours because any distraction from our work causes us to lose the train of thought necessary to accomplish that work. Even as a teacher, I found that school announcements over the public address system during class were very disruptive to both the teaching and learning process. This relates to the commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” because permitting or creating distraction takes away from the concentration needed to properly accomplish the task before us, and slows us down or prevents us from doing as well as we should on the task.

We need to learn how to carefully manage time, both at work and at home. “Lost time is never found again” is one of the quotations I shared with my students at the start of my teaching career. I think my quotations made an impact on at least some of my students. Once when I was leaving school at the end of the day near the close of my career, a former student of mine bringing his daughter to take part in a sporting event recognized me and thanked me for all those good quotations I had shared three decades before, and he even quoted some of them that he had learned by heart, including one by Benjamin Franklin about “there will be sleeping enough in the grave,” if I recall correctly.

Here is a quotation which, though addressed especially to pastors, is really in principle applicable to everyone:

  • “One of the gravest perils which besets the ministry is a restless scattering of energies over an amazing multiplicity of interests which leaves no margin of time and of strength for receptive and absorbing communion with God.”  Andrew Bonar

 

From this quotation we ought to learn that:

  1. We ought to limit our commitments to a fairly narrow range. I found that it is best to do what only I can do, and not take on tasks that others can do. This means I don’t take on tasks that others are better equipped to do than I am.

We would make more progress and improve our skills if we eliminate as many distractions as possible. This means I focus upon what I am already good at, or equipped to do, and I eliminate activities that steal time away from my efforts to further develop my best skills. This means, for me, that I do not spend time watching television. I do not pay attention to sports. I spend time reading books from which I can learn more about what I need to know. I don’t bother involving myself with what others might regard as innocent entertainment. That is how I have managed to produce three major Bible reference works, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible, and most recently The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. I limit my time on “Social Media,” but I do take enough time to stay in contact with some of my former students and family friends.

“Of what use is it to have many irons in the fire if the fire is going out?”  Eric Roberts

  • “A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone.”  Henry David Thoreau

 

  • “The problem is…how to remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life….  There is no easy answer, no complete answer…one answer, and perhaps a first step, is simplification of life, in cutting out some of the distractions.”  Ann Lindberg, Gift from the Sea
  • “The only sure weapon against bad ideas is BETTER IDEAS.” A. Whitney Griswold
  • “There is no adequate defense, except stupidity, against the impact of a new idea.”
  • “A man’s mind, stretched by a new idea, can never go back to its original dimension.”

 

I trust that some of the ideas I have shared in this post are new to you, and that your mind, now stretched by a new idea, will never go back to its original dimension.

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Daily Bible Nugget #448, Ecclesiastes 3:8

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Ecc 3:8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

My Comment:

One of my most valued Facebook friends made the following comment in response to yesterday’s post:

“Amen great teaching. Do you have any suggestion or a good greek study bible that will help me break words down?”

I answered,

“The best one I can fully recommend is my scholar friend Dr. Malcolm Lavender‘s Lavender’s New Testament! It will give you the truth that all other translations have obscured, and will be a spiritual delight for you to learn more of God’s Word.”

My friend replied, “Thank you.”

I continued the conversation, saying:

“I made the following comment just yesterday to Dr. R. Lavender:

Popular but very mistaken beliefs about salvation and true holiness are corrected by translating to English the crucial distinctions contained in the grammatical features of the original and inspired Greek text of the New Testament. This is essential information for all Bible believing Christians to know. What most Christians think they know about the teachings of the New Testament is shockingly re-expressed into a biblically and theologically sound presentation of the Gospel message of salvation and personal transformation that takes place when the truth is believed instead of denied.”

My friend responded, “Amen!!!”

Then my friend asked the following question:

“Real Bible Study what verse is it that God gave Moses I believe a field where they could kill people?”

My response:

“I don’t recognize that one. If you can think of anything more that relates to the passage, or know of another related passage, I might figure it out. I am sort of “programmed” to recall passages using the King James Version. I stick with the KJV for just that purpose, though I find I can work between other versions in the sense that if I hear a passage in the NIV or NLT or ESV I still usually recognize it.”

This morning, I returned to the question and made the following comment, which I trust will help everyone reading this will find instructive:

“Still thinking about your question. A related subject is the cities of  refuge found in Joshua 20:7 and context. See the note there in my Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury or the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
 
“Another way to get at the subject or topic you mention is to relate ‘killing’ to ‘war’ in your thinking. Then ask a new question, ‘Where in the Bible is it stated that the kings had a regular place and time of year for war?’ I know there is a passage somewhere in the Old Testament about that, but none of the words in my question will lead to the answer using a concordance for the KJV or other translations.
 
“I once spent considerable time searching for the answer to my question. I looked under the topic ‘war’ in single-volume Bible dictionaries old and new. Then I tried Bible encyclopedias like ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). Then I tried McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. It had a lengthy article on the subject. Interestingly, I found the same article word-for-word in my four-volume Smith’s Bible Dictionary. But still no mention of anything pertaining to my question.
 
“Then I recalled that there is a verse in Ecclesiastes about “a time of war.” So, I went to that verse (Ecclesiastes 3:8) and checked out my cross references, and I was led directly to the passage I was seeking.
 
