The Christian God Afraid of His Own Creation Part Three

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Text:

John 11:54  Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. (KJV)

The Challenge Re-affirmed:

all of which you have presented is out of context to the verse which is in the post.

In john 11:54 your god is fleeing from the jews. The jews have power in the city and see your god as a enemy. So your god left out of fear. Thats the context. Stop try’na explain it with wayward of the track explanations.

And stop sending all these non relevant verse’s. Thats not how a civilised dialogue unfolds. These digressions of yours are obvious to us.

My Response:

It is obvious to me that you do not know how to properly interpret the Bible. To careful readers, what I have submitted by way of my citation of related Scripture would be most informative.

It is generally well recognized that Scripture interprets Scripture.

Your misunderstanding and misreading of John 11:54 demonstrates you do not understand this principle of Bible interpretation.

You ought to understand this principle by now for I have exhibited it repeatedly in my comments here.

You arbitrarily reject the fact that in John 11:54 Jesus acted out of prudence (Proverbs 22:3), not fear.

You arbitrarily reject the fact that the wider context of the New Testament establishes that Jesus acted without fear but rather acted in accordance with the will of the Father who sent Him. The fact that Jesus always acted according to the will of His Father Who sent Him is repeatedly affirmed in Scripture:

John 4:34
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

King James Version

John 6:38
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

King James Version

John 6:40
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

King James Version

John 8:29
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

King James Version

I demonstrated by specific reference to Scripture as given at Matthew 26:53, 54, 55, 56 and John 18:6, 8, 9 that Jesus was not afraid but in perfect control of the situation He and His disciples faced at the moment of His betrayal by Judas Iscariot.

Muslim Response:

he acted out on prudence due to fear of harm. Of course thats a wise decision for any man to make. But you say this man is God. Jesus made a wise decision to run away. If he didn’t he would have probably get a beating.

My Reply:

Thank you for peacefully and respectfully continuing this discussion.

You make an interesting observation in your last comment when you say:

“But you say this man is God.”

In my last comment I posted this verse:

John 6:38
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

King James Version

If Jesus were merely a man, how could He make the claim “For I came down from heaven”?

Jesus refers to this fact in John 17:5,

Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

You may recall that John the Baptist was about six months older than Jesus. Yet John the Baptist states:

John 1:15
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

King James Version

John 1:30
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

King James Version

What John the Baptist states provides incidental confirmation of what Jesus said. Jesus claimed that He came down from heaven. Therefore, Jesus must have existed as a person before He took on human nature when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary as announced by the angel Gabriel recorded in Luke 1:26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.

The angel Gabriel states that Mary’s child would be called “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32), an expression equivalent to His being called “the Son of God.” As the Son of God, Jesus in His person has always existed, which is why Jesus could say that He came down from heaven, and John could say that Jesus “was before me” (John 1:15).

There is absolutely NO basis for suggesting Jesus “ran away.” The King James Version translates the underlying Greek word ἀπέρχομαι by the English word “went” in John 11:54. It is never translated “run away.”

 

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The Christian God Afraid of His Own Creation Part Two

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Jerry


The Text:

Joh 11:54  Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. (KJV)

The Challenge:

lets just stick to the simple fact that is pointed out here.
Im asking you a simple question. Is it fitting for your God to be scared of his own creations?
Yes or no then give explanation?
Dont avoid the question
Its not a trick question

Question is based on your book

My Response:

I carefully gave you the answer, namely, that you have misunderstood and misapplied John 11:54.

There is nothing in John 11:54 that suggests God is scared of his own creations.

Muslim Challenge Repeated:

out of fear or repercussions from the jews your God ran away to the wilderness out of fear.

Thats the context, so stop beating around the bush. Your God ran away from his own creation out of fear. Is that not so?

My Answer:

Absolutely not so. Read the verse in its immediate context. Read the verse from multiple English translations.

Not out of fear of repercussions from the Jews, but out of prudence Jesus walked away to the wilderness to avoid needless confrontation with the Jewish leadership who were planning to kill Him for, as John expresses elsewhere in his Gospel, Jesus knew His “time was not yet” and His “hour had not yet come.”

I carefully gave you the answer to the issues and questions you raised by presenting for you the immediate context of John 11:54. I also shared with you this verse from several modern English Bible translations.

You challenged the relevance of my first response to your Opening Post by citing Proverbs 22:3.

If you are really reading what I have posted carefully, I trust you will see the correctness of what I presented from the Bible.

