Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs And Carried Our Sorrows; Wounded For Our Transgressions - Part 2251

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to His own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.

And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:1-12)

There is no greater message worth sharing this new year's eve than the abundant love of the Lord God our Saviour Jesus the Christ, who willingly endured the cross so that you and I might have everlasting life in Him. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Trust Jesus as your Lord and Christ this day. Be water baptized in His precious, holy Name. (Acts 2:36-41)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "Behold My Hands And Feet!" -- Part 2250

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

Jesus was not of Adam's sinful race, although He had been clothed in the womb of one of Adam’s sinful race daughters called Mary -- the Seed of the holy Spirit being clothed in the womb of Mary. She being a willing, chosen surrogate, the angel declared to Mary that "holy thing" that would be born of her would be called the Son of God.

"And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

Jesus was clothed in a sin prone body made from Mary's sin prone body. The flesh of Jesus although tempted and tried in all points, like as we are, never sinned, for God was in Christ! This body was the lamb of God who was of God to be sacrificed at Calvary. God provided Himself as a Lamb taking all of our sin onto Himself. Redeeming all mankind who accept that once and for all Jesus sacrifice.

Indeed, on the cross He reinstated man to a place of no condemnation. For it is written that there is no condemnation to all them that are in Christ Jesus.

Jesus -- God Himself as a Son laid down His sinless life giving up His Son-ship status and taking our sin upon Himself, transferring His righteousness upon us that we now have become the righteousness of God in Christ. Believers immediately become a new creation in Jesus.

Jesus -- the Only Begotten Son of God. We are now adopted sons of God having much more than mere adoption for we now are indwelt of the Spirit of Jesus. Therefore beloved, we are now the sons of God. We inherit, all things that were formerly made for the "Only Begotten" Son of God. Christ life is now in dwelling us.

Christ in you giving you the Hope of glory. You are now a habitation of God in the Spirit. You are now the temple in which God is pleased to dwell. Jesus said, "All things that the Father hath are Mine, and all Mine, is now yours." To elaborate further, believers are a purchased possession of God. the precious holy blood of the holy Spirit of God was spilled for the redemption of the whosoever's -- like you and I.

His gift to us is salvation. Not of works but through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, wherein He said, “It is finished.”

This same Jesus also said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I AM meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Come to Jesus today -- believing upon Him for your very salvation.

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "It Is Finished!" -- The Ultimate Price For Our Salvation Paid For In Full - Part 2249

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. Sadly, the modern day religious culture (with all their revised and rewritten Bibles) wants to take out the word begotten, and change this scripture to say "one and only son." How sad, that those who consider themselves scholars do not understand God's abundant love for His people. Or is it just that in our culture, we are seeing a proliferation of lying prophets, soothsayers, witch doctors, teachers, horoscopes and dictators?

Regardless, all of the above pale in comparison to Jesus who is God Himself as a Son, conceived of God’s holy Spirit. The voice of the Spirit declaring that Jesus is -- "This is My beloved Son in whom I am pleased to dwell."

To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19)

Note that Jesus continually declared that the works, the mighty signs, wonders and miracles which He performed were not the works of the flesh but rather the works of the Spirit of God who was indwelling within His flesh. Likewise, the Word that proceeded from Jesus' mouth were the very words of God.

Jesus -- I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me. (John 14:6-12)

Jesus declared that the words that He spoke were not man's words but were the Words of the Spirit who sent Him. (Jesus was conceived of the Holy Ghost -- read Luke 2 for details) Therefore, He is the Only Begotten. He was not created as we were. Rather, He is God Himself manifest in the flesh appearing in fashion as one of Adam’s race.

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

Stand in the offering plate.

Then Came The Promise Of Hope Forever; His Name JESUS - Part 2248

"But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6)

But then came the promise of hope forevermore -- JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)

In the Old Testament, the psalmist and prophets testified of His coming. Isaiah too, when the Lord spoke through him saying, "Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

In the new, Jesus said, "I AM -- the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeing the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." (John 10:11-18) 

And so, even in the face of intense cruelty and mockery, He endured the cross for you and I. He took the beatings without saying a word -- even though He was the Lord of glory.

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:" (Isaiah 53:3-4)

Because of His love, we can have life through His mercy and kindness. When we ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in our life, and go onto be water baptized in His precious, holy name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, He fills us with His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, wherein He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Acts 2:36-41)

Now therefore, as the scriptures state, we can be "no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:19-21)

Similarly, "... ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe [He is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner." (I Peter 2:5-7)

And as we come to know, the risen Lord Jesus is precious indeed! 

"... whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (II Peter 1:4)

Hear ye Him! Rejoice in His goodness and grace and mercy and kindness, knowing that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten so that we might have life in Him. And if we are not yet thankful enough, note that the beloved disciple John adds ... "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21:24-25)

Be richly blessed in His love this day! Stand in the offering plate.

Wherefore, When He Comes Into The World -- Part 2247

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (I Kings 8:27)

"But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (II Chronicles 6:18)

" ... and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. 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. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." (Colossians 1:17-19)

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."(Colossians 2:9)

From the very beginning, the Spirit of the Lord God had devised a plan of salvation. Even though God is so vast that the heavens that we know and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, He formulated a salvation plan to come forth as a mighty man at the appointed time. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 9:8) 

Oh how great the Father's love, that He would prepare for Himself a body for sacrifice, so that we might experience abundant joy and peace and everlasting life through Him.

