Re: Scripture of the Day

**Admin** Thu Sep 19, 2019 12:52 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] SHOW THE TRUE GOD (YHWH) PROPER HONOR AND REVERENCE. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [54B]

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:1 – 2, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, Jesus (Yeshua) did the will of his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), and acknowledged that only he was truly good at Mark 10:17 - 19, [AV] “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”

[2] Show The True God (YHWH) Proper Honor and Reverence:

INTRODUCTION:

The First Three of the Ten Commandments clearly say we shall have no foreign god(s) nor take the personal name of God (YHWH) in vain. His name being represented in English by a transliteration of four ancient Hebrew constantans as 'YHWH." One expert has even written an entire book about the name of God (YHWH). He is Gérard Gertoux, President, Association Biblique de Recherche d'Anciens Manuscrits {French Bible Society], and the name of the book is "The Name of God Y.eH.oW.aH Which Is Pronounced As It Is Written I_Eh_Ou_Ah: Its Story."

THE FIRST OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, ONE OF THREE DEALING WITH GOD(S):

The first of the three Ten Commandments, found at Genesis 1:3 says in context, Genesis 1:1-3, "And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me." (Revised Standard Version; RSV).

What does this mean? It means that he is the only true God (YHWH) and wants to be clearly given exclusive devotion above all else. He has this right since he created all there is as clearly shown in Genesis 1:1-29, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. 6 And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 And God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. 9 And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth." And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. 14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. 20 And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens." 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 24 And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." (RSV).

THE SECOND OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, ONE OF THREE DEALING WITH GOD(S):

The second of the three Ten Commandments, found at Genesis 1:4 says in context, Genesis 1:4-6, ""You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (RSV).

Clearly showing we should not set up other god(s) which can be graven images, sports idols, money, imaginary god(s) such as Allah, the many god(s) of oriental religions, Satan the Devil the true God's (YHWH's) arch enemy, or other humans. That this wins the true God's (YHWH's) strong displeasure is clearly shown by the account at Acts 12:20-23, "Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and they came to him in a body, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and made an oration to them. 22 And the people shouted, "The voice of a god, and not of man!" 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died." (RSV) .

THE THIRD OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, ONE OF THREE DEALING WITH GOD(S):

The third of the three Ten Commandments, found at Genesis 1:7, ""You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (ASV).

Clearly showing we should not be disrespectful of his personal name, nor use it in a worthless way such as stating others are actually him or using it in curses. This is unfortunately the case today. One example would be saying that his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) is actually God (YHWH).

Another would be saying a foreign god(s), a product of men's imagination is actually God (YHWH) of which 2 Corinthians 4:4 warns, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (RSV). Let's look into this in detail with a writing by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director International Christian Zionist Center, called "Allah is not God."

"Now we have the proof, and we should be thankful for Dr. Rantisi, Hamas new leader's clarity: that Allah - many times wrongly translated as 'God' - is not the God of the Bible, nor the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Allah is another deity, one who drinks blood as water, who loves jihad and terror, and promises virgins in his so-called paradise to those who kill Jews - the more the better.

This Allah has nothing, nothing to do with the God of the Bible. And no matter how many times the muezzins shout out that Allah hu ahbar - 'our Allah is greater' - the God of Israel remains infinitely greater and is the only true and living God and Creator, a God of love to be worshiped as the Creator of us all.

So Dr. Rantisi's declaration that Allah (not God!) has declared war on President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon, and thus on the U.S. and on Israel, is strangely revealing. Every intelligent believer already knows that this evil bloodthirsty 'god' has, like Amalek, a war for generations against the only true God and His chosen and elected people. What's new?

But let no one, and I repeat - no one - from henceforth translate Allah into God. It's pure nonsense.

Allah is the god of terrorists; Hizb'allah, the party of this god. So, if Allah were the same as the only true God, then He would be fighting His own people, the Jews who, in accordance with His eternal promise, He has brought back to His own land as He promised again and again in His word to do.

Allah, if he was the only true God, is making war against a President who begins his day with prayer and the reading of the Bible, and who believes in and loves God.

How ridiculous can one be?

So now President Bush and the whole enlightened and believing western world knows. Allah and his jihad-centered and terrorist-championing religion has declared war on Israel and the U.S. In this fallen and decadent world, these nations are the last strongholds of the Judeo-Christian values inspired by the only true and living God. And these are the strongholds that need to be terrorized into submission to the teaching of ISLAM by the will of this bloodthirsty deity, Allah!

When Christians earnestly prayed in England and elsewhere to be delivered during the second world war from the terrible scourge of Nazism - God used the U.S. led Allied forces to bring victory on the Continent over this beastly power. So too, now, we as believers need to earnestly pray that God will again deliver us from this equally dangerous power, and cause leaders to arise, especially in the West, who like Churchill and Roosevelt, will vanquish this Evil Force! [source - "Allah is not God" by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director International Christian Zionist Center]

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS:

Here are the Ten Commandments in simple English as a reminder to all:

[1] You shall have no other Gods but me.

[2] You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.

[3] You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

[4] You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.

[5] Respect your father and mother.

[6] You must not kill.

[7] You must not commit adultery.

[8] You must not steal.

[9] You must not give false evidence against your neighbors.

[10] You must not be envious of your neighbor's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbors.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sat Sep 21, 2019 4:24 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] MANY CLOUD BIBLE TRUTHS BY TWISTING WORD MEANINGS. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [55B]

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. John 40:5 – 8, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Almighty God (YHWH) INSPIRES THE Prophet Jeremiah to write Jeremiah 19:11 – 14, [AV], “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

[2] Many Cloud Bible Truths By Twisting Word Meanings:

INTRODUCTION:

Originally God (YHWH) set out to create a guide for all his faithful human followers or believers to be able to use for their education about him and for guidance. To this end he caused over 40 faithful men he used as scribes to put his thoughts into the words of men so we would be able to understand what he desired that we know. These faithful writers thus wrote under divine inspiration/guidance much as transcribing secretaries today taking transcription and then later typing it out. But, of course, the real author of what we know today as the Bible is God (YHWH). Interestingly each of these many scribes he used to put his thoughts into the words of men over a period of approximately 1,600 years wrote in his own style. What many now call or consider inconsistencies are really not such, but most often just a problem of translation and/or understanding, i.e., lack of understanding of what the original writer writing in his own language and culture meant/said in his original writing. What is remarkable, is the writers over such a period of time all wrote in harmony when even most posters on threads on this forum can not even stay on track or subject over a period of a few days and/or weeks at most with the original subject of the thread. This fact of harmony over a period so great as to almost stagger the imagination shows that it had one guiding force or author who divinely inspired its writers as humans of their own volition can not keep on track over short periods of time.

The Bible is therefore the only book God (YHWH) ever inspired men to write as his scribes. In other words, God is its author and men only put his thoughts given to them by divine inspiration into their own words, the words of men.

Whereas, God (YHWH) sought to have these divinely inspired men put his thoughts into the words of men to enable all to understand, many seek to twist the meaning of some of these words to fit their own creedal beliefs, beliefs of creeds, instead of taking them as given. They put forth arguments such as when applied to heavenly things and/or the Creator (YHWH) and/or his son that the words have a different meaning than the ordinary meaning. Of course this violates God's (YHWH's)original purpose which was the putting of his thoughts into the words of men and not giving other than their ordinary meaning to the words.

Some of the words these individuals seek to pervert to support their creedal beliefs are firstborn, begotten/beget, father, son, etc. Yet we should not be surprised at this since 2 Corinthians 4:4 clearly says, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (Revised Standard Version; RSV).

LET'S CONSIDER FIRST BEGOTTEN/BEGET:

Some say in attempting to twist the meaning of begotten/beget, "We know from Scripture that he was begotten not created." Clearly shows you do not even understand what begotten in the sense of Jesus Christ means, and have even formed a defective question since he is the "first of creation". But let's look at the facts with regard begotten/beget.

Easton;s Bible Dictionary defines it as follows:
yy Your comment, "We know from Scripture that he was begotten not created." Clearly shows you do not even understand what begotten in the sense of Jesus Christ means, and have even formed a defective question since he is the "first of creation".

Easton;s Bible Dictionary defines it as follows:

(Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John #Joh 1:1-14 1Jo 1:1 Re 19:13 As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" #Joh 1:18 This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God and "was God," and was the Creator of all things (comp.) #Ps 33:6 107:20 119:89 147:18 Isa 40:8 [source - Easton's Bible Dictionary]

Another Bible Dictionary defines it as follows:

How he is the "only-begotten Son." Jesus' being called the "only-begotten Son" (Joh 1:14; 3:16, 18; 1Jo 4:9) does not mean that the other spirit creatures produced were not God's sons, for they are called sons as well. (Ge 6:2, 4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7) However, by virtue of his being the sole direct creation of his Father, the firstborn Son was unique, different from all others of God's sons, all of whom were created or begotten by Jehovah through that firstborn Son. So "the Word" was Jehovah's "only-begotten Son" in a particular sense, even as Isaac was Abraham's "only-begotten son" in a particular sense (his father already having another son but not by his wife Sarah).-Heb 11:17; Ge 16:15. [source - Insight, Vol 2]

The International Encyclopedia of the Bible defines it as follows:

ONLY BEGOTTEN on'-li be-got-'-'n (monogenes):
Although the English words are found only 6 times in the New Testament, the Greek word appears 9 times, and often in the Septuagint. It is used literally of an only child: "the only son of his mother" (Luke 7:12); "an only daughter" (Luke 8:42); "mine only child" (Luke 9:38); "Isaac .... his only begotten" (Hebrews 11:17). In all other places in the New Testament it refers to Jesus Christ as "the only begotten Son of God" (John 1:14,18; 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9). In these passages, too, it might be translated as "the only son of God"; for the emphasis seems to be on His uniqueness, rather than on His sonship, though both ideas are certainly present. He is the son of God in a sense in which no others are. "Monogenes describes the absolutely unique relation of the Son to the Father in His divine nature; prototokos describes the relation of the Risen Christ in His glorified humanity to man" (Westcott on Hebrews 1:6). Christ's uniqueness as it appears in the above passages consists of two things:

He reveals the Father:
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). Men therefore behold His glory, "glory as of the only begotten from the Father" (1:14).

He is the mediator of salvation:
"God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him" (1John 4:9; John 3:16); "He that believeth not (on him) hath been judged already" (John 3:18). Other elements in His uniqueness may be gathered from other passages, as His sinlessness, His authority to forgive sins, His unbroken communion with the Father, and His unique knowledge of Him. To say that it is a uniqueness of nature or essence carries thought no farther, for these terms still need definition, and they can be defined only in terms of His moral consciousness, of His revelation of God, and especially of His intimate union as Son with the Father. [source - International Encyclopedia of the Bible].

The Bible:

" And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;" (Revelation 3:14, Authorized King James Bible; AV), [this clearly shows that he is "the beginning of the creation of God" so anyone presuming he was not created is in gross error that could be taken as blasphemy]

" Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" (Colossians 1:15 AV)

In fact, his Father (YHWH) has put everything under this only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) except himself as clearly shown at 1 Corinthians 15:21-28, " For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all." (American Standard Version; ASV). Now if they were the one and same god as this ones who are misguided by their unconscious assumptions assume, the 27 verse would be meaningless and in error when it says, " 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him." (ASV).

Since his Father (YHWH) has given his Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) immortality he has life to eternity, but that in no way signifies that he always existed since the Bible clearly refers to him as the first of creation " And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;" (Revelation 3:14, AV) and " Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" (Colossians 1:15, AV). Since he is the first of creation and existed in heaven with his Father (YHWH) long before the earth was created he is properly called the only begotten Son. This is made clear at " What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?" (John 6:62, AV) and " Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58, AV). In fact the very fact repeatedly stressed in the Bible that he is the Son of God clearly implies a beginning as we all know that a Father exist before a Son.

Now let's consider the teachings of the believers in the false dogma of the Trinity Theology who of course translate with bias to make it appear that the Almighty God Father (YHWH) and his, Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) are one and the same, but is this reasonable when considered with other Bible text? No it is not as Almighty God's (YHWH's) son ,Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) is clearly shown to be a lesser one than his father, consider, " Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." (John 14:28, AV) where the same writer of John 1:1 clearly shows the Father (YHWH) as being greater as he does again at " Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19, AV) where the Apostle John quotes Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves).

His subjection was made quite clear as follows, "And, having become man, he humbled himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying, and the death he died was the death of a common criminal." Clearly he, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) was doing the will of his Father (YHWH) . In fact, when tempted by Satan the Devil he stated " Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10, AV), " Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (John 20:17, AV), "21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." (John 4:21-26, AV).

Of course, since Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH) is Almighty God (YHWH) only begotten Son, he is also a god, but a lesser one; therefore, The First Commandment of the Ten Commandments, " Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3, AV), is not violated since he is neither equal to or before his Father.

Since he has proved his obedience to his Father (YHWH), his Father (YHWH) has " That is why God has now lifted him so high, and has given him the name beyond all names, so that at the name of Jesus "every knee shall bow", whether in Heaven or earth or under the earth. And that is why, in the end, "every tongue shall confess" that Jesus Christ" is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father." And his Father has subjected all things onto his Son, except himself, "17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:17-28, AV). Therefore, it is clear that Almighty God, the Father (YHWH) is the superior one since he has put all things under his Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves), except himself, and could not do so unless he was above or superior to his Son. Also, it is clear that after he accomplishes his Father's purpose, he, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves), will subject himself to his father, "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." This clearly shows that Trinitarian Theology and Dualism Theology are false dogma and should be clearly rejected by all Christians.

This is necessary as it is recognizing the office or authority of the Son, Jesus (Yeshua or YHWH saves) who is the only begotten son and the first of creation by his Father (YHWH). His Father (YHWH) exalted him to a position only second only to himself, "9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, AV). And, he was given, " And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:16, AV)

He proved faithful to his Father (YHWH), " And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," (Revelation 1:5 AV); therefore, he became, "9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5:9-10, AV).

And, last but not least, he became, "" For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5 AV), and " And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12:24, AV)

Isaiah 9:6. For--the ground of these great expectations, unto us--for the benefit of the Jews first, and then the Gentiles (compare "unto you," "for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." ( Luke 2:11, ASV). Thus given-" I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you. (Psalms 2:7, RSV). God's gratuitous gift, on which man had no claim, "" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, AV) and " For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23, AV). [[You will note that Jehovah (YHWH) called him his son, "Thou art my son" that he have because he so loved the world]]

HOW HE IS THE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON:

Why is Jesus (Yeshua) called the only begotten Son of God (YHWH) when in reality there are many sons of God (YHWH)? John 1:14 states, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." (American Standard Version; ASV); And at John 3:16-18, " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." (ASV); And at 1 John 4:9, "Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him." (ASV); now this does not mean that the other created spirit beings were not also God's (YHWH's) sons, as they are also called sons as affirmed at Genesis 6:2, "that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose." (ASV); And at job 1:6, "Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them" (ASV); And at Job 38:4-7, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (ASV); And at Job 2:1, "Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah." (ASV). So what makes Jesus (Yeshua) unique?

He is unique by virtue of his being the only direct creation by Almighty God (YHWH), thus making him different from all others of God's (YHWH's) sons, all of whom were created or begotten by god (YHWH) through that firstborn Son, Jesus (Yeshua). Therefore, Jesus was God's (YHWH) 'only-begotten Son' in a very special sense just as Isaac was Abraham's 'only-begotten son' in a special sense even though he already had a son, Ishamel, but not by his wife Sarah as testified to at Hebrews 11:17, "By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten [son];" (ASV); And at Genesis 16:15, "And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bare, Ishmael." (ASV).

Of course some will say begotten does not mean create, but they never quantify what it means. They have to consider the facts which are (1) the Bible says at Revelation 3:14, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:" (ASV); (2) the meaning of the word create which is "To cause to come into existence; originate" [Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, ISBN #s 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6, and most other standard English dictionaries]; (3) That humans create by means of copulation as did Abraham in the creation or begetting of his son, Isaac, as shown in Hebrews 11:17 and Genesis 16:15, quoted previously; whereas, the Bible makes no mention of a Mrs. God (YHWH). Therefore, God (YHWH) creates differently, obviously, from man. He always existed as shown at Psalms 90:2, "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. " (ASV); And at Psalms 93:2, "Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting." (ASV); and at Job 36:26, "Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable." (ASV); And at 1 Timothy 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (ASV). Of course another way of looking at the verb beget is to look at its synonyms and its definition which are (1) To procreate; be the father of. (2) To cause to be; occasion [Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, ISBN #s 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6, and most other standard English dictionaries]. Now that makes it clear one of its meanings is to cause to be same as for create. If that is not clear enough for some, let's consider the definition of its synonym as given above, procreate which means by definition (1) To engender or beget (offspring), (2) To originate; produce; and at its ethnology from Latin, [- before + creare to create> ] which leaves no doubt that it means to create as does the other synonym, engender which by definition means (1) To cause to exist; give rise to; produce. (2) beget, (3) To come into being; and its ethnology from Latin [- in + genus, generis race] [Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, ISBN #s 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6, and most other standard English dictionaries].

Of course some critics say that having been created makes Jesus (Yeshua) inferior, but the Bible shows the exact opposite at Philippians 2:1-11, "If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, 2 make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 [doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; 4 not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (ASV). Obviously all thinking people should believe the Bible and not accept the opinions of man.

LET'S REASON A LITTLE MORE ON THIS WORD BEGOTTEN/BEGET:

FIRST, you need to do a little thinking and I shall put to you with some questions to get you thinking.

a, I believe we both agree that Almighty God (YHWH) is a spirit creature and has never been a human and that he always existed. Now the scripture backs up the fact that he is a spirit at John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (American Standard Version; ASV). Now the Bible nowhere, as previously mentioned, mentions a Mrs. Almighty God, but indicates the that spirit beings do not have gender; therefore, begotten can not mean the same thing with respect to the spirit beings as to humans. The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary says of the verb beget (1) to procreate as the father: sire (2) to produce as an effect: cause. And the same dictionary says with respect procreate (1) to beget or bring forth (offsprint): propagate: to beget or bring forth offspring: reproduce. And of sire (1)beget-- used esp. of male domestic animals (2) to bring into being: originate. And of cause (1) to serve as a cause or occasion of (2) to effect by command, authority, or force. And the Bible clearly says at John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (ASV) that we are children of God (YHWH); And at Romans 8:14-19, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: 17 ¶ and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God." (ASV); And at 1 John 3:1-2, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is." (ASV). So the scripture says we are sons of God (YHWH), how so? The scripture shows, " For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." So in this case if we let God's (YHWH's) spirit or force lead us we are his sons or begotten of him, but not in a sexual context since our begetting was by his having his firstborn prepare the earth and then create mankind. At first mankind was only male, but then God (YHWH) saw he needed a companion and at Genesis 2:19-23, " And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him. 21 ¶ And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: 22 and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (ASV) so up to that time mankind consisted of a single sex, why so? Because he made man in his image and only later saw he needed a companion or help mate (read the first three chapters of Genesis). The animals all had companions of the opposite gender, but at first man did not, see Genesis 2:18, " 18 ¶ And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." (ASV).

A. Now, the question, how would God (YHWH) beget except through creation, if there was no Mrs. God; think for a moment? Remember one of the definitions for beget is " to procreate as the father."

B. Mankind is spoken of as his children; yet mankind was created. The angels are spoken of as the sons of God (YHWH), yet we know they were created, so why should some get hung-up on logomachy?

C. Jesus (Yeshua) long before his arrival on earth existed in heaven and was the 'master worker' for his Father (YHWH) or his agent used to create all else as testified to at, Proverbs 8:22-31, " Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him, as a master workman; And I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men." (ASV). Note, this scripture states, " Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old." Clearly showing he was the firstborn or in his case the first created or caused to come into existence. The important thing here being he was the first of the children and/or sons of God (YHWH), then the Angels, and then all earthly beings. Before this there was only God (YHWH) through untold eons of time. He, Jesus (Yeshua) also was the first to be resurrected as shown at 1 Corinthians 15:20, "But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all." (ASV). So his Father (YHWH) wanted his first Son, Jesus (Yeshua) to be first among creation in everything, that is why the scripture at Philippians 2:10-15, " that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 ¶ So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. 14 ¶ Do all things without murmurings and questionings: 15 that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world," (ASV).

Now what do some disagree with in these scriptures?

D. Some state as an objection, here is an interchange with a former member of the RCC (Roman Catholic Church) is used as an example with regard what he said, " The problem is that you don't always let the Bible speak for itself. You put your own interpretation on certain Scriptures so they match your own belief." Now with respect this statement, have you ever considered that you are actually doing what you charge me with doing. I also was once a member of world's largest cult the RCC, but saw their error from a study of the Bible. I put forth what I found to be the salient important doctrines contained in the Bible and then searched for groups basically in conformity with the Bible truths; whereas, it is apparent to me that you, probably unconsciously went the other way and without knowing it looked sub-consciously for what you had heard was the truth in the Bible. This approach is like buying a lottery number and hoping you will win by blind chance. Now how do you justify this type of search?

E. He states, " you will not accept the true meaning of certain words, therefore you remain deceived to some Biblical truth." Whereas, In reality I carefully search the meaning of words, and am well aware with respect how meaning of words change overtime. For this reason I often use interlinear Lexicons such as the Rotherham, Kingdom Interlinear, Thayer, Emphatic Diaglott, etc. When still in doubt, I consult by email or phone with one of the two greatest living experts on Koine Greek, Dr. Jason Benuhn at the University of Northern Arizona, and belong to a Koine Greek forum where I can in questions to be answered by Koine Greek experts at many leading Universities such as Washington University (NC), University of Oslo, etc. Now have you done a similar check of words?

G. Have you ever bothered to check the Koine Greek word for firstborn at Romans 8:29, "For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:" (ASV), or contemplated why he would be the firstborn among many brethren?

Or Colossians "1:15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;" or Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Or Revelation 1:5, " and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;" (all from the ASV)?

H. Here is something from a writing of mine you should seriously contemplate, " All except Almighty God (YHWH) is created at some point in time. Jesus (Yeshua) is subordinate to his Father (YHWH). Refer to Proverbs 8:22-31, "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him, [as] a master workman; And I was daily [his] delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men. " (ASV) and 1 Corinthians 15:22-29, "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all." (ASV), and John 5:20, "For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel." (ASV), and John 10:29, "My Father, who hath given [them] unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand." (ASV), and John 14:28, "Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I." (ASV). So start really learning instead of thinking of snappy replies do to your failure to comprehend.

ALSO, LEARN FROM THE FOLLOWING::

1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure throuth the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. 22 Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumbling block, and unto Gentiles foolishness; 24 but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (ASV)

These scriptures show it would be the obedient and not the wise who would be gaining God's (YHWH's) approval, and this is reaffirmed at 1 Corinthians 3:18-19, "let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:" (ASV); And God (YHWH) showed he would reveal it to 'babes' at Matthew 11:25, when his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) thanked him, "At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes." (ASV); And at 2 Corinthians 4:4, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them." (ASV). Now this last scripture reveals two important Bible truths, First, the god (Satan) of this world has, "blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, should not dawn upon them," clearly showing the truth would be hid from those who consider themselves wise in their own reckoning. Second, that Jesus (Yeshua) was created in "the image of God."

Now many will say the Bible clearly states that that Jesus (Yeshua) was Begotten, and that puts Him in a different category to created beings, but is this correct? No it is not as we shall see. But first a little reasoning warm-up. We know that the son of a dog is always a dog also; therefore, it is only reasonable to expect that the Son of Almighty God (YHWH) would also be a divine being like his Father (YHWH). Now let's deal with the word 'beget,' the Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary defines it as follows: a verb meaning, 1. To procreate: be the father of. 2. To cause to be; occasion. With synonym being being to sire, father, engender, breed, propagate. And 'begotten' being the alternative past participle of 'beget.' Now lets consider the word to 'create' in the same dictionary, 1.To cause to come into existence; originate. 2 To be the cause of; occasion:, etc.

NOW LET'S CONSIDER THE WORD 'FIRSTBORN':

Now let's consider one Koine Greek word, PROTOTOKOS ("Firstborn") as an example of in-depth word research and what it really means:

Its Meaning and Usage in the New Testament,

The Apostle Paul left us two great passages expressing his teaching concerning the person of Christ in His pre-incarnate state: Philippians 2:5-7 and Colossians 1:15-17. It is interesting that both passages provide quite a challenge to the translator, though their meaning undoubtedly was clear to their original audiences. In the Colossians passage, Paul describes the Lord Christ as "the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation." (New American Standard Bible: NASB). He then goes on to ascribe to Jesus the creation of "ta panta," all things, i. e., the universe and all that is in it.(1) How, then, are we to understand Paul's use of the phrase, "first-born"? What does this word tell us about Jesus Christ? How is it used in the New Testament?

The word under consideration is "prototokos." It is made up of two words, "protos," meaning first,(2) and "tokos" from "tikto," "to give birth."(3). There is little evidence that the word "prototokos" was used extensively before the time of the Septuagint.(4) Its basic meaning is the first one born, the first born child. However, it must be examined in its context to determine its true meaning.

"Usage in the Septuagint"

The word "prototokos" is used approximately 130 times in the Septuagint (LXX). About 70 of those instances will be found in the genealogical lists of Genesis and Chronicles, and here it retains its literal meaning of "first-born."(5) The Hebrew word "bekor" is consistently translated by "prototokos" in the LXX. It must be remembered that the "bekor," the first-born, was entitled to the double portion (Deuteronomy 21:17), to the blessing (Genesis 27), and to special treatment (Genesis 43:33).(6) An etymological study of "bekor" reveals that it is not related in its root meaning to either the ideas of "protos" or "tokos," and hence the meanings might have become "detached altogether from the idea of birth or the whole question of origin."(7)

This idea of "prototokos" is seen clearly in the Old Testament. For example, the Septuagint translators utilized "prototokos" in their rendition of Exodus 4:22: "Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, "Israel is My son, My first-born."' " (LXX: "prototokos"). Obviously here the emphasis is on the primacy of Israel's relation to God. Of all nations, Israel is chosen specially by God to occupy a place of high honor and esteem. In 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 we read of Reuben, the first-born of Israel, losing his birthright for his sin. Here the idea of first-born carries with it much more than just temporal ascendancy.

In Jeremiah 31:9 the Scriptures record God as saying, "I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My first-born." Passages such as this provided a basis for the later Rabbinic interpretation that referred to the nation of Israel as God's "first-born" in the special sense of Israel's superiority and exaltation above the nations of the earth. Seemingly the most significant passage is to be found at Psalm 89:27: "I shall also make him My first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth." This highly Messianic passage paves the way for a solid understanding of the use of "prototokos" in the New Testament, especially in relation to the Messiah, Jesus. In this passage, a clear emphasis on the pre-eminence and superiority of the coming Messiah is emphasized.

"New Testament Usage"

In the New Testament we find the word "prototokos" used a total of eight times. Six of these instances are in the singular and refer to the Lord Christ, two are in the plural form.( These passages are: Luke 2:7, Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15 and 1:18, Hebrews 1:6, 11:28, 12:23, and Revelation 1:5. The first passage, Luke 2:7 of the Christmas narrative, refers to the basic meaning of the word as it is used in the genealogy lists of the Old Testament. The other references, however, take on a far greater meaning.

In the New Testament usage, the emphasis is placed not on the "tokos" but instead upon the "protos." The word stresses superiority and priority rather than origin or birth. This can be seen as early as the LXX usage, where it has been pointed out that Israel, as God's first-born, certainly can not be seen as the first creation of God, but rather His special choice and pre-eminent people. The Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, Danker Lexicon says, "This expression...is also used in some instances where it is uncertain whether the force of the element "-tokos" is still felt at all...Col. 1:15."(9)

In Romans 8:29, the Lord Christ is described as "the first-born among many brethren." These brethren are, of course, the glorified Christians. Here the Lord's superiority and sovereignty over "the brethren" is acknowledged, as well as His leadership in their salvation. "As the brethren of Christ, all Christians will share his destiny (c.f. Heb. 2:10-17), and Christ is the pre-eminent Son among the sons of God (c.f. 1:3)."(10). The term "prototokos" is used here as a title, and no idea of birth or origin is seen.

In both Colossians 1:18 and Revelation 1:5, Christ Jesus is called the first-born of the dead (or "from" the dead). These would refer especially to the leadership of Christ in bringing about the resurrection of the dead and inauguration of a new, eternal life. Some think that Colossians 1:15-20 is an ancient Christian hymn, and the Greek words "prototokos" and "proteouon" are a play on sound.(11)

The greatest amount of discussion and exegesis has centered around Paul's use of "prototokos pases ktiseos" of Christ in Colossians 1:15. The early Church Fathers argued it, and modern scholars have spent more time discussing this use than all seven other instances combined

SEE PART 2

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PART 2

The The New Testament Greek Lexicon defines prototokos as follows:

the firstborn
of man or beast
of Christ, the first born of all creation [source - The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament." These files are public domain. ]

The Expositor's Greek Testament" defines "prototokos" in this way: ..."prototokos" in its primary sense expresses temporal priority, and then, on account of the privileges of the firstborn, it gains the further sense of dominion.(15) R. M. Clark put it succinctly:[source - The Expositor's Greek Testament].

"Prototokos", first-born...The original meaning of the word is giving birth for the first time. Later it came to mean the first-born or first in rank. This is the N. T. meaning. In the N. T. the "-tokos" element is clearly implied only in Luke 2:7, in other places it tends to recede into the background.(16) [source - The "Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament" by Fritz Reinecker and Cleon Rogers, distills down the scholastic information and says, "The word emphasizes the preexistence and uniqueness of Christ as well as His superiority over creation.

Now Consider Proverbs 8:22-31, "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him, [as] a master workman; And I was daily [his] delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men." (American Standard Bible; ASV). Clearly this scripture shows that Jesus (Yeshua) was the firstborn or first of Creation and was his Father's (YHWH's) agent in the creation of all else and this is clearly affirmed in the New Testament at 1 Corinthians 15:22, " But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. 21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all." (ASV).

NOW LET'S CONSIDER THE WORD 'SON':

The following is an actual discussion with one trying to give meaning to words that they do NOT have:

"FIRST, Words have several meanings in many cases, but you are trying to restrict the meaning of the word 'son'."

<<<reply of one trying to give a meaning to the word 'son' which it does NOT have] "I have not suggested any meaning that words do not have. The word, "son" does not mean "created" when used figuratively. The same is true of "firstborn" when it is used figuratively.>>>, and this individual tries to justify it by the following, <<<God is not limited by the terms "Father" and "Son" to our human limitations. No one is saying that Father and Son are the same. They are two different expressions of the same God.>>>. Clearly showing that he was trying and change the meaning of the words by denying the meanings they do have such as with respect father and firstborn son. Let's look at the facts.

His contention that 'son' does not mean 'created' when used figuratively is clearly shown to be incorrect by the International Encyclopedia of the Bible, and by the Bible,

1. Use of Title in the Synoptists:
While the title "the Son of man" is always, except once, applied by Jesus to Himself, "the Son of God" is never applied by Jesus to Himself in the Synoptists. When, however, it is applied to Him by others, He accepts it in such a way as to assert His claim to it. Now and then He Himself employs the abbreviated form, "the Son," with the same intention; and He often speaks of God as "the Father" or "my Father" or "my Father who is in heaven" in such a manner as to betray the consciousness that He is the Son of God.