 

Muslim response:

this is so childish that i have to do this. His prudence you say. What was the reason of his prudence to stay free of harm from his own creation. Out of fear

Its simple math, you may please to have your misconstrued understanding. But its clear and simple a logical reasoning that’s obvious to see.

In other plaves your God doesn’t even know about the future or whether one of the trees that he created bares fruits or not (the fig tree)

To many things with your God ain’t adding up.

My Response:

I do not mean to be disrespectful. It ought to be obvious to you and any reader here that it is very likely that I have a more complete and accurate understanding of the Bible than you may have.

If you are of the Islamic faith, I would certainly grant that it is most likely that you would have a much more complete and accurate understanding of the Koran than I could ever hope to have.

As for Jesus running away scared, that is nonsense.

Take into account the broader context of the New Testament historical records of what Jesus said and did:

Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mat 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Mat 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Mat 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mat 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Mat 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Mat 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Note that Jesus displayed no fear here. He rebuked Peter for cutting off the High Priest’s servant’s ear.

He explained to Peter that He could summon twelve legions of angels for His defense should it be necessary.

But all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

Joh 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Joh 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
Joh 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Joh 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Joh 18:7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Joh 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Notice particularly John 18:6, which states “As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”

That is the historical record. Surely Jesus was in control of the situation.

Jesus commanded that the force which came to arrest Him “let these go their way” (John 18:8), which they did, Jesus thus fulfilling the related prophecy, “That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none” (John 18:9), fulfilling and confirming what Jesus stated in John 6:39 and John 17:12:

John 6:39
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

King James Version

John 17:12
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

King James Version

 

 

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The Christian God Afraid of His Own Creation Part One

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Jerry


The Challenge:

Christian God Afraid of Jews

John 11:54 And because Jews wanted to kill him, Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness. (NIV, New International Version)

How can Christians not see that this is not fitting for God. This is blasphemous to God! Its sacrilegious!

My Response:

Pro 22:3 Sensible people foresee trouble and hide from it, but gullible people go ahead and suffer the consequence. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Muslim reply:

honest people stick to the point and context of discussion. Dishonest people apply the rules of the highway to context of a country pathway.

Now explain why was the one who you refer to as God is running away afraid of his own creation!

answer the question.

Why is the one you call God, running away scared from His own creations!

My response:

When you understand Who Jesus is, the connection of John 11:54 to Proverbs 22:3 is made clear.

Jesus possesses an eternal existence: He has always been the Son of God, and God the Father has always been in the eternal relationship of Father to His Son.

The Son of God became a man at a point in time when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. In that manner Jesus took on the “form of man,” and from that time Jesus possesses a human nature without having lost His eternal Divine nature.

These facts are easily learned by reading the New Testament and the Old Testament prophecies which Jesus fulfilled.

Therefore, Jesus in His humanity was hardly “running away scared from His own creations!” That is a very mistaken caricature of the truth about His Person.

There is NOTHING in the text of John 11:54 that remotely suggests Jesus was “running away scared.”

Other English translations read:

Joh 11:54 It was for this reason that Jesus no more appeared in public among the Jews, but He left that part of the country and went to the district near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and stayed there with His disciples. (Williams New Testament)

Joh 11:54 So Jesus did not travel openly in Judea, but left and went to a place near the desert, to a town named Ephraim, where he stayed with the disciples. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Joh 11:54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. (ESV, English Standard Version)

Reading John 11:54 in context with the verse before it clarifies the situation Jesus faced:

Joh 11:53 From that day on, the Jewish council planned to kill Jesus.

Joh 11:54 So Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews. Instead, he left Bethany and went to the countryside near the desert, to a city called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. (GW, God’s Word translation)

On another occasion, Satan tempted Jesus by urging Him to jump off a pinnacle of the Temple, but Jesus replied that the Bible commands that we are not to tempt the Lord our God:

Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (KJV)

I think this ought to settle the issue you have mistakenly raised, for Jesus did not run away scared. Rather, Jesus exercised prudence by leaving Bethany and walking to Ephraim. Thus, Jesus followed the wise advice given in Proverbs 22:3,

Pro 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (KJV)

Pro 22:3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later. (GNB)

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Daily Bible Nugget #821, Isaiah 26:4

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Isa 26:4  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook post:

ISAIAH 26.3 THOU WILT KEEP HIM
IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MIND IS
STAYED ON THEE, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN THEE
Cross References for:

PSALM 55.22
Cast your burden,
on the Lord, He shall sustain you,
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved!

ISAIAH 12.2
Behold, God is my salvation,
I will Trust and and not be afraid;
For JEHOVAH, the LORD is my
strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.