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure." (Hebrews 10:4-6) 

As we also know from the scriptures, the Lord God's plan of salvation included a redemption plan, whereby we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith could be sanctified and washed clean, becoming fully robed in His righteousness. 

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ..." (Ephesians 1:7)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ..." (Romans 3:23-27)

What was this plan? That this very same Spirit of the Lord God who moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning would be made flesh -- the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in the man Christ Jesus. The same Word that was with God and was God dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:1-3; John 14-18)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

And because of His willingness to clothe Himself in sin-prone flesh (and yet without sin), we have an assurance that our sins that was once red as crimson is now white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)

Because of our good works? Not a chance, because to Him our good works are as filthy rags. Thus, our salvation is wholly because of the blood He willingly shed on the cross so that we might be saved. His love displayed for one and all to see -- on an old rugged tree. He paid the ultimate price once and for all.

And our salvation? Based on what we do in our hearts about Jesus. Say yes to the risen Lord Jesus today, and know (as did Simeon) that from the very beginning, He was to be the Lord's Christ.

Stand in the offering plate.

God Created Man In His Own Image - Part 2246

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (I Kings 8:27)

"But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (II Chronicles 6:18)

This might be an ideal time to interject why we make reference to God as being male in gender. First and foremost, God is a Spirit, filling the heavens and the earth. Even the scriptures state, "Why even the heavens cannot contain God?" How big is God? Well, in God, we live and we move and we have our being. Further, God created man in His own image. This might be where we begin to think of God as HE.

The first woman was taken from man. The bone was of his bone and the flesh of his flesh making man incomplete without the woman. Eve then, is the mother of all living. God delivered Eve from Adam in the garden of Eden. Thereafter, whither male or female, we all came from a female.

One day a person wanted to inquire as to where I came from. I replied, I came from a woman. Where did you come from? It is the same situation within creation. When that initial creation intersects with salvation in the second Adam or Christ the New Creation, it is here that our understanding of the gospel message is increased. Indeed, for clarity, there is neither male nor female in the body of Christ Church.

For further clarification, you might want to read I Corinthians 11:1-16. Here, you will begin to read how no man has seen God at any time. It is the only begotten who is in the bosom of the Father who hath declared Him. The only begotten. Jesus spoken of Him as the Only begotten. In comparison, we are spoken of in the scriptures as begat.

The difference is that Jesus is God’s holy child being conceived of the Holy Ghost, spoken of in the scriptures as one who is without father or mother. He has no beginning of days, nor end of life. Why? Because His beginning is after the order (the lead) of Melchisedec.

We cannot be talking of the flesh in which the Spirit of the Christ was embodied. for the flesh covering began in the womb of Mary when she served as a surrogate Mother. The fetus being seeded of the Holy Spirit. What do the scriptures state? That which is conceived in you Mary is of the Holy Ghost ... and finished at Calvary. He was sown a natural body and yet raised a spiritual body. Jesus is introduced as being God with us -- as a Son. The Word was made or veiled and the flesh lived among us.

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

The Word that was God was clothed in the flesh of fallen humanity. Having been clothed upon with flesh in Mary’s womb, the pure humanity is attributed to the Holy Ghost which was in the man Jesus the Christ. To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) 

You see, in the New Testament, we learn the Word was veiled in flesh. The Word -- God Himself. The SAME Word (or counsel of God ) that had brought forth Adam. God Had promised that He would become our Saviour, and in keeping with His promised Word, He conceived Himself into Mary’s womb. Even though He had created all things, God still humbled Himself for you and I. God took upon Himself the form of a servant in a son form. He was referred to as the second Adam. He was the Lord Himself!

God who at different times and in various manners spoke to us through the mouths of prophets has now spoken to us as/in His Son. God’s Spirit created all things and by Himself (as a Son) and for Himself, all things were made. Apart from Himself, there is nothing made that was made. God said, "My glory, I will not give to another." It is also said, "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

Jesus the Christ is the same God, yesterday, today and forever. This is why Thomas declared to Jesus,“my Lord and my God!" So should we hear ye Him, and worship Him, knowing too that the risen Jesus is both our Lord God and Saviour. (Acts 2:36) One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5-6)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Is The Light Of The World; The Living Water; The Bread Of Life - Part 2245

As we read from scripture in the last post, we understand that the cornerstone Apostle is JESUS. It is He that is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. God manifest in the form of a Son was the Apostle of the Spirit of God to mankind. Jesus' words alone being the sole authority. It was He who came from Heaven to earth to show us the way.

As the scripture saith, "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." (Hebrews 3:1-3)

Although spiritual darkness covered the face of the earth for a period of 400 years plus between the old and the new testaments, and a blanket of darkness covered the people, we can attest that when Jesus walked in, the darkness is dispelled. This is why Jesus is the Light of this world -- the Light which is brighter than the noon day sun. Therefore, when mankind saw Him, there was no outward beauty demanding that we should even bother to take a second look at His fleshly features. It is only when He spoke that we stopped to listen. It was not the sound of His voice that brought Light. No, it was the Words that He spoke -- the words of life that every soul yearns to hear.