2. Meanings in the Old Testament:
While to the common mind "the Son of man" is a title designating the human side of our Lord's person, "the Son of God" seems as obviously to indicate the divine side. But scholarship cannot take this for granted; and, indeed, it requires only a hasty glance at the facts to bring this home even to the general reader, because in Scripture the title is bestowed on a variety of persons for a variety of reasons. First, it is applied to angels, as when in Job 2:1 it is said that "the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh"; they may be so called because they are the creatures of God's hands or because, as spiritual beings, they resemble God, who is a spirit. Secondly, in Luke 3:38 it is applied to the first man; and from the parable of the Prodigal Son it may be argued that it is applicable to all men. Thirdly, it is applied to the Hebrew nation, as when, in Exodus 4:22, Yahweh says to Pharaoh, "Israel is my son, my first-born," the reason being that Israel was the object of Yahweh's special love and gracious choice. Fourthly, it is applied to the kings of Israel, as representatives of the chosen nation. Thus, in 2 Samuel 7:14, Yahweh says of Solomon, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son"; and, in Psalms 2:7, the coronation of a king is announced in an oracle from heaven, which says, "Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee." Finally, in the New Testament, the title is applied to all saints, as in John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name." When the title has such a range of application, it is obvious that the Divinity of Christ cannot be inferred from the mere fact that it is applied to Him.

3. Sense as Applied to Jesus:
It is natural to assume that its use in application to Jesus is derived from one or other of its Old Testament uses; and the one almost universally fixed upon by modern scholarship as that from which it was derived is the fourth mentioned above--that to the Jewish kings. Indeed, it is frequently asserted that in the Jewish literature between the Old Testament and the New Testament, it is found already coined as a title for the Messianic king; but the instances quoted by Dalman and others in proof of this are far from satisfactory.

...furst'-born, furst'-ling (bekhor; prototokos):

The Hebrew word denotes the firstborn of human beings as well as of animals (Exodus 11:5), while a word from the same root denotes first-fruits (Exodus 23:16). All the data point to the conclusion that among the ancestors of the Hebrews the sacrifice of the firstborn was practiced, just as the firstlings of the flocks and the first-fruits of the produce of the earth were devoted to the deity. The narrative of the Moabite war records the sacrifice of the heir to the throne by Mesha, to Chemosh, the national god (2 Kings 3:27). The barbarous custom must have become extinct at an early period in the religion of Israel (Genesis 22:12). It was probably due to the influence of surrounding nations that the cruel practice was revived toward the close of the monarchical period (2 Kings 16:3; 17:17; 21:6; Jeremiah 7:31; Ezekiel 16:20; 23:37; Micah 6:7). Jeremiah denies that the offering of human beings could have been an instruction from Yahweh (7:31; 19:5).

The prophetic conception of God had rendered such a doctrine inconceivable. Clear evidence of the spiritualization and humanizati0n of religion among the Israelites is furnished in the replacement, at an early stage, of the actual sacrifice of the firstborn by their dedication to the service of Yahweh. At a later stage the Levites were substituted for the firstborn. Just as the firstlings of unclean animals were redeemed with money (Exodus 13:13; 34:20), for the dedication of the firstborn was substituted the consecration of the Levites to the service of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:11-13,15). On the 30th day after birth the firstborn was brought to the priest by the father, who paid five shekels for the child's redemption from service in the temple (compare Luke 2:27; Mishna Bekhoroth viii.8). For that service the Levites were accepted in place of the redeemed firstborn (Numbers 3:45). See note. According to Exodus 22:29-31 the firstborn were to be given to Yahweh. (The firstborn of clean animals, if free from spot or blemish, were to be sacrificed after eight days, Numbers 18:16.) This allusion to the sacrifice of the firstborn as part of the religion of Yahweh has been variously explained. Some scholars suspect the text, but in all probability the verse means no more than similar references to the fact that the firstborn belonged to Yahweh (Exodus 13:2; 34:19). The modifying clause, with regard to the redemption of the firstborn, has been omitted. The firstborn possessed definite privileges which were denied to other members of the family. The Law forbade the disinheriting of the firstborn (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). Such legislation, in polygamous times, was necessary to prevent a favorite wife from exercising undue influence over her husband in distributing his property, as in the case of Jacob (Genesis 25:23). The oldest son's share was twice as large as that of any other son. When Elisha prayed for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, he simply wished to be considered the firstborn, i.e. the successor, of the dying prophet. Israel was Yahweh's firstborn (Exodus 4:22 privileges. She occupied a unique position in virtue of the special relationship between Yahweh and the nation. In three passages (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:6), Jesus Christ is the firstborn--among many brethren (Romans 8:29); of every creature (Colossians 1:16). This application of the term to Jesus Christ may be traced back to Psalms 89:27 where the Davidic ruler, or perhaps the nation, is alluded to as the firstborn of Yahweh. [source - International Encyclopedia of the Bible].

The Bible, Revised Standard Version, (RSV).

Lu 2:7 - (RSV)

And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Ro 8:29 - (RSV)

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.

Col 1:15 - (RSV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;

Col 1:18 - (RSV)

He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.

Heb 11:28 - (RSV)

By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.

Heb 12:23 - (RSV)

and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Re 1:5 - (RSV)

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood [source - the Revised Standard Bible, RSV]

He tried to either give a different meaning and/or deny a legitimate meaning to both 'son' and 'first born' which is just plain wrong and misguided.

LET'S LOOK AT ATTEMPTS TO SUBVERT THE MEANING OF 'FATHER.'

Actual comment by one trying to change the meaning of the word 'father.' <<<It is clear that you don't understand that earthly terms do not always mean exactly the same thing when applied to God. For example, God is called "Father", yet to be a father one must have a wife to be mother. Equally so Jesus is called "Son", by your logic, we must start looking for a mother.>>>

Clearly showing he does not understand even this well known word/term which can have various meanings. To me it is clear that Almighty God (YHWH) is rightfully called a father as he created and/or caused to be created all else so he is a father to the entire human race. To create in the sense that God (YHWH) created does not require that he have a wife, but apparently some are ignorant of this fact. Jesus (Yeshua) is spoken of as the beloved only begotten of his father which is the equivalent of firstborn or created, but obviously some are ignorant of this fact. Let's look at how other reliable sources define 'father.'

Let's look at some source information of 'father."

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Father [N] [E]

The position and authority of the father as the head of the family are expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture, as a likeness of that of the Almighty over his creatures. It lies of course at the root of that so-called patriarchal government, (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3) which was introductory to the more definite systems which followed, and which in part, but not wholly, superseded it. The father's blessing was regarded as conferring special benefit, but his malediction special injury, on those on whom it fell, (Genesis 9:25,27; 27:27-40; 48:15,20; 49:1) ... and so also the sin of a parent was held to affect, in certain cases, the welfare of his descendants. (2 Kings 5:27) The command to honor parents is noticed by St. Paul as the only one of the Decalogue which bore a distinct promise, (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2) and disrespect towards them was condemned by the law as one of the worst crimes. (Exodus 21:15,17; 1 Timothy 1:9) It is to this well-recognized theory of parental authority and supremacy that the very various uses of the term "father" in Scripture are due. "Fathers" is used in the sense of seniors, (Acts 7:2; 22:1) and of parents in general, or ancestors. (Daniel 5:2; Jeremiah 27:7; Matthew 23:30,32) [source - Smith's Bible Dictionary]

And,

Easton Bible Dictionary,

Father - a name applied (1) to any ancestor (Deut. 1:11; 1 Kings 15:11; Matt. 3:9; 23:30, etc.); and (2) as a title of respect to a chief, ruler, or elder, etc. (Judg. 17:10; 18:19; 1 Sam. 10:12; 2 Kings 2:12; Matt. 23:9, etc.). (3) The author or beginner of anything is also so called; e.g., Jabal and Jubal (Gen. 4:20, 21; comp. Job 38:28).

Applied to God (Ex. 4:22; Deut. 32:6; 2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 89:27, 28, etc.). (1.) As denoting his covenant relation to the Jews (Jer. 31:9; Isa. 63:16; 64:8; John 8:41, etc.).

(2.) Believers are called God's "sons" (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Matt. 6:4, 8, 15, 18; 10:20, 29). They also call him "Father" (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:4) [source - Easton Bible Dictionary]

And,

The American Heritage(r) Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

Father = Noun, 1. A man who begets or raises or nurtures a child. 2. A male parent of an animal. 3. A male ancestor. 4. A man who creates, originates, or founds something: Chaucer is considered the father of English poetry. 5. An early form; a prototype. 6. Father Christianity a. God. b. The first person of the Christian Trinity. 7. An elderly or venerable man. Used as a title of respect. 8. A member of the senate in ancient Rome. 9. One of the leading men, as of a city: the town fathers. 10. or Father A church father. 11. abbr. Fr. a. A priest or clergyman in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches. b. Used as a title and form of address with or without the clergyman's name.[source - The American Heritage(r) Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.]

And,

The Webster 1913 Dictionary

Father (Page: 545)

Fa"ther (?), n. [OE. fader, AS. fæder; akin to OS. fadar, D. vader, OHG. fatar, G. vater, Icel. Fair Sw. & Dan. fader, OIr. athir, L. pater, Gr. , Skr. pitr, perh. fr. Skr. p&amacr; protect. ,. Cf. Papa, Paternal, Patriot, Potential, Pablum.]

1. One who has begotten a child, whether son or daughter; a generator; a male parent.

A wise son maketh a glad father. Prov. x. 1.

2. A male ancestor more remote than a parent; a progenitor; especially, a first ancestor; a founder of a race or family; -- in the plural, fathers, ancestors.

David slept with his fathers. 1 Kings ii. 10.

Abraham, who is the father of us all. Rom. iv. 16.

3. One who performs the offices of a parent by maintenance, affetionate care, counsel, or protection.

I was a father to the poor. Job xxix. 16.

He hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house. Gen. xiv. 8.

4. A respectful mode of address to an old man.

And Joash the king og Israel came down unto him [Elisha], . . . and said, O my father, my father! 2 Kings xiii. 14.

5. A senator of ancient Rome.

6. A dignitary of the church, a superior of a convent, a confessor (called also father confessor), or a priest; also, the eldest member of a profession, or of a legislative assembly, etc.

Bless you, good father friar ! Shak.

7. One of the chief esslesiastical authorities of the first centuries after Christ; -- often spoken of collectively as the Fathers; as, the Latin, Greek, or apostolic Fathers.

8. One who, or that which, gives origin; an originator; a producer, author, or contriver; the first to practice any art, profession, or occupation; a distinguished example or teacher.

The father of all such as handle the harp and organ. Gen. iv. 21.

Might be the father, Harry, to that thought. Shak.

The father of good news. Shak.

9. The Supreme Being and Creator; God; in theology, the first person in the Trinity.

Our Father, which art in heaven. Matt. vi. 9. Now had the almighty Father from above . [source - Webster 1913 Dictionary][/quote]

CONCLUSION:

As can readily be seen as stated in the introduction; Whereas, God (YHWH) sought to have these divinely inspired men put his thoughts into the words of men to enable all to understand, many seek to twist the meaning of some of these words to fit their own creedal beliefs, beliefs of creeds, instead of taking them as given. They put forth arguments such as when applied to heavenly things and/or the Creator (YHWH) and/or his son that the words have a different meaning than the ordinary meaning. Of course this violates God's (YHWH's)original purpose which was the putting of his thoughts into the words of men and not giving other than their ordinary meaning to the words.

Some of the words these individuals seek to pervert to support their creedal beliefs are firstborn, begotten/beget, father, son, etc. Yet we should not be surprised at this since 2 Corinthians 4:4 clearly says, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (Revised Standard Version; RSV).

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:49 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND[2] DISCOURSE ON COLOSSIANS 2:8-12. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [56B]

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Matthew 19:7 – 9, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Jesus (Yeshua) is here assisting his apostles to comprehend Almighty God (YHWH) requirements and desires for mankind with respect to what is acceptable, and later assisting a Samaritan women to comprehend what is to come at John 4:19 - 26, [AV] “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

[2] Discourse on Colossians 2:8-12:

Colossians 2:8-12 Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit: according to the tradition of men according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporeally. 10 And you are filled in him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand in despoiling of the body of the flesh: but in the circumcision of Christ. 12 Buried with him in baptism: in whom also you are risen again by the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him up from the dead. (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB)

PART I, Colossians 2:8:

To fully understand this scripture, you need to deal with it in three parts. The first being Colossians 2:8 which a modern translation throws a very good understanding on, "Be careful that nobody spoils your faith through intellectualism or high-sounding nonsense. Such stuff is at best founded on men's ideas of nature of the world, and disregards Christ!" (The New Testament in Modern English by J.B. Phillips). This part is a warning against false doctrine of men as affirmed at Hebrews 13:9, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (American Standard Version; ASV); And at Isaiah 32:6, "For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail." (ASV). Now true Christians should be the opposite of this and speak truth and righteousness and not doctrines and fables of men one to another as stated at 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (ASV); And not artfully contrived false stories and fables of man per 2 Peter 1:16, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (ASV); And at Ephesians 5:6, "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." (ASV). In other words we should not become enslaved to the false doctrines and fables of the world such as the Duality, the Trinity, the Mother of God [he had no mother as he always existed], etc. per Galations 4:3, "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." (ASV); Lastly Colossians 2:22 tells what will happen to those accepting the doctrines and fables of men, "Which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (ASV). So it is plain that Colossians 2:8 is a warning to all of us to cast off the doctrines and fables of men in keeping with Matthew 15:2-3, "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandments of God by your traditions?" (Asv). Obviously worldly wisdom is foolishness with God (YHWH) as testified to at 1 Corinthians 3:9, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." (ASV).

PART II, Colossians 2:9-10:

Now let's deal with Colossians 2:9-10 which in a modern English translation reads as, "Yet it is in him God gives a full and complete expression of himself (within the physical limits that he set himself in Christ). 10 Moreover, your own completeness is only realized in him, who is the authority over all authorities, and the supreme power over all powers." (The New Testament in Modern English by J.B. Phillips) or at the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible renders it, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporeally. 10 And you are filled in him, who is the head of all principality and power." (DRCB). Now just what is this fullness? The J.B. Phillips hints at what it is when it says, "God gives a full and complete expression of himself (within the physical limits that he set himself in Christ).", but Colossians 1:15-19 cast more light on it, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by himwere all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell." (Authorized King James Bible; AV); Clearly this scripture shows that Jesus' (Yeshua's) Father, Almighty God (YHWH) created Jesus (Yeshua) in his image and gave him preeminence over all other creations and actually used him as his master worker in the creation of all else in keeping with the Jewish Law of Agencies.

That he would be his Father's (YHWH's) master worker was revealed at Proverbs 8:22-30 about Jesus (Yeshua) being brought forth and being his Father's (YHWH's) master workman, "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its bounds, That the waters should not transgress his commandments, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him, as a master workman; And I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him." (ASV); And Jesus' (Yeshua's)existence before the earth was is affirmed at John 8:58, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am." (ASV); Thus as Colossians 1:17 says, ""and he is before all things, and in him all things consist." (ASV); And at Revelation 3:14, "And to the angel of the church is Laodicea write: 'These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:" (ASV), Jesus (Yeshua) is once more shown as the first of creation. Clearly, then, he, Jesus (Yeshua) is neither the same individual and/or manifestation of the same individual; Nor co-eternal, nor co-equal with his Father (YHWH).

And he would become his Father's (YHWH's) master worker in keeping with The Jewish Law of Agencies which is basically as follows, "Jesus (Yeshua) was God's (YHWH's) appointed agent in accordance with the 'Biblical law of agency' described as, "Scripture mentions something being done by Person A, whilst another mentions it being done by Person B. This is best understood when we grasp the Schaliach Principle, or the Jewish Law of Agency, which is expressed in the dictum, "A person's agent is regarded as the person himself." Therefore any act committed by a duly appointed agent is regarded as having been committed by the principle." (The Encyclopedia of the Jewish Religion, R.J.Z. Werblowski and Geoffrey Wigoder). And 1 Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus," (ASV). This is why Jesus (Yeshua) could say, John 16:23, "And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name."(ASV).

This fact is further affirmed at Ephesians 1:20-23 which shows that his Father (YHWH) raised him from the dead and put him at his right hand to administer all for him, "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." (ASV); This fact, that his Father (YHWH) placed him over all things except himself, a superior one, is highlighted at 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, "But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. 21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all." (ASV). This will bring the fulfillment foretold at Isaiah 45:23, "By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth [in] righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." (ASV). This scripture shows that God (YHWH) will bring the earth back to perfection, i.e., a place where everyone will love their creator, Almighty God (YHWH), and his chief agent or mediator of life, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, and their neighbor, and he, God (YHWH) will once more be using his Son, the Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua) as his master worker to accomplish this as shown by 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, previously quoted.

With respect to Jesus' (Yeshua's) fullness, John 1:15-17, shows it to be with respect to bring grace and truth to all who would accept it, "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. 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for frace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (AV); This is in keeping with Ephesians 4:13, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (AV). Which leads to the subject of what is fullness in the spiritual sense which is revealed at Ephesians 3:19, "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." (AV); And at Colossians 1:18-19, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell:" (AV); His preeminence is emphasized by 1 Peter 3:22 where it shows Almighty God (YHWH) has put his Son, the Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua) at his right hand, "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (AV).

Interestingly, if Jesus was truly God then his divinity could not be said to be derived from another as it is at Colossians 1:19 as quoted above. It is because of God's will that fullness dwells in Christ, this could not be said of someone who was almighty - Almighty God's (YHWH's) divinity does not depend on another person giving it to him. And as, Col 1:15 clearly says, ""Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" (AV) plainly showing that Jesus (Yeshua) is the image of the invisible God, and like all images Jesus is a relection of the reality, he is not himself God. If Jesus were himself God (YHWH) he would not be said to be the image of God (YHWH). This clearly shows the error of those saying that if Christ as having "the fullness of the Deity" means that Jesus is God, does the fact that the readers " and you have been given fullness in Christ " (from Colossians 2:10 in the AV) then mean that they are Jesus (Yeshua)! Of course not, neither is the case. This type of reasoning is but the foolishness of men per 1 Corinthians 3:19, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (ASV).

Therefore as Colossians 2:10 says in The New English Bible, "
and you have been given full life in union with him. He is supreme over every spiritual ruler and authority." (The New English Bible; NEB); Or as the Amplified Bible puts it, "And you are in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life-in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and reach full spiritual stature. And He is the head of all rule and authority-of every angelic principality and power." (The Amplified Bible; AMP). Since true Christians are one in purpose with Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father (YHWH) what should we be boasting in? Surely not ourselves, but as Philippians 3:3 show, "for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:" (ASV); thereby, showing we should NOT be boasting in ourselves, but in Christ. This leads us into the next Part.

PART III, Colossians 2:11-12:

Philippians 3:3 quoted above shows us that we should not be boasting in ourselves, but also refers to the circumcision as does Colossians 2:11-12, "In union with him you were circumcised, not with the circumcision that is made by men, but with Christ's own circumcision, which consists of being freed from the power of this sinful body, 12 For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ through your faith in the active power of God, who raised him from death." (Good News for Modern Man, the New Testament in Today's English Version, by American Bible Society; GNMM). This scripture harkens back to Deuteronomy 10:16, "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and stiffen your neck no more." (DRCB). And returning to Philippians 3:3-9, 3 already quoted above, we see, "though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 as touching zeal, persecuting the church: as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. 8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith." (ASV); here the Apostle Paul is showing fleshly circumcision counts for nothing, but a circumcision of the heart is required as affirmed at Romans 12:2, "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (ASV).

To do this, we must bury are former course of life of chasing after wickedness and false doctrines and myths and other workings of the worldly per Romans 6:4-8, "We were buried therefore with him through bnaptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; 6 knowing this that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; 7 for he that hath died is justified from sin. 8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;" (ASV). To do so, as previously mentioned, we must per Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (ASV); And at Isaiah 55:7, "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (ASV).

In other words, what is needed is 'spiritual surgery' or casting aside the evil ways of mankind and their false doctrines and fables and the acceptance only of the Truth of God's (YHWH's) and NOT THAT OF ANY MAN OR DENOMINATION, in keeping with Romans 8:3, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." (ASV); clearly showing we should reject the doctrines of mankind and only accept those from our Creator (YHWH), and this in keeping with Colossians 3:5, "Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: 7 wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; 8 but now do you also put them all away: anger, wrath,m malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:" (ASV).

Remember that per 1 Corinthians 12:13-14, "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many." (ASV); therefore, what is needed is a spiritual resurrection for all true Christians per Romans 8:11, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Hjesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (ASV); so what is this Spirit? And what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? The Spirit or Holy Spirit here being spoken of is Almighty God's (YHWH's) active force or power. Therefore, being filled with God's active force or power gives individuals extra strength, power, and abilities they would otherwise not have as shown by Acts 2:4, ""And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (AV); And at, Luke 1:15, "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."(AV); And at Luke 1:41, "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:" (AV); And at Acts 4:8, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel," (AV); And at Acts 4:31, ""And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." (AV); And at Acts 9:17, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." (AV); And in fact, God (YHWH) filled his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) with Holy Ghost or Spirit when he anointed him, Acts 10:38, ""How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (AV).

Now as we have seen, the Holy Ghost or Spirit is God's (YHWH's) active force or power that he can 'fill' someone with to accomplish his objectives. It gives the filled one extra strength, power, and abilities they would otherwise not have as previously shown. But from what the Hebrew word here rendered Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, or Spirit which is translated from 'ru'ach' meaning "breath; wind; spirit," and in the Greek Scriptures, the word is 'pneu'ma,' having a similar meaning. All implicitly showing a force or power. Therefore, since we have seen, the Holy Ghost or Spirit is God's (YHWH's) active force or power we should show the proper respect for it. We should NOT as stated at Luke 12:10, "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven." (AV) by denying the accomplishments of God (YHWH) through use of his force or power. Also we should respect his chief servant, his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) as directed at Matthew 12:17-21, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust." (AV).

So salvation boils down to a simple denominator as testified to at John 5:14, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life." (ASV), plainly showing, first, that those who hear the message that Jesus (Yeshua) delivered on behalf of his Father (YHWH) as his agent or as the scripture puts it, "and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life.", and second, it shows that Jesus (Yeshua) was sent by a superior one, his Father (YHWH), to carry out Almighty God's (YHWH's) commission to his Son, the Son of God (YHWH), to make his Father's (YHWH's) message known to all. The Apostle Paul clearly showed at Colossians 3:1, "If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God." (ASV). However, to enjoy this prize, we must avoid falling under the power of the prince of this system per Ephesians 2:2, "wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience." (ASV)

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:05 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] THOUGHTS BY ANOTHER BIBLE SCHOLAR. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [57B]

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:39 – 42, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

While Martha was a hard working women striving to prepare a meal for Jesus (Yeshua) whom she loved as a great teacher, But, he said to her, Luke 10:38 – 42, [AV] “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Here Martha was distracted by house work, but Jesus (Yeshua) knew she needed to listen to his teachings as her sister Mary was doing as this would be more beneficial than a finally prepared literal meal. Mary, for her part, had determined that a spiritual feast held the greatest importance. Martha needed the spiritual food that Jesus (Yeshua) was dispensing, and needed to give Him her undivided attention just as her sister Mary was giving.

[2] Thoughts by Another Bible Scholar

Today, another Bible scholar sent me an email I wish to share with you all with a view to encouraging all to start thinking and reasoning with an open mind. I am NOT endorsing all that this scholar says:

This one's a real hot potato. And it's not something you hear
so much from ancient religious institutions... rather, it's simply
the 'politically correct' way to talk about spirituality these days.

It tends to be expressed something like this: 'You've got your
truth, and I've got my truth. You find a faith that works for
you, and I'll find a faith that works for me.'

Well here's my question:

How many conflicting versions of the truth can actually be true?

I'm not going to use this space to promote an agenda today -- or
to push any specific claim of Ultimate Truth. I'm just going to
highlight a very simple, logical reality that each of us, in our search
for Truth, must recognize. Pardon me if I offend you, but I'm
going to put it bluntly.

It's impossible for all religions to be true.

In other words, if Islam is essentially true, then Buddhism,
Hinduism and Christianity are not. If Buddhism is essentially true,
then Islam, Christianity and Hinduism are not. And so on.

How can I say such a thing? Because if you *really* study these
religions, it will become clear that each makes bold, fundamental
assertions about reality that are not compatible with the others.

For example, Hinduism states that divinity is present in everything.
Christianity, Judaism and Islam all assert that God is distinctly
separate from what he has created. The implications of these different
views run very deep, and they are fundamentally incompatible. It's
logically impossible for both views to be true.

So why bring this up, anyway?

Well first I have to make a confession. I would *like* to believe
that all religions could be true. I would personally *like* to believe
that all paths lead to God. It feels good. It's a kinder view of
the world. It puts everyone on equal footing.

But it just doesn't make sense.

Truth is, by nature, exclusive. There are always more wrong
ways to do just about anything than right ways. There are always
more wrong answers to any given question than right ones.

True?

And you know what? This really raises the stakes. It puts a
real sense of urgency in our search for truth, because it shows
that if we're not careful, we can fall for a half-truth.

On the other hand, if you diligently search, seek
out the facts, and your spiritual journey brings you to
a place where the pieces fit in place - if everything makes
logical sense and it feels right in your heart - then you
should not hesitate to share your joy with others.

OK... now let's stop right now and make something very clear:

If we possess the truth, it doesn't give us the right to
be unkind to those who disagree. It didn't give Bin Laden the
right to declare Jihad, hijack airplanes and fly them into the
World Trade Center. It didn't give so-called 'Christians' the
right to kill people in the Crusades. It doesn't give us the
right to be disrespectful or violent. Nor for members of Islam to supply the spark that started them.

What it does give us is the right - and the confidence -
to go out into the marketplace of ideas and *see* if our Truth
stands up to hard scrutiny.

C.S. Lewis was talking about this very thing when he said,
'You don't need to defend a Lion. You just need to let him
out of his cage.'

If you really do have the truth, then you have nothing to fear.
You don't need to burn books or censor speech. Truth is its
own best defense.

In our modern, sophisticated culture, spirituality gets
locked up in a cage. It's a taboo subject. Discussions about
religion are not considered 'polite conversation.' So nobody
talks about it.

The result? People don't talk to each other. They live in
fear and isolation.

Some folks harbor ideas and notions that make absolutely no
sense, but because those ideas are never brought out into the
light of day, they're never questioned.

Others have great wisdom, but they're afraid to share it with
others!

How sad.

In your search for the truth, then, know that you're not just
looking for something that sounds good. As with any other kind
of truth, it may *not* feel good all the time. Know that you're
looking for something definite, something that will by nature
make some pretty bold claims.

Also, please understand that if someone tells you they
possess the truth, they're not being arrogant. Fact is, they're
either sadly deceived or else they're right. You can't put
someone down for being deceived, and you can't fault someone
for being right!

The real challenge is to discern the difference.[source - Perry Marshall]

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:46 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF DISCREPANCIES IN THE BIBLE. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [58B]

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. Psalms 5:4 – 6, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Almighty God (YHWH) has purposed to eliminate wickedness and the evil ones causing it off of the face of the earth. This foretold at Psalms 37:9 – 10, [AV] “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” Psalms 37:20, [AV] backs this up as follows, “But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”

However the righteous ones will possess the earth as revealed by Pslam 37:29 - 31, [AV] “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” And Revelation 21:4 - 5, [AV] reveals, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

[2] FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF DISCREPANCIES IN THE BIBLE

Some falsely allege that there are real discrepancies in the Bible, but when any of these are closely examined it is always found that what appeared on the surface to be a discrepancy really is not. Here is an example of one such case investigated by Caleb Colley and his findings:

Apologetics Press :: Alleged Discrepancies
Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace-or Turmoil?
by Caleb Colley
Militant, violent, religious extremists have caused legitimate concern for America's security. In Palestine, on the very soil Jesus walked, people kill each other in warfare motivated by religion. Do the teachings of Christ authorize or encourage such behavior? In John 14:27, Jesus said: "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." Some have charged that Jesus' promise of peace in that verse contradicts His message in Matthew 10:34: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." Did Jesus come to Earth to bring peace-or turmoil?

Based on scriptural evidence, it is indisputable that Jesus wants His followers to have peace. The words "Christ" and "peace" are found together in the same verse no less than 24 times in the New King James Version. Consider Philippians 1:2: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:2 reads: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul urged the Thessalonians, "Be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thessalonians 5:13). The message of Christ is called "the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15), and Philippians 4:7 says that the peace of God "surpasses all understanding" and that peace will guard the hearts and minds of Christians. Jesus, Who is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6, most definitely came to bring peace.
Could it also be that Jesus came to bring turmoil? Certainly. In the context of Matthew 10:34, Jesus was explaining to His disciples that the Gospel, in some cases, would cause division. A son would believe in Jesus, but his father might not. A mother would believe, but her daughter might refuse even to hear the Gospel. In Matthew 10:37-38, Jesus presented a hard truth: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Richard Lenski offered insight into the implications of the "turmoil" brought by Christ:

The idea is this: if Christ had not come, the earth would have gone on undisturbed in its sin and its guilt until the day of its doom. Now Christ came to take away that sin and that guilt. At once war resulted, for in their perversion men clung to their sin, fought Christ and the gospel, and thus produced two hostile camps. Christ foresaw this effect and willed it. Emphatically He declared that He came to throw a sword on the earth. Better the war and the division, saving as many as possible, than to let all perish in their sin (1943, p. 415).
Many react with hostility to the Gospel. This is not because Christ's teaching promotes hostility (see Matthew 5:44; 7:12; John 13:14; 13:35), but because Jesus' teachings are highly controversial. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus did not mean to suggest that His purpose was to bring hostility or turmoil, but that hostility would, in some cases, be an effect of His teaching (Barnes, 1949, p. 115). It always will be the case that some people will respond negatively to Christ's teachings, for some always will prefer spiritual darkness to the light of Jesus (John 3:19). Christ, Who came to Earth to bring both peace and turmoil, never contradicted Himself.

REFERENCES
Barnes, Albert (1949), Notes on the New Testament: Matthew and Mark (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).
Lenksi, Richard C. H. (1943), The Interpretation of St. Matthew's Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg).
[source - Alleged Discrepancies, Apologetics Press, 230 Landmark Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117, U.S.A., (334) 272-8558, http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/534]

Why do people try and cast doubts and insult and attack the Bible? Because they are trying to promote something that is not in harmony with it, and it stands in their way.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION – BOTH TRUE AND FALSE – AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:49 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] WHEN GOD'S (YHWH'S) KINGDOM STARTS RULLING. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [59B]

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 4:17, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, Almighty God (YHWH) will deliver the upright as revealed at Psalms 37:37 -40, [AV] “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” And these upright ones Psalmss 37:11, [AV] “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Therefore as the conclusion of the end times draws near, it is imperative that Psalms 37:34 - 38, [AV] “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be ound. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man s peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the icked shall be cut off.”

[2] WHEN GOD'S (YHWH'S) KINGDOM STARTS RULING:

INTRODUCTION:

This is a matter over which many have different opinions, so let's let the Bible, the Word of God (YHWH) clear up the matter for all. [many of the sources supplied for this writing were supplied by another Bible Scholar Nat and are NOT the ones I regularly use. However, my spot check of their information showed they were right on the mark.].

First, there are two distinct phases to when God's (YHWH's) Kingdom starts to rule. The first phase is when it starts ruling in heaven and the second phase is when it starts ruling over the earth.

Second, the first phase has already occurred, and this is spoken of in Revelation 12:1-11, " And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels [going forth] to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; 8 And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. 10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death." (American Standard Version; ASV). This article shall show when this occurred.

Third, there is the second phase which is yet to occur that all pray for in the Lord's Prayer as recorded at Matthew 6:9-15, "After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one.] 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (ASV).

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COMBINATION OF [1]THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] CONTINUATION OF WHEN GOD'S (YHWH'S) KINGDOM STARTS RULLING [PART 2 OF 3[59B IS PART 1 AND PART 3 IS 61B]. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [60B]

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, Almighty God (YHWH) is the Creator of all that there is, but many fail to give him the honour and glory that is uue. This is vividly stated at Revelation 4:11, [AV] “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” These foolish ones who fail to recognize this reality will shortly pay for their foolishness as revealed at Psalms 5:4 – 6, [AV] “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.”