MATTHEW 8.26
But He said to them,
Why are you Fearful,
O you of little Faith?
Then He arose and rebuked the winds

and the sea, and there was a great calm.

PHILIPPIANS 4.6-7
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

JOHN 14.27
Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you:
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid

JOHN 16.33
These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me, you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.

ROMANS 5.1-2
Therefore, having been Justified by Faith,
we have Peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 through whom also we have access by Faith
into this grace which we stand, and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

ISAIAH 30.15
In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.
ISAIAH 32.17 The work of righteousness will be peace
And the effect of righteousness, quietness and

assurance forever.

REVELATION 1.4
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and
who was and who is to come, and from the
7 Spirits who are before His throne.

PSALM 72.18-19
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God
of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
19. And blessed be his glorious name forever:
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory;
Amen and Amen.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #820, Isaiah 8:20

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Isa 8:20  To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (KJV)

Isa 8:20 To the Law and to the Testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there is no dawn to them! (LITV, Literal Translation of the Bible)

Isa 8:20  To Torah and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no light. (TLV, Tree of Life Version)

Isa 8:20  They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions. If people don’t speak these words, it is because it doesn’t dawn on them.  (GW, God’s Word translation)

Isa 8:20  You are to answer them, “Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don’t listen to mediums—what they tell you cannot keep trouble away.” (GNB, Good News Bible)

Isa 8:20 Then you must recall the LORD’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. (NET Bible)

My Comment:

I have sometimes been asked, “Where in the Bible does it say we are to go by the Bible alone?”

Sometimes the questioner is sincere. Sometimes the questioner raises this as an issue to refute or challenge my firm stand that we are to “go by the Bible alone and in its entirety.”

The answer is plainly stated in Isaiah 8:20. The prophet Isaiah warns the people not to seek guidance from other sources when God seemed to be silent. The people were upset because God did not respond to their repeated requests for guidance. God has already given the guidance they need in His written Word, the Bible.

The application to us ought to be clear: we are to go by what the Bible teaches us. We are not to be guided by any other supposed sources of guidance  (promoted by mistaken churches and movements) such as so-called “tradition.”

That my interpretation of Isaiah 8:20 is correct is confirmed by comparing what the several different English translations say as I have given above.

That my interpretation of Isaiah 8:20 is correct is confirmed by reading Isaiah 8:20 with its immediate context:

Isa 8:11  The Lord Encourages Isaiah
Indeed this is what the LORD told me. He took hold of me firmly and warned me not to act like these people:
Isa 8:12  “Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ every time these people say the word.
Don’t be afraid of what scares them; don’t be terrified.
Isa 8:13  You must recognize the authority of the LORD who commands armies.
He is the one you must respect;
he is the one you must fear.
Isa 8:14  He will become a sanctuary,
but a stone that makes a person trip,
and a rock that makes one stumble —
to the two houses of Israel.
He will become a trap and a snare
to the residents of Jerusalem.
Isa 8:15  Many will stumble over the stone and the rock,
and will fall and be seriously injured,
and will be ensnared and captured.”
Isa 8:16  Tie up the scroll as legal evidence,
seal the official record of God’s instructions and give it to my followers.
Isa 8:17  I will wait patiently for the LORD,
who has rejected the family of Jacob;
I will wait for him.
Isa 8:18  Look, I and the sons whom the LORD has given me are reminders and object lessons in Israel, sent from the LORD who commands armies, who lives on Mount Zion.
Isa 8:19  Darkness Turns to Light as an Ideal King Arrives
 They will say to you, “Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. Should people not seek oracles from their gods, by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?”
Isa 8:20  Then you must recall the LORD’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened.
Isa 8:21  They will pass through the land destitute and starving. Their hunger will make them angry, and they will curse their king and their God as they look upward.
Isa 8:22  When one looks out over the land, he sees distress and darkness, gloom and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land.  (NET Bible)

 

That my interpretation of Isaiah 8:20 is confirmed by what any Bible reader may learn by consulting the cross references and notes I have given for this verse in either The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

 

Cross Reference Bible Study for Isaiah 8:20 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

 