To those with ears to hear, His Word did not go in the one ear and out the other. Rather, His Word was like lightning illuminating the darkness of religious stagnation. The Words that Jesus spoke were like thunder echoing through the empty barren wilderness of the inner man. He did not speak as the scribes and the Pharisees of that period did. Instead, His Words were like a heavy dew upon a parched ground demanding a rearranging of the furniture in our Heads. A refreshing breeze. The dawning of a better day. A morning star. 

Thy Word is truth! (John 17:17)

Thus, the day of visitation was when God Himself as a son, as an apostle brought God’s reconciliatory message. To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) This is why JESUS is the chief apostle. God’s only apostle. Jesus speaking the Word of God ushered in a deliverance message of glad tidings and great joy. Words whereby a man or woman and their household could be reborn. Words whereby in all things Jesus would have the preeminence.

The promise has come, and as a consequence, we can see more clearly now. Like the blind men whom Jesus healed, the scales have fallen from our eyes, and our hearts and minds renewed to the spiritual things of God our Saviour. He made a bridge for us to be saved, tearing the vail from top to bottom; from heaven to earth. In other words, He extended His hand outward so that we who believe in Jesus as both Lord and Christ by faith, can take hold of His goodness and grace and mercy.

After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)

We are instructed to hear ye Him -- the Word that was with God ... the same Word that was God. (John 1:1-2, 10-11; 14-18) Now being veiled in flesh appearing as Jesus the "only begotten" son. (John 3:16) 

Jesus who is God Himself with us and who, as a son brought salvation to the world. A son in whom all the fullness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell. (Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) God delivering to us His own Word, whereby Jesus becomes (and is) the Apostle of our faith.

For without Jesus' Word, nothing would have changed. Salvation would not have been available, nor would there be nothing new to believe. Yes, Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. Jesus said that upon this rock… the Rock being His Word ... that He would build His church. And as a result of people attentively hearing and accepting His enlightening Word, we can now express faith in God. Yes God’s Words which were delivered to us by God Himself in the condescended form as a son.

Who is the child conceived of God’s holy Spirit? Who is the child ordained by heaven Jesus? Who is God Himself as an apostle, the chief Shepherd and Bishop of our soul? The scriptures state that many shall come in His name, saying that here is the Christ or there is the Christ. But do not believe them for as the lightening shines even from the east to the west, saith the scriptures, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man.

When one puts their faith in the Apostolic Word of Jesus, instantaneously we are born from above. Born again not by the will of the flesh nor by the will of man as we might think. No, we were born again by receiving the Seed - Word of God spoken through the mouth of the Apostle Jesus. The same apostle Jesus who is the one true God our Saviour. 

He is our hope!

Stand in the offering plate.

Christ Jesus, The Apostle And High Priest Of Our Profession - Part 2244

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

"... by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name:" (Romans 1:5) 

"Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised." (I Corinthians 4:8-10)

"... and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone] ..." (Ephesians 3:5)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Christ, The Same Yesterday, And Today, And Forevermore -- Part 2243

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

If the church fathers - religious leaders - misinterpret the scriptures, then it's easy to understand why the church fathers flunked new math too. Guess it's back to the drawing board for them. For example, similar misinterpretations of the scriptures occur when we discuss the topic of circumcision. From the scriptures, we learn that circumcision in the Old Testament was carried out 8 days after birth. Today, however, the church fathers have adopted infant sprinkling in the place of circumcision ... but it is equally important to note that they do so without any scriptural justification.

It is almost as if the man-made, institutionalized modern day religious culture is endeavouring to link circumcision and infant sprinkling as one and the same. That perhaps in their mind there is a similarity between the two. It is even more deceiving when they lead people to believe that there is some sort of crossover in the New Testament for their motives.

Have these religious scholars not read that the Lord through Isaiah prophesied/foretold us in advance that a time would come when He would do a new thing! As the Lord saith, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19) 

Indeed, the new is a NEW testament, meaning that the old covenant is out. Hebrews 9:8 is more specific on this point -- "the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." Thus, the New testament is not an addendum to the old covenant. 

Sadly, even though the church fathers should know this, these instead continue to distort the Scriptures. Continuing to revert believers back to a place whereby salvation consists of good works, and not one of knowledge wherein we would learn and understand that we are sanctified by truth -- Thy Word is Truth. (John 17:17)

Still, the Word that is Jesus is true. Did Jesus not say, "I AM -- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6)

Let Him reveal Himself to you this day, for when we believe in the risen Lord Jesus by faith, and are water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, He teaches us that the scriptures are not in error. And similarly, that the scriptures cannot be broken. In fact, as Christian believers, the one point that we can remain steadfast on until eternity is that the scriptures are the foundation of our beliefs.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 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." (Hebrews 13:8-9)

Our assurance and our confidence are not misplaced when we rely on Biblical truths, and continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. (Acts 2:36-47) This is why God in His infinite wisdom ensured that we had a scriptural foundation in which to form our Christian beliefs. Please take the time to refresh yourselves with the new testament. Study the scriptures so that the Lord God who created us in the beginning can reveal Himself and His plan of salvation.

That after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

Stand in the offering plate.

And We Beheld His Glory, The Glory As Of The Only Begotten Of The Father, Full Of Grace And Truth - Part 2242

" ... looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!" (Titus 2:13)

Jesus said, "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divides [His] sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left." (Matthew 25:31-33)

Who will sit on the throne of His glory? Jesus - King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. And in that day, He will give unto us a new name.