“Now, if there really is a Bible text that mentions the subject of your question, you might be able to find it by following the cross references, starting at Ecclesiastes 3:8. I still don’t recall any mention of a “field where they could kill people,” unless it may be connected with the cities of refuge that I mentioned, where if a person did not stay in the city of refuge until the time of a new high priest in Israel, he could be killed by the person or the family member he was seeking refuge from, that might be related. I recall vaguely that there is a related text about taking a person prisoner and killing them at a specific place outside the city involved by a brook or something like that. But where these texts are, I don’t recall specifically. But I have told you enough that you now should know how to find them using cross references from even vaguely related Bible verses that you do know where to find.“

 

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #447, 1 John 3:15

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

My Comment:

This post continues from the previous post on this same Bible passage. And that post is a continuation of the post prior to that one. In the immediately prior post to this one, I attempted to clarify the meaning of 1 John 3:15 by applying the first principle of interpretation–placing the verse in context by reading and studying the verses that come before and the verses that come after this one.

The second principle is to study a verse by consulting its cross references to the other passages found in the Bible that shed more light on this verse.

Many Bible readers have never seen, and so have never used cross references in their Bible study. Where do cross references come from? Cross references have been supplied by careful Bible scholars to the passages they have found that link to each verse in the Bible, including this specific verse, 1 John 3:15. Cross references are given in the center column or side column of reference Bibles and some study Bibles. Cross references were collected by the great commentator Thomas Scott in the margins of his five-volume commentary known as Scott’s Bible. These were in turn placed in the center columns of the Comprehensive Bible published by Bagster and Sons in London in the early 19th century. The cross references and the explanatory notes were then gathered into a separate single volume under the title The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I, in turn, collected more cross references in my work, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, published in 1992. I have expanded these references once again in 2016 in my latest work, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, available as a premium module for the e-Sword Bible software program.

Here are the cross references that I have for 1 John 3:15,

Whosoever. or, Everyone who. Gr. pas ho. 1Jn 3:9.

hateth his brother. 1Jn 3:10, 1Jn 2:9; 1Jn 2:11, Gen 27:41, *Lev 19:16, 17, 18, +*Deut 15:9, 1Sa 19:4, 2Sa 13:22-28, Pro 26:24-26, +*Zec 7:9; Zec 7:10, *Mat 5:21; *Mat 5:22; Mat 5:27; Mat 5:28, Mar 6:19, Act 23:12; Act 23:14, Eph 4:31, Jas 1:15; Jas 4:1-2.

is a murderer. Gr. anthrōpoktonos (S# G443, only here and Joh 8:44). Joh 8:44. %+*Acts 20:26.

ye know. Gr. oida, Joh 8:55 note. 1Jn 5:18.

no murderer hath. Joh 4:14, +*Gal 5:21, *1Pe 1:23, +*Rev 21:8.

eternal. Gr. aionios, +Mat 18:8.

life. 1Jn 5:11; 1Jn 5:13; 1Jn 5:20, +Mat 19:16, Joh 3:36; +Joh 4:14; Joh 6:53, +Rom 2:7.

abiding in him. 1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 3:17, 1Jn 2:14; 1Jn 2:27, Joh 5:38; Joh 6:56; Joh 15:5; Joh 15:7, 2Jn 1:2, *3Jn 1:9, 10. 11.

The cross references I have listed above should appear as live links on your computer or other device screen. Hovering the mouse pointer will open a pop-up window which displays the text of each cross reference.

I will give the text below of several of the most significant cross references given above with a few comments upon them.

Hateth his brother.

1 John 3:10.

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 

John plainly discusses how to identify true children of God. Whosoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. Neither is a person truly a believer or a Christian who does not love his brother. The term brother is generic and so refers to another Christian, male or female. The reference is not primarily to a family member who is your blood brother, though that could be included. John, therefore, is warning us not to hate fellow believers.

Hatred to fellow believers evidenced by (1) failing to warn a person when they are in spiritual danger when we are in a position to do so:

Leviticus 19:17

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 

The context of this Leviticus passage is worth further study. The idea seems to be that we should correct a person to save them from the error of their ways. This may be related to what Paul affirms in Acts 20:26,

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 

And this statement of Paul may also be related to Ezekiel 3:18,

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

Eze 3:19  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 

The point is, failure to correct a fellow believer when they are on the wrong path is by John stated to be the same as to hate them, and anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and does not have eternal life abiding in him.

Hatred to fellow believers is also evidenced by (2) a mean and selfish spirit when we fail to provide help or assistance to them when we are providentially in a proper position to responsibly do so:

Deuteronomy 15:9

Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. 

Deu 15:10  Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. 

The thought here is that in Israel a person would hesitate to lend to a poor person as the seventh year approached because all debts were to be forgiven every seventh year, and the lender would not get his money back or the loan would not be repaid. Note the reference to “if thine eye be evil.” Jesus made reference to this evil disposition in Matthew 6:23 and Matthew 20:15.  See also Mark 7:22. Jesus alludes directly to this Deuteronomy 15:7 passage in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” In the seventh year, all debts were cancelled, and everyone started out with a “clean slate” economically. That is the spirit and manner in which we are to forgive others, though without waiting until the seventh year is up!

Abiding in him.