[2] CONTINUATION OF When God's (YHWH's) Kingdom Starts Rulling:

On the occasion of saying those words, Jesus gave the apostles, for the immediate preaching campaign, a local territory assignment. It took in the territory of Israel in Palestine, namely, Judea, Galilee and Peraea, and did not include Samaria. By covering this they would "complete the circuit of the cities of Israel." So now Jesus used this temporary, limited territory assignment as an illustration of their final complete territory assignment. Before he ascended to heaven the resurrected Jesus made their territory assignment the entire world, for he said: "All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore [everywhere in the earth] and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit." (Matt. 28:18, 19) This enlarged their territory assignment beyond the borders of Israel, yes, beyond the borders of so-called Christendom and out into the so-called pagan world that does not belong to Christendom. Under Jesus' instructions, his disciples were to undertake to complete the circuit of the whole inhabited earth, preaching the good news of God's kingdom to all, to Jewish people, to professed Christian people and to all the pagan peoples.

By our consideration of Bible prophecy and modern events we discern that the Lord Jesus Christ, in company with Jehovah God, came to the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918. It was after that year, particularly from 1919 forward, that the remnant of Christ's anointed disciples began preaching the good news of God's kingdom as having been established in the heavens in 1914. How long after the Lord's coming to the temple must this preaching continue? Until the "Son of man arrives" for the execution of Jehovah's judgment. This will be in the "war of the great day of God the Almighty," at Armageddon. In connection with that arrival Jesus said, in Revelation 16:15: "Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness."

Accordingly, by means of his instructions to his twelve apostles Jesus was prophetically telling us today that his anointed disciples or the remnant of spiritual Israel would not complete the circuit of the entire inhabited earth with the preaching of the message of God's established kingdom before the glorified heavenly King Jesus Christ would arrive as Jehovah's executional officer in the battle of Armageddon. This means that Jehovah's servants today, who now include hundreds of thousands of the "other sheep" or earthly companions of the spiritual remnant, will not be able to reach personally all parts of the earth with the Kingdom message before the battle of Armageddon breaks out. [source - WT 06/15/1907, page 184.]

THE FACTS ON MATTHEW 26:64:

Matthew 26:64 says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (ASV).

"What is "the sign of the Son of man"?

However, there is evidently another major reason for Jesus' frequent use of the expression "Son of man" as applying to himself. This is with regard to the fulfillment of the prophecy recorded at Daniel 7:13, 14. In vision, Daniel saw "someone like a son of man" coming with the clouds of the heavens, gaining access to "the Ancient of Days," and being granted "rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him," his Kingdom being an enduring one.

Because the angelic interpretation of the vision in Daniel 7:18, 22, and 27 speaks of "the holy ones of the Supreme One" as taking possession of this Kingdom, many commentators have endeavored to show that the "son of man" is here a 'corporate personality,' that is, 'the saints of God in their corporate aspect, regarded collectively as a people,' 'the glorified and ideal people of Israel.' This reasoning, however, proves superficial in the light of the Christian Greek Scriptures. It fails to consider that Christ Jesus, God's anointed King, made a 'covenant for a kingdom' with his followers that they might share with him in his Kingdom, and that, while they are to rule as kings and priests, it is under his headship and by his grant of authority. (Lu 22:28-30; Re 5:9, 10; 20:4-6) Thus, they receive ruling authority over the nations only because he has first received such authority from the Sovereign God.-Re 2:26, 27; 3:21.

The correct understanding is made more evident by Jesus' own statements. Regarding "the sign of the Son of man," he stated that "they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Mt 24:30) This was clearly a reference to Daniel's prophecy. So, likewise, was his answer to the high priest's interrogation, saying: "I am [the Christ, the Son of God]; and you persons will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven."-Mr 14:61, 62; Mt 26:63, 64.
Therefore the prophecy of the coming of the Son of man into the presence of the Ancient of Days, Jehovah God, clearly applies to an individual, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The evidence is that it was so understood by the Jewish people. Rabbinic writings applied the prophecy to the Messiah. (Soncino Books of the Bible, edited by A. Cohen, 1951, commentary on Da 7:13) It was doubtless due to wanting some literal fulfillment of this prophecy that the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus to "display to them a sign from heaven." (Mt 16:1; Mr 8:11) After Jesus had died as a man and had been resurrected to spirit life, Stephen had a vision in which "the heavens opened up" and he saw "the Son of man standing at God's right hand." (Ac 7:56) This shows that Jesus Christ, although sacrificing his human nature as a ransom for mankind, rightly retains the Messianic designation "Son of man" in his heavenly position.

The first part of Jesus' statement to the high priest about the coming of the Son of man spoke of him as "sitting
sitting at the right hand of power." This is evidently an allusion to the prophetic Psalm 110, Jesus Christ having earlier shown that this psalm applied to him. (Mt 22:42-45) This psalm, as well as the apostle's application of it at Hebrews 10:12, 13, reveals that there would be a waiting period for Jesus Christ before his Father would send him forth to "go subduing in the midst of [his] enemies." It therefore appears that the fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 7:13, 14 comes, not at the time of Jesus' resurrection and ascension to heaven, but at the time of his being authorized by God to take action against all opposers in vigorous expression of his kingly authority. The 'coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of Days,' then, apparently corresponds in time to the situation presented at Revelation 12:5-10, when the symbolic man-child is brought forth and caught up to God's throne. Then war breaks out in heaven, and the cry goes up: "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ."
Further prophetic visions in Revelation (17:12-14; 19:11-21) show the exercise of full regnal power by the Messianic King over "peoples, national groups and languages" (Da 7:14), and hence the one "like a son of man" at Revelation 14:14 undoubtedly also represents Jesus Christ, as does the one so described at Revelation 1:13.-Compare Re 14:14-20; 19:15; and 1:13-18; see KINGDOM OF GOD ("Kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ").

As to the 'Son of man's coming on the clouds' and being seen by "every eye" (Mt 24:30; Re 1:7), see CLOUD (Illustrative Usage); EYE; PRESENCE. [source - Son of Man, page 1002-1003].

And,

"Shortly before his death, Jesus told the Jewish religious leaders: "From henceforth you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matt. 26:64) What did Jesus mean by this?
He was referring to the Bible prophecy of Daniel about the promised "son of man" who was brought before "the Ancient of Days," Jehovah God. "To him there were given rulership and dignity and kingdom," the prophecy says, "that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him." (Dan. 7:13, 14) This shows that the resurrected Jesus Christ would rule in heaven, and that the whole earth will be the territory over which he exercises authority as king.

But since God's kingdom is heavenly-its ruler Jesus Christ now being invisible-many persons do not consider it to be a real government. Yet, as we have seen, there is sound reason to believe that it is. [source - WT 01/15/1979, pages 4-5]

THE FACTS ON 1 CORINTHIANS 10:11:

1 Corinthians 10:11, "Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come." (ASV).

"Completion of the Foretold "Sign" Nears

WE TODAY can be thankful that the apostles of Jesus Christ asked him the question: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" (Matthew 24:3) Their question led to his giving a lengthy, detailed prophecy the accuracy of which leaves us amazed as we see the progress of its fulfillment in this eventful twentieth century. This aids us in determining with certainty where we are in the outworking of God's purpose toward suffering mankind. We are strengthened in our belief that we are actually living during the invisible "presence" of Christ in the spirit and in the "conclusion of the system of things," inasmuch as we do see "the sign" that he foretold.
The "sign" in all its details is nearing its stage of complete clarity with no room for any watching observers to be mistaken. The "sign" has many features, as set out in Matthew's account, chapters twenty-four and twenty-five, Mark's account, chapter thirteen, and Luke's account, chapter twenty-one; and it has been almost the lifetime of a generation of mankind for all the features of the "sign" to become manifest in their fullness. In preceding chapters we have considered those features of the sign as described in Matthew's account, chapter twenty-five. Now we consider those features set out in chapter twenty-four, along with the comparative accounts given by Mark and Luke.

When Christ's apostles opened up their inquiry by saying, "Tell us, When will these things be?" they were referring to the things that Jesus had said prophetically that same day of Tuesday, Nisan 11, of the year 33 C.E. In Jerusalem's temple, after denouncing the hypocritical religious scribes and Pharisees, Jesus went on to say: "Here I am sending forth to you prophets and wise men and public instructors. Some of them you will kill and impale, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city; that there may come upon you all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I say to you, All these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her,-how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But you people did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you. For I say to you, You will by no means see me from henceforth until you say, 'Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's name!'"

Before Jesus left the temple or house of worship, he added further words of solemn prophecy, concerning which we read: "Departing now, Jesus was on his way from the temple, but his disciples approached to show him the buildings of the temple. In response he said to them: 'Do you not behold all these things? Truly I say to you, By no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down.'"-Matthew 23:34 to 24:2.

Just two days previously, on Sunday, Nisan 9, he had paused in his triumphal ride toward Jerusalem and wept over her because of her coming destruction. Predicting her terrible destruction by the Romans in 70 C.E., he said: "Because the days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification with pointed stakes and will encircle you and distress you from every side, and they will dash you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you, because you did not discern the time of your being inspected."-Luke 19:41-44.

For natural, circumcised Jews, such as Christ's apostles were, those were disturbing predictions. Upon the generation of which they were a part, the innocent blood spilled in the course of Jewish history and earlier was to be visited. Exactly when would these things be fulfilled? They wanted to know. They believed and confessed Jesus to be the Messiah or Anointed One, the Christ. But Jerusalem's predicted destruction indicated that he would not set up his Messianic kingdom in that doomed city. He spoke of his not being seen "from henceforth," but also of his coming "in Jehovah's name." When would he be present again to carry out his Messianic role? The coming destruction of Jerusalem and her temple must certainly spell the end of the Jewish system of things. With no holy city and no holy temple the Jewish priesthood of the family of Aaron the Levite might be among those of Jerusalem's "children" who would be dashed "to the ground" or would at least be put out of their temple service. No wonder the apostles asked, not only about the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple, but also: "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"

Their questions were on proper points of inquiry, for Jesus did come in the "conclusion" of the Jewish system of things. Other scriptures speak of the situation in that same sense. Hebrews 9:26-28 shows that Jesus did not need to make repeated sacrifices of himself and says: "Otherwise, he would have to suffer often from the founding of the world. But now he has manifested himself once for all time at the conclusion of the systems of things to put sin away through the sacrifice of himself. . . . so also the Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many." Also, 1 Corinthians 10:11 says: "Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived." Counted from the year of Jesus' prophecy on the subject, the Jewish system of things had thirty-seven years yet to go, less than a generation with a life-span of forty years. Jerusalem was taken and destroyed by the Romans on Elul 7 (or, August 30, 70 C.E., Gregorian calendar time). How many of Christ's apostles escaped martyrdom and survived till that horrible event, the Bible record does not say.

A TIME OF TESTING AND DISASTERS

In answer to the inquiry of his apostles, Jesus described first the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem within that generation. "And in answer Jesus said to them: 'Look out that nobody misleads you; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will mislead many. You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet.'"-Matthew 24:4-6.

Jews would arise, not claiming to be Jesus returned in the flesh, but claiming to be the promised Messiah or Christ. But neither the apostles nor their fellow disciples should be misled by such self-styled Messiahs or Christs, for their operations would not betoken the "presence" or parousia of Jesus Christ nor bring deliverance to the Jewish nation. The Jewish revolt against the Romans in the year 66 C.E. was to be such a Messianic effort, but it led to Jerusalem's destruction and the scattering of the Jewish nation. The Messianic hopes of these misled people were bitterly disappointed.
During this thirty-seven-year period there were to be a number of wars, within earshot of the disciples or merely reported to them in the news. But those wars, while affecting the situation of the Jewish nation, were not the ones that directly brought on the end of the Jewish system of things. So the disciples were not to be terrorized into taking any premature action. "The end is not yet."

"For," said Jesus in enlarging upon what he had just said about wars and reports of war, "nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress."-Matthew 24:7, 8. Also, Mark 13:8.
Such calamities being merely a "beginning of pangs of distress," the end was "not yet." Those calamities were merely indications, not the final death throe. These things would affect the people in general, but there were things that would come specifically upon Jesus' disciples because they announced the true Messiah or Christ and followed in his footsteps. Hence, Jesus went on to say:

"Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come."-Matthew 24:9-14. Compare Mark 13:9-13.

The Bible book entitled "Acts of Apostles" testifies to the fulfillment of those prophetic words of Jesus Christ even within that generation, for this book was written by the medical doctor Luke about the year 61 C.E. Other Bible books, inspired letters written by apostles and other disciples before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., confirm the account in Acts of Apostles and add to the record of Christian suffering under persecution and international hatred toward Christianity. The good news of God's kingdom had penetrated beyond the Middle East into Asia Minor, Continental Asia, Africa, Europe and the islands of the Mediterranean Sea. The preaching of the Kingdom message was being carried on in all the inhabited earth. Although not resulting in world conversion to Christianity, a thing it was never purposed to accomplish, it resulted in a witness to all the nations. (Colossians 1:6, 23) Before this praiseworthy exploit was accomplished by outspoken Christian witnesses, the calamitous end could not come upon Jerusalem and the Jewish system of things.

JERUSALEM'S SECOND DESTRUCTION INDICATED AS AT HAND

Having shown in considerable detail the preliminaries that were to precede "the end," Jesus now specified the particular thing that would indicate the close nearness of the end of Jerusalem and the system of things that was centered in her and her temple. He said: "Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains. Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day."

Why the great need for the Christian Jews and proselytes in the Roman province of Judea to get out of it at top speed, with no unnecessary burdens, by direct route, at the opportune time, and take refuge in the mountains outside the mentioned province? "For then," Jesus continues on to say, "there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short."-Matthew 24:15-22.

This counsel of Jesus the apostles and other disciples should not forget nor disregard. If any of them delayed their flight out of Judea after seeing the disgusting thing standing in a holy place, it might cost them their lives; they might not be among those comparatively few who are spoken of as "flesh" that is saved only because the days of tribulation are cut short. But what is the "disgusting thing" the sight of which standing in the holy place would certify that not much time was left now before the devastating "great tribulation" was right at hand?

Jesus left no doubt as to what it was. He said it was the disgusting thing "as spoken of through Daniel the prophet." (Matthew 24:15) The "disgusting thing" that is foretold by the prophet Daniel in connection with the second destruction of Jerusalem is the one described in Daniel 9:26, 27 (especially according to the Greek Septuagint Version of the Hebrew Bible text). Secular history reveals that "disgusting thing" to be the pagan Roman armies under their "leader." That this is the proper explanation of the prophecy is borne out by a comparison of Matthew's account of Jesus' prophecy at this place with Luke's account at the corresponding place in Jesus' prophecy. Luke 21:20-24 says:

"Furthermore, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw, and let those in the country places not enter into her; because these are days for meting out justice [or, days of vengeance], that all the things written [including Daniel 9:26, 27] may be fulfilled. Woe to the pregnant women and the ones suckling a baby in those days! For there will be great necessity upon the land and wrath on this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled."-Compare also with Mark 13:14-20.

It was in the year 66 C.E. that the Christian Jews in Jerusalem and Judea began to see the "disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet," take a stand in a "holy place," namely, Jerusalem and its environs. It was in that year that the unchristianized Jews revolted with Messianic aspirations against further rule by the Roman Empire. In reaction to this, the Roman general, Cestius Gallus, came down from Syria and surrounded Jerusalem with "encamped armies." It was at the time that the Jews celebrated the Festival of Booths (or, Tabernacles) from Tishri 15 to 21, which in that year should have run for the seven days of October 22-28 (Gregorian calendar). General Cestius Gallus brought his armies up to within "fifty furlongs" of the celebrating city. The Jews, well armed, sallied forth in attack and inflicted some damage on the Romans.

There now followed a "wait for three days." Then General Gallus, forcing the Jews back to Jerusalem, brought his troops up close to the city. But it was first on the last day of the month Tishri (about November 5) that he got his troops into the city of Jerusalem. He was indeed now in a place considered "holy" to the Jews. For five days the Romans made an attack on the temple wall, and on the sixth day they undermined the wall. This certainly was an assailing of what the Jews considered most holy. Easily the Romans could have now captured the whole city, but then, suddenly, without any valid reason for doing so, General Gallus withdrew from the city and retreated. The elated Jews went in hot pursuit and harassed the retreating Romans and inflicted considerable harm, so that the retreat turned into a rout. This was a stinging blow at the pride of the world-conquering Romans. Jerusalem was liberated! And in commemoration the Jews coined some new silver shekels bearing on one side the inscription "Jerusalem the Holy."

Were the Christianized Jews in Jerusalem and in the province of Judea deceived by this reestablishing of the independence of this land of the Jews? Not those who took to heart Jesus' prophecy and his counsel. They had actually seen the holy city of Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies. They had seen the "disgusting thing that causes desolation," with its military standards that were idolized as gods by the soldiers, standing "in a holy place," "standing where it ought not." (Mark 13:14) From this they were to "know that the desolating of her [Jerusalem] has drawn near." (Luke 21:20) It was now high time either to get out of Jerusalem or not to enter into her but to flee from all the province of Judea to the mountains outside, for instance, eastward across the Jordan River to the province of Perea. There, outside the doomed territory, these Christianized Jews could continue their preaching of the good news of God's true Messianic kingdom, instead of perishing with the doomed unbelieving Jews.

The independence of the Jews in Judea proved to be of short duration. Roman General Vespasian succeeded to General Gallus and reached Palestine early in the following year, 67 C.E. His endeavors to get the rest of the country under control allowed for the Jews to strengthen their defenses. After the death of Emperor Nero in 68 C.E., Vespasian was elevated to imperial power. Leaving Palestine, he reached Rome about the middle of 70 C.E. He left his son General Titus in charge of Roman military forces in Syria. The Jewish Passover of the year 70 approached, and the non-Christian Jews flocked to the city of Jerusalem for the celebration. It was then that General Titus came with four legions and bottled up the celebrating Jews inside the city. To starve out the rebellious Jews, he did what Jesus had foretold, build a fortified stockade, "a fortification with pointed stakes," about five miles long all around the city, to prevent any Jews from escaping.

The straits of the cooped-up Jews inside Jerusalem became desperate. The first-century Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, in his writings, vividly describes the horrors resulting from the Roman siege. The loss of Jewish lives was mounting higher and higher. It appeared that, if the siege lasted too long, "no flesh" inside the besieged city would survive. It was as Jesus had foretold concerning this "great tribulation" upon Jerusalem and Judea: "In fact, unless Jehovah had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen he has cut short the days."-Mark 13:19, 20.
Providentially, the days of the siege proved to be relatively short, just 142 days, counted from Nisan 14 to Elul 7, or parts of six lunar months. That is to say, according to the Gregorian calendar, by August 30, 70 C.E., it was all over. Some Jewish flesh was permitted to survive, 97,000 Jews, according to Josephus' account, whereas he reports that 1,100,000 perished in the siege. Were those 97,000 survivors the "chosen ones" on account of whom Jehovah had cut short the days? Not unless you would call them chosen for captivity and enslavement. For it was just as Jesus had said: "There will be great necessity upon the land and wrath on this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled."-Luke 21:23, 24.

No! the "chosen ones" on account of whom the number of days of Jerusalem's "great tribulation" was cut short were not those 97,000 miserable Jewish captives, upon whom Jehovah's great "wrath" rested in those "days for meting out justice." Jehovah's "chosen ones" were the Christianized Jews, to whom he had given the signal to flee without delay from all of Judea, including its capital Jerusalem. He desired all of them to get safely out of the danger zone, by acting in faith on Jesus' counsel to flee promptly after seeing the "disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place." After Jehovah got all these "chosen" disciples of his Son Jesus Christ out of the place upon which divine justice was to be meted out, he could let the execution of his vengeance upon the rebellious Jews be of short duration. As it is written: "Jehovah will make an accounting on the earth, concluding it and cutting it short." (Romans 9:28; Isaiah 10:23) Rightly, then, "on account of the chosen ones" those days of great tribulation on Jerusalem were cut short.

Secular history records the accuracy of Jesus' prophecy. But with this account of the destruction of earthly Jerusalem the prophecy of Jesus does not end, for there is more to say concerning the "sign" of his presence and of the "conclusion of the system of things." He looks beyond the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., for he says, in Luke 21:24: "And Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled." Jesus looked to the fulfilled "end" of those appointed times of the nations, usually called the Gentile Times. That means that he looked forward to the year 1914 C.E., for in that year the right of Jerusalem to have a Messianic kingdom in the hands of the Permanent Heir of King David ceased being trampled on by the nations. Why do we say this, inasmuch as in the year 1914 the rebuilt city of Jerusalem over in the Middle East was still under control of the Mohammedan Turks? It is because, in that year, at the close of the Gentile Times, Jehovah God enthroned the Permanent Heir of King David, not in the Turk-controlled earthly Jerusalem, but in the heavenly Jerusalem.-Hebrews 12:22.

FULFILLMENT UPON ANTITYPICAL UNFAITHFUL JERUSALEM

It becomes plain that, in his prophecy, Jesus was using the city of Jerusalem not only in a literal sense but also in a typical sense, as prefiguring something else of greater proportions. Otherwise, he would not have said concerning her destruction in 70 C.E., "then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19) All informed persons know that Jerusalem's destruction in 70 C.E. was not the worst catastrophe since the world's beginning, for, what about the global deluge of Noah's day? And as for the equal of Jerusalem's destruction by the Romans never occurring after 70 C.E., what about World War I and World War II in this twentieth century? Jesus' language was not exaggerated, but evidently he was thinking of Jerusalem as a prophetic type, as a warning example of something that would embrace the whole world in a similar destruction. He was thinking of the antitypical unfaithful Jerusalem, namely, one of modern times. And what is that? It is Christendom with her hundreds of conflicting religious sects.-1 Corinthians 10:11.

SEE 61B FOR LAST PART OF CONTINUATION OF WHEN GOD'S (YHWH'S) KINGDOM STARTS RULING.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

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COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES, AND [3] LAST PART OF CONTINUATION OF WHEN GOD'S (YHWH'S) KINGDOM STARTS RULLING [PART 1 IS 59B, PART 2 IS 60B]: With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [61B]

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, Almighty God (YHWH) is all powerful and will always do as he says. And there is no other you can liken him to as shown at Isaiah 40:25 – 26, [AV] “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” And that his word can not fail is testified to at Joshua 23:14, [AV] “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”

[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES:

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Acer spp., Maple

Abundance: common
What: Inner bark, seeds, leaves, sap
How: Boil inner bark or dry into flour, cook seeds, young leaves raw or cooked, boil sap down to syrup
Where: everywhere
When: anytime
Nutritional value: sugar in sap, protein and carbohydrates in seeds, minerals in leaves, carbohydrates in inner bark.

One doesn't usually think of maples as common Texas trees however native stand of sugar maples (Acer saccharum Marsh.) still survive in TX Lost Maples Canyon as holdovers from the last ice age. Sugar maples are a common landscaping plant but they are heavy water users. The native red maple (Acer rubrum), with its beautiful red seeds and leaves, is much more common. Both will have the five-pointed leaves like one sees on Canadian flags and beer bottle labels. Both will also produce the "helicopter" seeds hat twirl and spin as they fall from the tree.

In late winter/early spring maples will begin producing leaf buds. These tiny buds and the newest leaves they produce make a good woodland's nibble. They can be added raw to salads or even cooked like spinach.

Maple seeds can be roasted like pumpkins seeds. Remove the seeds from their "wings" before roasting. The young leaves are best within the first few weeks of appearing and are delicious raw and wonderful when added to salads, especially with a tangy oil/vinegar dressing.

The inner bark is mainly a survival food. Cut long vertical strips of the bark off the tree, not exceeding more than 10% of the width of the tree trunk. Taking more will most likely kill the tree and even just taking 10% will greatly weaken it. The inner bark looks like a brown paper bag. Slice it into thin strips then boil it for several hours to make a mush. It will still tastes pretty much like a boiled paper bag.

Tapping sugar maples is best done in late winter when daytime highs are 40-50F but below freezing at night. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/maple.html on 1 /19/2016]

In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].

To view this plant, go to, http://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/maple.html

[3] LAST PART OF CONTINUATION OF WHEN GOD'S (YHWH'S) KINGDOM STARTS RULLING [PART 1 IS 59B, PART 2 IS 60B]

This application of Jesus' prophecy holds true, not only as to Christendom's approaching destruction with all her political, commercial, military and judicial paramours, but also as to the world events that immediately lead up to her annihilation. Christendom now lives in a period of time that resembles in her twentieth-century experiences the period of time from Jesus' prophecy given on the Mount of Olives until the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and her temple in 70 C.E. This particular corresponding period of time for Christendom began at the close of the "appointed times of the nations" in the year 1914. Consider world happenings since then.

What things did Jesus say would be a "beginning of pangs of distress"? Were they not to be wars, food shortage, earthquakes, pestilences? (Matthew 24:7, 8; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10, 11) What "wars" in the days of Christ's apostles in the first century can compare with World Wars I and II, not to speak of all the other wars since the close of World War II in 1945 C.E.? Did the famines, earthquakes, pestilences of the years 33 to 70 C.E. surpass the food shortages, earthquakes and pestilences Christendom and all the rest of the world have had since the end of the Gentile Times in 1914?

Jesus also told his apostles that his disciples would be sorely persecuted, being delivered up to tribulation and being killed, yes, of their becoming an object of hatred by all the nations; also, of the arising of false prophets, false Messiahs, and of the increasing of lawlessness toward God with a consequent cooling off of the quality of love on the part of the great majority of professed religionists; also, of the need of Christian endurance during such a time as that. (Matthew 24:9-13; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19) Such developments marked apostolic times of the first century. And what about world developments since the Gentile Times ended in 1914? Has the world become so converted to Christianity that the persecution of Christ's true disciples has ceased? Is there any religious minority that is more the object of "hatred by all the nations on account of my [Christ's] name" than Jehovah's witnesses? Are there any religious persecutions greater than those heaped upon these Christian witnesses of Jehovah all the way from 1914 down to the present time? A record is there for all to consult.

There was another distinguishing feature about that apostolic period of the first century prior to 70 C.E. To his Jewish opposers in Jerusalem, Jesus said: "The kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits." (Matthew 21:43) Even with their false Messiahs the Jews were not producing the fruits of God's kingdom by proclaiming it to the Gentiles. Before Jerusalem's destruction, they did not take up the message of John the Baptist and proclaim that the kingdom of the heavens was at hand. No, for during his last visit to the temple in Jerusalem Jesus said to the religious scribes and Pharisees: "You shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for you yourselves do not go in, neither do you permit those on their way in to go in." (Matthew 23:13) To whom, then, goes the credit for a fulfillment before the year 70 C.E. of Jesus' dynamic words: "And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations"? (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10) It goes to those who were the "objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name"-his own disciples.

This remarkable accomplishment, the preaching of such good news in all the inhabited earth for an international witness, by Jehovah's Christian witnesses is significant. It is a brightly shining feature of the "sign" that was to mark the "presence" or parousia of the reigning King Jesus Christ in spirit. Since the year of his enthronement in the heavens at God's right hand that preaching from door to door and by all other means of modern communication has been carried on by Jehovah's Christian witnesses for well over half a century, notwithstanding world wars and other large-scale calamities. Evidently the completing of the witness to all the nations concerning God's Messianic kingdom that is about to take over all mankind's affairs must be very near. This worldwide Kingdom-preaching was to precede "the end." All the inhabited earth has now heard the Kingdom-preaching. No longer do "all the nations" remain without a witness to them. "And then the end will come," said Jesus, for this system of things! [source - Completion of the Foretold "Sign" Nears, pages 293-308]

THE FACTS ON 1 JOHN 2:18:

1 John 2:18, "Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour." (ASV).
By the last hour, John evidently meant that of the Apostolic age as he was very old and all the other apostles had died, and that there would be a falling away. John's statement shows that there are many individual antichrists, though all together they may form a composite person designated "the antichrist." Per 2 John 7, "For manydeceivers have gone forth into the world, persons not confessing Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist." (The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures; KIT). However the expreeion 'hour' refers to a period of time of undetermined length. Thus, He thus did not restrict the appearance, existence, and activity of such antichrist to some future time only but showed that the antichrist was then present and would continue on per 1 John 4:3, and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already." (ASV).

And,

"The "last days" mentioned by Paul at 2 Timothy 3:1-7 refer to the time after the apostasy had had its long day under the "man of lawlessness" referred to at 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. All the matters mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 are 'fruits' of apostasy that are grossly apparent in our time. This does not refer to the first century, as the "man of lawlessness" was not then evident. These "last days" are therefore different from the "last hour" mentioned at 1 John 2:18, which refers to the closing period of apostolic restraint against lawlessness. This "restraint" was taken away at the death of John, the last of the apostles.-2 Thess. 2:7." [source - WT 08/15/1976, page 512]
THE FACTS ON MATTHEW 23:26:

Matthew 23:26, "Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." (ASV).

"When Jesus' apostles asked for a "sign" about his presence and the conclusion of the system of things, he gave his famous prophecy about coming wars, famines, earthquakes and the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom before the end. (Matt. 24, 25; Mark 13; Luke 21) He also said: "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-Matt. 24:34

Based on the Bible and its fulfillment in history, Jehovah's Witnesses have often pointed out that Christ's prophecy was to have two applications: First, between 33 C.E. and the [minor fulfillment] destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.; second, a larger [or major fulfillment] fulfillment in this "time of the end" since 1914 C.E.

However, some Bible commentators have failed to appreciate the dual aspect of this prophecy. So they have held that by the term "generation" Jesus meant a race or people, such as the Jewish people or the class of wicked humans existing through the centuries. They might even refer to 1 Peter 2:9, which, in the Authorized Version, speaks of the anointed Christian congregation as "a chosen generation." However, Bible scholars now recognize that the Greek word in 1 Peter 2:9 should be rendered "race" and is different from the word rendered "generation" in Matthew 24:34.

Jesus was not referring to a race of people over the centuries or just to Christians. He was first of all referring to his listeners and other Jews at that time. An indication of this is the fact that earlier that day, when condemning the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus spoke of their murdering the prophets and said: "All these things will come upon this generation." (Matt. 23:36) These words came true on the contemporary generation when in 70 C.E. the Jews in Jerusalem faced its fiery destruction. (Luke 3:16, 17) That also marked the 'conclusion of the Jewish system of things' in the first fulfillment of Christ's prophecy.

This helps us to understand "generation" in Matthew 24:34. In common English usage today "generation" might be used for (1) all persons who were born and who live about the same time, or (2) the average span between the birth of parents and that of their children, usually 20 to 30 years. Which did Jesus mean? Obviously not the latter, for in its first application the "generation" ran from 33 C.E. until 70 C.E., or at least 37 years.

Also, it is evident that by the word "generation" Jesus did not mean just the Jewish children born in 33 C.E. Luke relates that after being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom was coming, Jesus told his disciples: "[The Son of man] must undergo many sufferings and be rejected by this generation." (Luke 17:20-25) That rejection certainly was not by newborn babies. Likewise, the way things worked out shows that the "generation" he spoke of in Matthew 24:34 included his listeners and others who could discern the fulfillment of his words from 33 C.E. onward until Jerusalem's destruction.

Thus, when it comes to the application in our time, the "generation" logically would not apply to babies born during World War I. It applies to Christ's followers and others who were able to observe that war and the other things that have occurred in fulfillment of Jesus' composite "sign." Some of such persons "will by no means pass away until" all of what Christ prophesied occurs, including the end of the present wicked system.

Jesus did not encourage his followers to try to calculate the exact length of this "generation." (Ps. 90:10) Instead of trying to figure how many more years, at the maximum, there may be until the end, Christians should remember Jesus' warning: "Keep on the watch . . . because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming."-Matt. 24:42-44.

We have ample evidence that Matthew chapter 24 is being fulfilled now, during "the conclusion of the system of things." One proof is the earth-wide preaching of the good news of the established Messianic kingdom, which Jesus said must be done before the end comes. (Matt. 24:14) So, rather than being drawn into speculation about a date that we cannot know, let true Christians actively share in that important preaching, as they look forward confidently to the fulfillment of Jesus' words about "this generation" at Matthew 24:34. [source - WT 10/01/1978, page 31].