However, if we succumb to the triad gods folks -- a modern day religious culture that promotes (sadly, without shame) a deception that God is three and not ONE as the first commandment states in both Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29-31, then the "His" that sits upon the throne of "His glory" according to scripture-- must be (at least in their minds) multiple -- or, "their." 

The first commandment, for those who may not know? "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) 

"In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) 

"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19) 

It is in this context that a false trinity teaching that portrays God as three persons, a multi-headed god, must be contrary to scripture, or as apostle Paul describes, bringing to the forefront "another gospel" which was not preached. For there is only One Lord and according to psalmist David -- He is God. (Psalm 91:2) And this One and Same God is Spirit. 

Further, as David points out, "Among the gods [there is] none like unto Thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto Thy works." (Psalm 86:8)

Thus, suggesting that the God of Israel is three persons, as the false trinity/triune religious teaching upholds would be akin to building a false foundation of sand that Jesus spoke about wherein the rains came and the house fell flat. (Matthew 7:25-28) Why? Because there is only One God -- the Same Spirit of the Lord God that moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:1-2 -- is the Same Lord God who was in the world and the world made by Him but the world knew Him not. (John 1:10)

The same "risen" Lord who Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) identified as both the Lord of glory, and the Christ. (Acts 2:36) 

His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

As the scripture saith, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

"After the love and kindness of God our Saviour toward man appeared." (Titus 3:4-7) 

You see, the same Lord God who they worshipped in the Old Testament willingly shed His own precious blood on the cross for you and I ... so that we could receive His free gift of salvation. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

"I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me." (Isaiah 45:5)

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, "Seek ye Me in vain." I the Lord speak righteousness; I declare things that are right." (Isaiah 45:18-19)

So much to understand, which is why you are encouraged to study the scriptures for His truth, and yes, know that "he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" ... for Jesus said, "to him that overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)

Stand in the offering plate.

The Truth Is In Jesus, The Mystery Held In The Bosom Of The Father From The Beginning - Part 2241

Jesus said, "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands [it]; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)

" ... if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus!" (Ephesians 4:21)

Who is the Word? John writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God ... and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-2; John 1:14)

John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, "This was He of whom I spake, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared [Him]." (John 1:14-18)

Jesus -- the visible image of the unseen God. (Hebrews 1:1-3) Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The same God who after His kindness and love became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) 

The Same God which commanded, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) 

The Same God who psalmist David repeatedly declared is the Lord. "For who is God save the Lord? or who is a Rock save our God?" (Psalm 18:31)

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)

"The Lord [is] my Rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:2)

On the New Testament side, the one and same good news gospel of the now "risen" Jesus Christ -- who is both Lord and Christ -- is preached. (Acts 2:36-41)

For example, Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost said, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 

For David speaks concerning Him, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." (Acts 2:22-28)

Note that Peter further clarifies that this is not about David (for he is dead and buried), but rather, the prophecy that was yet to be fulfilled, and now has, wherein David knew "that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne." (Acts 2:30)

Not just a prophecy to the psalmist but to Moses also -- "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you." (Acts 3:22)

And in another place, "This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; "Him shall ye hear. (Acts 7:37)

Hear ye Him, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) 

"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."(Ephesians 4:5-6)

And it is for this reason, that the true believing body of Christ church (wherein Jesus is the Head!) is "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13)
 

Stand in the offering plate. 

Take My Yoke Upon You, And Learn Of Me, Says Jesus, And I Will Give You Rest For Your Souls - Part 2240

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)

What is interesting herein is that whenever the great voice from heaven spoke (throughout the scriptures), it was so that we who believe would "hear ye Him." Not "them" as the promoters of a triad, triune multi-headed god(s) would suggest, but the first commandment instruction (in both the old and the new) -- "hear ye O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)

As the scripture saith, " ... He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people and God Himself shall be with them and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)

Not another God but the One and Same God who willingly clothed Himself in flesh (yet without sin) so that we might have abundant life in Him. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Jesus -- the Great I Am - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) When we have seen Him, as Jesus said, we have seen the Father and know Him.

Indeed, Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own but His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

Don't be deceived by those who willingly preach a false gospel -- the shepherds in wolves clothing -- who are continually joining in unity against the true saints of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't be deceived by false man-made creeds that are contrary to the Word that the Lord God Himself hath spoken.

Rather, search the scriptures for truth, and hear ye Him -- for He [not them] will save His people from their sins.

Know too that the true believers in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ are taking heed therefore unto ourselves, "and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

Stand in the offering plate.

Those Who Gladly Received His Word Were Baptized In The Precious Holy Name Of The Lord Jesus Christ - Part 2239

Thus saith the Lord, which makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:16, 18-19)

Herein, the Lord is speaking through Isaiah, speaking of the new thing that He is about to do, and asking "shall ye know it?" This is a good question, given the modern day religious culture and political systems whose determination and agenda is to put those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith back into captivity, enslaving us with Old Testament law, and others. 

Moreover, these same systems desire that we who believe forget the apostle's doctrine which the scripture tells us to continue steadfastly in, replacing the scriptural foundation and doctrines with a man-made apostles creed. Indeed, in some churches today, the man-made version is parroted out loud by entire congregations -- even though the contents of the man-made creed are contrary to scripture. 