Isaiah 8:20
To the law. +Isa 8:16, +*Isa 1:10 note. **Deut 17:14, 15,, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20; **Deut 30:11, 12, 13, 14, **Jos 1:8, **2Ch 17:9, Ezr 7:10; Ezr 10:3, Neh 8:1, +*Psa 1:2; +Psa 119:1, Ecc 8:1, Jer 6:16; +*Jer 15:16, Eze 40:3, *Hag 2:11, Mal 4:4, Mat 4:7; Mat 14:4; Mat 15:4; +*Mat 23:2; +*Mat 23:3, Mar 4:24; **Mar 7:7; **Mar 7:13; Mar 10:3; Mar 10:19; **Mar 12:24, **Luk 4:4; *Luk 10:26; *Luk 16:29, 30, 31; Luk 18:20, **Joh 5:39; **Joh 5:46; **Joh 5:47, Act 2:38 note. **Act 17:11, Rom 4:3; +*Rom 15:4, 1Co 9:8, Gal 3:8, etc. Gal 4:21, 22, **2Ti 3:15, 16, 17, Jas 1:25, +*1Pe 2:2, **2Pe 1:19.

testimony. +Isa 8:16, Deut 17:14; Deut 17:18, 19, 20, Rth 4:7, 2Ki 11:12, 2Ch 23:11, Psa 78:5; Psa 93:5; +Psa 119:2; +Psa 119:24, Rom 3:2, 1Co 2:1, 2Ti 1:8, 1Pe 4:11.

if they speak not. Deut 13:3, +**Psa 119:63, +*Pro 19:27, Mat 24:4, +Mar 4:24, +Luk 8:18, *Act 20:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, **1Co 14:29, 2Co 2:17; 2Co 4:2, +*Gal 1:6; +*Gal 1:7; Gal 3:1, Eph 4:14, +2Ti 3:5, 2Pe 2:1; 2Pe 3:16, **1Jn 2:27, 2Jn 1:9, 10.

according. Here we learn the absolute importance of basing every doctrine, every belief, on the written word of God.

No error is more fundamental, nor more disastrous, than depending upon some external source of authority, whether extra-Biblical writings, or an organization claiming to dispense God’s truth.

The only source of authority is the written word of God.

This word is declared in many ways to be perspicuous—that is, understandable (Deut 30:11 note; +Psa 102:18, T49 (Bible a written revelation, and intelligible); +*Pro 8:9) to the ordinary person, who, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, together with careful study, may be trusted to come to just and sound conclusions as to the meaning of Scripture.

Otherwise how could spiritual truth be made known to “babes and sucklings” (Psa 8:2, Mat 11:25)?

How could ordinary listeners be commended for checking the accuracy and truthfulness of an apostle (**Act 17:11)?

How could ordinary believers be charged with the responsibility of judging the message of an apostle, to determine that it was the true gospel (Gal 1:8)?

Note that the great doctrinal epistles are specifically addressed to the “saints,” that is, the ordinary believers, not to the pastors, bishops, theologians, or authorities of the church (Rom 1:6; Rom 1:8; 1Co 1:2; Eph 1:1; Php 1:1; Col 1:2).

We shall be judged on the basis of our belief or disbelief in the written word of God (Joh 5:24, 25-47; Joh 12:48).

In that day we will not be able to excuse our wrong belief, if such it should prove to be, by an appeal claiming “But I believed what my church, pastor, organization, etc., taught me” (**Eze 14:10, Mat 7:21, 22, 23; **Mar 12:24; **Mar 12:27, **Rom 14:12). T46 (Bible, the true standard of faith and practice—danger of false standards): Isa 29:11, 12, 13, Exo 35:29; *Exo 40:16, Deut 29:29, *2Ki 23:24, Ezr 7:14; Ezr 10:3, Psa 26:3, Pro 22:21, Mat 7:21, 22, 23; Mat 15:3, 4, 5, 6; Mat 15:9, *Mar 7:7, 8, 9, Luk 3:14 note. Joh 8:6; *Joh 12:48; Joh 16:13 note. +*Act 8:31, Rom 2:16; Rom 2:18; Rom 3:2; Rom 3:10; Rom 4:3; Rom 12:6; +*Rom 15:4, +1Co 1:2; 1Co 3:13, 2Co 10:12; 2Co 11:4, +*Gal 1:8 note. Eph 1:1, Col 1:2; *Col 2:8, +*1Th 5:21 note, 2Ti 2:15, 1Pe 4:11, 1Jn 4:6.

to this word. Isa 65:5 note. +*Deut 4:2, 1Ki 13:9 note (point 1). 1Ch 28:19, *Psa 102:18, *Pro 30:5; *Pro 30:6, **Jer 23:28; **Jer 23:29, Mic 3:5, **Mar 12:24, Luk 12:57, *Joh 8:31; *Joh 8:32, +**2Ti 3:15; +**2Ti 3:16, *1Jn 4:1, Rev 4:1 note. Rev 22:18.