THE FACTS ON LUKE 11:47 AND 51:

Luke 11:47, "Woe unto you! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them" (ASV)..

And,

Luke 11:51, "from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation." (ASV).

Here, Jesus explained to his disciples the reason for his coming John 14:2-3 " In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also." (ASV).

"Shortly before instituting the Lord's Evening Meal, Jesus told his faithful apostles that he had to go away. He meant, of course, that after he died later that day, he had to go his way to heaven. Peter reacted by asking to be allowed to follow him. Thereupon Jesus said: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Exercise faith in God, exercise faith also in me. In the house of my Father there are many abodes. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going my way to prepare a place for you. Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you home to myself, that where I am you also may be."-John 14:1-3.

What "abodes" needed to be prepared for the apostles? Some Bible translators have rendered John 14:2 in a way that suggests that Jesus was talking about the apostles' needing "resting-places" on their way to heaven or their finding various rooms in heaven. Yet, W. E. Vine says about the Greek word involved: "There is nothing in the word to indicate separate compartments in Heaven; neither does it suggest temporary resting-places on the road." The word means simply a place to abide. So Jesus was promising abiding places in the spiritual heavens where he was going to be with his Father.-Ephesians 1:20; 1 Peter 1:4; 3:21, 22.

But in what way would Jesus prepare such abodes for his loyal followers? Having died a sacrificial death, Jesus went to heaven to present before God the value of his lifeblood. This would first benefit those who would be called to be joint heirs of heavenly life. The apostle Paul wrote: "Christ entered, not into a holy place made with hands, which is a copy of the reality, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the person of God for us." (Hebrews 9:12, 24-28; Romans 6:5; 8:17) So when Jesus told the apostles that he was going to "prepare a place for" them, he certainly would have in mind his 'appearing before the person of God for' them. Only after he did that could they or other humans follow him to heaven.-Philippians 3:20, 21.

Did Jesus have to do other things to prepare a place for them? In time, he would assume kingly power and would war against Satan, casting him and his demons out of heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9) This would occur prior to the start of the heavenly resurrection of the apostles and other anointed ones sleeping in death. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) Whether Jesus' comment about 'preparing a place for' his followers included his casting Satan out of heaven, we cannot say.

Moreover, we do not know if Jesus had other assignments that had to do with preparing a place in heaven for anointed Christians. Yet, at least we can be sure that Jesus did prepare the way for his anointed followers by presenting to God the value of his "precious blood." (1 Peter 1:19) On the basis of that blood, the new covenant was established between Jehovah God and spirit-anointed Christians. [source - WT 05/15/1988 page 31].

"God's Kingdom Comes to Power in the Midst of Its Enemies

FOR thousands of years men of faith have lived in eager expectation of the day when God's kingdom would begin its rule. They have felt keenly the need for God to take a direct hand in earth's affairs. Does this mean that God has not been King during the centuries past? No, for Jehovah has always been the Supreme Ruler of the universe. (Jeremiah 10:10) But here at the earth his rulership has been challenged. And, as we have already seen, for sound reasons and with a loving purpose in view, God has allowed human governments under the influence of Satan to rule for a fixed period of time.

Jehovah promised, however, that at the end of that time he would take direct action against all rebels and opposers of his rule. And he would bring the earth and its inhabitants completely under his rule again. How? By the Kingdom, a new heavenly government under his Son Christ Jesus. So the coming of that kingdom to power means that great changes are near at hand. It means that Jehovah God has given to his Son "rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him."-Daniel 7:13, 14.

That event has already taken place in heaven. Kingdom authority has already been given to Jehovah's Son. Does that sound strange to you? It might, especially in view of the terrible conditions afflicting mankind. But, really, it is because of these very conditions that we can be certain that this is true. Why is this?

This is so because the coming to power of Jehovah's kingdom is not welcomed by all creatures. Not everyone wants to live under a government that insists on righteousness. (Luke 19:11-14) For this reason, Jehovah long ago recorded in his Word that when he 'begins ruling as king' toward the earth 'the nations would become wrathful.' (Revelation 11:17, 18 He foretold that, at the time of empowering his Son to act, it would be necessary for him to say: "Go subduing in the midst of your enemies."-Psalm 110:2 [109:2, Dy].

Christ Jesus would then oust Satan from heaven, the seat of government, hurling him down to the vicinity of the earth, in preparation for putting him completely out of action. In the heavens the grand announcement would then be made: "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ." But for the earth, what? "Woe . . . , because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:5, 7-10, 12) Full control of earth by God's kingdom must soon follow! However, the start of the rule by God's kingdom does not mean immediate peace and righteousness on earth. To the contrary, it triggers a period of unprecedented trouble for earth's inhabitants.

Realizing this, we can better understand the meaning of what Jesus told his followers about his second presence. They had asked him: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" (Matthew 24:3) Jesus then described, for their benefit and ours, what would take place on earth when he would begin to rule in heaven. In this way, although the events in heaven would be invisible to human eyes, there would be visible proof that Christ was at last on the throne, taking action as king. It would be proof that the wicked system of things that has oppressed mankind for centuries had entered its "last days." (2 Timothy 3:1) Although it was foretold that there would be ridiculers that would try to belittle the facts, yet the evidence would be clear.-2 Peter 3:3, 4.

As we consider the evidence together, it is important to realize that Jesus did not say that any one event, such as threat of war or a terrible earthquake, would be the proof that "the end" was at hand. (Matthew 24:6) Rather, he said: "Note the fig tree and all the other trees: When they are already in the bud, by observing it you know for yourselves that now the summer is near. In this way you also, when you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near." (Luke 21:29-31) If we see one tree put out its leaves in midwinter because the weather is warm for a few days, we do not reason that summer has come, do we? But when we see all the trees budding and the days growing longer we know that summer has to be near. Likewise, when all the things that Jesus described take place, we can know for sure that Christ is on his heavenly throne and that his kingdom has, indeed, begun active rule. When that happens, liberation is near!

FULFILLMENT OF "THE SIGN"

Exactly what did Jesus point to as marking his second presence and the "conclusion of the system of things"? He said: "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another." (Matthew 24:7) Here Jesus tells us to look for a new kind of warfare-total war! The war that began in 1914 fits his description. Not only did armies fight on the battlefields; civilian populations too were organized to give full support to the war. As Jesus foretold, entire nations and kingdoms were fighting against one another. For the first time in history the whole world was at war. Hence it is called "World War I." Of it the book World War I said:

"In its scope, its violence, and above all, in its totality, it established a precedent. World War I ushered in the century of Total War, of-in the first full sense of the term-global war.
"Never before 1914-1918 had a war absorbed so much of the total resources of so many combatants and covered so large a part of the earth. Never had so many nations been involved. Never had the slaughter been so comprehensive and indiscriminate."

The World Book Encyclopedia noted that the number of soldiers killed and wounded was over 37,000,000, and added:

"The number of civilian deaths in areas of actual war totaled about 5,000,000. Starvation, disease, and exposure accounted for about 80 of every 100 of these civilian deaths. Spanish influenza, which some persons blamed on the war, caused tens of millions of other deaths."

This was just as Jesus foretold. Put together, these facts mark 1914 as the beginning of the "last days" and the year that God's heavenly kingdom began its active rule.-See also Luke 21:10, 11.

Also, after 1914 a series of earthquakes rocked the earth, causing great damage. In 1915, in Italy, nearly 30,000 were killed. In 1920, in China, 180,000 died. In 1923, 143,000 died in Japan. And major earthquakes have continued to take place with unusual frequency since then. As Jesus foretold, they are another mark of the "last days."

However, Jesus said that the events that marked the beginning of the "last days" in 1914 were only the "beginning of pangs of distress." (Matthew 24:8 Greater trouble was to come. True to his prophecy, it did. The World Book Encyclopedia says: "World War I and its aftermath led to the greatest economic depression in history during the early 1930's. The consequences of the war and the problems of adjustment to peace led to unrest in almost every nation." This paved the way for World War II. And of that war the same source notes:

World War II killed more persons, cost more money, damaged more property, affected more people . . . than any other war in history. . . . It has been estimated that the number of war dead, civilian and military, totaled more than 22,000,000. The number of wounded has been estimated as more than 34,000,000."
Truly, the "pangs of distress" Jesus foretold have become greater as the "last days" move toward their climax.

During and after World War II widespread food shortages added to the distress. Shortly after the war Look magazine observed:

"A fourth of the world is starving today. Tomorrow will even be worse. Famine over most of the world now is more terrible than most of us can imagine. . . . There are now more people hunting desperately for food than at any other time in history."

More recent reports have shown that a constant lack of adequate food, resulting in chronic malnutrition, has become the "major world hunger problem today." The London Times reported:
"There have always been famines, but the scale and ubiquity [presence everywhere] of hunger today is on a totally new scale. . . . Today malnutrition is said to affect more than a thousand million people; perhaps as many as 400 million live constantly on the brink of starvation."-June 3, 1980.
Jesus also foretold the "increasing of lawlessness" as a mark of the "last days." (Matthew 24:12) And God inspired the apostle Paul to add: "In the last days . . . men will be lovers of themselves, . . . disobedient to parents, . . . without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, . . . lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, . . . wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse." (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13) These are the conditions that have developed at an explosive rate since 1914! You have seen them with your own eyes, have you not? Throughout the world lawlessness is running wild. Said one lawyer: "Almost everywhere, including Soviet Russia, there appears to be an increase in crime, and particularly, alas, in juvenile crime." From nation after nation come reports such as the following:

"A wave of crime and rioting is sweeping across the United States . . . In many cities, women are afraid to go out after dark. And they have good reason. Rapes, assaults, sadistic outbursts of senseless violence are on the rise. Crimes often seem to be committed out of sheer savagery . . . Respect for law and order is declining."

As another feature of the "last days," Jesus spoke of great confusion and fear among the nations and their leaders. He foretold: "On the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." (Luke 21:25, 26) The fulfillment of this prophecy is evident in the news of our time. U.S. News & World Report said:

"Is the world in greater tumult than before World War II? No doubt.
"Shooting troubles, on the average, erupt once a month. Counting out real wars like Korea and Vietnam, the record still shows over 300 revolutions, coups, uprisings, rebellions and insurrections worldwide since the end of World War II."

Added to all these things is the fear of being destroyed by the huge supply of nuclear weapons some nations possess. One news editor commented: "The fact is that today the biggest single emotion which dominates our lives is fear." It is just as Jesus foretold: mankind is fearful and the nations are in anguish.
All the foretold marks of the "last days" are here. They prove beyond a doubt that we have been in the "last days" since 1914. Hence it was in that year that God's heavenly kingdom came to power!-Revelation 11:17, 18.

It is true that in past generations there were periods marked by violence and much immoral conduct. The decline of the Roman Empire is an example. But never before in human history have all the conditions specified by Jesus been observed in the same generation. And never before have they existed at the same time in every nation of the earth. Today we live, not merely in the last days of one political empire, but in the "last days" of the entire wicked system controlled by Satan.

1914 A MARKED YEAR

Years in advance Bible scholars realized that 1914 was to be a year of great significance. Bible chronology specifically points to that year, and careful students of God's Word knew that. They expected great changes to take place, and the facts confirm that 1914 was, indeed, a marked year.

Others with knowledge of world affairs fully agree that 1914 was a marked year. The London Evening Star commented that World War I "tore the whole world's political setup apart. Nothing could ever be the same again. . . . some historian in the next century may well conclude that the day the world went mad was August 4, 1914." Of the great change 1914 made, the historian H. R. Trevor-Roper said:

"It is instructive to compare the first World War with the second . . . the first war marked a far greater change in history. It closed a long era of general peace and began a new age of violence in which the second war is simply an episode. Since 1914 the world has had a new character: a character of international anarchy. . . . Thus the first World War marks a turning point in modern history."

World leaders have also commented on the significance of the year 1914. Former chancellor of West Germany Konrad Adenauer spoke of the time "before 1914 when there was real peace, quiet and security on this earth-a time when we didn't know fear." Then he added: "Security and quiet have disappeared from the lives of men since 1914. And peace? Since 1914, the Germans have not known real peace nor has much of mankind," Note, too, the comment in the book entitled "1914." The author says: "In the year 1914 the world, as it was known and accepted then, came to an end. Far more than any year before or since was this the punctuation-mark of the twentieth century . . . from then on nothing could ever be the same."
Satan the Devil and his demons know they have only "a short period of time" left before their destruction. (Revelation 12:12) Even when Jesus was on earth, the demons knew that someday they would be destroyed. They showed a vicious disposition back then, and now that they know their time is short they are more vicious and desperate than ever. (Luke 8:27-33) They are out to stir up all the trouble that they can, in order to direct the attention of mankind away from the kingdom of God. That is why this wicked system of things has been behaving so crazily since 1914. It is behaving like a top, a child's toy, that wobbles crazily just before it tumbles to a complete stop.

Are we disheartened by this situation? Jesus said that his disciples would have reason to lift their heads up. Why? Because they realize the meaning of it all. They see in these events proof that deliverance is near! (Luke 21:28 And they do not keep this joyful news to themselves, but in all the earth they are preaching the thrilling news that the kingdom of God now rules. As Jesus foretold: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) This, too, is part of the "sign." In North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the islands of the seas Jehovah's witnesses zealously keep proclaiming this urgent message. In both large cities and small villages you will find them, in all parts of the earth. Yes, this part of the "sign" is also being fulfilled.
Beyond all doubt, the evidence points to 1914 as the year when the kingdom of God went into operation, and that event is causing things to happen here on earth. In that same year "the present wicked system of things" entered its "last days." (Galatians 1:4) Soon, now, the prayer for God's kingdom to "come" will be answered, when it displays its great power by destroying Satan's entire wicked system. Then God's kingdom alone will operate as the one government to rule the earth throughout eternity. (Daniel 2:44) Taking direct control of all earth's affairs, it will shower down on obedient mankind blessings of peace, happiness and life. The prayer for 'God's will to take place, as in heaven, also upon earth,' will have had glorious fulfillment, for God's kingdom will have come to rule forever. And think of it! You may enjoy eternal life under the loving rule of that kingdom.-Matthew 6:9, 10. [source - The Truth, Chapter 10, pages 82-93]

CONCLUSION:
As can be seen, there is both a minor and a major fulfillment of all of these prophecies.

This is a special research article done by myself in conjunction with another researcher with only one purpose in mind, 'to answer special objections of some Muslims. To wit, specifically:

1) Matthew 16:28 There are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.
2) Matthew 24:34 "This generation will by no means pass away till all these things happen."
3) Matthew 10:23 "you (the twelve) will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
4) Matthew 26: 64 " You ( the high priest) will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven."
5) 1 Corinthians 10: 11 Paul said " On us the ends of the ages have come."
6) 1 John 2: 18 it is the last hour....we know that it is the last hour.
7) Matthew 23: 36" All of these things shall come upon this generation"
8)Luke 11: 47,51 "Woe to you because you build tombs to the prophets, it was your forefathers who killed them....This generation will be held responsible for the blood of all of the prophets"
[note, a lot of the data presented here came from others]

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sat Oct 05, 2019 5:46 pm

COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Althaea officinalis With the Scripture of the Day first.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [62B]

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:2 – 5, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, we must be patient, but Almighty God (YHWH) intends to bring a righteous rule to this earth as foretold at Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” His kingdom will be one of mercey and will endure forever quite unlike worldly nations (kingdoms) of today as shown by Psalms 145:7 – 13, [AV] “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” For our part we should per Psalms 145:18, [AV] “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Althaea officinalis

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Althaea officinalis, Mallow - Marsh

Abundance: rare
What: roots, young leaves, flower buds,
How: Leaves, roots, stem, and flowers contain a mucilage-like material which can be used to thicken soups and stews. Flowers can be eaten raw. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked with other greens or boiled alone. Roots are peeled, sliced then fried. Flower buds can be raw or cooked. All parts of the plant can be made into tea, seeds are roast and ground for a coffee substitute.
Where: Moist areas
When: Young leaves in spring, summer; roots all year, flowers in summer.
Nutritional Value: Roots high in starch, rest of plant contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals

Marsh mallow flowers and flower buds, both of which are edible.

Marsh mallows are usually found in shady, moist areas but on occasion they can be found in sunny, moist areas, too.

To make original marshmallows, peel roots and slice them into thin wafers then boil 20 minutes in minimum amount of water. Remove the root slices, add sugar or other sweetener and boil down fluid until very thick. Whip this hot fluid like egg whites then drop globs onto wax paper, after they've cooled dust them with powdered sugar.

The seeds can be roasted then ground in a coffee grinder for use as a substitute for real coffee. It tastes pretty good, though does not have any caffeine.

Young leaves and tender flower buds can be used to thicken soups, stews, curries, and other sauces. The tender flower buds can also be pickled like okra. Opened flowers can be used in salads or made into tea though these are best the first day they've opened.

The dried root has been used in herbal "tobacco" substitutes. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.foragingtexas.com/2009/06/mallow-marsh.html on 1/19/2016]

In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].

To view this plant, go to, http://www.foragingtexas.com/2009/06/mallow-marsh.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Mon Oct 07, 2019 3:57 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] MAINSTREAM RELIGION MORE INFLUENCED BY PAGAN PHILOSOPHERS THAN THE BIBLE. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [63B]

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Romans 11:18, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

The earth will clearly will remain for ever as revealed at Ecclesiastes 1:4, [AV] “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” But Almighty God (YHWH) will turn it once more into a paradise to fulfill his original intent for it, and as Isaiah 33:24, says, [AV] “And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” However, we must live a godly life in order to be a dweller in this righteous earth per Luke 21:34 – 36, [AV] “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” And as Matthew 6:33, [AV] says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

[2] MAINSTREAM RELIGION MORE INFLUENCED BY PAGAN PHILOSOPHERS THAN THE BIBLE:

INTRODUCTION:

Many who claim to be Christian are more influenced by pagan philosophers than the Bible and true teachings of Christ. Mainstream so called Christian religion has adopted many false pagan teachings of pagan philosophers such as Aristotle and given them importance over the teachings of the Bible. For example, the so called mainstream Christian religions readily accepted the pagan philosophers beliefs in the Ptolemaic system of astronomy and the Trinity rejecting Bible teachings. They went so far in believing these pagan beliefs that they even had individuals who disagreed with this pagan concepts of the pagan philosophers burned at the stake and/or killed in other ways and also put under house arrest. Of course many will say this fact is not believable, but let's look at the facts through one of many examples.

Let's consider the case of Giordano Bruno who was burnt-at-the-stake because he taught earth traveled around the sun, the Copernican system, in opposition to the system from pagan philosophers, the Ptolemaic system where the sun traveled around the earth, which the Catholic church and most of the protestant churches maintained in the 15 century was universal truth even though it came from paganism and NOT the Bible. Here is what history says with regard to what happened to Giordano Bruno,

"The Inquisition burnt him at the stake on 17 February 1600. Bruno turned his head away from the cross shown at him in sign of disdain. He was executed, guilty of his beliefs, in Campo dei Fiori (The Field of Flowers). There is a statue in that place, reminding Italians and tourists of his incredible story. The Catholic Church was intolerant regarding his beliefs, but he on the other side was uncaring about the situation.... The Vatican had to do something. Giordano Bruno was tried, convicted of heresy, and then burnt at the stake. Killing Giordano Bruno [for teaching the Copernican theory] was not difficult then. While Martin Luther was well protected by the princes of the German states, Bruno was not." [source - A Yet to Be Pardoned Heretic: Giordano Bruno by Laert Dogjani].

ACCEPTANCE OF PAGANISM:

One may ask, how did pagan philosophy become accepted Christian doctrine by so called mainstream Christian churches. Well in the case of the Trinity for example it was by way of compromise with a pagan Roman Emperor Constantine who needed to unite his empire religiously in order to strengthen it. This pagan worshiper of the Unconquered Sun called a conference or council in which all known so called Christian bishops were invited, but less than half of those invited actually attended. This council, known as the Council of Nicea of 325 AD, went on for a long time with the pagan Constantine who cared naught for Bible truths presiding over it until he got most of the bishops in attendance to compromise [three did not] and accept several pagan teachings thereby bringing a fusion between the so called Christians and the pagans which resulted in bringing religious unity to most of his empire. Of course as far as being true footstep followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, this was nothing short of gross apostasy; but only one of many apostasies to follow.

One pagan philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) had put forth a false theory that the sun traveled around the earth and the earth was the center of the universe, and this was known as the Ptolemaic system. Let's learn more about this pagan philosopher.

"To the modern reader, Aristotle's views on astronomy, as presented in Metaphysics, Physics, De Caelo (On the Heavens) and Simplicius' Commentary, will most likely seem very bizarre, as they are based more on a priori philosophical speculation than empirical observation. Although Aristotle acknowledged the importance of "scientific" astronomy - the study of the positions, distances and motions of the stars - he nevertheless treated astronomy in the abstract, linking it to his overall philosophical world picture. As a result, the modern distinction between physics and metaphysics is not present in Aristotle, and in order to fully appreciate him we must try to abandon this pre-conception.
Aristotle argued that the universe is spherical and finite. Spherical, because that is the most perfect shape; finite, because it has a center, viz. the center of the earth, and a body with a center cannot be infinite. He believed that the earth, too, is a sphere. It is relatively small compared to the stars, and in contrast to the celestial bodies, always at rest. For one of his proofs of this latter point, he referred to an empirically testable fact: if the earth were in motion, an observer on it would see the fixed stars as moving, just as he now observes the planets as moving, that is from a stationary earth. However, since this is not the case, the earth must be at rest. To prove that the earth is a sphere, he produced the argument that all earthly substances move towards the center, and thus would eventually have to form a sphere. He also used evidence based on observation. If the earth were not spherical, lunar eclipses would not show segments with a curved outline. Furthermore, when one travels northward or southward, one does not see the same stars at night, nor do they occupy the same positions in the sky. (De Caelo, Book II, chapter 14) That the celestial bodies must also be spherical in shape, can be determined by observation. In the case of the stars, Aristotle argued that they would have to be spherical, as this shape, which is the most perfect, allows them to retain their positions. (De Caelo, Book II, chapter 11)

.....Aristotle's hierarchical model of the universe had a profound influence on medieval scholars, who modified it to correspond with Christian theology. Saint Thomas Aquinas, for example, re-interpreted the prime movers as angels. Backed up by religious authority, Aristotle's model lasted for centuries. Unfortunately, this had the effect of restraining the progress of science, as few people dared to challenge the authority of the church. Nevertheless, we can say of Aristotle that he made a contribution to astronomy simply by starting to ask certain questions about the universe, thereby stimulating other minds to do the same." [source - Aristotle's Astronomy by Thomas Fowler]

Now how did the pagan concepts of this pagan philosopher Aristotle come to be accepted as more pertinent that the Bible by the so called mainstream Christian church? Well let's find out from history as detailed in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy which shows which so called church father, Thomas Aquinas, was responsible for the adoption of this, the pagan philosopher's the Ptolemaic system theory. Let's see what history says with regard this apostasy by the so called mainstream Christian church's adoption of this pagan philosopher's theory by the person of so called Saint Thomas Aquinas.

"Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) lived at a critical juncture of western culture when the arrival of the Aristotelian corpus in Latin translation reopened the question of the relation between faith and reason, calling into question the modus vivendi that had obtained for centuries. This crisis flared up just as universities were being founded. Thomas, after early studies at Montecassino, moved on to the University of Naples, where he met members of the new Dominican Order. It was at Naples too that Thomas had his first extended contact with the new learning. When he Johnined the Dominican Order he went north to study with Albertus Magnus, author of a paraphrase of the Aristotelian corpus. Thomas completed his studies at the University of Paris, which had been formed out of the monastic schools on the Left Bank and the cathedral school at Notre Dame. In two stints as a regent master Thomas defended the mendicant orders and, of greater historical importance, countered both the Averroistic interpretations of Aristotle and the Franciscan tendency to reject Greek philosophy. The result was a new modus vivendi between faith

and philosophy which survived until the rise of the new physics. Thomas's theological writings became regulative of the Catholic Church and his close textual commentaries on Aristotle represent a cultural resource which is now receiving increased recognition. The following account concentrates on Thomas the philosopher and presents him as fundamentally an Aristotelian.

Thomas and Aristotle
As a philosopher, Thomas is emphatically Aristotelian. His interest in and perceptive understanding of the Stagyrite is present from his earliest years and certainly did not await the period toward the end of his life when he wrote his close textual commentaries on Aristotle. When Thomas referred to Aristotle as the Philosopher, he was not merely adopting a facon de parler of the time. He adopted Aristotle's analysis of physical objects, his view of place, time and motion, his proof of the prime mover, his cosmology. He made his own Aristotle's account of sense perception and intellectual knowledge. His moral philosophy is closely based on what he learned from Aristotle and in his commentary on the Metaphysics he provides the most cogent and coherent account of what is going on in those difficult pages. But to acknowledge the primary role of Aristotle in Thomas's philosophy is not to deny other influences. Augustine is a massively important presence. Boethius, Pseudo-Dionysius and Proclus were conduits through which he learned Neo-platonism. There is nothing more obviously Aristotelian about Thomas than his assumption that there is something to be learned from any author, if only mistakes to be avoided. But he adopted many features from non-Aristotelian sources.

This has led some to suggest that what is called Thomistic philosophy is an eclectic hodgepodge, not a set of coherent disciplines. Others, struck by the prominence in Thomas of such Platonic notions as participation, have argued that his thought is fundamentally Platonic, not Aristotelian. Still others argue that that there is a radically original Thomistic philosophy which cannot be characterized by anything it shares with earlier thinkers, particularly Aristotle.

The recognition that Thomas is fundamentally an Aristotelian is not equivalent to the claim that Aristotle is the only influence on him. It is the claim that whatever Thomas takes on from other sources is held to be compatible with what he already holds in common with Aristotle. And, of course, to draw attention to the sources of Thomas's philosophy is not to say that everything he holds philosophically can be parsed back into historical antecedents." [source - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy].

Thus the adoption by the so called mainstream Christian church, at the insistence of Thomas Aquinas, lead up to the burning-at-the-stake of Giordano Bruno for teaching the earth traveled around the sun, the Copernican theory. In addition, it lead to the eventual house arrest of the great scientist Galileo. In fact, by the time of Galileo, says Wade Rowland in this book, "Galileo's Mistake,"

"the hybridized Aristotle in the theology of Aquinas had become bedrock dogma of the Church of Rome" [source - Galileo's Mistake by Wade Rowland].

Now keep in mind that is those days there was no such thing as a scientific community as education as such was largely in the hands of the so called mainstream Christian church. Therefore, the authority on religion and science was often one and the same.

CONFRONTATION WITH GALILEO LEADING TO HIS HOUSE ARREST:

Now circumstances were primed for a confrontation between the leading scientist of the day, Galileo, and the so called Christian church. In fact it was Galileo's steadfast promotion of the Heliocentric System and his assertion that it harmonized with the scriptures that lead to his arrest and trial by the Catholic Inquisition in 1633. Here is what history says on this case, the case of GALILEO GALILEI.

"The case of Galileo Galilei not only had a different outcome from that of Bruno, it was different. Galileo was summoned before the Inquisition in 1616. He had earlier stated his opposition to the Ptolemaic cosmology and the Inquisition had become suspicious of him in 1611. He continued his public defense of the Copernician system as well as his own investigations of the heavens.

In 1613 he wrote an ecclesiastical friend Father Castelli, expressing his view that the theologian should attempt to reconcile Biblical phraseology with the results of science, instead of of attempting to restrict scientific investigation on Biblical authority. A copy of that letter was given to the Inquisition in 1615. The following year, the Pope warned Galileo to desist from his heretical teaching or face imprisonment.

When Galileo, in 1632, published a defense of the Copernican system, Dialogue on The Two Chief World Systems, the Inqusition again took notice. Galileo was arrested and tried. It was a wearisome and long trial. On June 22, 1633, Galileo was condemned. After threats of torture he solemnly abjured his scientific beliefs on bended knees before the tribunal. The Inquisition sentenced him to indeterminate imprisonment. That sentence was commuted to a continual residence at Sienna.... Unlike Bruno who defied the Inquisition Galileo acceded to its wishes and lived." [source - http://idcs0100.lib.iup.edu/scirev/newpage11.htm]

From the above we see several things which are:

First, the so called mainstream Christian church was more interested in maintaining the beliefs of pagan philosophers than Biblical truths.

Second, the so called mainstream Christian church cared NOT for truth and reality and the right to speak and write the truth, but for only the maintenance of its perceived so called correct and infallible beliefs which were anything but infallible.

Third, they cared not for the true Christian principle of love as expressed in the Bible many, many times, some of which are as follows,

1John 4:8 - [Revised Standard Version; RSV]
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
1John 4:10 - [RSV]
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.
1John 4:12 - [RSV]
No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1John 4:16 - [RSV]
So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1John 4:20 - [RSV]
If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1John 5:3 - [RSV]
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

For if they had cared for the true Christian principle of love as exposed by Christ and his Apostles they would NEVER have burned Giordano Bruno at-the-stake or treated Galileo as they did. Their treatment of these two scientist clearly shows that the so called mainstream Christian church is definitely NOT true footstep followers of Christ as clearly they can not be if they do not show love to one another, i.e., Giordany Bruno, Galileo, and many others.

WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM ALL OF THIS?

First, we learn that many who claim to be Christ' footstep followers are NOT what they claim to be.

Second, we learn that Galileo had no quarrel with the Bible, but instead questioned the teachings of the church. He clearly showed he knew the Bible was correct, but NOT the church.

Third, all of this un-Christian activity by those claiming to be his footstep followers, but instead following the philosophy of pagan philosophers brings to mind the warning at Colossians 2:4-8, " I say this in order that no one may delude you with beguiling speech. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ." (RSV). Pay particular attention to verse 8 as it shows clearly what the so called mainstream Christian church disregarded in favor of their false perceptions.

Yet, even with the 'telling' of history, many in Christendom continue to embrace pagan theories and philosophies that contradict the Bible. Some such examples are Darwin's theory of the arrival of life which of course does not 'jive' with the account of creation given in Genesis. In the acceptance of this, many churches have in effect made Darwin a modern-day Aristotle and evolution an article of faith; the Trinity God (YHWH) dishonoring false doctrine that came by way of paganism from ancient Greek philosophy; the false claim that Sunday is actually the Sabbath day proclaimed by God; when in fact, it was actually Saturday as anyone who knows the Spanish language would realize if he/she thought about it as Saturday in Spanish is Sabbado; the false doctrine of apostolic succession; that the Virgin Mary remained ever a virgin which is in sharp conflict with Matthew 1:23-25, "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus." (Douay Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB). Here the word 'knew' refers to sexual intercourse; etc.

TRUE SCIENCE ALWAYS HARMONIZES WITH THE BIBLE:

Let's face it, true science always harmonizes with the Bible. One great scientist, Sir Isaac Newton, believed very strongly that true science always harmonizes with the Bible, but rejected false teachings from Greek mythology taught by the Greek philosophers as shown in "Sir Isaac Newton" Microsoft(r) Encarta(r). Copyright (c) 1998 Microsoft Corporation. Let's look at what was said in this work on this fact,

" Newton also wrote on Judaeo-Christian prophecy, whose decipherment was essential, he thought, to the understanding of God. His book on the subject, which was reprinted well into the Victorian Age, represented lifelong study. Its message was that Christianity went astray in the 4th century AD, when the first Council of Nicaea propounded erroneous doctrines of the nature of Christ. The full extent of Newton's unorthodoxy was recognized only in the present century: but although a critic of accepted Trinitarian dogmas and the Council of Nicaea, he possessed a deep religious sense, venerated the Bible and accepted its account of creation. In late editions of his scientific works he expressed a strong sense of God's providential role in nature." [source, Microsoft Encarta on Sir Isac Newton by Copyright (c) 1998 Microsoft Corporation].