Another evidence of hatred to fellow believers is (3) the failure to properly extend a continuing welcome, a failure to provide the opportunity to extend friendship and develop lasting friendships with them, a failure to receive them into our group, church, or fellowship. This is pointedly seen in the behavior of Diotrephes, condemned by John in his short Bible book of 3 John, at 3 John 1:9, 10, 11.

3Jn 1:8  We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. 

3Jn 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 

3Jn 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 

3Jn 1:11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 

The Apostle John roundly condemns in a not too subtle manner the behavior and attitude of Diotrephes. He labels these unkind and unwelcoming actions of Diotrephes as evil, and states that he that practices evil has not seen God. John authoritatively pronounced Diotrephes an unsaved man, though I’m sure Diotrephes thought he was a saved man.

So, what might be the point or application of all this? We who believe the Bible need to exercise loving care for others, not just economically, but also spiritually, as God gives us opportunity within the circle of those with whom we have some contact. We can pray for those we know who are not saved, or who are not walking in the light of the Gospel as they should. We can, as appropriate, give them warning. We can, as appropriate, extend them help materially or spiritually. We can always welcome the fellowship of other believers, and seek to strengthen them, or be ourselves strengthened by them.

Pastor W. L. Wade of the Lighthouse Bible Church of Danville, Virginia, as always preached an encouraging message this very Sunday morning on Mark 14:8, on the significant words, “She hath done what she could.” That is what Jesus wants us all to do. If we did that, many more would be reached with the Gospel, and the world would be a different and much better place.

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Daily Bible Nugget #446, 1 John 3:15

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

My Comment:

This is a very striking statement from the book of 1 John. Since the consequence of “hating your brother” is to be devoid of eternal life, it is most important to understand the implications of this verse!

An important rule of interpretation which must be followed to understand what any given verse means is to carefully consider the context–what comes before and after the verse in question.

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Note the motive assigned to Cain’s action of murdering his brother Abel:  in some sense, Cain was jealous or envious of his brother Abel because he recognized that Abel was righteous and that he was not.

1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Another motivating factor in Cain’s murder of his brother Abel is hatred:  Cain hated Abel because he recognized that Abel was righteous and that he was not.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Very clearly, the death spoken of here is not physical death, but spiritual death. We know we have escaped spiritual death in our life because we love the brethren. Failure to love our brother means we abide or remain in spiritual death. Abiding in spiritual death means we are not saved (though we may think we are!). One example of our failure to love our brother (or sister–the terms here are called “generic” in English and Greek grammar so that the masculine gender is used for both genders) is to not receive, or not welcome a person into our church fellowship, contrary to the command given in Romans 15:7, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” Failure to receive one another may indicate that those who shun and reject newcomers to their fellowship or church may be an indication that they are not saved themselves (though they think they are!). Failure to receive one another really exhibits hatred toward the rejected person or even family. Jesus gave severe warnings about this (see Matthew 25:40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)!

John echoes this severe warning when he writes:

1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Therefore, anyone who hates his brother is a murderer and does not possess the gift of eternal life. There are different ways of manifesting hatred to our brother, and John will apply this truth to one of those ways shortly in the following context.

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:  and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Notice also, that 1 John 3:16 indirectly declares the deity of Christ. The words “of God” in the expression “the love of God” are not present in the Greek text, but they are implied, because 1 John 3:17 contains the expression “how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

When we encounter a brother or sister in the Lord who is in need, and we are in a position to be of help to them, but fail to act to help meet that need, John asks the pointed question, How can we claim that the love of God dwells in us?

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

It is easy to “talk the talk,” but the reality of our faith in Christ is demonstrated when we act in accordance with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

When we readily act upon the truth we know that we have learned of our Lord Jesus Christ as it is found in His written Word, this, John tells us, furnishes firm grounds for assurance on our part that “we are of the truth,” another way of saying that we know that we are truly saved and belong to Him.

There is much more vital truth contained in these verses than what I have briefly sketched out here. Now that I have shared the context for 1 John 3:15 with you as the first step in its  proper interpretation and application, the second step will be to share with you what the rest of the Bible has to say about the themes in 1 John 3:15 by means of cross reference Bible study, what I plan to share next time.

 

 

 

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What Does God Hate, Part Three

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Jerry

Pro 6:16　 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:　

Pro 6:17　 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

My Comment:

The third thing God hates is “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17).

Here are the cross references that relate to this clause:

and hands. Prov 1:11. Gen 4:8. Gen 9:6. +Deut 19:10. *Deut 27:25 2 K 21:16. 2 K 24:4. Isa 1:15. *Isa 59:3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Mat 23:37, 38.

Looking at several of these in turn, we read:

Proverbs 1:10  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 

Pro 1:11  If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 

Pro 1:12  Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 

Pro 1:13  We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 

Pro 1:14  Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 

Pro 1:15  My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 

Pro 1:16  For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 

Pro 1:17  Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 

Pro 1:18  And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 

Pro 1:19  So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

We are clearly commanded in God’s Word not to consent to associate with anyone who would entice us to shed innocent blood. In our day this would surely mean no Christian young person should ever associate with gangs and gang members to join in their evil activity. Also in our day, this command surely means that no Christian should ever join in with or support Islam. The very content of the Koran repeatedly commands Muslims to seek to kill Christians and Jews. The actions of some Muslims against Christians and non-Muslims are reported in the news quite regularly. No religion can claim to represent the truth of God when it teaches its followers to violate the religious freedom of others, when it teaches that anyone who turns away from their former Islamic faith must be killed, and when it advocates and cheers on the shedding of blood of innocent people.