it is. Isa 30:8, 9, 10, 11, **Psa 19:7; **Psa 19:8; **Psa 119:130, *Jer 8:9, Mic 3:6, **Mat 6:23; **Mat 22:29, *Mar 7:7, 8, 9, *Luk 8:11, Rom 1:22, *2Pe 1:9, +*Jud 1:3 note.

no light. Heb. morning. lit. “darkness,” either of morning or of evening (Young). +*Isa 17:14; Isa 47:11, Gen 32:25; Gen 32:27, Exo 25:37, Lev 24:2, Num 8:2, Jos 6:15, 1Sa 9:26, Job 24:16; Job 38:12; Job 38:15, Psa 49:20; *Psa 101:8; +**Psa 119:105; +**Psa 119:130; Psa 139:9, Pro 2:6; +*Pro 4:18; +*Pro 4:19; Pro 6:23; **Pro 8:9; Pro 14:6; Pro 18:1 note. Pro 20:20, *Jer 8:9; Jer 14:14 note (point 1). **Jer 23:28 note. **Eze 14:10 note. Dan 11:33 note. Hos 6:3, *Mal 4:2, *Mat 6:23; *Mat 8:12; **Mat 11:25, Luk 11:36, Joh 1:9; Joh 3:19; Joh 3:21; Joh 8:12, *2Co 4:3; *2Co 4:4, *2Pe 1:19, 1Jn 1:5; 1Jn 1:7; 1Jn 2:11, *Jud 1:13, +Rev 2:28.

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Daily Bible Nugget #819, Luke 8:18

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

Luke 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. (KJV)

Luk 8:18  “So pay attention to how you listen! Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge. However, some people don’t understand these mysteries. Even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” (GW, God’s Word translation)

Luk 8:18  “Be careful, then, how you listen; because those who have something will be given more, but whoever has nothing will have taken away from them even the little they think they have.” (GNB, Good News Bible)

Luk 8:18 Pay attention to how you listen! Everyone who has something will be given more, but people who have nothing will lose what little they think they have. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Luk 8:18 So take care how you listen, for whoever gets more will have more given to him, and whoever does not get more will have even what he thinks he has taken away from him.” (Williams New Testament)

My Comment:

Reading Luke 8:18 in the light of its immediate context by reading the whole eighth chapter of Luke will help any reader to understand this passage better. In Mark 4:24 Jesus commanded us to take heed as to what we hear. This near parallel in Luke 8:18 commands us to take care how we listen. We need to listen to God’s word in a manner that enables us to remember what we have read or heard read. That way we will be able to build upon our prior knowledge so that we understand and retain still more. This will help us apply what we know to practical matters that guide our steps in the proper way.

Cross Reference Bible Study for Luke 8:18 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Luke 8:18
Take heed. Luk 8:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Luk 9:44, Deut 4:9; Deut 32:46, 47, Pro 2:2, 3, 4, 5, Jer 17:21, +*Mar 4:9; +*Mar 4:23; +*Mar 4:24; Mar 13:14, Act 10:33; **Act 17:11, *Heb 2:1, *Jas 1:19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, *1Pe 2:1; *1Pe 2:2.

how ye hear. Luk 6:27; **Luk 11:28, *Deut 28:1; *Deut 28:2; %+*Deut 28:15, Neh 8:3, +*Job 37:2, **Pro 4:20, 21, 22; Pro 23:19, +**Jer 16:12; %+*Jer 29:19, %+*Mar 4:24, Joh 10:5, +*Jas 1:25.

for whosoever hath. Luk 19:26, +*Mat 13:12; Mat 25:29, Mar 4:25; +*Mar 10:29; +*Mar 10:30, *Joh 15:2, *Jas 4:6.

shall be given. Luk 7:50; +*Luk 10:42.

hath not. Mat 25:8.

from him. Luk 12:20, 21; Luk 16:2, 3, 4; Luk 16:19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25; *Luk 19:24; *Luk 19:26, *Mat 7:22; *Mat 7:23, 1Co 13:1, 2, 3.

seemeth to have. or, thinketh that he hath. +*Pro 14:12, +*Rom 12:3, *1Co 3:18; 1Co 8:2; 1Co 14:37, Php 3:4, Jas 1:26.

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Daily Bible Nugget #818, Mark 4:24

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

Mar 4:24  And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

My Comment:

We need to exercise great caution when we hear or even see the news. Very few sources are devoted to informing us what is actually taking place.