And in The Romance of Bible Chronology by the Rev. Martin Anstey, the following was said of him,

"In his great work The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended, which was published posthumously in 1728, the year after his death, he endeavoured to construct a system on new bases, independent of the Greek Chronologers, whose unsatisfactory method of reckoning by generations, reigns and successions he exposed, laying bare the foundation on which their Chronology rested, and thereby overthrowing the elementary dates of Greek, Latin and Egyptian Chronology. He reduced the date of the taking of Troy from B.C. 1183 to 965. He followed Sir John Marshall in identifying Sesostris with Shishak, whose date he thus reduced from B.C.1300 to 965. Newton cites Thucydides and Socrates, the musician Terpander, and the Olympic disk of Lycurgus, he uses his calculation of the procession of the equinoxes since the time of Hipparcus, and he substituted a reckoning of 20 years each instead of 33 for the succession of the Kings of Sparta. Newton . . . has certainly destroyed the possibility of regarding the Chronology of the Greeks as a stable foundation for any system of Chronology that can be used as a standard by which to judge, and correct, the testimony of the Old Testament. Yet this conjectural Chronology of the Greeks is the foundation upon which the Canon of Ptolemy rests, and the Canon of Ptolemy is the only obstacle in the way of the establishment of the Chronology of the Old Testament." [source - The Romance of Bible Chronology by the Rev. Martin Anstey, B.D. M.A. (London) Published by Marshall Bros. Ltd., 1913, page 49].

Sir Isaac Newton, probably the greatest scientist of all of time was also one of the greatest Bible scholars of all time as brought out by Professor Arthur B. Anderson.

"Isaac Newton was the greatest scientist who has ever lived. It is, in fact, generally accepted that he is the greatest scientist who ever will live, since no one, no matter how brilliant, will ever again be in such a unique historical position....

Isaac Newton believed that the Bible is literally true in every respect. Throughout his life, he continually tested Biblical truth against the physical truths of experimental and theoretical science. He never observed a contradiction. In fact, he viewed his own scientific work as a method by which to reinforce belief in Biblical truth.

He was a formidable Biblical scholar, was fluent in the ancient languages, and had extensive knowledge of ancient history. He believed that each person should read the Bible, and through that reading, establish for himself an understanding of the universal truth it contains.

Only one book of Newton's about the Bible was ever published. In 1733, six years after his death, J. Darby and T. Browne, published Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John.

With his prodigious knowledge of ancient history and languages and his unequaled mental powers, Isaac Newton is the best qualified individual in this millennium to have written about the prophecies. His study of the Book of Daniel began at the age of 12 and continued to be a special interest throughout his life. Moreover, he writes of the prophecies with a modesty that indicates that he, himself, is in awe of the words he has been given an opportunity to read.
Isaac Newton concluded that it is intended that Revelation will be understood by very few until near the end of history, the time of judgment, and the beginning of the everlasting kingdom of the Saints of the Most High. Here is an excerpt from that book:

This prophecy is called the Revelation, with respect to the Scripture of Truth, which Daniel was commanded to shut up and seal, till the time of the end. Daniel sealed it until the time of the end, and until that time comes, the Lamb is opening the seals: and afterward the two Witnesses prophesy out of it a long time in sackcloth, before they ascend up to heaven in a cloud. All of which is as much as to say, that the prophecies of Daniel and John should not be understood till the time of the end: but that some should prophesy out of it in an afflicted and mournful state for a long time, and that but darkly, so as to convert but few. But in the very end, the Prophecy should be so far interpreted so as to convince many. Then saith Daniel, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

For the Gospel must first be preached in all nations before the great tribulation, and end of the world. The palm-bearing multitude, which came out of this great tribulation, cannot be innumerable out of all nations unless they be made so by the preaching of the Gospel before it comes. There must be a stone cut of the mountain without hands, before it can fall on the toes of the Image, and become a great mountain and fill the earth. An Angel must fly through the midst of heaven with the everlasting Gospel to preach to all nations, before Babylon falls, and the Son of man reaps his harvest. The two prophets must ascend up to heaven in a cloud, before the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Christ.

'Tis therefore a part of this Prophecy, that it should not be understood before the last age of the world; and therefore it makes for the credit of the Prophecy, that it is not yet understood. But if the last age, the age of opening these things, be now approaching, as by the great success of late Interpreters it seems to be, we have more encouragement that ever to look into these things.
If the general preaching of the Gospel be approaching, it is for us and our posterity that these words mainly belong: In the time of the end the wise shall understand, but none of the wicked shall understand. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein

(Daniel XII 4,10, Apoc. i 3).
Sir Isaac Newton and all reputable scientists believed that today's scarred and marred earth was the result of the great Flood. This was the common opinion of the majority of educated people until around the year 1870!!
In conclusion: Sir Isaac Newton was totally correct in his Observations. If the greatest scientist who ever lived had no problem believing the Bible, what excuse will evolutionists, atheists, agnostics, or other so called men of science have on Judgment Day!! " [source - Sir Isaac Newton and the Bible by Professor Arthur B. Anderson.]

CONCLUSION:

The earliest Biblical reference to natural law is found at Job 38:33, "Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason thereof on the earth?" (DRCB), which was written about 1600 BCE. Clearly showing that God (YHWH) was the author of the Bible and used faithful men as scribes to put his thoughts into the words of men under inspiration. Therefore, the Bible should be followed all the way, not halfway, since when one truly comprehends it, the bible is entirely consistent - both the New Testament and the Old testament - and practical for our day.

Also, although not extensively covered in this writing, the Protestant attitude was/and is much the same as the Catholic. Leaders of the Protestant Reformation also backed the Ptolemaic system of pagan philosophers in direct defiance of the Bible at previously quoted Colossians 2:8, " Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy and vain deceit: according to the tradition of men according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ." (DRCB).

How so? Martin Luther said of Copernicus, the father of the concept of the Copernican System that the earth revolved around the sun, the following, "This fool wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy." [source - Galileo's Mistake by Wade Rowland and Servetus & Calvin 1877]. Also, other Protestant Reformers such as Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) and John Calvin (1509-1564) agreed with Martin Luther (1483-1546) on this. Thus the Protestant Reformation may have broke the papal 'yoke,' but it failed to 'shake the essential authority' of the pagan philosopher, Aristotle, and that of so called Saint Thomas Aquinas, since their views were accepted by Catholic and Protestant alike.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Wed Oct 09, 2019 3:02 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON QUICK PROOF THAT THE BIBLE IS DIVINELY INSPIRED. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [64B]

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

At present we are living in the conclusion of the end times, and Satan the Devil knows he has but a short time so conditions in the world are going from bad to worse just as prophesied at 2 Timothy 3:1 - 5, and 3:12 - 13, [AV] “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.“ and “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON QUICK PROOF THAT THE BIBLE IS DIVINELY INSPIRED:

INTRODUCTION:

The proof that the Bible is divinely inspired, unlike Bible knockoffs, is found in the Bible and confirmed by secular history and archeology as you well should know. The Bible was written by over 40 divinely inspired men whom the Creator, God (YHWH), the actual author of the Bible but not the knockoffs, inspired these faithful men to put his thoughts into the words of men. Another proof of course is the amazing candor found in the Bible which is entirely out of line with all other ancient books in which the prophets such as Jonah even recorded their own shortcomings and wrong doings instead of covering them up as was the standard practice of rulers and the false prophets in ancient times.

You will NOT find this candor and honesty in other ancient religious books such as the Rib Veda, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Urial, etc. Nor will you find it in the Bible knockoffs such as the Book of Morman-Joseph Smith never listed his shortcomings, the Quran-Muhammed never listed his shortcomings, the Writings of David Korash of the Branch Dividians-David Korash never listed his shortcomings, etc. Why? Because these were all writings of men and/or of things they had copied from the Bible in distorted form, and not by divinely inspired scribes as were the writers of the Bible who in effect were just secretaries so to speak of the Creator, God (YHWH).

SOME FAIL TO COMPREHEND THE BIBLE WHILE USING BIBLE KNOCKOFFS:

Now with regard to how other none divinely inspired writers such as Joseph Smith and Muhammed 'borrowed' from the Bible is clear when you read either of their work products, i.e., the Book of Mormon or the Quran. With respect the work product of David Korash, unlike the others, he did give credit to the source for his work. Now let's look at a passage in the Bible and the equivalent passage in the Quran so this borrowing with out credit can be clearly seen. Let's look at Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God." (American Standard Version; ASV). Now let's look at the 'borrowed' passage in the Quran at Sura 3:47, "She said, "My Lord, how can I have a son, when no man has touched me?" He said, "GOD thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He simply says to it, `Be,' and it is."

Interestingly although both the Quran's 'Be' and the Bible's (in some translations only) overshadow both refer to exactly the same thing, but use different words, some Muslims do not comprehend this and think overshadow has bad connotations which of course it does not. Both these passages refer to God's (YHWH) using his active force or power referred to in the Bible as Spirit or Holy Spirit to implant the life force of his only begotten Son, that we know as Jesus (Yeshua) into the womb of the virgin Mary as recorded in Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS." (ASV). Now some may not understand just what this force or power of God (YHWH) is so here is a brief explanation.

WHAT FORCE OVERSHADOWED MARY?

Now let's get an understanding of what this power or Spirit or Holy Spirit of God's (YHWH's) is his active force or power and emanates from him and is a force completely controlled by him, and is capable of giving him feedback and gathering for him information.

But first let's see why the Spirit is indeed God's (YHWH's) active force or power from an understanding of the ancient word 'pneu'ma' translated Spirit or Holy Spirit in English. The neuter Koine Greek word for spirit (pneu'ma) is used with the neuter pronoun "it" since it is lacks gender. This fact is conveniently over looked or hidden by most Trinitarian translators of the Bible as admitted in the "New American Bible Catholic Bible," regarding John 14:17: "The Greek word for 'Spirit' is neuter, and while we use personal pronouns in English ('he,' 'his,' 'him'), most Greek MSS [manuscripts] employ 'it.'" So when the Bible uses masculine personal pronouns in connection with pa·ra'kle·tos at John 16:7, 8, it is conforming to rules of grammar, not expressing a doctrine. And in Ancient Hebrew the word here rendered Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, or Spirit which is translated from 'ru'ach' meaning "breath; wind; spirit." In Latin, it is spiritus, and in Sanskrit, 'prana' which means both "breath" and "spirit." And the pertinent definition in the Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary (ISBN 0-308-10309-2 and 0-308-10310-6) clearly states, (4) <Often Cap.> In the Bible, the creative, animating power or divine influence of God...[etymology-[<Old French, 'espirit' <Latin, 'spiritus' bredth, spirit <'spirare' to breathe]. So we can see it, the Holy Spirit or Spirit is truly God's (YHWH's) active force or power and not a spirit being as are Almighty God (YHWH) and his Son, Jesus (Yeshua). This point is very well made in the New International Version at Luke 1:35, "The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[1] the Son of God." (The New International Version; NIV). Sure shows that the Holy Spirit is nothing but God's (YHWH's) active force.

Now from the study of science and technology we know that with respect a force there can be four possibilities or possibly five applicable questions, which are as follows:

(1) Is it an uncontrolled force?

(2) Is it a controlled force?

(3) Is it controlled, but without feedback?

(4) Is it controlled, but with feedback?

Is it direct or indirect feedback?

However 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 shows it to be a controlled force with feedback that appears to be direct feedback, "But unto us God revealed [them] through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God." (American Standard Version; ASV), clearly showing that the "spirit which is from God," and God "revealed [them] through the Spirit," and uses it to search all things, thus showing it is a controlled spirit capable of feedback. God (YHWH) has complete control over his power or force and can choose its fields of operations as testified to at Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (ASV) clearly showing he can use to lead individuals and that it belongs to him. And John 16:13 clearly shows it as a force, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." Since it is quite clear that it is a controlled force, "shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak,"

Clearly it is a controlled force used by God (YHWH) to do many things as testified to at Acts 10:19-20, "While Peter was meditationg on the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'There are two men looking for you. 20 Get up and go down, and without hesitation go on with them, for I have sent them.'" (The New Testament by Charles B. Williams); And the fact that it is a closely controlled force is further affirmed at Acts 16:6, "And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:" (ASV); And at Acts 13:2-4, "And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus." (ASV); And at Acts 15:28, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:" (ASV) clearly indicating direct feedback to and response by God (YHWH); which is further shown by Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption" (ASV) which once more indicates that is gives direct feedback and it reacts to the feelings of God (YHWH) from which it emanates thus a tightly controlled force or power.

IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE:

But some may ask of what importance has the Bible been through the ages. This will be done in 6 parts borrowed from "Civilization and the Bible."

1) Our entire civilization as we know it is actually built on the ability to store information in one form or another and to pass it on to others for their use. This storage can take many different forms such as books, memory cores and disks, scrolls, clay tablets, writings on stones and artifacts, etc. Storage of the repository of human knowledge and better reasoning ability are the things that set humankind apart from all other species that inhabits this planet. We know what happened in the past and can learn from the past because of our store of knowledge. Without this ability to store knowledge we would not know anything about the Roman Empire, the various ancient dynasties of the Chinese or the scientific findings of the past that we have built on and developed on in a synergistic way to continually advance. This sets us apart from all the other concurrent inhabiting species of this planet; take the common cat, this animal has coexisted with mankind during are entire existence, but it lacks the ability to pass on anything more than the most rudimentary information to the next generation and it has NOT advanced; we see no great cat cities or developments by this species and we never will.

2) Our advancement was made possible by this ability to build on our collective knowledge in a continuing progressive upward path. We name things and this name is accepted as valid my others and our knowledge is added to. Take for example the color we call red, why is it red? It is red only because we collectively decide to use this term for it and to reference it to artifacts such as color chips, vases, etc. that are that color. Could we prove anything is red apart from our collective knowledge of what is red and our artifacts? Definitely not since it is only red due to our collective knowledge and our artifacts. Without our collective knowledge and our artifacts we would be just like the lesser animals having only a here and now existence. Of course there are those among us that differ with our collective knowledge and question the obvious of what we know or have learned as a society. The Flat Earth Society (London and California) maintain that the earth is flat and not round and there are still some primitive people that believe the earth is not only flat but carried by a great turtle through the cosmos and also those who maintain man has never gone to the moon. However, are their beliefs reasonable in the light of knowledge accumulated by society and the artifacts now possessed by society, the answer is a resounding NO.

3) Also, are advancement is built on our ability to classify our knowledge. Many things are as we classify them. These classifications are not intrinsically right or wrong, but a method of ordering our collective knowledge into a coherent form for better understanding. In other words it is humanities attempt to take a group of disconnected information and put it into some order so we can better understand it. Of course one can disagree with classifications used and maintain that standard classifications are inadequate in one way or another, but he/she does thins strictly on the basis of the collective body of human knowledge. For example, take the classifications of several forms of deviant sex, pedophile, homosexual, and heterosexual deviant sex practitioner. Our collective knowledge is that a heterosexual relates to one who has sexual desires toward a member of the opposite gender; a homosexual relates to one who has sexual desires toward a member of his own gender; Pedophilia relates to a sexual perversion in which children, either sex, are the preferred sexual object. Now one could maintain that pedophilias are neither homosexual or heterosexual deviant sex practitioners as they are driven by different behavior motivations, i.e., power and control in addition to sex, than deviant sex practitioners who prefer adults. While their behavior motivations are different, they, depending on the gender of the victim and the perpetrator would be either heterosexual pedophiles or homosexual pedophiles; note, as previously mentioned this classification is apart from the differences in underlying motivation due to how we have collectively set up the classification in our collective body of knowledge.

4) Since God created us and everything else in the universe and new our makeup since he had made us, he caused men under his direction or inspiration to write a collective body of information to tell us of his requirements, laws and principles; of the history of his people with whom he had concluded a covenant with; to tell us salient items to occur in the future, prophecy; and to inspire us. For example, the history given in the Bible was intended to show how when his people kept his laws and principles all went well with them and when they disobeyed how he brought punishment on them. This history also showed how punishment was executed on wicked nations before our modern era. All this was for the purpose of adding to our collective knowledge so we could learn from it and act in an intelligent manner on it if we were so disposed. Whereas, prophecy, the foretelling of history in advance, had basically a two fold purpose of first advising us of what would happen in the future and in most cases why and the second was so we would indeed know that his addition to our collective knowledge was indeed from him and the writers of it were indeed inspired. In fact, one mathematician once took the hundred of scriptures in the old testament concerning Jesus, prophecy related to him, and calculated that the possibility of them all being fulfilled by coincidence was so great as to be mathematically impossible.

In addition to prophecy to show the Bible is inspired and from God is the many recorded eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible and elsewhere that relate to the life and times of Jesus. For example, the accounts written by Josephus, a first century Jewish historian employed by the Romans, clearly acknowledge Jesus (see "The Jewish Antiguities" by Josephus) and many of his activities/accomplishments as do other contemporary historians such as Tacitus, a Roman historian in "The complete works of Tacitus, " and numerous others. "The New Encyclopedia Britannica states: "These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus." The Jews, however, did not accept Jesus and the "Encyclopaedia Judaica says, "The Jews of the Roman period believed [the Messiah] would be raised up by God to break the yoke of the heather..." but they did admit his existance and many of the powerful works he did.

5) Some specific examples of its inspiration were the prophecy at Jeremiah 49:17-18 17 "Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. 18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it." Note, Jeremiah's recording was finished by 580 B.C. The prophecy was fulfilled when the Edomites were driven from Palesting during the 2nd century B.C. by Judam Maccabaeus, "The New Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia. There are many more examples such as this that can be found in reference books in all major libraries for any who should care to do further research in the repository of collective knowledge of our civilization.

6) Therefore the Bible is proved as reliable by are repository of collective artifacts, many from archeological discoveries, that verify Biblical facts and details, and our collective repository of recorded knowledge external to the Bible. As previously noted this can be checked out at any major library with a little research on the part of any interested individual who wishes to do his/her homework. [source - Civilization and the Bible by Iris the Preacher 2001].

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Fri Oct 11, 2019 12:22 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] LOVE THY NEIGHBOR BY WARNING HIM OF DANGER. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [65B]]

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. Galatians 6:1 – 5, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Matthew Henry on Galatians 6:1 – 5 in his Matthew Henry Concise Commentary:
#1-5 We are to bear one another’s burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This obliges to mutual forbearance and compassion towards each other, agreeably to his example. It becomes us to bear one another’s burdens, as fellow-travellers. It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions. How light soever men’s sins seem to them when committed, yet they will be found a heavy burden, when they come to reckon with God about them. No man can pay a ransom for his brother; and sin is a burden to the soul. It is a spiritual burden; and the less a man feels it to be such, the more cause has he to suspect himself. Most men are dead in their sins, and therefore have no sight or sense of the spiritual burden of sin. Feeling the weight and burden of our sins, we must seek to be eased thereof by the Saviour, and be warned against every sin.

[2] LOVE THY NEIGHBOR BY WARNING HIM OF DANGER

Now one’s neighbor is all fellow humans as clearly shown by Jesus (Yeshua) at Luke 10:28 – 37, [authorized King James Bible; AV], “And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Just as Noah warned all of his neighbors of the impending global flood, we likewise must warn our neighbors of the impending end of this system of things per Colossians 1:28, [AV] “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” We must warn them to turn to Almighty God (YHWH) , the Creator of heaven and earth, and away from false gods and practices such as the worship of idols, animals, icons, crosses, powerful people, meteorites’ in Mecca, etc, as the true God requires we worship him exclusively as shown by his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) at Matthew 4:10, [AV] “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
We must love our neighbor and not treat others to hate him/her, love violence, or to disrespect his/her person and/or property as many false religions do. Unfortunately, we see too much hate, violence, and a disrespect of the person and property of others in the world today. Many show disrespect of the person and property to others of a different faith and/or gender. One excellent example of this was shown recently in Pakistan as follows:

"’Christian girls are only meant for one thing, the pleasure of Muslim men," Muslim killer said,

Kit Daniels | Infowars.com - JANUARY 25, 2016
A group of Muslims reportedly mowed down three Christians with their car, killing one of them, while claiming Christian girls are only meant for “the pleasure of Muslim men.”

Pakistani police are slow to investigate the Jan. 13 attack by four Muslims who spotted the girls while they were walking home to the Christian community of Baowala and proceeded to flirt with them unsuccessfully.

“How dare you run away from us, Christian girls are only meant for one thing, the pleasure of Muslim men,” one of the murderers shouted.
The men then rammed their cars into the girls.
“Two girls fell to the ground; one’s hip was broken, the other’s ribs were shattered,” journalist Raymond Ibrahim reported. “The youngest, Kiran Masih, aged 17, flew up in the air and crashed into the speeding car’s windshield.”

The killers laughed as Masih died from her injuries.
“In any other nation, the perpetrators would be arrested, convicted for murder and sentenced for a long term,” human rights activist Wilson Chowdhry said. “Violence against Christians is rarely investigated and highly unlikely to be met with justice.”
“Women have a low status in Pakistan, but none more so than Christian women who find themselves under the grip or terror, especially after this attack.”

Meanwhile, in Lübben, Germany, a pregnant woman was sexually assaulted by six Muslim migrants, who only stopped their attack when a bystander stepped in and distracted the migrants.
Other migrants also raped women in Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart and other cities during a country-wide mass sexual rampage on New Year’s Eve.
“I am Syrian: you have to treat me kindly; [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel invited me,” one of the rapistssaid to his victim.

A well-known psychiatrist has since said that Merkel’s refusal to reverse her “completely irrational” open borders policy for migrant rapists is evidence that the German Chancellor is undergoing a “mental breakdown.” [SOURC - RETRIEVED FROM http://www.infowars.com/islamic-murderer-christian-girls-exist-to-pleasure-muslim-men/ ON 1/ 27/2016]

Hate for others, an violence against them in a complete disregard of their person and property is against humanity and something all right thinking persons should have.

All genuine followers of the Prince of Peace need to show true love for others by warning them of the coming conclusion of the end of this system and the dangers of false religions and doctrine.

It is a genuine (true) follower of Jesus (Yeshua) obligation to warn all about false religion and doctrine. All genuine (true) followers should show love to all by exposing false doctrine so they have an opportunity to get in good standing with Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) per John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." (American Standard Version; ASV); and this in keeping with what Jesus (Yeshua) said at Matthew 22:37-40, "And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets." (ASV).

Exposure of false religion and doctrines would of course include the exposure of false religious books that many claim falsely came from the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH) by an angel or some other medium including ones that are a knockoff of the Bible. To understand why, let's look at what the Bible actually is. It is NOT the product of one committee or strongman. It has over 40 individual writers who wrote under divine inspiration/guidance putting the thoughts of God (YHWH) into the words of men much as transcribing secretaries today taking transcription and then later typing it out. In other words one real author, God (YHWH), and many scribes each of whom wrote in his own style over a period of approximately 1,600 years. All of what people call or consider inconsistencies are really not such, but most often just a problem of translation and/or understanding, i.e., lack of understanding of what the original writer writing in his own language and culture meant/said in his original writing. What is remarkable, is the writers over such a period of time all wrote in harmony when even most posters on threads on this forum can not even stay on track or subject over a period of a few days and/or weeks at most with the original subject of the thread. This fact of harmony over a period so great as to almost stagger the imagination shows that it had one guiding force or author who divinely inspired its writers as humans of their own volition can not keep on track over short periods of time.

To wit, the Bible is the ONLY book God (YHWH) ever inspired men to write as his scribes. In other words, God is its author and men only put his thoughts given to them by divine inspiration into their own words, the words of men. Not only that, all the other writers of later so called religious guidance books borrowed from it and made changes in accord with their strong man or so called prophet. Take the example of Joseph Smith who borrowed from it to write the Book of Mormon, but failed to give credit or source to the Bible and twisted some borrowed things into bizarre distortions. Other examples are of course the bizarre writings of David Koresh the Prophet of the Branch Dividians of Waco, Texas; and the Quran, etc.

WHY EXPOSURE IS NECESSARY AND LOVING:

Now all need to be showing love to their neighbors including Jews and telling them of the first step toward salvation given at John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (AV). Messages of hate assist no one in learning the truth per John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Authorized King James Bible; AV).

With respect post of exposure of false religions, doctrine, traditions, etc., they have a worthy objective; to wit, enabling individuals to correct their wrong path. Articles of exposure of wrong are NOT ones of hate, as are many of others, but ones that expose false doctrine and wrong practice to lovingly give all the correct information so they can bring their life in harmony with the will of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ and his Father, Almighty God (YHWH). All should read these articles instead of writing hate literature and articles making false accusations. In any article I write you will find not one word of hate or bashing, only truth. They are posted to assist all in knowing the truth, per John 8:32, and to assist all in making a change in their lives by getting out of groups and/or religions that practice false doctrine and wrong practices.

All need to learn about love and that includes warning others with respect false doctrine and wrong practices instead of thinking of hate as many do and attacking the messenger who brings them the truth. One writer wrote,
Love is patient and is kind, love does not envy. Love does not brag, is not proud, does not behave itself inappropriately, does not seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil. does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things... I Corinthians 13

Love is the power of faith. Faith needs love to be made perfect, because perfect faith results in faithfullness and faithfullness is a work of love. Faith and love go hand in hand because faith wants to believe, just as love trusts, faith sees through the darkness and weathers the storm, just as love endures all things, and faith seeks to put God first just as love always gives. 1 Corinthians 13 :4-7 Our faith is not just knowledge about God but a personal relationship with Him as Lord, and any relationship requires love to succeed, to endure trials and to grow, including our relationships with one another because we are called to be family in the Lord and to love one another. The perfect example of faith powered by love is seen in the life of Jesus Christ, who manifests Gods love ...
Because love is the power of faith we should focus on love, seize it and cultivate it... and we can because God is love, and He imparts that love to us when we draw near to Him as the scripture says... whatever touches what is holy shall become holy Leviticus 6:27, and love is of the Holy Spirit. By faith we draw near to God through sincere prayer, entering into His presence, because when Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain separating God and man was torn in two from top to bottom... Mathew 27:51 Gods promise says that if we draw near to Him then He will draw near to us, James 4:8 and when He who is Holy draws near to us then our spirits are sanctified by His Holy Spirit as His holiness is imparted to our spirits. If we allow God to fill our hearts with His Holy Spirit then we are filled with the love of God because love is the pre-eminate characteristic of God's holiness. Because God is the source of our love, love is the fruit of faith... Galatians 5: 22
When we submit to the love of God we have combined faith with love and have the power to fulfill the royal law, which is to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul... Mathew 22:37-39 If we keep the royal law James 2:8 we are being faithful and are perfecting faith by faithfullness... James 2:22 If we love God we will seek to please Him and keep the royal law because the royal law embraces Gods will and all of His commandments. Without love we can't fulfill the royal law because we can't love the Lord unless we have love. To manifest the love of God is to overcome sin, whereas to not manifest the love of God is to sin. For the royal law is not to know about the Lord, but to love the Lord... and to love one another as ourselves. We can't do one without the other, because we can't truly love God whom we can't see if we don't love mankind who is made in the image of God. When we love one another we are manifesting our love for God whom we can't see by loving His image. If we love one another then we also love God because we can't love the reflection without loving its source. And if we love God we will love Jesus Christ and allow Him to reign in our hearts, keepings all of His commandments John 14:21 by subduing the will and power of the flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that faith working through love does the will of God by turning the thought into reality which pleases Him and fulfills the royal law...
Faith without love is incomplete, residing only in the mind as knowledge, and knowledge of Gods will alone can not perfect us by saving us from sin but allowing Jesus Christ to reign in our hearts. If knowledge of Gods will alone could save us then salvation would have been through the law of Moses or even a Christian law handed down by Jesus, and there would not have been any need for Christ to die for our sins Galatians 2:21 and dwell in our hearts. If Jesus reigns in our hearts then the love of Christ also reigns because He is the manifestation of Gods love. The heart without the love of God does not have Jesus Christ and the soul without the Spirit of Christ is not born again Romans 8:9 and cannot be perfected by being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ which is true salvation and the result of faith. But the soul which manifests the love of God has been washed clean by the Holy Spirit Romans 15:16 and manifests the spirit and glory of Jesus Christ... "[source - Simon Strahler]

Which does a very good job of summarizing what love is all about.

CONCLUSION:

If one fails to lovingly warn others with respect false religion, doctrine, etc., it is quite possible Almighty God (YHWH) might reject him/her for not showing love by warning his/her neighbor. So be diligent in sounding the warning.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sun Oct 13, 2019 8:27 am

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON LYING. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [66B]

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:8, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Is important to focus on the meaning of what you are reading in Almighty God’s (YHWH’s) book for our guidance, the Bible; in other words, we must meditate on what we are reading in order to gain an accurate understanding. This is stressed at Psalms 63:6, [AV] “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.” In fact Jesus (Yeshua) meditated a lot and prayed constantly to His Father as shown at Luke 6:12, [AV] “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON LYING:

INTRODUCTION:

What is lying? It is the opposite of truth. It involves saying something false in some medium of expression to a person who is entitled to know the truth and doing so with the intent to deceive or to injure him/her and/or another person. It need not be verbal. It can be written or implied by action.
In the Bible, the Old Testament, the two ancient Hebrew verbs most often translated as lying or having that meaning are 'sha-gar' as used in Leviticus 19:11, ""You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another." (Revised Standard Version; RSV); and at Leviticus 19:12, "And you shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD." (RSV); and at Psalms 44:17, "All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten thee, or been false to thy covenant." (RSV); and at Isaiah 57:4, "Of whom are you making sport? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and put out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit," (RSV); which means to deal or act falsely, and the noun form is rendered lie, deception, falsehood. The other verb is 'ka-zav' as used at Proverbs 14:5, "A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies." (RSV); which means speaking something which is untrue. Some translations do not always render these two verbs with 'lying' but use other words implying the same thing as can be seen above with the quotes from the Revised Standard Version.

IS LYING ALWAYS WRONG?

Some ask is it always wrong to lie, but let's look at what was previously said, "It involves saying something false in some medium of expression to a person who is entitled to know the truth and doing so with the intent to deceive or to injure him/her and/or another person." So we see lying involves by definition deceiving or making false statements to those who have a right to know. This fact is driven home by Exodus 1:15-21, " Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiph'rah and the other Pu'ah, 16 "When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live." 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this, and let the male children live?" 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and are delivered before the midwife comes to them." 20 So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God he gave them families." (RSV). Here we see that the midwives did NOT tell Pharaoh the truth. Why? Because he was NOT a person who was entitled to know the truth. Yet God (YHWH) dealt well with the midwives for not telling Pharaoh what he had no right to know as shown, "So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God he gave them families."

WHO IS THE FATHER OF THE LIE?

Let's look at the Bible and uncover who is the originator of lying. Let's go to John 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 according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (RSV). What was the first lie to someone who had the right to know? Satan the Devil lied to Eve and ultimately brought death to all of mankind by it as shown at Genesis 3:1-5, "Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."" (RSV). This was the first lie and it was rooted in selfishness and in wrong desire. Satan wanted the worship and adoration that belonged to God (YHWH) and his lie was designed to divert the love and obedience of the first human pair to Satan, the liar. He had presented himself as a benefactor, an angel of light; but he was neither.

All MALICIOUS lies uttered since that time are likewise done for selfish and wrong motives and to wrongly harm and/or discredit others. People tell lies to escape deserved punishment, to profit at the expense of others, and to gain and/or maintain some advantages either material rewards and/or the praise of men.

The most serious lies have been the religious lies. Why so? Because they endanger the future life of individuals deceived by them. These lies are such beliefs and fables of men such as a charismatic leader having direct communication with a deity or ex-Cathedra communications with a deity; that Almighty God (YHWH) and his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) are one and the same and/or co-equal and/or co-eternal, that the Virgin Mary remained ever virgin, that religious leaders are superior to others, that God (YHWH) blesses one nation over another nation today in war time-the so called patriotism, making idols out of sports and/or movie heroes, etc. As Jesus (Yeshua) Christ said at Matthew 23:15-22, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it." (RSV). Their lie involved an exchange of God's (YHWH's) truth for the 'lie.' This deception or falsehood is idolatory, and can cause a person to become a practicer of what is degrading and vile as revealed by Romans 1:24-32, "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. 29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them." (RSV).