Gen 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 

Genesis 4:8 is the record of the first murder, and the first murderer. We are never to engage in shedding of innocent blood.  Those who do so will not inherit eternal life but eternal punishment unless they truly repent, as King David did.

Gen 9:6  Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 

This is the biblical record of the establishment of government. The Bible supports and authorizes capital punishment for the crime of murder. Notice the mention of the fact that man is made in the image of God. To murder someone is an affront to God Himself. This shows how highly the Bible regards the life of every individual. Remember how Jesus spoke of the supreme value of each individual when He asked the question, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” The implication in context is that the value of the individual is greater than the value of the entire world:

Mat_16:26　 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

I used this passage as one of my daily proverbs and quotations in my teaching to help students begin to grasp the value of each individual, starting with themselves. Because the thugs in the gang culture, and the hall-wanderers in public school have no grasp of the value of the individual, even the value they represent before God, that senseless violence against others continues. To stop the violence, teach the truth!

Deu 27:24  Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen. 

Deu 27:25  Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. 

Deu 27:26  Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Engaging in murder places oneself under the curse of God, both here and now, and hereafter.

Isa 1:15  And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Notice that God will not hear the prayers of those whose hands are full of blood. The exception to this is that God will hear the prayer of those who truly repent, and turn their lives over to Him, and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior from sin.

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 

Mat 23:38  Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 

Mat 23:39  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

Note carefully that the chief sin Jesus focused upon in His lament over Jerusalem was their failure to repent of the long string of murders that had been committed against God’s prophets. Jesus said, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” This He spoke in reference to the predicted destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem. He said the Jewish nation would not see Him again until they turned to God, and in response to their repentance were moved to say, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Peter expands upon this important Bible theme as recorded in Acts 3:19, 20, 21.

Think none of this applies to you?

In the fall of 1953 or perhaps spring of 1954 I heard a striking presentation of the Ten Commandments in the form of a dramatic monologue at the Detroit Institute of Arts. It was a terrifying presentation. The Ten Commandments were presented as if a trial were going on. Bible passages that correlated with each commandment were given, such that everyone who heard that presentation certainly should have been convinced that if they thought they could qualify to get to heaven because they “kept the Ten Commandments,” they were wrong because they had broken each one.

How about the Sixth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” or as otherwise translated, “Thou shalt not murder.”  Surely, you might well suppose, I’m not guilty of that one!  Well, consider this related verse:

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #445, Matthew 7:1

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 7:1　 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

My Comment:

It is very easy for us to pass judgment on somebody else. That is a dangerous habit to get into. Perhaps all of us at one time or another have been the target of someone else’s judgment about us.

It is unwise to pass judgment upon someone else because we usually do not know them well enough to make that judgment. But if we do know them thoroughly, we might have some basis to pass judgment privately with them alone. We all need to be open to constructive suggestions and the correction of others (Proverbs 9:8, 9;  Proverbs 13:1;  Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 17:10;  Proverbs 19:25).

The playground taunt, “It takes one to know one,” is astoundingly true. Someone who passes judgment on another often is guilty of the same flaw in themselves. That may well be the point Jesus makes in Matthew 7:2.

The Apostle Paul gave some very good advice when he said,

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Jesus gave us an important principle we must follow if we are to pass judgment on someone else:  “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). In the same chapter we read these words of Nicodemus in defense of Jesus: “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” (John 7:51).

But most often, the words of Matthew 7:1, “Judge not,” are quoted, often against Christians, by non-Christians. Sometimes it would seem this is the one verse in the Bible they think they know. They use this verse to ward off criticism against themselves for believing false doctrine, or for not living according to how the Bible tells us we are to live.

Perhaps the best answer to this mistaken application of Matthew 7:1 is to remind the accuser that Jesus commanded us not to be deceived (Luke 21:8. This expression is used in the KJV also at Deuteronomy 11:16;  1 Corinthians 6:9;  1 Corinthians 15:33;  and Galatians 6:7, all passages worthy of careful study by means of the cross references given for each). Jesus has told us, “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). Therefore, we are to be “fruit inspectors,” and on the basis of the fruit we do or do not see, Jesus wants us to make a careful judgment.

Not everyone who can talk religious talk, or even seemingly participate in spiritual activities such as prophesy in His name, cast out demons, and do many wonderful works, is headed to the right place. Of some, Jesus will say, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21, 22, 23).

It is our duty to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3). We are obligated to share the truth with another person within our circle of influence. “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him” (Leviticus 19:17). We are urged in the Bible to warn others who are mistaken in spiritual matters (Ezekiel 3:17, 18). We are encouraged by the prospect that if we warn another, we may save a soul from death (1 John 5:16 and James 5:20).  By God’s grace, He may allow us to literally “pull them out of the fire” by having compassion for them (Jude 1:22, 23).

Each of these Bible verses I have cited are well worth your further study by means of the full cross references I have given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. You will be amazed how much you can learn directly from the Bible itself by studying it this way.