Put another way -- if we were taking a university course and the assigned textbook for the course was a certain text, but we decided to create and replace the original with our own man-made version version, would we even pass the exam? In essence, this is what we are currently doing when we repeat a creed over the Word.

Perhaps, this is why apostle Paul twice said let them be accursed who willingly bring another gospel, which is not the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ -- because these deceive those who should know the truth. 

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9)

So what is the apostles' doctrine to which we are to continue steadfast?

Acts 2 -- the beginning of the New Testament church, wherein we learn that the dayspring from on high who hath visited His people is the risen Christ, who now, through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3; Acts 2:36-41; Luke 1:78) 

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

Who? First, the twelve, and then the seventy, and then the one hundred and twenty, and then three thousand. In one accord, because the Word that was established and confirmed with mighty signs and wonders included repentance, and water baptism (by immersion) in the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38-41) 

Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-41)

This was the New Testament gospel message that the Lord personally delivered to His people. Thus, don't get sidetracked by the worldly wisdom that is contrary to the Word of God. Instead, as the early church believed, and were persecuted for, remain " ... ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58) 

Remembering always, that in this current dispensation of grace, the Lord Himself came to do a new thing! Stand in the offering plate.

In Wisdom, Thou Hast Made Them All; The Earth Full Of Thy Riches -- Part 2238

"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)

My favourite example of faith exemplified can be found in Hebrews 11, wherein many of the faithful throughout the Old Testament -- those who awaited the promise of the Lord God as their Saviour -- are cited. If you haven't read Hebrews 11, please do so and be strengthened mightily and edified knowing that in this current dispensation of grace, we have the promise. His Name is JESUS, and He loves us beyond measure. He is forever faithful in all things. "Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23) 

In Hebrews 11, we see that all the treasures in Egypt were not enough to sway Moses from remaining steadfast in Christ's greater riches. This stance by Moses, even when it meant choosing to suffer unbearable affliction with the people of God. Of course, there are many other scriptural examples too, but the point that is being shared today is that when we know in whom we serve, there is nothing that can come against us that can prosper.

From this example, we see that "by faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:23-27) 

You see, when we believe in the Lord God Almighty -- His Name JESUS in this current dispensation of grace, we too can endure (and even more so) because not only do we "see Him who is invisible" but we can have the privilege of knowing Him too. Like the apostles on the day of Pentecost, we can commune with Jesus as both our Lord and Christ -- every moment of every day. (Acts 2:36-41) Praying without ceasing and rejoicing evermore.

Our cups running over with His abundance of joy and peace and mercy and love -- the latter being love without measure. The Great Shepherd laying down His life for His sheep whilst we were still His enemies. But I digress.

The rest of the story? As we see, it was never easy for the Old Testament giants of faith to stand firm in their faith but like Moses, they endured the hardships, the beatings and testings, the persecution while waiting for the promised Lamb.

Therefore, "through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:28-40)

"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded." (I Peter 2:6)

The once invisible has become visible, having felt the same infirmities that we do, and yet without sin. This is our heritage for those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and as He said, "Follow Me!" The unsearchable riches of Christ!

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches." (Psalm 104:24)

Stand in the offering plate.

Salvation? Which Is Christ In You, The Hope Of Glory, Clothed In His Righteousness -- Part 2237

Continuing on the topic of riches, apostle Paul writes: " ... whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all [men] see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 3:7-9)

Thus, when we study the unsearchable riches of Christ, we begin to see a pattern, that goes far beyond the manifold more in this life and the next. (Luke 18:30) In fact, there is a scripture that says if all the books about Jesus' miracles and signs and wonders and teachings were to be written, the earth could not contain them all. 

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21:25)

Because the greatest love story to mankind could never be contained. Still, in order to understand the Father's love for us, a change has to take place in our hearts. We need to recognize that we can't be saved by our own good works, but rather that Jesus paid the ultimate price once and for all -- on that cross, so that we might find abundant life in Him. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ... (Titus 3:4-7; Titus 2:13; I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11)

"That in the ages to come, He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7)

" ... to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ..." (Colossians 1:27) 

" ... that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ." (Colossians 2:2)  

As Paul writes, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" (Ephesians 3:8)

Meditate on these scriptures for this day. Be strengthened knowing our Lord God and Saviour has a unique purpose for you, who was made in His image. And if you don't know Jesus as both Lord and Christ, ask Jesus to come into your heart. Be water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Find a New Testament (preferably KJV or earlier translation) and start studying the scriptures for His truth. Ask the Lord to lead and guide you in all things, and to establish your steps.

Stand in the offering plate. 