LIARS IN ACTION IN THE TIME OF JESUS (YESHUA):

The religious leaders in Judaism when Jesus (Yeshua) was on earth conducting his earthly ministry give a good example of what can happen when one substitutes a lie for the truth which he has abandoned. They became so deceitful and evil that they even schemed to get Jesus (Yeshua) put to death as recorded as a warning to us today at Matthew 12:14, "But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him." (RSV); and at Matthew 27:1-2, "When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; 2 and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor." (RSV); and at Matthew 27:62-65, " Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." (RSV); and at Mark 14:1, "It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him;" (RSV); and at Luke 20:19, "The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people; for they perceived that he had told this parable against them." (RSV).

HOWEVER, UNLIKE MEN, GOD (YHWH) CAN NOT LIE:

As shown at Numbers 23:19, God (YHWH) can not lie, "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?" (RSV); and re-affirmed at Hebrews 6:13-18, "For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. 16 Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us." (RSV).

In fact, God (YHWH) hates a 'false tongue' as testified to at Proverbs 6:16-19, "There are six things which the LORD hates, seven which are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers." (RSV). We see a lot of these 'false tongues' today. Intolerant ones and religious bigots full of hate tell falsehoods against those we hate. We see this in political speeches, deceptive and false postings against others on the Internet and in pamphlets and other printed material; this is what God (YHWH) hates. This also applies to those giving false testimony to inflict damage and harm on others and malicious lying as testified to at Deuteronomy 19:15-21, " "A single witness shall not prevail against a man for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed; only on the evidence of two witnesses, or of three witnesses, shall a charge be sustained. 16 If a malicious witness rises against any man to accuse him of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days; 18 the judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. 20 And the rest shall hear, and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you. 21 Your eye shall not pity; it shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." (RSV); and at Leviticus 6:2-7, " "If any one sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor 3 or has found what was lost and lied about it, swearing falsely--in any of all the things which men do and sin therein, 4 when one has sinned and become guilty, he shall restore what he took by robbery, or what he got by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found, 5 or anything about which he has sworn falsely; he shall restore it in full, and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs, on the day of his guilt offering. 6 And he shall bring to the priest his guilt offering to the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued by you at the price for a guilt offering; 7 and the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he shall be forgiven for any of the things which one may do and thereby become guilty." (RSV); and at Leviticus 19:11-12, ""You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. 12 And you shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD." (RSV).

It is to be noted, God's (YHWH's) view of MALICIOUS lying has not changed. Those wishing to gain his approval must not engage in the practice of malicious lying as testified to at Psalms 5:6, "Thou destroyest those who speak lies; the LORD abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men." (RSV); and at Proverbs 20:19, "He who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who speaks foolishly.' (RSV); and at Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices." (RSV); and at 1 Timothy 3:11, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices." (RSV); and at Revelation 21:8 & 27, "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death." (RSV) & "But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life." (RSV); and at Revelation 22:15, "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood." (RSV).

ONE NOT NECESSARILY UNDER OBLIGATION TO DIVULGE THE TRUTH:

While MALICIOUS lying is condemned in the Bible, this in no way implies that individuals are under any obligation to divulge truthful information to individuals and/or groups who are not entitled to it as shown previously in Exodus 1:15-21 previously quoted. Jesus (Yeshua) Christ himself counseled at Matthew 7:6, ""Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you" (RSV).. In fact, on certain occasions, he refraimed from giving full information and/or direct answers to some questions because it could have caused unnecessary harm as shown at Matthew 15:1-6, "Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die.' 5 But you say, 'If any one tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.' 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God." (RSV); and at Matthew 21:32-27, " And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you a question; and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men,' we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." (RSV); and at John 7:3-13, "So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples may see the works you are doing. 4 For no man works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." 5 For even his brothers did not believe in him. 6 Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 Go to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come." 9 So saying, he remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, "Where is he?" 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, "He is a good man," others said, "No, he is leading the people astray." 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him." (RSV).

But God (YHWH) allows for the misdirecting or of the withholding full facts from none worshippers of him that have no right to full information. This is shown by the following scriptures. Let's look at the following, Genesis 12:10-19, "Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sar'ai his wife, "I know that you are a woman beautiful to behold; 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife'; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister,"that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account." 14 When Abram entered Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, he-asses, menservants, maidservants, she-asses, and camels. 17 But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sar'ai, Abram's wife. 18 So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her, and be gone." (RSV); and at Genesis 26:1-10, "Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar, to Abim'elech king of the Philistines. 2 And the LORD appeared to him, and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will fulfil the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give to your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves: 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." 6 So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, "She is my sister"; for he feared to say, "My wife," thinking, "lest the men of the place should kill me for the sake of Rebekah"; because she was fair to look upon. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abim'elech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac fondling Rebekah his wife. 9 So Abim'elech called Isaac, and said, "Behold, she is your wife; how then could you say, 'She is my sister'?" Isaac said to him, "Because I thought, 'Lest I die because of her.'" 10 Abim'elech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us." (RSV); and at James 2:25, "And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" (RSV).

CONCLUSION:

In fact, God (YHWH) allows those who prefer falsehood to believe in the lie rather than in the truth about his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ as shown by 2 Timothy 2:9-12, " the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; 12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;" (RSV). This principle has been illustrated many times in the scriptures as shown WHEN LYING PROPHETS ASSURED King Ahab of certain success in war as recorded at 1 Kings 22:1-38, "For three years Syria and Israel continued without war. 2 But in the third year Jehosh'aphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 And the king of Israel said to his servants, "Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?" 4 And he said to Jehosh'aphat, "Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?" And Jehosh'aphat said to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." 5 And Jehosh'aphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the LORD." 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear?" And they said, "Go up; for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king." 7 But Jehosh'aphat said, "Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?" 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micai'ah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil." And Jehosh'aphat said, "Let not the king say so." 9 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, "Bring quickly Micai'ah the son of Imlah." 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehosh'aphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Sama'ria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 And Zedeki'ah the son of Chena'anah made for himself horns of iron, and said, "Thus says the LORD, 'With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.'" 12 And all the prophets prophesied so, and said, "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king." 13 And the messenger who went to summon Micai'ah said to him, "Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king; let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably." 14 But Micai'ah said, "As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak." 15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, "Micai'ah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear?" And he answered him, "Go up and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king." 16 But the king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 17 And he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, 'These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.'" 18 And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" 19 And Micai'ah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, 'I will entice him.' 22 And the LORD said to him, 'By what means?' And he said, 'I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he said, 'You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go forth and do so.' 23 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the LORD has spoken evil concerning you." 24 Then Zedeki'ah the son of Chena'anah came near and struck Micai'ah on the cheek, and said, "How did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?" 25 And Micai'ah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself." 26 And the king of Israel said, "Seize Micai'ah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Jo'ash the king's son; 27 and say, 'Thus says the king, "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with scant fare of bread and water, until I come in peace."'" 28 And Micai'ah said, "If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Hear, all you peoples!" 29 So the king of Israel and Jehosh'aphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes." And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 31 Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, "Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel." 32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehosh'aphat, they said, "It is surely the king of Israel." So they turned to fight against him; and Jehosh'aphat cried out. 33 And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 34 But a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate; therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn about, and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded." 35 And the battle grew hot that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians, until at evening he died; and the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 And about sunset a cry went through the army, "Every man to his city, and every man to his country!" 37 So the king died, and was brought to Sama'ria; and they buried the king in Sama'ria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Sama'ria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the harlots washed themselves in it, according to the word of the LORD which he had spoken." (RSV); and at 2 Chronicles 18:1-34, "Now Jehosh'aphat had great riches and honor; and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Sama'ria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" He answered him, "I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war."
4 And Jehosh'aphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the LORD." 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear?" And they said, "Go up; for God will give it into the hand of the king." 6 But Jehosh'aphat said, "Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?" 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micai'ah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." And Jehosh'aphat said, "Let not the king say so." 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, "Bring quickly Micai'ah the son of Imlah." 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehosh'aphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes; and they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Sama'ria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedeki'ah the son of Chena'anah made for himself horns of iron, and said, "Thus says the LORD, 'With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.'" 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, and said, "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king." 12 And the messenger who went to summon Micai'ah said to him, "Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king; let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably." 13 But Micai'ah said, "As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak." 14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, "Micai'ah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?" And he answered, "Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand." 15 But the king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 16 And he said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, 'These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.'" 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" 18 And Micai'ah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left; 19 and the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, 'I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, 'By what means?' 21 And he said, 'I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he said, 'You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go forth and do so.' 22 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; the LORD has spoken evil concerning you." 23 Then Zedeki'ah the son of Chena'anah came near and struck Micai'ah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?" 24 And Micai'ah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself." 25 And the king of Israel said, "Seize Micai'ah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Jo'ash the king's son; 26 and say, 'Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with scant fare of bread and water, until I return in peace.'" 27 And Micai'ah said, "If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Hear, all you peoples!"
28 So the king of Israel and Jehosh'aphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehosh'aphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes." And the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, "Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel." 31 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehosh'aphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel." So they turned to fight against him; and Jehosh'aphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, 32 for when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 But a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate; therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn about, and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded." 34 And the battle grew hot that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; then at sunset he died" (RSV)..

As we can see, God (YHWH) revealed to Micaiah the facts, but allowed a spirit creature to become a deceptive spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets. They spoke, not the truth, but what Ahab wanted to hear. So as we can see from this lying to harm others in some way is always evil and wrong, but not telling the truth to those who are not entitled to know it is NOT necessarily wrong. However, making false accusations and lying to discredit and/or hurt is someway others is always wrong; as is lying to promote destructive myths and fables of men per 2 Corinthians 4:4, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (RSV).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Tue Oct 15, 2019 10:59 am

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] JESUS (YESHUA) NOT CO-EQUAL OR CO-ETERNAL WITH HIS FATHER (YHWH):. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [67B]

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 1 Samuel 1:10 – 12, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Here Hannah was deeply distressed because her husband’s other wife was making her life miserable and rubbing it in because she was childless, so she prayed to Almighty God (YHWH) for a male child as she knew He could grant her prayers. Nothing is above Him and her prayer was granted per Psalms 34:18, [AV] “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” And we are shown that we should do likewise atJohn 14:16, [AV] “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

[2] JESUS (YESHUA) NOT CO-EQUAL OR CO-ETERNAL WITH HIS FATHER (YHWH):

INTRODUCTION;

The Trinity is a God (YHWH) Dishonoring False Doctrine or Fable that seeks to do the work of the Devil per 2 Corinthians 4:4, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (Revised Standard Version; RSV).

Many believe in tthis False Dogma of the Trinity and really have only a superficial knowledge of the Theology. So before I discuss this false doctrine using only the Bible I am going into what this false theology really is from an impeccable source.

The Trinitarian dogma, The Cyclopoedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, New York 1871, by John M'Clintock and James Strong, Vol. II, page 560-561, states, "We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the
persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.....The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal...So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty...So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet there are not three Gods, but one God...The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding...And in this Trinity none is afore or after other; none is greater or less than another. But the whole three persons are coeternal together, and coequal. So that in all things, as is afore said, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity." [this is the Athanasian Creed quoted in the above mentioned Cyclopoedia].

NOT CO-EQUAL AS JESUS (YESHUA) IS ONLY AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (YHWH):

To be co-equal two individuals or beings would have to have equal standing; whereas, in the case of Jesus (Yeshua) he does NOT. This is clearly shown since he when his Father (YHWH) resurrected him bacts k to heaven, he did NOT sit on his Father's (YHWH's) throne with him, but was in a position at his right hand which signified clearly in ancient times a hierarchical position of second in importance. Hence he is NOT in the position at the top of the hierarchy in heaven as his Father (YHWH).

Now, let's look at Bible proofs of this:

Matthew 19:16 - [Revised Standard Version; RSV]
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Luke 22:69 - [RSV]
But from now on the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God."

Acts 2:33 - [RSV]
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.

Acts 5:31 - [RSV]
God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 7:55 - [RSV]
But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;

Acts 7:56 - [RSV]
and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."

Romans 8:34 - [RSV]
who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?

2Corinthians 6:7 - [RSV]
truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

Colossians 3:1 - [RSV]
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 1:3 - [RSV]
He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 10:12 - [RSV]
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacts rifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Hebrews 12:2 - [RSV]
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

1Peter 3:22 - [RSV]
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

NOT CO-EQUAL AS JESUS (YESHUA) TEACHES HIS FATHER NOT HIMSELF:

The Bible clearly shows that what Jesus (Yeshua) taught were the words and thoughts of his Father (YHWH) and not his own as he clearly testified to as follows:

John 14:10 - [RSV]
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

John 14:24 - [RSV]
He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

NOT CO-EQUAL AS JESUS (YESHUA) COMES IN HIS FATHER'S (YHWH'S) GLORY NOT HIS OWN:

The Bible clearly that Jesus (Yeshua) came in his Father's (YHWH's) glory and not his own. Let's take a look at the scriptural proof of this:

Markr 8:38 - [RSV]
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Luke 9:26 - [RSV]
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

John 8:54 - [RSV]
Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God.

John 16:14 - [RSV]
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

NOT CO-EQUAL AS JESUS (YESHUA) IS GIVEN ALL HE HAS BY HIS FATHER (YHWH):

Jesus (Yeshua) now has authority over all except his Father (YHWH), but only because his Father (YHWH) gave it to him. This fact was clearly shown when he asked his Father (YHWH) for the glory he had alongside Almighty God (YHWH) before he came to earth to be born as a human at:

John 17:5 - [RSV]
and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.

That he was given authority over all except his Father (YHWH) by his Father (YHWH) is clearly shown at:

1 Corinthians 15:22-28 - [RSV]
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 "For God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.

As can be seen, his Father (YHWH) subjected all things to his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) for a period of time except himself, ""All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one."

And his Father (YHWH) appointed him the only mediator between God (YHWH) and man as shown at:

1 Timothy 2:5 - [RSV]
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

JESUS (YESHUA) TESTIFIED THAT HIS FATHER (YHWH) WAS GREATER:

Jesus (Yeshua) testified that his Father (YHWH) was greater than himself, and we know that he does not lie, at:

John 14:28 - [RSV]
You heard me say to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.

And to his position as second in the hierarchy at:

1 Corinthians 11:3 - [RSV]
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

And that he, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ can not do anything of his own initiative;

John 5:19 - [RSV]
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise.

And that even though existing in the form of God (YHWH) did not count himself equal to his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), and even humbled himself when he found himself in fashion as a man. For this, he was rewarded by his Father (YHWH) as shown at:

Philippians 2:5-8 - [RSV]
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

JESUS (YESHUA) NOT CO-ETERNAL WITH HIS FATHER (YHWH):

Whereas God Almighty (YHWH) had no beginning but always existed; his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ did. In fact, Jesus (Yeshua) was the first of his Father's (YHWH's) creative works as shown at:

Proverbs 8:22-31 - [RSV]
The LORD created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the sons of men.

This fact, that Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, God's (YHWH's) only begotten Son was the first of creation is clearly shown at:

Colossians 1:12-15 - [RSV]
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;

Revelation 3:14 - [RSV]
"And to the angel of the church in La-odice'a write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

CONCLUSION:

As can be seen from the foregoing, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ is NEITHER CO-EQUAL OR CO-ETERNAL with his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) who has always existed.

But let's not forget that it would have been impossible for Jesus (Yeshua) Christ to have resurrected himself as he was dead; therefore, it was his Father (YHWH) who resurrected him as testified to at:

Acts 17:24-31 - [RSV]
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, 28 for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.' 29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead."

The fact that Jesus (Yeshua) was dead for parts of three (3) days clearly shows he is NOT co-eternal with his Father (YHWH) since his Father (YHWH) has always existed and NEVER died; whereas, Jesus (Yeshua) did. Hence, a second reason that Jesus (Yeshua) could in NO WAY BE CO-ETERNAL with his Father, Almighty God (YHWH).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Thu Oct 17, 2019 7:11 am

COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Marmalade Box Tree Genipa With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [68B]

For Jehovah is a great God, And a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it; And his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before Jehovah our Maker: Psalms 95.3 – 6, [American Standard Version: AVS]

Yes, Almighty God (YHWH) is the great God above all the false ones which are nothing imaginary ones put in the minds of man by none other than Satan the Devil, and this is testified to at Psalms 96:4 – 6, [authorized King James Bible; AV] “For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” And as Psalms 97:9, affirms, [AV] “For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.” We should love the Creator as shown by Isaiah 44:8, [AV] “Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Of course there are many false gods such as Thor, Allah, etc., but as Isaiah 44:9 – 15, [AV] “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. 10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together. 12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. 13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. 14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. 15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.” Yea, it is high time for all those now worshiping false puppet gods which have the Devil behind them to switch over to worshipping the Creator, and becoming genuine followers of his son, Jesus (Yeshua).

[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Marmalade Box Tree Genipa

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Marmalade Box Tree Genipa Americana

Marmalade Box Tree is a small to medium-sized tropical tree. It is 20 to 50 feet and it has thick, smooth bark.

In most of Amazon Basin the trees flower in May to September and give fruit between September and April. It takes up to one year for the fruits to mature. In most trees, bees pollinate the flowers. Its fruit is a large, rounded berry, which is 4 to 6 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide, weighing between 8 and 16 ounces. It has a thin and leathery covering and a thick layer of soft, yellow-brown pulp. The central cavity contains up to 300 seeds, enclosed in membranes.
The fruit is edible only when overripe and soft to the touch, when the flavor (acid to subacid) resembles that of dried apples or quinces. Genipap is widely distributed throughout the South American tropics and parts of the subtropical areas of Latin America. Areas were it grows naturally or where it has been introduced range from Mexico to Argentina and include the Caribbean as well. In most places Genipap is restricted to the lowlands. The tree may have originated in the Amazon where it grows naturally. It is found especially in the "várzeas", the part of the Amazon forest that lies next to rivers and is flooded annually for several months. Occurrence also extends into the open forest and the savannah transition zone. It is also common in secondary forests on sites abandoned by shifting agriculture.

In Guyana, the ripe fruit is used mainly as fish bait. The fallen, astringent fruits are much eaten by wild and domestic animals. The juice of the unripe fruit is colorless but oxidizes on exposure to the air and gradually turns light brown, then blue-black, and finally jet black. It has been commonly employed by South American Indians to paint their faces and bodies for adornment and to repel insects; and to dye clothing, hammocks, utensils and basket materials a bluish-purple. The dye is indelible on the skin for 15 to 20 days. This very common use is probably the reason why the tree is so dispersed in all tropical America. The fruit juice is recommended against rheumatism. Amerindians make a syrup from the juice of the mesocarp or cook the fruit and seeds and use the residual water against asthma and to reduce inflammations of the respiratory system. The fruit pulp is used as a dental anesthetic. The scraped green fruit is used against itching.

In Puerto Rico, the fruit is cut up and put in a pitcher of water with sugar added to make a summer drink like lemonade. Sometimes it is allowed to ferment slightly. A bottled concentrate is served with shaved ice by street vendors. In the Philippines the fruit is used to make cool drinks, as well as jelly, sherbet and ice cream. The flesh is sometimes added as a substitute for commercial pectin to aid the jelling of low-pectin fruit juices. Rural Brazilians prepare sweet preserves, syrup, a soft drink (called genipapada), wine, and a potent liqueur from the fruits.

The fruit is eaten as a remedy for jaundice in El Salvador. Ingested in quantity, it is said to act as a vermifuge. The fruit juice is given as a diuretic. It is a common practice in Puerto Rico to cut up the fruits, steep them in water until there is a little fermentation, then add flavoring and drink the infusion as a cold remedy. The crushed green fruit and the bark decoction are applied on venereal sores and pharyngitis. The root decoction is a strong purgative. The seeds are crushed and added to water and taken as an emetic in Brazil. When cut, the bark exudes a whitish, sweetish gum which is diluted and used as an eyewash and is claimed to alleviate corneal opacities. The juice expressed from the leaves is commonly given as a febrifuge in Central America. The flower decoction is taken as a tonic and febrifuge. (source - retrieved from http://www.seedman.com/fruit.htm on 4/3/2013)

ating low as an edible fruit but popular as a source of beverages, the genipap, Genipa americana L. (syns. G. americana var. caruto Schum.; G. caruto HBK.), of the family Rubiaceae, has a number of colloquial names: marmalade box in former British West Indies; genipa, jagua or caruto in Puerto Rico and several other Spanish-speaking countries; genipapo or jenipapo in parts of Colombia and Brazil; chipara or chibara or guanapay among Colombian Indians; carcarutoto, caruto rebalsero, or guaricha in Venezuela; tapoeripa in Surinam; lana in Guyana; bi, bicito or totumillo in Bolivia; huitoc, vito, vitu or palo colorado in Peru; maluco in Mexico; crayo, irayol de montaña, or guali in Guatemala; guaitil or tapaculo in Costa Rica; irayol, tambor or tiñe-dientes in El Salvador; guayatil colorado or jagua blanca in Panama.

Fig. 117: The genipap (Genipa americana L.) photographed by P.H. Dorsett, plant explorer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, in Bahia, Brazil, November 12, 1913.
Description
The tree is erect, to 60 or even 110 ft (18-33 m), with a tall, slender trunk and spreading branches. One form with a dense coating of soft hairs on the young branchlets and underside of the leaves has been separated by some botanists as a distinct species, G. caruto or G. americana var. caruto, though most botanists now view this as just a variation of G. americana. The leaves are abundant, deciduous, short-petioled, opposite but mostly clustered at the branch tips; oblong-obovate, 4 to 13 in (10-33 cm) long, 1 1/2 to 5 1/4 in (4-13 cm) wide; sometimes faintly toothed, and with prominent whitish midrib. The faintly fragrant pale-yellow or white, tubular, 5-petalled flowers, to 1 1/2 in (4 cm) wide, are borne in short, branched, terminal clusters.
The fruit, 3 1/2 to 6 in (9-15 cm) long, 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 in (7-9 cm) wide, weighing 7 to 14 oz (200-400 g), is elliptic or rounded-oval tapering briefly at the stem end, and having a short hollow tube at the apex. It has a thin leathery, yellow-brown, scurfy skin adherent to a 1/4 to 1/2 in (6-12.5 mm) layer of muskily odorous, rubbery, whitish flesh (turning yellowish on exposure). The central cavity is filled with flat, circular, yellowish or brown seeds 3/8 to 1/2 in (1-1.25 cm) long, enclosed in grayish-yellow, mucilaginous membranes arranged in rows around a central fleshy core. The fruit, like the European medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) is edible only when overripe and soft to the touch, when the flavor, acid to subacid, resembles that of dried apples or quinces.
Origin and Distribution
The genipap is native to wet or moist areas of Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and from Guadeloupe to Trinidad; also from southern Mexico to Panama, and from Colombia and Venezuela to Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Its usefulness to the Indians was reported by several European writers in Brazil in the 16th Century. It is widely cultivated in dooryards as an ornamental tree and for its fruits, but Patiño stated in 1967 that it was no longer as commonly grown in the Cauca Valley of Colombia as it had been in the past. In Trinidad, the tree is occasionally planted as a living fencepost for pasture fences. In 1965, a program was launched to utilize the genipap for reforestation in northeastern Brazil and plantations were established with a view to the exploitation of the fruit for liquor manufacture and the timber and other products for local use and possible export.
The tree first fruited in the Philippines in 1913 and is occasionally planted there. Otherwise, it is virtually unknown in the Old World. Burkill wrote that it had been tried in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula several times but without success.
P.J. Wester sent seeds from the Philippines to the United States Department of Agriculture in 1917 (S.P.I. #44090). A tree at the Plant Introduction Station, Miami, was 20 ft (6 m) tall in 1951 but had never bloomed. It is still alive and well today. There was a large tree at the Agricultural Research and Education Center, Homestead. It did not bear fruit and was killed by a freeze. A tree at the Fairchild Tropical Garden, Coral Gables, bloomed for the first time in the spring of 1980 but did not produce fruit. A few small seedlings were distributed by the Rare Fruit Council in 1980.

Plate LXVII: GENIPAP, Genipa americana
Varieties
It is reported in Brazil that there are varieties that bear all year. There is a shrubby form, jenipaporana, or jenipapo-bravo, no more than 10 to 13 ft (3-4 m) high, that grows in swamps along the edges of rivers and lakes in Brazil. The fruit is small and inedible.
Climate and Soil
The tree is strictly tropical; is limited to elevations below 3,300 ft (100 m) in Peru and has been killed by low temperatures in Florida. The genipap flourishes best in a humid atmosphere and deep, rich, loamy, moist soil.
Propagation
The genipap is mostly grown from seed but P.J. Wester determined that it can be propagated by shield-budding, using mature, non-petioled scions.
Culture
Seeds germinate in 25 to 30 days. The seedlings reach 4 3/4 in (12 cm) in 3 to 4 months and are transplanted when 6 to 12 months old at a height of 8 in (20 cm). The tree requires little cultural attention and thrives even in and situations. For fruit production, the trees are spaced 33 to 50 ft (10-15 m) apart. Temporary crops such as cassava or cotton are interplanted to provide shade for the young trees and income for the farmer. For purposes of reforestation, the spacing may be 5 x 10 ft (1.5 x 3 m) or up to 10 x 10 ft (3 x 3 m). The heavy leaf fall of the genipap is important in improving the soil of the plantation.
Season
Flowers and fruits appear continuously from spring to fall in Puerto Rico. In Brazil, the tree flowers in November and the fruits appear in the markets in February and March.
Food Uses
In Puerto Rico, the fruit is cut up and put in a pitcher of water with sugar added to make a summer drink like lemonade. Sometimes it is allowed to ferment slightly. A bottled concentrate is served with shaved ice by street vendors. In the Philippines, also, the fruit is used to make cool drinks, as well as jelly, sherbet and ice cream. The flesh is sometimes added as a substitute for commercial pectin to aid the jelling of low-pectin fruit juices. Rural Brazilians prepare sweet preserves, sirup, a soft drink, genipapada, wine, and a potent liqueur from the fruits.
Food Value
Analyses made in the Philippines many years ago show the following values for the edible portion (70%) of the fruit: protein, 0.51%; carbohydrates, 11.21%; sugar, 4.30%; ash, 0.20%; malic acid, 0.63%.
Recent analyses made at the Fundacion Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica show:
Food Value per 100 g of Edible Portion

Calories
113
Moisture
67.6 g
Protein
5.2 g
Lipids
0.3 g
Glycerides
25.7 g
Fiber
9.4 g
Ash
1.2 g
Calcium
40.0 mg
Phosphorus
58.0 mg
Iron
3.6 mg
Vitamin B,
0.04 mg
Vitamin B2
0.04 mg
Niacin
0.50 mg
Ascorbic Acid
33.0 mg
Amino Acids

(per g of nitrogen [N 6.25])

Lysine
316 mg
Methionine
178 mg
Threonine
219 mg
Tryptophan
57 mg
The fruit contains too much-tannin to be a desirable article of diet.
Other Uses
Fruit: In Guyana, the ripe fruit is used mainly as fish bait. The fallen, astringent fruits are much eaten by wild and domestic animals. The juice of the unripe fruit is colorless but oxidizes on exposure to the air and gradually turns light brown, then blue-black, and finally jet black. It has been commonly employed by South American Indians to paint their faces and bodies for adornment and to repel insects; and to dye clothing, hammocks, utensils and basket materials a bluish-purple. The dye is indelible on the skin for 15 to 20 days. Oviedo wrote that the Indian men sometimes playfully sprinkled the women with the fresh juice mixed with perfume so that mysterious spots would appear on their bodies and alarm them. Cardenas tells of seeing the robe of a Franciscan monk which was dyed a very dark purple with this juice.
Leaves: The foliage is readily eaten by cattle.
Bark: The bark, rich in tannin, has been used for treating leather. It also yields a fiber employed in making rough clothing.
Wood: When 5 or 6 years old, saplings can be harvested for firewood, poles or fenceposts. Ten-year-old trees can be cut for timber. The wood is yellowish-white or sometimes slightly pinkish or lavender, with light, reddish-brown streaks. It is fibrous, compact, hard, elastic, strong but not durable, being subject to attack by termites, borers and fungi. It has been used for spears, rifle stocks, shoe lasts, frames for sieves, barrel hoops, ammunition chests and other boxes, packing cases, plows, tool handles, boards for flooring, door frames and cabinetwork.
Flowers: The flowers yield nectar for honeybees.
Medicinal Uses: The fruit is eaten as a remedy for jaundice in El Salvador. Ingested in quantity, it is said to act as a vermifuge. The fruit juice is given as a diuretic. It is a common practice in Puerto Rico to cut up the fruits, steep them in water until there is a little fermentation, then add flavoring and drink the infusion as a cold remedy.
Because the fruit and its infusion have unusually good keeping quality, Puerto Rican scientists investigated the possible presence of antibiotic principles and proved the existence of antibiotic activity in all parts of the fruit. In 1964, Dr. W.H. Tallent of G.D. Searle & Company in Chicago, isolated and identified 2 new antibiotic cyclopentoid monoterpenes, primarily genipic acid and secondarily genipinic acid, its carbomethoxyl derivative.
The crushed green fruit and the bark decoction are applied on venereal sores and pharyngitis. The root decoction is a strong purgative.
The bark exudes when cut a whitish, sweetish gum which is diluted and used as an eyewash and is claimed to alleviate corneal opacities. The juice expressed from the leaves is commonly given as a febrifuge in Central America. The pulverized seeds are emetic and caustic. The flower decoction is taken as a tonic and febrifuge.
Superstitious Uses: Guatemalan Indians carry the fruits in their hands in the belief that this will provide protection from disease and ill-fortune. (source - retrieved from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/genipap.html on 4/3/2013)

In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].

View plant and fruit at, http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Genipa_americana.htm

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:03 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON THE MISCONCEPTION WITH RESPECT 'I AM'. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [69B]

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:15 – 16, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Almighty God (YHWH) has given mankind amazing abilities that He did not give to the animals. Man is able to communicate with the spoken word, read, write and understand the spoken word. He can use these miraculous gifts to praise God, or he can use them for unworthy purposes. As Revelation 4:11 states, [AV] “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

He created us with His attributes of cognitive reasoning, the ability to love, and the ability to meditate on spiritual things per Genesis 1:27, [AV] “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON THE MISCONCEPTION WITH RESPECT 'I AM'

Many have a misconception with respect the use of 'I am' in the New Testament [Greek Testament] due to the false teachings of false prophets of the pagan so called Christianized doctrine of the Trinity and Duality in accordance with Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." (American Standard Version; ASV); And are as the Bible says at 1 John 2:1, "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of." (ASV). Their true nature is exposed at 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn `upon them'." (ASV).

These false prophets latch on to Exodus 3:14, "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (ASV), and try to wrongly link it to John 8:58, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am." (ASV) in a vain, straw grabbing attempt, to justify their false doctrines, either the Trinity or the Duality depending on which 'flavor' their particular group of false prophets have lead them to believe in without regard to reality. They willingly fail to recognize the fact that God (YHWH) the Father, and the Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua) are two distinct individuals when even the terms father and son should tell them that, and the Bible makes this distinction quite clear at John 14:28, "Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I." (ASV), wherein Jesus (Yeshua) testifies to the fact, "for the Father is greater than I." Also, this fact is clearly borne out at 1 Corinthians 15:27, "For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him." (ASV), where we see that Almighty God (YHWH) has put everything EXCEPT himself under his Son, Jesus (Yeshua), how much clearer can the fact get that they are two distinct individuals since if they were not, this scripture would be a lie and we know that is not true.