Here are the cross references for Matthew 7:1 that I have collected in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. Be sure to check them out:

Judge not. Mat 7:5, Gen 38:24, 1Sa 1:14, Isa 66:5, Eze 16:52, 53, 54, 55, 56, Luk 6:37; *Luk 7:43, +*Joh 7:24, *Joh 8:7, *Rom 2:1; *Rom 2:2; *Rom 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; *Rom 14:10, 11, 12, 13, *1Co 2:15; **1Co 4:3, 4, 5; 1Co 5:12; 1Co 10:15; %+**1Co 14:29, Jas 2:4; Jas 3:1; Jas 4:11, 12; Jas 5:9.

that ye. Mat 6:14; Mat 18:23-35, Eze 31:11, **1Co 11:31, *2Co 5:10; *2Co 13:5, *Jas 2:13; Jas 3:1; Jas 5:9.

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What Does God Hate? Part Two

Posted on April 8, 2017 by Jerry

Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 

The second thing God hates is “a lying tongue.”

It is better always to tell the truth. That way you won’t have the extra burden of trying to keep track of just what was it you told an untruth about. Only in an extreme case where telling the truth will lead to the harm of another individual would it be proper to not tell the full truth.

As Bible believing Christians we need to always do what is a good witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. Telling lies does not at all conform to what a good testimony should be.

Being caught in a lie ought never to happen in the life of a true Bible believing Christian.

I think the best way to find out what the Bible says about the subject of lying as it relates to Proverbs 6:17 is to consult the cross references in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury given for the key words a lying tongue and consider them carefully. Let me walk you through those references in turn:

lying. *Pro 12:22; Pro 14:5; Pro 26:28, Psa 5:6; Psa 120:2-3, *Hos 4:1; *Hos 4:2, *Joh 8:44, +Eph 4:25, *Rev 22:15.

(1) Pro 12:22  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. (KJV)

Pro 12:22 The LORD hates every liar, but he is the friend of all who can be trusted. (CEV)

It would be a good idea to sustain a relationship with the LORD that results in His continued friendship, and not be a person the LORD hates. We ought to delight in the Lord, and live in a way that the LORD delights in us.

A cross reference given at Proverbs 12:22 that is not given at Proverbs 6:17 is the reference to Revelation 21:8,

Rev 21:8　 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Note carefully the words, “and all liars,” and their promised destiny. Jesus once said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). If you have a habit of lying, you surely must repent of this evil trait, and ask the Lord for His help in controlling your thought process and your tongue!

(2) Pro 14:5  A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. (KJV)

Pro 14:5 An honest witness tells the truth; a dishonest witness tells nothing but lies. (CEV)

Pro 14:5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. (ESV)

Proverbs 14:5 emphasizes that a liar breathes out lies, that is, tells nothing but lies. No true Christian should ever fit this description!

(3) Pro 26:28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (KJV)

Pro 26:28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. (ESV)

Pro 26:28 Watch out for anyone who tells lies and flatters– they are out to get you. (CEV)

The strategies of the liar are made clear. The lesson: steer clear of such persons. They will do you no good. Especially is this true when a young man pursues a woman, or a young woman pursues a man. If either person may be characterized as a liar, drop the relationship. The same must be our stance in business and financial relationships. No true Christian ought ever be involved in trying to establish a relationship on the basis of untruthfulness. If you think you must lie to secure a desired relationship, you are trying to involve yourself with someone that is surely not right for you. It is time you draw close to God so He can draw close to you and direct you in the way you should go (Psalm 32:8). Trying to arrange things the way you want without following the guidance found in God’s Word is a very grave mistake.

(4) Psa 5:6  Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. (KJV) 

Psa 5:6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (ESV)

Psa 5:6 You destroy every liar, and you despise violence and deceit.

If you keep up the habit of lying, the result will be your destruction. Clearly, lying is not the way to conduct your life and what you have to say.

(5) Psa 120:2  Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. 

Psa 120:3  What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? 

Psa 120:2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

Psa 120:3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? (ESV)

Psa 120:2 “Come and save me, LORD, from deceitful liars!”

Psa 120:3 What punishment is fitting for you deceitful liars? (CEV)

(6) Hos 4:1  Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 

Hos 4:2  By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Hos 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;

Hos 4:2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. (ESV)

Hos 4:1 Israel, listen as the LORD accuses everyone in the land! No one is faithful or loyal or truly cares about God.

Hos 4:2 Cursing, dishonesty, murder, robbery, unfaithfulness– these happen all the time. Violence is everywhere. (CEV)

When a person or nation does not truly care about God, lying becomes more prevalent. The cure for lying is to get right with God and make Him the priority in your life.

 

(7) Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Joh 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (ESV)

Joh 8:44 Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies. (CEV)

Just as when Satan lies he speaks out of his own character, that character flaw can be a problem in our own lives until we fully commit ourselves to trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and doing His will.