When a major event takes place, pay attention to what is first reported by those who are on the scene. Later reports sometimes are more accurate but sometimes they are “slanted” in content or leave important facts out.

Today is the anniversary of a significant gathering at the United States Capitol on January 6 just a few years ago.

I spent much time watching video reports from media and individuals who were there at the time. I also listened to reports on the radio.

One of the first reports I distinctly remember hearing was on a radio news broadcast the morning of January 6. The report said that several buses were filled with people coming to Washington, D.C., and escorted by what appeared to be police vehicles.

I later learned and also actually saw the passengers exit the buses after donning MEGA caps so that the riders appeared to be part of this patriotic event. It turns out that these passengers were up to no good and had come to disrupt and otherwise tarnish the event.

I also heard and watched some Christians who were present who were sharing the Gospel of Christ with those who would listen.

I also watched as genuine conservatives attempted to restrain the actions of infiltrators who were attempting to break windows and otherwise engage in mayhem.

The picture presented in President Biden’s speech the other day is totally false. This event was never intended to be an “insurrection.” In fact it was never an insurrection. It was a peaceful protest against the perpetrators of a stolen election. Notice how many claim to support “democracy” but usually fail to acknowledge that our country is a federal republic. The founders were very much against democracy.

President Trump authorized a large contingent of National Guard to help protect the Capitol, if needed. The mayor of Washington, D.C., refused the aid President Trump offered. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also refused the help. Now you know who wanted things that day to turn violent.

I think it is the FBI who have carefully reviewed footage of the January 6 crowd as well as cell phone location records to identify who had come to this event. Over 1000 individuals identified as present that day have been placed in jails in Washington, D.C., and have been left in jail as virtual political prisoners these several years since.

Remember that elections have consequences. Remember that all liars will find themselves where they do not want to be according to Revelation 21:8. Do not be part of the misinformation campaign currently being waged with a vengeance. Stand up for the truth of God’s Word and reach others for Christ.

Cross Reference Bible Study for Mark 4:24 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Mark 4:24
Take heed. +*Pro 19:27, Jer 17:21, Eze 14:10 note. +*Mat 15:14, +*Luk 8:18, Act 16:14; **Act 17:11, *Heb 2:1, Jas 1:19, 1Pe 2:2, 2Pe 2:1, 2, 3, *1Jn 4:1.

what ye hear. Mar 8:15, +**Psa 119:63, +*Pro 18:17; +*Pro 19:27; Pro 20:12, +*Isa 8:20 note. Isa 65:5 note. +**Jer 16:12, +*Eze 14:10 note. Mat 16:12, %+*Luk 8:18, +*Joh 10:5, 1Ti 1:4; +*1Ti 4:16, 2Ti 4:3, **1Jn 4:1, 2Jn 1:9, 10, 11, +*Jud 1:3.

with what measure. Lev 24:19, +*Jdg 1:7, 1Sa 15:33, Mat 7:2, +*Luk 6:37; +*Luk 6:38, **2Co 9:6.

that hear. Mar 4:9, *Mar 9:7, +*Isa 55:3, Luk 6:27, *Joh 5:25; **Joh 10:16; **Joh 10:27, **Rom 10:17.

shall more be given. Mat 13:12, *Luk 11:36.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #817, 1 Samuel 14:15

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

1Sa 14:15  And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. (KJV)

1Sa 14:15  There was panic among the army in the field and all the troops in the military post. The raiding party also trembled in fear. The earth shook, and there was a panic sent from God. (GW, God’s Word translation)

1Sa 14:15  All the Philistines in the countryside were terrified; the raiders and the soldiers in the camp trembled with fear; the earth shook, and there was great panic. (GNB, Good News Bible)

1Sa 14:15 The whole Philistine army panicked–those in camp, those on guard duty, those in the fields, and those on raiding patrols. All of them were afraid and confused. Then God sent an earthquake, and the ground began to tremble. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I found the four New Testament statements about the directly stated four wills of God fully discussed in a book I purchased for my Logos Bible Software library:

Eggerichs, E. (2018). The 4 wills of god: the way he directs our steps and frees us to direct our own. B&H Books.

At first, I was not inclined to purchase the book. I try to avoid buying books that my Greek and Old Testament Prophecy courses instructor, Dr. Stuart Custer, described as “devotional fluff.” Professor Custer told us in Greek class, “If you want devotional fluff, write your own.” I have generally followed his advice.

But this time, my interest in The Four Wills of God: The way He directs our steps and frees us to direct our own was piqued when I carefully read the “See Inside” preview of the book.