Interestingly, the scripture they wrongly try to link to in the Old or Hebrew Testament in Hebrew reads: "I am that I am" or as it is sometimes rendered: "I will be what I will be." [source, "Gems from the New Testament" by Vivian Capel, page 56]. If this does not show their perception of reality is completely wrong, this book, "Gems from the New Testament," goes on to say, ""In the Greek Septuagint version of Exodus the statement is: "I am the Being." Here the `I am' is not part of the title as it may
appear from the way the Hebrew is translated and capitalized in many translations. It is just part of a statement describing the title `the Being.' There is thus no connection between this and the words of Jesus.

'Just a few verses farther on in John the _expression `I am' occurs again. This time it was said by the blind beggar who was healed by Jesus, but whose identity was doubted (John 9:9). As with the words of Jesus in the previous chapter it was just an affirmation of his existence and identity, and no connection with any other text can be
implied.'" [source, "Gems from the New Testament" by Vivian Capel, page 56].

This is collaborated by many other sources such as, The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary on the Bible: "The meaning is obscured by the conventional translation I am who I am, which implies that God is the ground of his own existence. The Hebrew verb denotes, not abstract being, but manifestation in a definite character, or name;
and its form indicates habitual manifestation in past, present, or future. Since English requires a tense, the best rendering is 'I will be as I will be.'" [source, "The Interpreter's Onv-Volume Commentary on the Bible]. And by, Rabbi Jordan D. Cohen: "Moses perceived that the people would want to know which attribute of God they can expect to encounter; that is, what their experience of God will be, and what is going to happen to them. God's answer, then, leaves things open-ended. Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh is based on the future tense conjugation of the Hebrew verb meaning "to be." Often translated as "I Am Who I Am," the phrase is more accurately translated as "I Will Be That Which I Will Be." The people will come to know God through their unfolding experiences together." And Rabbi Stephen Pearce, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. "God's answer in Exodus 3:14, "'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' -- 'I will
be what I will be' -- sent me to you" is so illusive and ambiguous that this description could not have been very believable."

These facts really blow apart what the Trinitarian and Modalist scholars have attempted to define Jesus by the name "I AM." It is claimed that God used such as a name in the Hebrew scriptures and that Jesus makes the same application to himself. We will
examine a number of verses on this matter, first considering if "I AM" is really a name of God, and then considering the where people say the name is applied to Jesus.

But let's consider every use of 'I am' in the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the American Standard Version, and see the following two facts, FIRST, 'I am' was a common idiomatic expression of the day and was used in many ways, none however, giving personality to it, SECOND, none of them supporting in any way the Trinitarian and Modalist scholars who could not admit that their perception was in error. The following exhaustive list was made using a special software program at a Pentacostal seminary in Puerto Rico where the administration kindly gave permission to use their equipment.

Now note, not one use herein given would give any justification for linking Exodus 3:14 to it in a vain attempt to mislead people into believing the false manmade doctrine that the Father (YHWH) and the Son, Jesus (Yeshua) are one and the same individual which of course they are not.

The number in the front is the number of scriptures from Genesis 1:1 in the American Standard Version so clearly identifying the scripture for scholarly pursuits, then the Book of the Bible is given, then the Chapter, and last the verse. Where 'I am' occurs has been highlighted as to make it easy for readers to find: [a great example of true 'Sola Scriptura,' note that John 8:58 is scripture #26440]

23963 Matthew 24 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, the Christ; and shall lead many astray.

23963 Matthew 24 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, the Christ; and shall lead many astray.

24087 Matthew 26 32 But after raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.

24116 Matthew 26 61 and said, This man said, able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

24154 Matthew 27 24 So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye `to it'.

24173 Matthew 27 43 He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, the Son of God.

24216 Matthew 28 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, with you always, even unto the end of the world.

24223 Mark 1 7 And he preached, saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

24227 Mark 1 11 And a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee well pleased.

24528 Mark 8 27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that ?

24530 Mark 8 29 And he asked them, But who say ye that ? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

24627 Mark 10 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that baptized with?

24628 Mark 10 39 And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

24724 Mark 13 6 Many shall come in my name, saying, `he'; and shall lead many astray.

24783 Mark 14 28 Howbeit, after raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.

24817 Mark 14 62 And Jesus said, : and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

24912 Luke 1 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

24913 Luke 1 19 And the angel answering said unto him, Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.

25042 Luke 3 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and `in' fire:

25048 Luke 3 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee well pleased.

25116 Luke 5 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for a sinful man, O Lord.

251Matthew 42 5 32 not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

25202 Luke 7 6 And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:

25320 Luke 9 18 And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that ?

25322 Luke 9 20 And he said unto them, But who say ye that ? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

25511 Luke 12 51 Think ye that come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

25551 Luke 13 32 And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third `day' perfected.

25608 Luke 15 19 no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

25610 Luke 15 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: no more worthy to be called thy son.

25624 Luke 16 3 And the steward said within himself, What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh away the stewardship from me? I have not strength to dig; to beg ashamed.

25625 Luke 16 4 resolved what to do, that, when put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

25645 Luke 16 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for in anguish in this flame.

25700 Luke 18 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

25754 Luke 19 22 He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow;

25835 Luke 21 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, `he'; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.

25892 Luke 22 27 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but in the midst of you as he that serveth.

25898 Luke 22 33 And he said unto him, Lord, with thee ready to go both to prison and to death.

25923 Luke 22 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art `one' of them. But Peter said, Man, not.

25935 Luke 22 70 And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that .

26065 John 1 20 And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, not the Christ.

26066 John 1 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

26068 John 1 23 He said, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

26072 John 1 27 `even' he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe not worthy to unloose.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, not the Christ, but, that sent before him.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, not the Christ, but, that sent before him.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, not the Christ, but, that sent before him.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, not the Christ, but, that sent before him.

26218 John 5 7 The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while coming, another steppeth down before me.

26254 John 5 43 come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

26293 John 6 35 Jesus said unto them. the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

26296 John 6 38 For come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

26299 John 6 41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, the bread which came down out of heaven.

26300 John 6 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, come down out of heaven?

26306 John 6 48 the bread of life.

26309 John 6 51 the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

26357 John 7 28 Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence ; and not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

26363 John 7 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where , ye cannot come.

26365 John 7 36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where , ye cannot come?

26394 John 8 12 Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

26398 John 8 16 Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

26Matthew0 John 8 18 he that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

26405 John 8 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; from above: ye are of this world; not of this world.

26406 John 8 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that `he', ye shall die in your sins.

26410 John 8 28 Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that `he', and `that' I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.

26440 John 8 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, .

26446 John 9 5 When in the world, the light of the world.

26450 John 9 9 Others said, It is he: others said, No, but he is like him. He said, `he'.

26489 John 10 7 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the door of the sheep.

26491 John 10 9 the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.

26493 John 10 11 the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

26496 John 10 14 the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,

26518 John 10 36 say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, `the' Son of God?

26539 John 11 15 And glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

26549 John 11 25 Jesus said unto her, the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;

26607 John 12 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where , there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.

26627 John 12 46 come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.

26644 John 13 13 Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so .

26650 John 13 19 From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that `he'.

26664 John 13 33 Little children, yet a little while with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.

26672 John 14 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where , `there' ye may be also.

26675 John 14 6 Jesus saith unto him, the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

26679 John 14 10 Believest thou not that in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

26680 John 14 11 Believe me that in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

26689 John 14 20 In that day ye shall know that in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

26701 John 15 1 the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

26705 John 15 5 the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.

26759 John 16 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and `yet' not alone, because the Father is with me.

26770 John 17 10 and all things that are mine are thine, and thine are mine: and glorified in them.

26771 John 17 11 And no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we `are'.

26774 John 17 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as not of the world.

26776 John 17 16 They are not of the world even as not of the world.

26784 John 17 24 Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where , that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

26791 John 18 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, `he'. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

26791 John 18 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, `he'. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

26792 John 18 6 When therefore he said unto them, `he', they went backward, and fell to the ground.

26794 John 18 8 Jesus answered, I told you that `he'; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

26803 John 18 17 The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also `one' of this man's disciples? He saith, not.

26811 John 18 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also `one' of his disciples? He denied, and said, not.

26823 John 18 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

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**Admin** Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:13 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] GOD'S FAVOR IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FAVOR OF THE WORLD. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [70B]

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. Mark 13:8, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Perilous times will be upon us at this time as testified to at 2 Timothy 3:1 – 5, [AV] “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

But we must have strong faith as weak faith is not desirable as shown by Proverbs 24:10, [AV] “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” We should rest on the Lord to provide us the strength per Psalms 37:39, [AV] “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”

[2] GOD'S FAVOR IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FAVOR OF THE WORLD:

Jesus (Yeshua) Christ said at Luke 9:23, "And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Revised Standard Version; RSV). Now being hung on a tree or torture stake represented suffering, shame, and death in the First Century. This was done to Christ as testified to at Acts 10:39-40, "And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest;" (RSV), but as shown, God (YHWH) raised him from the dead.

This type of death, on a torture stake was normally reserved for the worst of criminals. So by his expression at Luke 9:23, previously quoted, Jesus (Yeshua) showed that his footstep followers, true Christians, must be prepared to accept persecution, contempt, etc. from the infidels, since they are no part of this wicked world per John 15:18-20, ""If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also." (RSV).

The stand of true Christians must set them apart from the world; therefore the world will speak abusively of them per 1 Peter 4:4, "They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you;" (RSV); but they will give account for this per 1 Peter 4:5, "but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." (RSV).

This can take place at work, at school, on the internet, etc. It can happen even in the family. Nevertheless, true Christians are willing to endure the world's contempt because they no longer live for themselves. As Christ said at Matthew 5:11-12, ""Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." (RSV). In reality, having God's favor is what matters.

In fact these ungodly ones will not only make false accusations and tell lies about you; they will try to side track true Christians from the central issues given at Matthew 22:37-40, "And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."" (RSV), i.e., God's (YHWH) way is love and the loving exposing of false doctrine. Whereas the worldly wicked ones try and side tract all doing righteousness with 'red herrings' such as attempt to bog one down on BBs with secondary issues of no real importance to salvation such as speculation on when Jesus (Yeshua) threw Satan out of heaven. Is this really important to Salvation? No, what is important is trying to live a good life in an ungodly world without getting involved with it, and showing love to our neighbor by letting him/her know the facts about God's (YHWH's) love and warning them of wrong practices and false doctrine.

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**Admin** Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:59 pm

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON JAMES 2:17 THAT FAITH MOTIVATES ONE TO ACTION. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [71B]

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 1 Samuel 1:10 – 12, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Here Hannah made a vow in her prayer to give any son that she bore to the service at Shiloh, the site of true worship at that time. She was later blessed with a son, Samuel, whom she took to Shiloh once he had been weaned (probably 3 to 5 years of age) and gave him to High Priest Eli to raise at Shiloh as a servant of the Most High, Almighty God (YHWH). He continued to learn and progress there, and later became the prophet Samuel. This clearly showed that nothing is above the the power of the Creator, as stated at Psalms 34:18, [AV] “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

When we are deeply stressed, we should follow Hannah’s example and pray as shown by John 14:16, [AV] “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” We should in our prayer ask for Almighty God (YHWH) for his Holy Spirit, Acts 4:31, [AV] “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON JAMES 2:17 THAT FAITH MOTIVATES ONE TO ACTION:

INTRODUCTION:

Let's face it James 2:17, "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." (Revised Standard Version; RSV) makes it quite clear that true faith will motivate one to produce works. This fact is clearly affirmed by James 2:19-26, You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead. " (RSV).

WHAT SOME SAY:

Some incorrectly claim that faith alone is all that is necessary completely overlooking the fact stated at James 2:17 that faith without works is dead; now what good is something that is dead to anyone? This is clearly testified to at Hebrews 11:1-407, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old received divine approval. 3 By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he died, but through his faith he is still speaking. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named." 19 He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his burial. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the first-born might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land; but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies. 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated-- 38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." (RSV).

CONCLUSION:

It is clear as shown in James 2:17 that true faith will move/motivate us to works. In fact, God (YHWH) sent his own beloved only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) to provide a way for us which of course was his Son who became a live giving spirit per 1 Corinthians 15:45-50, " Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." (RSV); in fact His beloved only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) he appointed as the only mediator between God (YHWH), the Father, and mankind as testified to at 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (RSV).

Therefore as recorded at Titus 3:5-8, "he [God , YHWH] saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men." (RSV). So be not mislead by those that say have faith who overlook the reality that true faith will move a true follower of God's (YHWH's) Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ to have works.

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**Admin** Fri Oct 25, 2019 1:48 pm

COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Reishi Mushrooms With the Scripture of the Day first.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [72B]

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Almighty God (YHWH) gave mankind the gift of language so they could pray to Him and give Him praise. Psalmss 40:5, [AV] “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us–ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Which high-lights the wonderful gifts He has given mankind.

In fact Psalmss 92:5, shows how in-depth this gifts, [AV] “O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.” Which clearly shows His thoughts go very deep. This same thought is amplified at Psalmss 139:17, [AV] “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”

THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Reishi Mushrooms

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Ganoderma lucidum, Reishi Mushrooms

Abundance: rare
What: mushroom
How: tea, tincture
Where: woods, pine stumps, oak trees, wood duff
When: spring, summer, fall
Nutritional Value: very medicinal
Dangers: normal mushroom cautions apply

WARNIMG. COLLECTING MUSHROOM REQUIRES 100% CERTAINTY. WWW.FORAGINGTEXAS.COM NOR ANYONE ELSE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR IDENTIFICATION ERRORS BY ANY READERS.

The only public lands you can legally harvest mushrooms are National forests and grasslands.

Reishi mushrooms abound throughout the wooded areas of Texas. Most commonly found growing at the base of dead pine tree stumps, they will also be seen poking up through the pine needles and wood duff of forest floors. Dying hardwood trees such as oaks, sweetgums, elms and locusts are also common homes for these shiny, red mushrooms. Spores of Reishi are brown so make spore prints on white paper. These are hard, woody mushrooms. Originally from the tropics, look for them during hot weather though old, dry, unusable ones can be found all year long.

Being polypores, these mushrooms do not have any gills on their underside. Instead, the bottom of fresh Reishi mushrooms will appear white and smooth, but upon closer inspection/magnification many tiny holes/pores will be seen. This mushroom, especially when growing from the forest floor, will often be kidney-shaped with the stem located at the center of the back/non-curved edge of the mushroom. When growing directly from a dead/dying tree Reishi mushrooms will grow flush off the tree bark and be fan shaped, usually with no stem. The topside of Reishi while be a shiny red, looking as if it were coated with a varnish, while the bottom will be white. There may occasionally be layers of red or white in between the top and bottom. The stems, when present, will be the same red as the top of the Reishi.

The medicinal benefits of this mushroom are almost legendary. It contains compounds that function as anti-virals, anti-tumor and anti-cancer, antibiotics, immune system stimulants, respiratory aids, antioxidants, anti-aging and more. The traditional method to consume these mushrooms is to grind dried Reishi into a fine powder which is then used to make a tea or added to coffee. Once dried, these mushrooms are very tough and hard to grind so a good mortar and pestle are needed or a very powerful coffee grinder.

Another way to extract the medicinal properties of these mushrooms is by making an alcohol tincture. Shredded Reishi are soaked in vodka or other 100-proof alcohol. Half-fill a jar with chopped/shredded Reishi then add enough vodka to cover the mushrooms with 1" alcohol above the Reishi. Tightly cap then vigorously shake the bottle. Shake it 1-2 times a day for six weeks then strain out any mushrooms solids. Place the filtered tincture in a colored, stoppered bottle and store in a cool, dark place. Traditionally, 3-5 drops of this tincture would be taken daily, though do not consider this medical advice.

Often the alcohol-extracted mushroom material was then be boiled in water to extract any water-soluble medicinal molecules. Starting with twice as much water (by weight) as mushrooms, this was boiled down to half. The decoction was allowed to cool, solids were strained out, and then added to an equal amount of the alcohol tincture. This gave a solution that was 25% alcohol which was enough to preserve it. The dosage of this solution was still 3-5 drops a day.

A comprehensive review of the medicinal properties, including many scientific journal referneces, of Reishi mushrooms can found in MycoMedicinals.

The only mimic to Reishi mushrooms are Red-Belted Brackets (Fomitopsis pinicola) which are native to Europe. Being polypores, Red-Belted Brackets are non-toxic though care should always be used when trying a new mushroom. These mushrooms produce yellow spores and grow into thick, many-layered "conks".

When identifying mushrooms always cross reference them with several books to achieve the proper level of certainty. I'm not trying to sell you books, I'm trying to help you avoid a mistake. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.foragingtexas.com/2012/02/reishi-mushroom.html on 1/19/2016]

In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].

To view this plant, go to, http://www.foragingtexas.com/2012/02/reishi-mushroom.html

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**Admin** Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:23 am

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] DISCOURSE ON MATTHEW 27:51-55. With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [73B]

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, Almighty God (YHWH) is all powerful and will always do as he says. And there is no other you can liken him to as shown at Isaiah 40:25 – 26, [AV] “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” And that his word can not fail is testified to at Joshua 23:14, [AV] “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”

[2] DISCOURSE ON MATTHEW 27:51-55

INTRODUCTION:

Matthew 27:51-56, "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; 52 the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" 55 There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; 56 among whom were Mary Mag'dalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee." (RSV) has caused much speculation with respect its significance and especially with respect the so called resurrection of the deat that many speculators read into Matthew 27:52-53, "the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many." (RSV).

Many tek this to be a large scale resurrection of the dead either to life on earth and/or life in heaven, but there is little supporting evidence for either as reflected in a statement by Matthew Henry in his "Concise Commentary on The Whole Bible where he said, "The graves were opened, and many bodies of saints which slept, arose. To whom they appeared, in what manner, and how they disappeared, we are not told; and we must not desire to be wise above what is written." [source - Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry, 17 century].

UNDUE SPECULATION BY THE UN-STEADFAST:

Yet many speculate on this scripture and desire to be wise above what is written in the Bible. However, a heavenly resurrection at this time would have been impossible as Jesus (Yeshua) had NOT yet assended to prepare the way as the first as shown at John 20:17, "Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." (RSV), and the events recorded at Matthew 27:52-53 occurred before this time. That when Jesus (Yeshua) later went to heaven as the first one resurrected to heaven to prepare the way for others, he was given authority over all but his Father (YHWH) by his Father (YHWH) as recorded at 1 Peter 3:22, "who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him." (RSV); and at 1 Corinthians 15:27, ""For God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him." (RSV); and at Ephesians 1:20-22, "which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church," (RSV); and at Philipians 2:9, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name," (RSV); and at John 5:22-23, "The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him." (RSV).

PROBABLY NO RESURRECTION:

That this was in no way a resurrection to life is clearly indicated by the parallel accounts of Mark and Luke which did NOT even mention the dead coming out of the tombs. Surely if it had been a resurrection as many speculate this would have been a salient event much worthy of note and would have been recorded by both Mark and Luke. However, let's look at their paraller accounts which carry nothing on it. Mark 15:34-39, " And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "E'lo-i, E'lo-i, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "Behold, he is calling Eli'jah." 36 And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Eli'jah will come to take him down." 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (RSV); and at Luke 23:44-47, "It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, "Certainly this man was innocent!" (RSV). However, its complete absence clearly indicates that what occurred was not a resurrection at all.

What could it have been then? A newspaper article from Columbia, South America gives the most likely scenario as follows, Here is an article from "El Tiempo", bo Bogota, Columbia, July 31, 1962 that explains what happened at Matthew 27:52-53.

"Tombs opened at Jesus' Death"

The text at Matthew 27:52-53 concerning 'the memorial tombs [that] were opened' as the result of an earthquake occurring at the time of Jesus' death has caused considerable discussion, some holding that a resurrection occurred. However, a comparison with the text concerning the resurrection makes clear that these verses do not describe a resurrection but merely a throwing of bodies out of the tombs, similar to incidents that have taken place in more recent times, as in Ecuador in 1949 and again in Bogota, Columbia, in 1962, when 200 corpses in the cemetery were thrown out of their tombs by a violent earth tremor. [source - "El Tiempo," Bogota Columbia, July 31, 1962]

Another scenario is given by Matthew Henry as, " I. The manner how he breathed his last (v. 50); between the third and the sixth hour, that is, between nine and twelve o'clock, as we reckon, he was nailed to the cross, and soon after the ninth hour, that is, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, he died. That was the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, and the time when the paschal lamb was killed; and Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us and offered himself in the evening of the world a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savour. It was at that time of the day, that the angel Gabriel delivered to Daniel that glorious prediction of the Messiah, Dan. ix. 21, 24, &c. And some think that from that very time when the angel spoke it, to this time when Christ died, was just seventy weeks, that is, four hundred and ninety years to a day, to an hour; as the departure of Israel out of Egypt was at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self-same day, Exod. xii. 41.
Two things are here noted concerning the manner of Christ's dying.
1. That he cried with a loud voice, as before, v. 46. Now,
(1.) This was a sign, that, after all his pains and fatigues, his life was whole in him, and nature strong. The voice of dying men is one of the first things that fails; with a panting breath and a faltering tongue, a few broken words are hardly spoken, and more hardly heard. But Christ, just before he expired, spoke like a man in his full strength, to show that his life was not forced from him, but was freely delivered by him into his Father's hands, as his own act and deed. He that had strength to cry thus when he died, could have got loose from the arrest he was under, and have bid defiance to the powers of death; but to show that by the eternal Spirit he offered himself, being the Priest as well as the Sacrifice, he cried with a loud voice.
(2.) It was significant. This loud voice shows that he attacked our spiritual enemies with an undaunted courage, and such a bravery of resolution as bespeaks him hearty in the cause and daring in the encounter. He was now spoiling principalities and powers, and in this loud voice he did, as it were, shout for mastery, as one mighty to save, Isa. lxiii. 1. Compare with this, Isa. lxxii. 13, 14. He now bowed himself with all his might, as Samson did, when he said, Let me die with the Philistines, Judg. xvi. 30. Animamque in vulnere ponit--And lays down his life. His crying with a loud voice when he died, signified that his death should be published and proclaimed to all the world; all mankind being concerned in it, and obliged to take notice of it. Christ's loud cry was like a trumpet blown over the sacrifices.
2. That then he yielded up the ghost. This is the usual periphrasis of dying; to show that the Son of God upon the cross did truly and properly die by the violence of the pain he was put to. His soul was separated from his body, and so his body was left really and truly dead. It was certain that he did die, for it was requisite that he should die; thus it was written, both in the close rolls of the divine counsels, and in the letters patent of the divine predictions, and therefore thus it behoved him to suffer. Death being the penalty for the breach of the first covenant (Thou shalt surely die), the Mediator of the new covenant must make atonement by means of death, otherwise no remission, Heb. ix. 15. He had undertaken to make his soul an offering for sin; and he did it, when he yielded up the ghost, and voluntarily resigned it.
II. The miracles that attended his death. So many miracles being wrought by him in his life, we might well expect some to be wrought concerning him at his death, for his name was called Wonderful. Had he been fetched away as Elijah in a fiery chariot, that had itself been miracle enough; but, being sent for away by an ignominious cross, it was requisite that his humiliation should be attended with some signal emanations of the divine glory.
1. Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain. This relation is ushered in with Behold; "Turn aside, and see this great sight, and be astonished at it." Just as our Lord Jesus expired, at the time of the offering of the evening-sacrifice, and upon a solemn day, when the priests were officiating in the temple, and might themselves be eyewitnesses of it, the veil of the temple was rent by an invisible power; that veil which parted between the holy place and the most holy. They had condemned him for saying, I will destroy this temple, understanding it literally; now by this specimen of his power he let them know that, if he had pleased, he could have made his words good. In this, as in others of Christ's miracles, there was a mystery.
(1.) It was in correspondence with the temple of Christ's body, which was now in the dissolving. This was the true temple, in which dwelt the fulness of the Godhead; when Christ cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost, and so dissolved that temple, the literal temple did, as it were, echo to that cry, and answer the stroke, by rending its veil. Note, Death is the rending of the veil of flesh which interposes between us and the holy of holies; the death of Christ was so, the death of true Christians is so.
(2.) It signified the revealing and unfolding of the mysteries of the Old Testament. The veil of the temple was for concealment, as was that on the face of Moses, therefore it was called the veil of the covering; for it was highly penal for any person to see the furniture of the most holy place, except the High-Priest, and he but once a year, with great ceremony and through a cloud of smoke; all which signified the darkness of that dispensation; 2 Cor. iii. 13. But now, at the death of Christ, all was laid open, the mysteries were unveiled, so that now he that runs may read the meaning of them. Now we see that the mercy-seat signified Christ the great Propitiation; the pot of manna signified Christ the Bread of life. Thus we all with open face behold, as in a glass (which helps the sight, as the veil hindered it), the glory of the Lord. Our eyes see the salvation.
(3.) It signified the uniting of Jew and Gentile, by the removing of the partition wall between them, which was the ceremonial law, by which the Jews were distinguished from all other people (as a garden enclosed), were brought near to God, while others were made to keep their distance. Christ, in his death, repealed the ceremonial law, cancelled that hand-writing of ordinances, took it out of the way, nailed it to his cross, and so broke down the middle wall of partition; and by abolishing those institutions abolished the enmity, and made in himself of twain one new man (as two rooms are made one, and that large and lightsome, by taking down the partition), so making peace, Eph. ii. 14-16. Christ died, to rend all dividing veils, and to make all his one, John xvii. 21.
(4.) It signified the consecrating and laying open of a new and living way to God. The veil kept people off from drawing near to the most holy place, where the Shechinah was. But the rending of it signified that Christ by his death opened a way to God, [1.] For himself. This was the great day of atonement, when our Lord Jesus, as the great High-Priest, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, entered once for all into the holy place; in token of which the veil was rent, Heb. ix. 7, &c. Having offered his sacrifice in the outer court, the blood of it was now to be sprinkled upon the mercy-seat within the veil; wherefore lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; for the King of glory, the Priest of glory, shall come in. Now was he caused to draw near, and made to approach, Jer. xxx. 21. Though he did not personally ascend into the holy place not made with hands till above forty days after, yet he immediately acquired a right to enter, and had a virtual admission. [2.] For us in him: so the apostle applies it, Heb. x. 19, 20. We have boldness to enter into the holiest, by that new and living way which he has consecrated for us through the veil. He died, to bring us to God, and, in order thereunto, to rend that veil of guilt and wrath which interposed between us and him, to take away the cherubim and flaming sword, and to open the way to the tree of life. We have free access through Christ to the throne of grace, or mercy-seat, now, and to the throne of glory hereafter, Heb. iv. 16; vi. 20. The rending of the veil signified (as that ancient hymn excellently expresses it), that, when Christ had overcome the sharpness of death, he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Nothing can obstruct or discourage our access to heaven, for the veil is rent; a door is opened in heaven, Rev. iv. 1.
2. The earth did quake; not only mount Calvary, where Christ was crucified, but the whole land, and the adjacent countries. This earthquake signified two things.
(1.) The horrible wickedness of Christ's crucifiers. The earth, by trembling under such a load, bore its testimony to the innocency of him that was persecuted, and against the impiety of those that persecuted him. Never did the whole creation, before, groan under such a burthen as the Son of God crucified, and the guilty wretches that crucified him. The earth quaked, as if it feared to open its mouth to receive the blood of Christ, so much more precious than that of Abel, which it had received, and was cursed for it (Gen. iv. 11, 12); and as if it fain would open its mouth, to swallow up those rebels that put him to death, as it had swallowed up Dathan and Abiram for a much less crime. When the prophet would express God's great displeasure against the wickedness of the wicked, he asks, Shall not the land tremble for this? Amos viii. 8.
(2.) The glorious achievements of Christ's cross. This earthquake signified the mighty shock, nay, the fatal blow, now given to the devil's kingdom. So vigorous was the assault Christ now made upon the infernal powers, that (as of old, when he went out of Seir, when he marched through the field of Edom) the earth trembled, Judg. v. 4; Ps. lxviii. 7, 8. God shakes all nations, when the Desire of all nations is to come; and there is a yet once more, which perhaps refers to this shaking, Hag. ii. 6, 21.
3. The rocks rent; the hardest and firmest part of the earth was made to feel this mighty shock. Christ had said, that if the children should cease to cry Hosanna, the stones would immediately cry out; and now, in effect, they did so, proclaiming the glory of the suffering Jesus, and themselves more sensible of the wrong done him than the hard-hearted Jews were, who yet will shortly be glad to find a hole in the rocks, and a cleft in the ragged rocks, to hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the throne. See Rev. vi. 16; Isa. ii. 21. But when God's fury is poured out like fire, the rocks are thrown down by him, Nah. i. 6. Jesus Christ is the Rock; and the rending of these rocks, signified the rending of that rock, (1.) That in the clefts of it was may be hid, as Moses in the cleft of the rock at Horeb, that there we may behold the glory of the Lord, as he did, Exod. xxxiii. 22. Christ's dove is said to be hid in the clefts of the rock (Cant. ii. 14), that is, as some make the allusion, sheltered in the wounds of our Lord Jesus, the Rock rent. (2.) That from the cleft of it rivers of living water may flow, and follow us in this wilderness, as from the rock which Moses smote (Exod. xvii. 6), and which God clave (Ps. lxxviii. 15); and that rock was Christ, 1 Cor. x. 4. When we celebrate the memorial of Christ's death, our hard and rocky hearts must be rent--the heart, and not the garments. That heart is harder than a rock, that will not yield, that will not melt, where Jesus Christ is evidently set forth crucified.
4. The graves were opened. This matter is not related so fully as our curiosity would wish; for the scripture was not intended to gratify that; it should seem, that same earthquake that rent the rocks, opened the graves, and many bodies of saints which slept, arose. Death to the saints is but the sleep of the body, and the grave the bed it sleeps in; they awoke by the power of the Lord Jesus, and (v. 53) came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into Jerusalem, the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now here,
(1.) We may raise many enquiries concerning it, which we cannot resolve: as, [1.] Who these saints were, that did arise. Some think, the ancient patriarchs, that were in such care to be buried in the land of Canaan, perhaps in the believing foresight of the advantage of this early resurrection. Christ had lately proved the doctrine of the resurrection from the instance of the patriarchs (ch. xxii. 32), and here was a speedy confirmation of his argument. Others think, these that arose were modern saints, such as had been Christ in the flesh, but died before him; as his father Joseph, Zecharias, Simeon, John Baptist, and others, that had been known to the disciples, while they lived, and therefore were the fitter to be witnesses to them in an apparition after. What if we should suppose that they were the martyrs, who in the Old-Testament times had sealed the truths of God with their blood, that were thus dignified and distinguished? Christ particularly points at them as his forerunners, ch. xxiii. 35. And we find (Rev. xx. 4, 5), that those who were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, arose before the rest of the dead. Sufferers with Christ shall first reign with him. [2.] It is uncertain whether (as some think) they arose to life, now at the death of Christ, and disposed of themselves elsewhere, but did not go into the city till after his resurrection; or whether (as others think), though their sepulchres (which the Pharisees had built and varnished, ch. xxiii. 29), and so made remarkable, were shattered now by the earthquake (so little did God regard that hypocritical respect), yet they did not revive and rise till after the resurrection; only, for brevity-sake, it is mentioned here, upon the mention of the opening of the graves, which seems more probable. [3.] Some think that they arose only to bear witness of Christ's resurrection to those to whom they appeared, and, having finished their testimony, retired to their graves again. But it is more agreeable, both to Christ's honour and theirs, to suppose, though we cannot prove, that they arose as Christ did, to die no more, and therefore ascended with him to glory. Surely on them who did partake of his first resurrection, a second death had no power. [4.] To whom they appeared (not to all the people it is certain, but to many), whether enemies or friends, in what manner they appeared, how often, what they said and did, and how they disappeared, are secret things which belong not to us; we must not covet to be wise above what is written. The relating of this matter so briefly, is a plain intimation to us, that we must not look that way for a confirmation of our faith; we have a more sure word of prophecy. See Luke xvi. 31.
(2.) Yet we may learn many good lessons from it. [1.] That even those who lived and died before the death and resurrection of Christ, had saving benefit thereby, as well as those who have lived since; for he was the same yesterday that he is to-day, and will be for ever, Heb. xiii. 8. [2.] That Jesus Christ, by dying, conquered, disarmed, and disabled, death. These saints that arose, were the present trophies of the victory of Christ's cross over the powers of death, which he thus made a show of openly. Having by death destroyed him that had the power of death, he thus led captivity captive, and gloried in these re-taken prizes, in them fulfilling that scripture, I will ransom them from the power of the grave. [3.] That, in virtue of Christ's resurrection, the bodies of all the saints shall, in the fulness of time, rise again. This was an earnest of the general resurrection at the last day, when all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And perhaps Jerusalem is therefore called here the holy city, because the saints, at the general resurrection, shall enter into the new Jerusalem; which will be indeed what the other was in name and type only, the holy city, Rev. xxi. 2. [4.] That all the saints do, by the influence of Christ's death, and in conformity to it, rise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness. They are raised up with him to a divine and spiritual life; they go into the holy city, become citizens of it, have their conversation in it, and appear to many, as persons not of this world." [source - Matthew Henry's "Commentary on the Whole Bible (1721), ]

CONCLUSION:

Obviously the time of Jesus' (Yeshua's) death was a momentous occasion that even caused the pagan Roman soldiers to say as recorede at Matthew 27:54, "54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"" (RSV); and at Mark 15:39, "And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (RSV); and at Luke 23:47, " Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, "Certainly this man was innocent!" (RSV). Strange that all should record the reaction of the Roman soldiers, yet only one Matthew recorded the dead as coming out of the graves which the RSV renders as bocies , and not as resurrected ones, Matthew 27:52, "52 the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised," (RSV); and the Authorized King James renders as, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," (Authorized King James; AV).