(8) Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Eph 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (ESV)

Eph 4:25   We are part of the same body. Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. (CEV)

Eph 4:25 So you must lay aside falsehood and each of you practice telling the truth to his neighbor, for we are parts of one another. (Charles B. Williams NT)

There is deeper truth to be learned from Ephesians 4:25 than is expressed in our usual English translations. The Lavender New Testament is a very recent translation which conveys in English the distinctions present in the Greek grammar, distinctions usually lost in translation. Here is the note on Ephesians 4:25 as I have given it in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

putting away. or, having put. or, having already put aside. Having already put aside translates the force of the aorist participle, apothemenoi, used of past time. “The kind of action in the aorist participle is punctiliar, i.e., finished action” (Summers, § 73, (6)). Here and at other important texts, translations represent the inspired writers as giving exhortation/instruction to their Christian readers to do something with respect to sin, something not yet done: “you must put off” (Eph 4:25; NIV); “let us lay aside” (Heb 12:1, NKJ); “casting away” (Jas 1:21, DV); “putting aside” (1Pe 2:1, NASB); thus making it seem as if the Christian is always in process of putting away sin, but never actually saved from sinning or the carnal nature in this life. But the aorist participle shows finished action in past time, and so translated: “having already put aside” (Eph 4:25); “having already taken off and laid aside” (Heb 12:1); “having already taken off” (Jas 1:21); “having already put off” (1Pe 2:1). Catholicism and large segments of Protestantism do not believe that Jesus can actually save/deliver from all sin now, as the Scriptures teach (cf. Eph 1:7; Eph 4:24; Mat 1:21; Joh 3:3; Joh 17:17; Rom 1:1; Rom 1:17; Rom 5:1; Rom 6:1, 2, 3; Rom 6:6, 7; Rom 6:14, 15; Rom 6:17; Rom 7:14; Rom 16:25; 1Co 6:9, 10, 11; 1Jn 1:9; 1Jn 2:1 and notes) [LNT, fn s]. Gr. apotithēmi (S# G659, Eph 4:22). Eph 4:22, Isa 1:16.

Rev 22:11 Evil people will keep on being evil, and everyone who is dirty-minded will still be dirty-minded. But good people will keep on doing right, and God’s people will always be holy.

(9) Rev 22:15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 

Rev 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (ESV)

Rev 22:12 Then I was told: I am coming soon! And when I come, I will reward everyone for what they have done.

Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Rev 22:14 God will bless all who have washed their robes. They will each have the right to eat fruit from the tree that gives life, and they can enter the gates of the city.

Rev 22:15 But outside the city will be dogs, witches, immoral people, murderers, idol worshipers, and everyone who loves to tell lies and do wrong. (CEV)

The Bible plainly tells us that everyone who loves to tell lies and do wrong will not enter heaven. The list given in Revelation 22:15 excludes anyone who is sexually immoral as well. Anyone who practices these sins must understand that these sins will cost them the gift of eternal life which they could have had, if only they would have truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.

If you have developed a habit of lying, you must repent and forsake that sin, or it will not only get you in trouble in this life, it will keep you out of heaven and God’s eternal kingdom in the next life.

That is surely why God has placed the sin of lying on His list of the seven things that He hates.

 

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What does God hate? Part One

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Jerry

Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night, alert with many ideas that you needed but could not come up with easily before? That happened to me last night, rather early this morning at 4:00 am. I decided I had better write those ideas down before I forgot what they were.

I have been searching for the notebook where I placed a list of ideas I wanted to write about here on Real Bible Study, but I have been unable to find that notebook yet. I know where it used to be, but I can’t figure out where that notebook is just now. My late night brainstorm supplied me with thirty new topics to write about, topics that should be most helpful to all readers here.

The first topic that came to mind is “What God Hates.” The related Bible passage is Proverbs 6:16-19,

Pro 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 

Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 

Pro 6:18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 

Pro 6:19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 

The first thing that God hates is “a proud look.” The Bible has much to say about pride. What the world or our surrounding society or culture thinks about pride does not agree at all with what God has to say about this subject in His written Word!

The best way I know to find out what the Bible has to say about pride is to read the cross references given in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. Let us do just that, and consider carefully each reference in turn.

A proud look. Heb. Haughty eyes. eyes lifted up. FS171Q16, +Psa 18:27, Figure Synecdoche (of Part), put for pride, which is indicated by this act. This is the first, and the others proceed downward; “eyes,” “tongue,” “hands,” “heart,” “feet,” and then the whole man (CB). +Pro 16:5; Pro 21:4 mg. Pro 30:13, *Psa 10:4; Psa 18:27; Psa 73:6, 7, 8; Psa 101:5; Psa 131:1, *Isa 2:11; *Isa 3:9; Isa 3:16, *1Pe 5:5.

Proverbs 16:5 tells us that everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to God and shall not go unpunished.

Proverbs 21:4 states that “An high look” and “a proud heart” is sin.  It states “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”  Interestingly enough, the marginal reading for “the plowing of the wicked” is “the light of the wicked.” That reminds me of what Jesus warned about regarding “If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:23). The light of the wicked is sin. It is contrary to the light that Jesus Christ gives to those who believe and follow Him. It would be very wise to carefully consider the possibility, even the probability, that what you believe is wrong! If your light is from the wrong source, your light is darkness. If what you believe about God and spiritual things is not carefully grounded in what the Bible teaches, then what you believe is mistaken! This is a most important matter.

Proverbs 30:13 lets us know “There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.” It is as if they know everything already, and you cannot tell them anything. We all must be open to correction. When we are given the evidence that teaches us something new, when what is newly learned is contrary to what we thought we knew before, we must be willing to adjust our thinking accordingly.