Pursuing The Unsearchable Riches Of Christ, And To Make All See What Is The Fellowship Of The Mystery - Part 2236

"... and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory," (Romans 9:23)

"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor?" (Romans 11:32-34)

But there is more to heavenly riches than the monetary value of things the world idolizes. That is, the unsearchable riches of Christ, which we understand from the scriptures were foreordained before the beginning of the world. Indeed, when God created the world and everything in it in the beginning, He also knew that he would have to -- after His kindness and love -- eventually become our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)

Why? Because in reconciling ourselves back to the place of perfection (similar to the Garden of Eden), wherein we could be clothed in His righteousness, we needed to have an intercessor who would willingly shed His precious blood for you and I. In other words, there had to be a purchase. A testator who in leaving His last will and testament, could provide His beloved creation with an inheritance. For this cause, JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Hebrews 9:14-18; Matthew 1:21-23) 

Thus, the salvation message, wherein we can be saved, includes repentance (asking Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in our hearts), being water baptized by immersion in the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (as an answer of a good conscience toward God), so that we can receive His Spirit dwelling within -- the Holy Ghost -- the Comforter, wherein He leads and guides us into all truth. (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21; John 14:26; John 15:26; II John 1:9)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." (Hebrews 11:1-3)

More to come in the next blog. In the interim, stand in the offering plate. 

Partakers Of His Promise In Christ By The Gospel - Part 2235

"For by One Spirit are we all baptized into One body, whether we [be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit." (I Corinthians 12:13) 

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulls, or adds thereto." (Galatians 3:13-15)

"... that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Ephesians 3:6)

Regardless of how many well intended resolutions we might make at New Years, we recognize (often later rather than sooner) that we are, once again just jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. In some countries, it is reported of individuals taking their personal search for renewal to the extreme. Indeed, it has been reported that there are those who will lay themselves down inside manufactured wooden coffins, in their quest to be reborn. The idea is that in arising out of the coffin, they do so as new individuals. Surely this is a joke but it does show how far some men will venture in their endeavour to escape the entanglement of sin. Would it not be easier to just ask Jesus into your life, so that the God who made us and loved us so much could renew our hearts from the inside out? I will leave this thought with you to ponder.

Today, the discussion focuses on the Jews and the Gentiles and the distinction that is made between the two. In fact, man tends to elevate the Jew as being the people of God. This perspective, even though there is no difference between a Jew and a Gentile. As the scriptures clearly state, they were a people that God formerly foreknew.

In the New Testament, we note that God poured out His Spirit upon believing Gentiles too. This is the same gift of His holy Spirit that was available to all who called upon His Name. In so doing, God thereby signified that He placed no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles.

If we follow the scriptures, we read that the Jews were cut off from God because of their unbelief. God did not cast them out. He simply laid them aside because of their unbelief. The same message was delivered to the Gentiles. That is, the warning that if the Gentiles fall into unbelief, as did the Jews, then they also would be cut off.

But again, the gospel message that God brought forward is a good news message of hope and salvation that extends to one and all. There is no difference between races. There is no difference between men and women. For if the Jew were to call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus, who is the Seed of the ONE GOD, then they also would be grafted into the household of God.

It is this message that we need to grasp. The same God who loved us so much when He created us, still loves us that much (and more!) today. It is just that in the midst of the timeline that extends from the beginning of time until now, this same God took it upon Himself to become flesh and shed His holy precious blood for us on Calvary so that we could be saved. So that we might experience a relationship with our Creator, and understand His purposes in our heart. And so too, that He can fill our cups with His joy and peace and love to the point wherein our cup runneth over.

It is this risen Saviour that we need to ask into our lives. Why? Because Jesus loves you beyond measure! The Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep, whilst we were still His enemies. Love displayed for one and all to behold.

Stand in the offering plate!

Therefore, My People Shall Know My Name - Part 2234

"... not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them," saith the Lord, "but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them," saith the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:32-34)

Thankfully, we are living in the covenant that the Lord said He would make with His beloved people after those days. Not according to the former covenant that He made with their fathers but a new covenant. As the Lord through Isaiah said, the Lord will do a new thing. Indeed, this covenant is not an addendum to the former as in the old or former written in stone. Rather, the new covenant is to be written on the fleshly tables of individual's hearts. God promised the inheritors of this new covenant that He would be to them their God and they shall be to Him their people.

This is the promise that the Lord has given to us -- that we should all know Him, for He will forgive our iniquity, while remembering our sin no more. In this new dispensation of grace -- "Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

Yes, a people which were not a people but now are the people of God, a purchased people bought at an invaluable price. Of God’s own blood flowing in the veins of God’s only begotten son JESUS. Please note that when it comes to Son, the Scriptures state "begotten" -- not begat. This may appear a moot point, but in reality, has to be stated because of the number of revised Bibles that have deleted all references to begotten. And the authors of these are supposed to be scholars. How sad!

Nevertheless, for believers with eyes to see and ears to hear, there is a recognition from the scriptures that the first covenant issued and delivered at the mount to Moses was a covenant gendering to bondage. But there has been a changing of the guard, if you will, and it began when the Holy Ghost declared that the new could not occur until the old was no longer standing. Specifically, "the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Hebrews 9:8)

Because of the Lord God's plan of salvation (that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning), we can be assured of the New Covenant which brings life.

"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11)

As background, note that these covenants were in existence from the garden of Eden, typified as two trees of which Adam was forewarned not to partake of. In fact, he was told that if he were to eat of the tree of knowledge, of good and evil, he would surely die. Conversely, the other tree was the tree of Life.

The first covenant was detailed and outlined at the mountain. It was a covenant between God and man. One might consider it to be a covenant of do’s and do nots, a covenant of blessings and curse, wherein individuals were to choose this day life or death. Thus, upon delivery of the first covenant, three thousand persons perished. (Exodus 32:28) If we contrast this with the New Testament, the New covenant saw three thousand persons saved. (Acts 2:36-47) The contrast then is life and death. The first Covenant was written on stone. It was a covenant of law and death. But the new covenant is to be written upon the fleshly tables of our heart.