So as can be seen by all reasonable ones as Matthew Henry put it, "We must not desire to be wise above what is written," which means we should not indulge in or let our minds run away with useless speculation.

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COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Gynostemma pentaphyllum With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [74B]

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:2 – 5, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Yes, we must be patient, but Almighty God (YHWH) intends to bring a righteous rule to this earth as foretold at Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” His kingdom will be one of mercey and will endure forever quite unlike worldly nations (kingdoms) of today as shown by Psalms 145:7 – 13, [AV] “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” For our part we should per Psalms 145:18, [AV] “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

[2] THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Jiaogulan
This story from a popular Chinese newspaper reports on a study in the 1970s. The Chinese government asked scientists to research the unusually large number of centagenarians in the small mountain provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi and Shicuan . In addition to unusual longevity the researchers found low incidences of many common ailments associated with aging including, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s and cancer. After over 10 years of study they found one common thread, a plant the locals called “xiancao” the “immortality” plant. The villagers drank it several times a day simply because it tasted good and is naturally sweet. The researchers identified the plant as Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum).

Free radicals are one of the primary causes of aging. Anti-oxidants have been found to eliminate free radicals from the body. See our anti-oxidant link regarding research on Jiaogulan and anti-oxidants. [sourc - retrieved from Guangxi Ribao (Guanxi Daily News) March 4, 1972. on 1/19/2016]
JIAOGULAN AND AGING, JIAOGULAN AND CANCER, JIAOGULAN AND YOUR HEALTH, JIAOGULAN AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
HOW JIAOGULAN HELPS PREVENT AGING AND ILLNESS
Jiaogulan ( gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a very unique herb which can have many positive effects on our health and will even help us to prevent aging. Many factors play a role when it comes to aging, and scientists are just beginning to appreciate that infections caused by viruses have a huge impact on aging and our general well-being. Pharmaceutical companies around the world are spending millions of dollars researching the relationship between aging and viruses
If, we can prevent infections, and boost our immune systems, we will age at a slower pace and live healthier lives. Often in the fight against infections caused by viruses and bacteria, we employ a spectrum of antibiotics or virus suppressing drugs. HIV is a perfect example of a virus which is suppressed by drugs and we treat the most common throat infections with a plethora of antibiotics. But, shouldn’t we really be asking ourselves if we are taking the right approach, and shouldn’t we be boosting our immune systems instead. Perhaps, it is time to turn to nature to help us provide a permanent solution which would allow us to focus on prevention rather than cure.
Understanding Viral Infections
Doctors often talk about that viruses can be difficult to detect. It is true and has to do with the way they reproduce. A virus is not a cell in its own right, it is a genetic code which uses our cells to reproduce.
A virus can invade a cell and not start to reproduce straight away. HIV and herpes are perfect examples of this process. They can lay dormant in a cell for a long time, and all of a sudden as the cell starts to reproduce, they switch on and start to copy their genetic code.
The virus genetic code becomes part of the host cell, and the cell now reproduces with the new genetic information. It is called the lysogenic cycle and the cells are referred to as lysogenic cells. In other words, they are cells that contain a genetic virus code and behave differently than other cells. They are reproducing complete with their original code PLUS the viral genetic code.
But viral infections do not age us, do they?
Yes, they do and we know that viruses are probably behind many diseases such as cancer and heart disease. We already know that some cancers are caused by viruses, and scientists are trying to ascertain how many more types of cancers are experienced as a result of viruses.
Some of the most common cancers such as cervical cancer are caused by one or more of 150 virus strains belonging to the Human papilloma viruses ( HPVs). Even the common Epstein Barr virus is now being linked to some stomach cancers.
However, we are not sure what switches these viruses on and what makes them turn a cell into a cancer cell.
Viruses also cause other problems which are associated with aging such as heart disease and liver health problems. Scientists even suspect that many of the other signs of aging such as eye sight problems and wrinkles may be caused by viruses.
The problem is that there are millions of viruses, and one group of virus may be made up out of thousands of virus offsprings (strains) and mutated viruses. We need to learn a lot more about viruses and what makes them mutate to lead to disease and aging.
Free Radicals and Viruses
Free radicals are atoms, or groups of atoms, with one unpaired electron or more. These electrons are always looking for a friend to pair up with and they can by doing so, cause cellular damage or damage to DNA.
This may sound very complicated, but it simply means that they may have the ability to switch on a dangerous invasive virus, or cause a harmless bacteria to act differently. This is what many scientists believe cause viruses to start to behave differently and become dangerous.
The body has its own range of weapons against free radicals called antioxidants, but we can also eat foods and use herbs to increase our body’s range of weapons against free radicals.
Herbs and Antioxidants
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) is very special in terms of it’s antioxidant benefits. Usually, we consume antioxidants in foods. This is why, for example, we are told to drink orange juice when we have a cold. Oranges are rich in antioxidants. However, the reality is that up to 90% of the antioxidants are actually lost during the digestive process.
Gynostemma works differently. Gynostemma stimulates your body to increase production of an enzyme called Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). SOD is your own body’s most powerful antioxidant. Because it is internally produced, none of the benefit is lost during digestions.
This may explain why gynostemma has been used for many thousands of years in Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) to combat different types of diseases. In recent studies Chinese scientists have discovered that Jiaogulan can boost a cell’s immune defense system by inhibiting a virus coping its genetic code. The rate of inhibition, rate of genetic copy, was reduced by 70% giving the body’s own system of antioxidants more of a chance to fight the virus and reduce the amount of free radicals.
How Can This Help Me to Prevent Disease?
All this talk about viruses, free radicals and antioxidants can sound like something for the ears of scientists only, but the way it works is very straight forward. If, the cells in our bodies can copy their genetic material without the interference of viruses and free radicals, they would be able to do so in a much better way.
It would result in better and healthier cells which would be less likely to carry any type of genetic material that can potentially cause disease and aging. We would have a much better chance to fight off infections and therefore live longer. The best way to explain it, would be that we would consist of better copied material which would be stronger and more disease resistant.
We should not try to suppress our immune system in all cases. Most of the time we should boost our immune system to help us fight of viruses, bacteria and free radicals. Hidden or “sneaked in” viruses cause a lot of the health problems we face today. By a herb such as Gynostemma, we can help our bodies to boost its defense system and help us to live both longer and healthier lives. Adding Gynostemma to your health routine would allow you to prevent disease rather than cure it. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.jiaogulan.org/jiaogulan-helps-prevent-aging-illness/ on 1/19/2016]
JIAOGULAN AND AGING, JIAOGULAN AND CANCER, JIAOGULAN AND YOUR HEALTH, JIAOGULAN AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
HOW JIAOGULAN HELPS PREVENT AGING AND ILLNESS
Jiaogulan ( gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a very unique herb which can have many positive effects on our health and will even help us to prevent aging. Many factors play a role when it comes to aging, and scientists are just beginning to appreciate that infections caused by viruses have a huge impact on aging and our general well-being. Pharmaceutical companies around the world are spending millions of dollars researching the relationship between aging and viruses
If, we can prevent infections, and boost our immune systems, we will age at a slower pace and live healthier lives. Often in the fight against infections caused by viruses and bacteria, we employ a spectrum of antibiotics or virus suppressing drugs. HIV is a perfect example of a virus which is suppressed by drugs and we treat the most common throat infections with a plethora of antibiotics. But, shouldn’t we really be asking ourselves if we are taking the right approach, and shouldn’t we be boosting our immune systems instead. Perhaps, it is time to turn to nature to help us provide a permanent solution which would allow us to focus on prevention rather than cure.
Understanding Viral Infections
Doctors often talk about that viruses can be difficult to detect. It is true and has to do with the way they reproduce. A virus is not a cell in its own right, it is a genetic code which uses our cells to reproduce.
A virus can invade a cell and not start to reproduce straight away. HIV and herpes are perfect examples of this process. They can lay dormant in a cell for a long time, and all of a sudden as the cell starts to reproduce, they switch on and start to copy their genetic code.
The virus genetic code becomes part of the host cell, and the cell now reproduces with the new genetic information. It is called the lysogenic cycle and the cells are referred to as lysogenic cells. In other words, they are cells that contain a genetic virus code and behave differently than other cells. They are reproducing complete with their original code PLUS the viral genetic code.
But viral infections do not age us, do they?
Yes, they do and we know that viruses are probably behind many diseases such as cancer and heart disease. We already know that some cancers are caused by viruses, and scientists are trying to ascertain how many more types of cancers are experienced as a result of viruses.
Some of the most common cancers such as cervical cancer are caused by one or more of 150 virus strains belonging to the Human papilloma viruses ( HPVs). Even the common Epstein Barr virus is now being linked to some stomach cancers.
However, we are not sure what switches these viruses on and what makes them turn a cell into a cancer cell.
Viruses also cause other problems which are associated with aging such as heart disease and liver health problems. Scientists even suspect that many of the other signs of aging such as eye sight problems and wrinkles may be caused by viruses.
The problem is that there are millions of viruses, and one group of virus may be made up out of thousands of virus offsprings (strains) and mutated viruses. We need to learn a lot more about viruses and what makes them mutate to lead to disease and aging.
Free Radicals and Viruses
Free radicals are atoms, or groups of atoms, with one unpaired electron or more. These electrons are always looking for a friend to pair up with and they can by doing so, cause cellular damage or damage to DNA.
This may sound very complicated, but it simply means that they may have the ability to switch on a dangerous invasive virus, or cause a harmless bacteria to act differently. This is what many scientists believe cause viruses to start to behave differently and become dangerous.
The body has its own range of weapons against free radicals called antioxidants, but we can also eat foods and use herbs to increase our body’s range of weapons against free radicals.
Herbs and Antioxidants
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) is very special in terms of it’s antioxidant benefits. Usually, we consume antioxidants in foods. This is why, for example, we are told to drink orange juice when we have a cold. Oranges are rich in antioxidants. However, the reality is that up to 90% of the antioxidants are actually lost during the digestive process.
Gynostemma works differently. Gynostemma stimulates your body to increase production of an enzyme called Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). SOD is your own body’s most powerful antioxidant. Because it is internally produced, none of the benefit is lost during digestions.
This may explain why gynostemma has been used for many thousands of years in Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) to combat different types of diseases. In recent studies Chinese scientists have discovered that Jiaogulan can boost a cell’s immune defense system by inhibiting a virus coping its genetic code. The rate of inhibition, rate of genetic copy, was reduced by 70% giving the body’s own system of antioxidants more of a chance to fight the virus and reduce the amount of free radicals.
How Can This Help Me to Prevent Disease?
All this talk about viruses, free radicals and antioxidants can sound like something for the ears of scientists only, but the way it works is very straight forward. If, the cells in our bodies can copy their genetic material without the interference of viruses and free radicals, they would be able to do so in a much better way.
It would result in better and healthier cells which would be less likely to carry any type of genetic material that can potentially cause disease and aging. We would have a much better chance to fight off infections and therefore live longer. The best way to explain it, would be that we would consist of better copied material which would be stronger and more disease resistant.
We should not try to suppress our immune system in all cases. Most of the time we should boost our immune system to help us fight of viruses, bacteria and free radicals. Hidden or “sneaked in” viruses cause a lot of the health problems we face today. By a herb such as Gynostemma, we can help our bodies to boost its defense system and help us to live both longer and healthier lives. Adding Gynostemma to your health routine would allow you to prevent disease rather than cure it. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.jiaogulan.org/jiaogulan-helps-prevent-aging-illness/ on 1/19/2016]

What is Jiaogulan?
Jiaogulan (Latin name:Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a low-lying
vine from the Cucurbiticeae family of plants. Jiaogulan is indigenous to Southern China but is now cultivated widely throughout Asia, most notably in Thailand and Vietnam.Jiaogulan is produced primarily as an herbal tea and is also available as both whole leaf
and extracted supplement.

Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends Jiaogulan as a general health tonic and in some regions of china it is called Xian Cao (the Immortality Herb) due to its association with longevity and robust health.
The plant first came to the attention of modern researchers
in the 1970’s as a result of China’s first nationwide census. Demographers noted a statistically significant higher percentage of centenarians in two small Southern provinces. The Chinese
government dispatched a team of researchers whom ultimately conducted a ten-year study.The researchers attributed the unusual longevity in those areas to the regular traditional consumption of jiaogulan tea in those areas. Following these findings, Dr. Jialiu Liu of Guiyang Medical College conducted extensive research including human clinical studies into the plant. His research identified active ingredients in Jiaouglan that provided a broad range of health benefits, including, cardiovascular health, improved immune systems, protection from and faster recovery from oxidative stress, cancer protection and improved blood flow
resulting in better mentation and organ health. Dr. Lu authored a book with American researcher Michael Blumert extolling jiaogulan as the Herb of Immortality.
Jiaogulan was also the subject of extensive research in the 1980’s by Japanese researchers who, noting the natural sweetness of jiaogulan, hoped jiaogulan could be developed as a natural sweetener. While the project was unfruitful, Japanese researchers also compiled an impressive list of provenhealth benefits.
Today herbalists recommend jiaogulan for three main health
benefits.
1) Put your body in
the optimal state of balance –
Adaptogens are a class of herbs identified by herbalists as helping the human body maintain a state of “homeostasis”, i.e. balance. The mechanisms vary from herb to herb but primarily adaptogens work by supporting the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is the combined systems of hormones and nervous system. Modern researchers have proclaimed jiaogulan the world’s most potent adaptogen. One theory is jiaogulan’s stimulation of Nitric
Oxide production improves the overall function of the neuroendocrine system
2) Reduce blood pressure
and improve cardiovascular health – Chinese research has proven that jiaogulan stimulates the human body to increase production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a natural vasodilator. Increased vascular size makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body and reduces blood pressure. The increased blood flow also mitigates the harm from arterial build up due to arteriosclerosis.
Jiaogulan also reduces cholesterol. Since high cholesterol is the number one cause of clogged arteries, there is a double benefit to cardiovascular health. Blood vessels are less likely to develop obstructions and, when they do occur, the impact is mitigated by increased blood vessel size.
Increased Nitric oxide production is also the reason jiaogulan is popular with endurance athletes. The increased blood vessel size increases oxygen flow which directly result sin greater endurance. This increased blood flow is also believed beneficial to sufferers of Erectile Dysfunction and to improved mentation in the elderly.
3) Fight the effects
of aging and strengthen the immune system – Most people have read about the
health benefits of antioxidants. One can hardly visit the grocery store without being bombarded by marketing messages on products touting their high antioxidant content. Marketers have gone so far as to co-op a formerly scientific measure of antioxidant called the ORAC scale. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It is a measure of the anti-oxidant levels in a food. Marketers engage in heated debate over whose product as the higher ORAC value.
But the reality is that most of the health benefit of antioxidants consumed in food is wasted. When we digest food only a small
percentage of the antioxidants present actually survive the digestive process and enter the blood stream where they can be distributed throughout the body and help destroy free radicals and boost the immune system.
However, there is a solution. The human body does produce
it’s own natural antioxidants, two enzymes Super-Oxide Dismutase (SOD for short) and catalase.
These internally produced antioxidants are crucial to all
animal life as they are the main mechanism of cleansing and protecting the body from free-radicals created during the metabolization of foods. Increased productions of these
internally produced antioxidants is far more effective than consumption of antioxidants because the internally produced antioxidants to not undergo digestion and are therefore 100% bioavailable.
Research proves jiaogulan increases SOD production in
humans. Researchers speculate this is the primary reason the herb is so strongly associated with longevity is Traditional Chinese Medicine. There has also been substantial research in Canada using jiaogulan to support the compromised immune systems of chemotherapy patients. This improved immunity has resulted in jiaogulan’s popularity as a immune support supplement during cold
and flu season.
Recent media attention has been focused on jiaogulan for
weight loss. Researchers in Korea have determined that jiaogulan is a potent activator of the AMPK enzyme in humans. AMPK plays a crucial role in the regulation of human metabolism. In one Korean study, obese men were given jiaogulan extract for 14 weeks. The placebo group experienced no significant change. However the jiaogulan group lost an average of 2Kg., saw reduction in their waistlines, improved body mass index and lower cholesterol levels.
Jiaogulan is a perennial and can be harvested throughout the
year. Jiaogulan Tea is produced by a three-stage process. The plant is
harvested and stems removed by hand. The plant is quickly pan dried to form the typical 5 leaf clusters of dried tea and then air dried on raised platforms with forced air. The resulting tea is simultaneously slightly bitter and slightly sweet. The tea is popular in Southern China often consumed as a substitute for tea from Camelia sinensis. Jiaogulan can also be consumed as a supplement,
in extract form, as a tincture and the raw leaves may be added directly to foods. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.jiaogulan.org/what-is-jiaogulan-2/ on 1/19/2016]
My investigation has uncovered a source for this plant in North America – only one source, Michigan Bulb Company, POB 4180, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025-4180, FAX 513-354-1499, www.MichiganBulb.com. It is listed as SKU #81062, on page 8 of their Spring 2016 Catelogue.
In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].

To view this plant, go to, https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=avg&hsimp=yhs-fh_lsonsw&type=ch.47.w7.dsp.04-02.us.avg.t12.1215tb&param1=NU9NT8MwDP0rXOpbq3zW6SGHfSIkhBAMdk6bpOu0riXJNvbvCUJItvxsv6dnd4PVBbbbtaw3m_Wi3DCGpUBU5UKuRalq2UjBt2rJRIEWunHOAsqoTC1kIKjkXDCFhBCwUS8-H-Fkzr12Zxgz0zZdQ1rSKS-FQGta4pml0iFSbpjEkmJ2wLrmnlCrFCdOSEobJTx654RCx4hqvIdf31u6wBy0D3DVomKVqKiUsLqE4M7p1fTu4-1ZH1KaC24K5nOM9-hM6A6VufZVN415NGdezPV_EefvgvtwTQW3tGB1NFlubZwz_sroOJipv-SnCtaWOYdxnEIypyHdc3dwoYV3F64uPK31bsnK3cuu3G83hEPqdHIxUQbDrCmyfG1FVV1RImGKej-c7XSLDwitXh3CNDpo819YEeic3oWLg2P8Az81&param2=browser_search_provider&param3=ch.47.w7.dsp.04-02.us.avg.t12.1215tb&p=jiaogulan+-+immortality+herb

Or in Michigan Bulb Company, Spring 2016 catalogue on page 8.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:00 am

COMBINATION OF [1] THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] JESUS IS NOT HIS FATHER - THE PROOF. With the Scripture of the Day first.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [75B]

[1] John 8:42 Jesus (Yeshua) said to them, " Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).

Jesus (Yeshua) said he comes from God. The flesh cannot be speaking for the flesh was created. So Jesus (Yeshua)'s spiritual being came from God. Jesus (Yeshua) did not send himself, he did not come on his own, but before he was on earth, God sent him. Jesus (Yeshua) was sent by God into the world, so Jesus (Yeshua) is before the world with God. He is referred to a Pr. 8:22-31, “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

[2] JESUS IS NOT HIS FATHER - THE PROOF

INTRODUCTION:

Many believe in the False Dogma of the Trinity and really have only a superficial knowledge of the Theology. So before I discuss this false doctrine using only the Bible I am going into what this false theology really is from an impeccable source.

The Trinitarian dogma, The Cyclopoedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, New York 1871, by John M'Clintock and James Strong, Vol. II, page 560-561, states, "We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the
persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.....The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal...So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty...So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet there are not three Gods, but one God...The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding...And in this Trinity none is afore or after other; none is greater or less than another. But the whole three persons are coeternal together, and coequal. So that in all things, as is afore said, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity." [this is the Athanasian Creed quoted in the above mentioned Cyclopoedia].

IMPOSSIBLE AS HE RECEIVED ALL HE HAS FROM HIS FATHER (YHWH) SCRIPTURAL PROOF:

1 - John 5:26, "For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself:" (American Standard Version; ASV)

John 6:57, "As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.

By the words of Jesus, Jesus was not eternal; he was given to have life in himself and lives because of the Father. A eternal being cannot be given to have life in themselves, and they do not depend on others to live.

2 - John 14:28, "Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I." (ASV).

3 - 1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (ASV).

4 - 1 Corinthians 15:22-28, " For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all." (ASV)

5 - John 5:29, "Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. " (ASV).

6 - John 14:24, "He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me." (ASV)

7 - John 17:8, "for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received [them], and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me." (ASV).

JESUS DIRECTED ALL WORSHIP TO HIS FATHER AND CLEARLY SHOWED THEY WERE NOT CO-EQUAL OR THE SAME BEING:

Jesus (Yeshua) Christ showed all worship belonged to his Father, God (YHWH), and that all he had, he had received from his Father, God (YHWH ) clearly showing they were two separate beings and that the Son, Jesus (Yeshua) was NOT co-equal with the Father (YHWH):

1 - Matthew 4:10, "Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" (Revised Standard Version; RSV)

2 - John 17:5, "and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made" (RSV).

3 - John 5:19, "Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise" (RSV).

4 - 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" -- 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (RSV).

5 - John 20:17, "Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." (RSV).

6 - 1 Peter 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (RSV).

7 - Mark 15:34, "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "E'lo-i, E'lo-i, la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (RSV).

JESUS NOT CO-ETERNAL WITH HIS FATHER AS HAD BEGINNING:

1 - Revelation 3:14, ""And to the angel of the church in La-odice'a write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation." (RSV) [ Jesus was the beginning of the creation of God (YHWH); hence he is called God's only begotten Son or first born].

2 - Colossians 1:12-15, "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;" (RSV). [note, 15 calls him 'the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.]

3 - John 17:1, "When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee," (RSV)

4 - 1 John 4:15, "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God." (RSV) [Clearly showing he is NOT CO-ETERNAL as a father MUST exist before a son exists.]

5 - Luke 1:35, "And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." (RSV) [Clearly showing he is NOT CO-ETERNAL as a father MUST exist before a son exists.]

6 - John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." (RSV) [ Jesus was the beginning of the creation of God (YHWH); hence he is called God's only begotten Son or first born].

7 - 1 Timothy 2:5-6, "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time." (RSV) [As we all know one can NOT be a mediator with himself; therefore Jesus (Yeshua) is a mediator between mankind and his Father, God (YHWH)]

HOLY GHOST IS GOD'S (YHWH'S) ACTIVE FORCE:

Now let's consider just what this Spirit is. Now what is this Spirit or Holy Spirit that John the Baptist mentioned at John 1:32, ""And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost." (AV)? The Holy Spirit is only God's (YHWH's) active force and not even a spirit being or person. This is clearly shown at Pentecost where the Holy Spirit was poured out onto all there, Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (AV). This entire scripture bespeaks of a force and not a being as you do not get filled with a being! And this fact is reaffirmed at Acts 4:31, ""And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (AV); And 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, "Now he which established us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (AV), surely a being would not be in our hearts as that is ludicrous, thus this scripture talks of God's (YHWH's) active force; This is clearly shown at Luke 11:13, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (AV). Once more, why? Why? Do many say they are coequal and coeternal when clearly they are not and the Holy Ghost is just God's (YHWH's) active force? Only to try to give some resemblance of reality to a myth as we shall later see. An interesting note on the Spirit is that the neuter Greek word for spirit (pneu'ma) is used, the neuter pronoun "it" is properly employed. This fact is conveniently over looked or hidden by most Trinitarian translators as admitted in the "New American Bible Catholic Bible," regarding John 14:17: "The Greek word for 'Spirit' is neuter, and while we use personal pronouns in English ('he,' 'his,' 'him'), most Greek MSS [manuscripts] employ 'it.'" So when the Bible uses masculine personal pronouns in connection with pa·ra'kle·tos at John 16:7, 8, it is conforming to rules of grammar, not expressing a doctrine. And in Ancient Hebrew the word here rendered Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, or Spirit which is translated from 'ru'ach' meaning "breath; wind; spirit." In Latin, it is spiritus, and in Sanskrit, 'prana' which means both "breath" and "spirit." Therefore it is clear that the Holy Spirit is God's (YHWH's) active force.

CONCLUSION:

As shown above from the scriptures, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ is NOT CO-EQUAL with his Father, God (YHWH); and NOT CO-ETERNAL as he had a beginning. Whereas, his Father, God (YHWH) always existed as shown at Psalms 93:2, "thy throne is established from of old; thou art from everlasting." (RSV); and at Jeremiah 10:10, "But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation." (RSV). Clearly if Jesus (Yeshua) did not always exist as his Father, God (YHWH) , has, he can NOT be CO-ETERNAL with his Father, God (YHWH), nor can he be CO-EQUAL.

Now we all know that many individuals saw Jesus (Yeshua) Christ when he was on earth as abundantly testified to in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; whereas, no one has ever seen or heard his invisible Father, God (YHWH), as testified to at John 5:37, "And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen;" (RSV); thereby, clearly showing Jesus (Yeshua) Christ CAN NOT BE GOD (YHWH) HIS FATHER. This is further testified to at Psalms 93:2, "thy throne is established from of old; thou art from everlasting." (RSV); and at Jeremiah 10:10, "But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation" (RSV)..

Therefore, believe what is written in the Bible, God's (YHWH's) word, and not the writings, beliefs, and fables of men which the Bible clearly shows at 2 Corinthians 4:4 are from the Devil, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God" (RSV).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:37 pm

COMBINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Mallow - Rose With the Scripture of the Day first.

(1) SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [76B]

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Luke 16:20 – 21, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

But a contrast is given between the beggar and the rich man and their final outcome in the resurrection spoken of at John 5:29, [authorized King James Bible; AV] “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” This contrast is given in Isaiah 16:25 – 31, [AV] “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

(2) THE RARE FRUIT TREES AND VEGETABLES - Mallow - Rose

Here is a Commentary on Bountiful Trees and Vegetables God (YHWH) has provided for mankind, specifically the Hibiscus spp., Mallow - Rose

Abundance: very rare
What: flowers, leaves, seeds, seed pods, roots
How: flowers raw, young leaves raw or cooked, seeds roasted. Tender seed pods are cooked. Roots are diced then roasted.
Where: sunny areas, often used in landscaping
When: spring, summer, fall
Nutritional Value: Flowers high in antioxidants; seeds are high in protein & starch; leaves high in minerals; roots contain starch.

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus palustris) plants grow up to five feet tall.

Rose mallows are usually found in moist, sunny areas but on occasion they can be found in shady, moist areas, too.

The seeds can be roasted then ground in a coffee grinder for use as a substitute for real coffee. It tastes pretty good, though does not have any caffeine.

Young tender leaves can be cooked like spinach but I find them a bit too rough/stiff to use raw. The flowers are good raw or added to tea. The tender, young flower buds and seed pods can be used like okra, either friend, pickled, or added to Cajun and African foods. The flowers work well in salads. [sourc - retrieved from http://www.foragingtexas.com/2012/06/mallow-rose.html on 1/19/2016]

In Genesis 1:11-13, "And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. (American Standard Version, ASV)[for more details, go to www.jw.org].

To view this plant, go to, http://www.foragingtexas.com/2012/06/mallow-rose.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

**Admin** Tue Nov 05, 2019 7:03 am

COMBINATION OF [1[ THE SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY AND [2] THE BIBLE'S HISTORICITY AND CORRECTNESS TESTIFIED TO BY A "PIM" . With the Scripture of the Day first.

[1] SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY [77B]

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. Matthew 11:19, [authorized King James Bible; AV]

Clearly we should NOT be judging others as some pre-judged Jesus (Yeshua), but we should be kind to others and be forgiving of them since we are all sinners. How often should we forgive others? This was a question put to Jesus (Yeshua) to which He gave a clear answer found at Matthew 18:21 – 22, [AV] “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

[2] THE BIBLE'S HISTORICITY AND CORRECTNESS TESTIFIED TO BY A "PIM"

Many claim the Bible has errors, but what they claim are errors are in reality errors with respect to our understanding and NOT God's word. Here is one example of something many claimed to be an error, but later archeological findings proved it was only an error in our understanding and not the Bible.

Although the word "pim" occurs only once in the Bible. In the days of King Saul, the Israelites had to get their metal tools sharpened by Philistine smiths. "The price for sharpening proved to be a pim for the plowshares and for the mattocks and for the threetoothed instruments and for the axes and for fixing fast the oxgoad," states the Bible. -1 Samuel 13:21.

What was a pim? The .answer to that question remained a mystery until 1907 C.E. when the first pim weight stone was excavated at the ancient city of Gezer. Bible translators of earlier dates had difficulty translating the word "pim." The King James Version, for example, rendered 1 Samuel 13:21: "Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads."
. .
Scholars today know that a" pim was a weight measure averaging 7.82 grams, or approximately two thirds of a shekel, the basic Hebrew unit of weight. A pim measure of silver scrap was the price the Philistines charged the Israelites for sharpening their tools. The shekel weight system went out of use with the fall of the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, in 607 B.C.E. So how does the pim measure testify to the historicity of the Hebrew text?

Some scholars, Muslim and pseudo Christians infidels of the past to whom truth was of no importance, hence unbelievers, used to argue that the texts of the Hebrew Scriptures, including the book of I First Samuel, dated to the Hellenistic-Roman era, even as late as from the second to the first century B.C.E. They falsely claimed, therefore, that "they are. . . 'unhistorical,' of little or no value for reconstructing a 'biblical' or an 'ancient Israel,' both of which are simply modern Jewish and Christian literary constructs."

Referring to the pim measure mentioned at 1 Samuel 13:21, however, William G. Dever, professor of Near Eastern archaeology and anthropology, says: "[It] cannot possibly have been 'invented' by writers living in the Hellenistic-Roman period several centuries after these weights had disappeared and had been forgotten. In fact, this bit of biblical text. . . would not be understood until the early 20th century A.D., when the first actual archaeological examples turned up, reading pim in Hebrew." The professor continues: "If the biblical stories are all 'literary inventions' of the Hellenistic-Roman era, how did this particular story come to be in the Hebrew Bible? One may object, of course, that the pim incident is 'only a detail.' To be sure; but as is well known, 'history is in the details.'" .

Therefore, though many critics of all flavors have tried to discredit the Bible through items like the pim which was not really understood until archeological findings revealed the facts, the Bible, being the inspired word of God (YHWH) creator of heaven and earth is always correct even if our understanding may be incomplete and regardless of what infidel critics may say.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE AND RELIGION - BOTH TRUE AND FALSE - AT WWW.JW.ORG

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