Psalms 10:4 reads, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God:  God is not in all his thoughts.” Pride defines us as wicked in God’s eyes. The wicked, because of pride, will not seek after God. God is not the central concern of his or her life. Notice this verse contains a cause/effect relationship:  Pride is the cause of failure to seek after God. This ought to lead to a very blunt conclusion: if seeking God is not an active major concern in your life, that means you are wicked. William Kay comments on this verse: “The ungodly cares not to inquire after God; he thinks that God will not inquire after him;–as if to ignore facts were to destroy them.”

Psalm 101:5 warns, “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure” (ESV).

Isaiah 2:11 warns, taking in Isaiah 2:10, “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.  The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty, and upon everyone that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.”

Isaiah 3:9 (ESV) warns that there are those whose speech and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. “For the look on their faces bears witness against them;  they proclaim their sin like Sodom;  they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.”  That is what God thinks about so-called “Gay Pride.” No Bible believing Christian can support what God declares is wicked.

Isaiah 3:16 (ESV), “The LORD said:  Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet” therefore the LORD will strike [them]. Digging into this verse a little deeper, using the cross references given at Isaiah 3:16, I note the reference given for “wanton eyes” to Proverbs 29:3 to be most significant:  “He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth” (ESV).

The problem of pride in both men and women manifests itself in lustful desires and relationships. The proud person who thinks he or she “has it all together” not only engages in wrong relationships, but also has a money problem:  they do not know how to properly manage money, how to stay out of debt, how to control their urge to show off by over-spending on what seems to be status symbols in their life, or by cheating or withholding from others money that belongs to them. I saw that repeatedly in my position as the union representative in two high schools where I taught. I had to file grievances against administrators who refused to pay employees their wages on time. More than one administrator eventually got caught misusing or mishandling school funds when the State financial auditor dug into the financial records of the school, I later learned. Proverbs 29:3 surely points to the financial responsibility problem that a person under the control of his or her pride will find himself or herself. It is actually a cause/effect relationship statement that is most insightful.

1 Peter 5:5 is a most helpful passage which contains the solution that must be applied by any person who has become ensnared by the problem of pride and its consequences:  “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'” (ESV).

One of the key cross references given at 1 Peter 5:5 which gives additional insight into what we must do to rid ourselves of pride and clothe ourselves with proper humility is Isaiah 66:2, “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD:  but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” God will “look,” or have regard for, those who are “poor” (Recall what Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 5:3. It ought to be clear that those who are not poor in spirit will not enter the kingdom of heaven:  compare 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 11): those who are “poor” is more literally wretched or lowly. The person God highly regards is also of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at His word. That word is what we read in the Bible.

Recall that Paul commanded us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” in Philippians 2:12.  Philippians 2:13 is also most instructive:  “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” The Bible encourages us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us (James 4:8). As we draw near to God by prayer and the reading and study of His written word in the Bible, God will furnish us with the needed grace and strength to live according to His will. May God enable all of us to do these things and live lives pleasing to Him as a result.

 

Posted in Practical Application Studies, Principles of Christian Living | Leave a comment

My Sound Reasoning Ministries Radio Interview Notes from Today

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Jerry

I was kindly interviewed on Mr. Perseus Poku’s radio program today in California. The interview is about the origin and content of my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. The goal is to help equip more Bible believing, Bible reading Christians with a tool for deeper Bible study.

Below are my preparation notes for the interview. Should I learn of a link to a recorded podcast of the interview I plan to post that once it is available.

http://srministries.org/new-treasury-of-scripture-knowledge-guest-jerome-smith/

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.-2 Timothy 2:15

Dear Bro. Smith, thank you so much for agreeing to share your wisdom with our listeners. Our interview is scheduled for tomorrow (March 27th) at 2:15 pm (Pacific Time). We will discuss the origin and content of the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

The producer of our show will call you before the program. I also wanted to share the questions with you prior to the interview. Please let me know if you have any questions.

  1. Please tell us about the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is my first revision (of the now three published revisions), which corrects, and expands the original work, The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. What is the difference between the New Treasury and the original?

The difference between the New Treasury and the original Treasury is that I have:

(1) added many more cross references from 26 years of careful personal Bible study; I collected these references in the margins of several of my wide margin Bibles over those many years, and added still more references from 19th century works such as The Commentary Wholly Biblical and Young’s Concise Critical Comments;

(2) eliminated Roman numeral chapter designations. Because the modern print is far easier to read, users will also appreciate both the print edition of my New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the newly updated (2016) software edition called The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury available for the free e-Sword Bible study program as a premium module;

(3) I have added eight or nine indexes to make it easier to find what you are looking for;

(4) I have corrected numerous (perhaps thousands of) printing errors that I found in the original work;

(5) I have added an altogether new feature that identifies every figure of speech found in the Bible with notes to explain them.

3. Why should a lay person be interested in this Bible tool? 

I designed the New Treasury for the ordinary lay person. The New Treasury can be used by anyone who reads the Bible and wants to understand it better. It can be used by young people, Sunday school teachers, and everyone else, such that anyone can use it with great profit for Bible study: it is very easy to use.