It turns out that the author, Pastor Emerson Eggerichs, was the pastor of East Lansing Trinity Church just after I attended that church when I worked at Resources Development Corporation (RDC) of East Lansing, Michigan. I learned of RDC through Dr. Donald J. Lloyd, my professor at Wayne State University, from whom I took courses in linguistics in graduate school. I lived in the basement apartment of Dr. Lloyd’s home while working at RDC. I wrote programmed instruction materials for industry. The following summer I lived in a basement apartment of a missionary couple who served in campus ministry at Michigan State University. They were affiliated with East Lansing Trinity Church, while I was continuing my work at RDC.

I have never met Pastor Emerson Eggerichs, but his book brought back memories of those years I worked summers in East Lansing.

Pastor Eggerichs fully discusses the Four Wills of God and the four New Testament passages that state them (Matthew 6:40; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Peter 2:13-15). These wills, in brief, are (1) that we be saved through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; (2) that we maintain moral purity by avoiding all sexual sin, whether adultery or fornication or any other; (3) that we be thankful for everything–the good and the bad–that comes our way; (4) that we be truly submissive to all the authorities that are over us unless they ask or demand that we violate what God commands of us in Scripture.

Pastor Eggerichs asserts that (5) when we have fully complied with the Four Wills of God directly revealed in the New Testament, if God provides us no further guidance regarding our life choices, we are free to choose our path as seems best to us: God then frees us to direct our own steps.

I found it interesting to learn that Pastor Eggerichs first learned of some related principles from a book written by Pastor John MacArthur:

MacArthur, J., Jr. (2012). Found: god’s will. David C Cook.

In a much earlier edition (1973) of Found: God’s Will, John MacArthur had remarked that he was helped greatly by studying this subject by means of The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Pastor Eggerichs remarks that he, too, found much help in studying the subject by using The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, though he mistakenly refers to it as The Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge in his book.

In The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury and The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge  I have indexed the topic “Guidance, hand of providence in” to 1 Samuel 14:15, where a note from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on this subject occurs.

Cross Reference Bible Study for 1 Samuel 14:15 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

1 Samuel 14:15
there was trembling. Jos 2:9, Jdg 7:21, 2Ki 7:6, 7, Job 18:11, Psa 14:5.

the spoilers. 1Sa 13:17; 1Sa 13:23.

the earth quaked. Exo 19:18, Mat 24:7; Mat 27:50, 51.

very great trembling. Heb. trembling of God. +*Gen 23:6; +Gen 35:5, Lev 26:36, 37, 2Sa 5:24, 1Ch 12:22, +Psa 36:6 mg. Dan 5:6, Act 7:20, FS108C4, Idiom F/S 834, “of God” is used as an adjective. Here, “trembling of God” means a very great trembling, meaning an earthquake. For another instance of this figure see Psa 36:6 mg. Note (from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, not in the Comprehensive Bible): God will in some way or other direct the steps of those who acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek unto him for direction with full purpose of heart. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected, but well observed, turns of Providence.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #816, 1 Peter 2:15

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

1 Peter 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (KJV)

1Pe 2:15  God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. (GW, God’s Word translation)

1Pe 2:15  For God wants you to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by the good things you do. (GNB, Good News Bible)

1Pe 2:15 God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

1Pe 2:15 For God’s will is this–that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. (TCNT, Twentieth Century New Testament)

My Comment:

I shared the following quotation with many of my students:

“Live so that when men speak ill of you, nobody will believe them.”  Anonymous

That is an important key to maintaining a good reputation.

Many times you will be misunderstood. You will be the focus of those who think they can bully you by their efforts to tarnish your reputation or character. This certainly takes place in schools–I experienced this first hand both as a student and as a teacher.

God’s will is that we put to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.

This represents the fourth instance of the direct statement of God’s will for each of us.

To understand 1 Peter 2:15,  we must take it in its immediate context–what comes before and what comes after:

Submission to Authority
1Pe 2:13 Submit to all human institutions for the Lord’s sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority,
1Pe 2:14 and to governors as the men sent by him to punish evil-doers and to commend those who do right.
1Pe 2:15 For God’s will is this–that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.
1Pe 2:16 Act as free men, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God. (TCNT)

An attitude and practice of submission is the key to obeying God’s will.

This may be a very hard requirement for most of us to conform to in our various relations to those who have authority over us. Nevertheless, it is important that we conform to God’s expressed will.