In other words, the New Covenant was a covenant not dependent upon we, the fallen race. If we had been allowed to partake of the tree of life, we should have for all eternity been compassed about with calamity. That is why Adam and Eve were removed from the garden, thereby preventing us from bringing the roof down on our heads. The New Covenant was a covenant brought into effect by the Lord Himself. The Lord covenanting with Himself. A covenant between the One God who is Spirit and God Himself as a Son  -- not another person or a third of God. 

This is the reason that JESUS is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. (Hebrews 12:2) He alone is able to award the free gift of eternal life. This free gift brought into reality not as a result of our work, for it is written in the scriptures - "Salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Recall that Abraham had two sons. The first one by a bond woman and the second by a free woman. The child born to the bond woman was man as usual, endeavouring to do things his way. The other son born to the free woman was a child of promise to Abraham coming forth into life against all impossible odds. Isaac, the child of promise. We, like Isaac are God’s children of promise. The Lord saith that this people have I formed for My name’s sake. We have been made alive, resulting from God’s Love that will never let us go. We are engraved in the palms of His hands. We are His offspring. 

"Therefore, My people shall know My name: therefore [they shall know] in that day that I AM He that doth speak: behold, [it is] I." (Isaiah 52:6)

The First Adam was of the earth. However, the second Adam, the Lord Himself coming out of Heaven enabling salvation to be obtainable by He, as a Son, sacrificing Himself. He put Himself in our place. This is the New Covenant. The testament written in blood. This is why the scriptures state that he who has the Son has life. We are the Seed of Christ. Beloved now are we the sons of God, fellowshipping and communing with our Great God and only Saviour the Lord Jesus. (Jude 1:25; Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23; Titus 3:4-7)

His blood avails for us. He is also faithful that promised.  Peace be in Jesus name. Stand in the offering plate.

All They That Had Separated Themselves From The People Of The Lands Unto The Law Of God, And Having Understanding - Part 2233

Interestingly, this day, I was drawn to the prophet Nehemiah's writings this day. Like apostle Paul, Nehemiah had a compassion for his people, and was willing to pray and fast and weep before the Lord God for their freedom from captivity. For those who don't know, Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer, so it meant he had the king's ear, and his concerns heard. The stage is set in the first chapter, wherein we learn that Nehemiah asked Hanani (one of his brethren) and certain men of Judah about the remnant Jews that had escaped captivity. Nehemiah also asked about the wall of Jerusalem that was broken down.

And they said unto me, "The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire." (Nehemiah 1:3)

Imagine how Nehemiah's heart must have been stirred, knowing that the situation concerning the remnant was not good. That those who left captivity remained in great affliction and reproach.

Obviously, all this mattered to Nehemiah, even though he himself physically lived in the palace of the king of Persia and enjoyed all the inherent benefits. Still, it is critical to note that although Nehemiah lived far from this remnant people, he believed so much in the things of God, that he poured out his heart, weeping and mourning certain days, and fasting before the God of heaven over them. In other words, his focus was not on his own self-interests but on a people in great affliction and reproach.

Another point worth noting is that Nehemiah did not pray to other gods for a resolution but to the One and Only God of heaven. Why? Because Nehemiah knew that only the God of heaven could change the circumstances of the remnant Jews living in an unwalled community. So what does Nehemiah do?

As the scripture saith, when he heard the words of his brethren, he sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, saying, "I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keeps covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments: let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes open, that Thou mayest hear the prayer of Thy servant, which I pray before Thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned." (Nehemiah 1:4-6)

Nehemiah continues beseeching the Lord God, saying, "We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which Thou commanded Thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the Word that Thou commanded Thy servant Moses, saying, "If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: but if ye turn unto Me, and keep My commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set My Name there.

Now these are Thy servants and Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy great power, and by Thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech Thee, let now Thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants, who desire to fear Thy Name: and prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer." (Nehemiah 1:1-11)

Again, Nehemiah understood that when we turn to the Lord God of heaven AND fear His Name, the Lord God will have mercy, and gather us from thence, and bring us unto the place that He has chosen to set "My Name" there. As well, Nehemiah understood that the task of rebuilding could not be done by man alone. The rebuilding had to be a God orchestrated agenda. To this end, Nehemiah prayed, and fasted and beseeched the Lord God for His direction and guidance. Indeed, Nehemiah put himself in the place of the remnant -- standing in the gap if you will with the remnant -- and we see this when he says "we have sinned against Thee."

Another observation? Nehemiah cited scripture in his prayer -- the promises of God to the Israelites found in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 30. I would also add the prophet Hosea's words in Hosea 4:6 -- "My people perish for lack of knowledge" -- and similarly, Psalm 81:10, wherein God opens the storehouses for those who rely totally on Him.

Therefore, there had to be a turning point, that required someone with a heart of compassion to pray in earnest for the remnant people of God. In this situation, Nehemiah not only had the heart but prayed continually for a period of four months. For clarity, let me interject Psalm 81 (in its entirety) so that those who are new believers reading this can understand how often the Lord God of heaven protected the Israelites, even when these worshipped another God.