A lay person will get much more out of Bible reading when using The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or the new Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury software because it:

(1) provides help at every Bible verse by showing where the other verses are in the Bible that explain that one;

(2) connects Old Testament Bible prophecies (called Messianic Prophecies) about the coming Messiah with the New Testament fulfillment;

(3) it indexes at Isaiah 11:11 the prophecies that remain to be fulfilled at Christ’s Second Coming (one of many “hidden features” in this Bible study tool; other hidden features include an extensive list of cause/effect relationship verses at Psalm 9:10 and extensive notes about divine guidance at 1 Kings 12:7, and a list of the Rules of Interpretation at 2 Peter 1:20);

(4) it answers more Bible questions than almost any other Bible study resource by letting the Bible explain itself.

  1. How should we use the New Treasury when engaged in Bible study?

When you are reading a Bible chapter and come across a very inspiring verse, look up the references for that verse in the New Treasury or the Ultimate Cross Reference Guide for even more inspiration!

If you have chosen a “life verse,” gain more insight by reading all the other verses in the Bible that reinforce the themes of that verse.

When you encounter a Bible verse that you do not understand, consult the references in the New Treasury or UCRT to gain insight from all the other verses in the Bible that shed light upon that verse.

When you want to dig deeper into any subject you find in the Bible, consult the references to learn far more.

When someone else makes a claim about what the Bible teaches, you can verify the claim by using the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by comparing Scripture with Scripture. Thus, the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is useful for the study of apologetics. It is also useful to study hermeneutics or the Rules of Interpretation (see the Note at 2 Peter 1:20).
The Bible is a self-explanatory Book. The Bible is a self-correcting Book, in that if you are mistaken in your understanding, your understanding will not agree with what the Bible teaches elsewhere. A mistaken understanding of a verse or doctrine will always be found not to “fit” what the Bible elsewhere teaches.

  1. What is Scott’s Commentary of the Bible?

Scott’s Commentary is an early 19th century (1809) five volume Bible commentary widely used and respected two centuries ago. Its contents are still helpful. Its connection with the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is that the cross references found in the original Treasury are taken from the marginal references Thomas Scott placed in his commentary.

  1. Many of us are familiar with Strong’s concordance of the Bible. How does the New Treasury differ from the Strong’s concordance?

Strong’s Concordance is a complete index to all the words of the English Bible that identifies by a special numbering system the underlying Greek or Hebrew word translated by any given English word in the Bible.

The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge does far more than any concordance can do because:

(1) it gives the help you need right at the verse you are studying: it would be cumbersome and quite difficult to study John 3:16 using a concordance, but it is a straightforward procedure using The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

(2) it connects verses according to the idea or theme, not just by the word;

(3) it identifies any figure of speech present in a verse, and links you to the rest of the occurrences of that figure and its explanation or definition.

(4) it identifies and lists (at Psalm 9:6) all the cause/effect relationship verses I have been able to find for practical application Bible study.

For example, there are many verses about prayer which do not contain the word “prayer.” If you are reading a verse about prayer, the New Treasury or the UCRT will link you to the other related verses about prayer that shed light upon that verse even if the words in the related verse are different.

If you wanted to find out what the Bible teaches about why some prayers are not answered, a concordance would not be of much direct help. But if you can find just one verse in the Bible about why God does not answer some prayers, the references in the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge will guide you to the rest of the verses on that subject. Check out Psalm 66:18, for example.

  1. The New Treasury contains numerous cross reference passages. For the sake of our listeners, please tell us what you mean by cross reference.

A cross-reference is a “link” to another verse in the Bible on the same subject, theme, or instance of a New Testament quotation of an Old Testament verse, or which otherwise has a connection to the verse you are consulting which will help you understand the verse much more completely.

  1. Please tell us more about the layout of the Treasury?

The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is arranged just like your Bible into the same Bible books, chapters, and verses. Every chapter is headed by an extensive outline of the chapter content. Every verse follows below in sequence, with the key words of each verse in boldface print. Following the key word are the cross references to the other verses in the Bible that relate to or explain that word, clause, or theme. Looking up each reference given will let you see how many other parts of the Bible shed light upon or explain that portion of the verse.
I have placed special symbols to indicate which references are the clearest, which are the most obvious in their connection, such that even a new user will see the connection without difficulty.

 

  1. Please tell us more about the indices found in the back and how to use them?

There are eight indexes in the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

(1) Subject Index

This index should be read, to learn what is in it. There is much more to be found in the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury related to the Bible than you could possibly imagine.

(2) Topic Number Index

This is a most important index. It too should be read. It has extensive sections on Bible promises, prayer, Messianic Prophecies fulfilled by Christ, and much more.

(3) Prayer Index

I developed this index from a nineteenth century work by Philip Waters, The Prayers of the Bible, probably the most extensive work ever written on the subject giving only the material from the Bible itself.

(4) Proverb Index

I developed this index from Charles Bridges’ commentary on the book of Proverbs.

(5) Name Index

This is the most complete index to the names in the Bible ever devised for the King James Version because it also includes names given in the translators’ marginal notes.

(6) Figure of Speech Index

The Figure of Speech Index is the most complete index to the Figures of Speech in the Bible ever produced. It is based upon E. W. Bullinger’s Figures of Speech in the Bible, but is more complete because I have included significant new entries from other sources.

(7) Strong’s Number Index: Hebrew

(8) Strong’s Number Index: Greek

The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury includes a new index to the 4000 Notes given in the Comprehensive Bible, the source of most of the notes found in the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, an index apparently never before included in any printing of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. This is now given as the

(9) Notes Index

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