There are exceptions to the general rule–even Peter firmly voiced an exception himself as recorded in Acts 5:29,

Acts 5:29
29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
King James Version

Much more could be said about God’s will as it is taught in the Bible. You can find much more by studying the cross references given below.

Cross Reference Bible Study for 1 Peter 2:15 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

1 Peter 2:15
For so. or, Thus is. +1Pe 3:17.

the will. Gr. thelēma (S# G2307, Gal 1:4). 1Pe 4:2, +*Mat 6:10; *Mat 7:21; Mat 18:14, Eph 6:6, 7, Col 1:9, +1Th 4:3; 1Th 5:18.

with. See on +1Pe 2:12, Job 5:16, Psa 107:42, *Tit 2:8.

well doing. Gr. agathopoieō [(S# G15): Rendered (1) do good: Mar 3:4, Luk 6:9; Luk 6:33 (twice), Luk 6:35, Act 14:17, 3Jn 1:11, (2) well doing: 1Pe 2:15; 1Pe 3:17, (3) do well: 1Pe 2:20; 1Pe 3:6]. 1Pe 2:12, 1Pe 4:19, Gen 30:29, Neh 5:9, Isa 5:16, Mat 5:14, 15, 16, +Act 14:17, Gal 6:9, Col 3:23.

put to silence. Gr. phimoō (S# G5392, Mat 22:12). Deut 25:4, *Dan 6:4; *Dan 6:5, *Mat 22:12; *Mat 22:34, Mar 1:25; Mar 4:39, 1Co 9:9, 1Ti 5:18, *Tit 2:8.

the ignorance. Gr. agnōsia (S# G56, only here and 1Co 15:34). Job 35:16, Joh 16:3, Act 3:17; Act 17:7, 1Co 15:34 g. Eph 5:17, 1Ti 1:13, 2Pe 2:12, Jud 1:10.

foolish. Gr. aphrōn (S# G878, Luk 11:40). +Deut 32:6, Job 2:10, Psa 5:5, Pro 1:7; Pro 9:6, Jer 4:22, Mat 7:26; Mat 25:2, Mar 7:22, Rom 1:21, Gal 3:1, Tit 3:3.

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Daily Bible Nugget #815, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (KJV)

1Th 5:18  Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. (GW, God’s Word translation)

1Th 5:18  be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. (GNB, Good News Bible)

1Th 5:18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

1Th 5:18 Make it a habit to give thanks for everything, for this is God’s will for you through Christ Jesus. (Williams New Testament)

My Comment:

This is the third of four New Testament passages which directly state what the will of God is for us. It is God’s will that we give thanks for everything, whatever happens, in all circumstances. This means for everything–whatever happens, whether good or bad. This seems contrary to normal human reason because it is not human reason but the will of God. Making this our habit will bring freedom (not bondage, depression, and remorse) into our life in union with our Lord Jesus Christ. As our example, our Lord Jesus Christ did this very thing under circumstances far more trying than ours (Hebrews 12:1, 2, 3).

Cross Reference Bible study for 1 Thessalonians 5:18 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In. FS41, +Gen 10:1.

every thing. 1Th 3:3; 1Th 4:13, Job 1:21, Psa 34:1, **Hab 3:17; **Hab 3:18, Act 10:2, See on *+Eph 5:20, *Php 4:6, *Col 3:15; Col 3:17, Heb 13:15.

give thanks. Gr. eucharisteō (S# G2168, 2Co 1:11). 1Th 1:2; 1Th 2:13, +Lev 7:12, Deut 8:10, Rth 4:14, =1Ch 23:30, Neh 11:17, Psa 50:14; Psa 106:1; +*Psa 119:62; +Psa 136:1, Dan 6:10; Dan 6:20, Luk 6:35; Luk 10:21; Luk 22:17; Luk 22:19; +Luk 24:30, Joh 6:11, Rom 1:21, 1Co 1:14, Eph 1:16; Eph 5:4, +Php 4:6, +*Col 2:7; +Col 3:17; Col 4:2, 2Th 1:3; 2Th 2:13, 1Ti 2:1, Heb 13:15.

the will. Gr. thelēma (S# G2307, Gal 1:4). *+1Th 4:3, =Num 4:27, =1Ch 6:48, +*Mat 6:10; +*Mat 7:21, Eph 2:10; Eph 5:17; Eph 6:6, **Php 2:13, Heb 13:21, *1Pe 2:15; 1Pe 4:2, *1Jn 2:17.

in Christ Jesus. +Act 19:4.

concerning. or, in regard to. Php 2:12, 13 note.

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