The psalmist David writes, "Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. This He ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots; thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me; there shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that My people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in My ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto Him:but their time should have endured for ever." (Psalm 81:1-15)

In the case of Nehemiah, the Lord God accompanied him. The Lord God also saw that the King was pleased to give Nehemiah letters so that he could obtain timber to rebuild the walls, and safety as he travelled.

And I said unto the king, "If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it." And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) "For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return?" So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

Moreover I said unto the king, "If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into.

"And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me. Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me." (Nehemiah 2:5-9)

At this point, Nehemiah had told no man what God had placed in his heart concerning Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:12) It was only after Nehemiah had surveyed the broken walls and destitution that Nehemiah told the others of God's plan.

Then said Nehemiah unto them, "Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach." Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, "What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?" Then answered Nehemiah them, and said unto them, "The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." (Nehemiah 2: 17-20)

In the days to come, there was much opposition, and a determination that the walls would not be built. Still, the walls and gates to Jerusalem were built in 52 days. This timeframe, in and of itself is miraculous. And during this time, there was great gladness -- "for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Of course, much more happened along the way, including a genealogy made of those who had come up and out of captivity.

We return to the text again in the ninth chapter of Nehemiah:

"Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, "Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be Thy glorious Name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even Thou, art LORD alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preserves them all; and the host of heaven worships Thee.

Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham; and found his heart faithful before Thee, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed Thy words; for Thou art righteous: and didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red sea; and shewed signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for Thou knew that they dealt proudly against them.

So didst Thou get Thee a name, as it is this day. And Thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors Thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters. Moreover, Thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. Thou came down also upon mount Sinai, and spake with them from heaven, and gave them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and made known unto them Thy holy sabbath, and commanded them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant: and gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promised them that they should go in to possess the land which Thou hadst sworn to give them.

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to Thy commandments, and refused to obey, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that Thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not.

Thou gavest also Thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not Thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst. Yea, forty years didst Thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. Moreover, Thou gave them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.

Their children also multipliedst Thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which Thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it. So the children went in and possessed the land, and Thou subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.

And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and olive yards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in Thy great goodness.

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy law behind their backs, and slew Thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. Therefore, Thou delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heard them from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gave them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, "This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations; yet Thou in thy manifold mercies forsook them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

But after they had rest, they did evil again before Thee: therefore left Thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, Thou heard them from heaven; and many times didst Thou deliver them according to Thy mercies; and testified against them, that Thou might bring them again unto Thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto Thy commandments, but sinned against Thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Yet many years didst Thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by Thy Spirit in Thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest Thou them into the hand of the people of the lands. Nevertheless for Thy great mercies' sake Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art a gracious and merciful God.

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before Thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all Thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. Howbeit, Thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for Thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly.

Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept Thy law, nor hearkened unto Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, wherewith Thou didst testify against them. For they have not served Thee in their kingdom, and in Thy great goodness that Thou gave them, and in the large and fat land which Thou gave before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.

Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that Thou gave unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: and it yields much increase unto the kings whom Thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it." (Nehemiah 9:1-38)

Sadly, there is always a but -- those who refuse to hearken to the Lord thy God -- in spite of His great goodness that He continues to give us. Neither will these turn from their wicked works so that the Lord God could bless them.

Nevertheless, Nehemiah is a prime example of someone who loved his people, and was willing to stand in the gap for them in prayer and fasting to the Lord. But as we observe, Nehemiah also put legs to his prayers, putting into action the Lord's desire. Yes, there was a time commitment involved. And yes, he had to take time away from his day to day duties in the palace.

For those that had separated themselves, Nehemiah also ensured these not only had knowledge of the Lord, but His understanding too. So much here to absorb, and take-aways too many to cite. Still, I hope that this Old Testament prophet provided some instruction, having revealed his willing heart to flow through to others the goodness and mercy of the Lord.

For me? I intend to mediate on these scriptures, asking the Lord our God to establish my steps (like Nehemiah) when it comes to standing in the gap for our own country/brethren. For most certainly, in this ever darkening world, the Light that shines in our heart -- the Great I AM -- the Way, the Truth and the Life is needed now more than ever.

In this current New Testament dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. And His ear still listens to the heart cries of those believers who focus on Him. Be blessed this day. Stand in the offering plate.

The Spirit And The Word Agree; One Accord Always Because God Is Not The Author Of Confusion- Part 2232

" ... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:14-18)

Jesus told the disciples that this cup is the new testament. He said, “a new testament." Note that Isaiah had afore prophesied that the Lord would do a new thing. Thus, by referring to this current dispensation as the new testament, He had rendered the former covenant old and obsolete. More on this subject can be found in Hebrews 9, wherein the Holy Ghost this signified, but not while the first was standing. Further, if we review the scriptures in context, we find that the old covenant was between two parties. The new covenant is the last Will and Testament of the holy Spirit’s only begotten son named Jesus.

Obviously, Jesus did not consult with man before He wrote His last will and testament  As a consequence, there are many people who will try to obscure His Will. Contesting His will too -- is another way of looking at it. 

But the point that they need to take note of is that this WILL is more than a covenant. Why? For covenants come and covenants go. God walked away from the former covenant simply because the other party involved never fulfilled their part of the covenant. (known in our Bibles as the Old Testament)

But this new TESTAMENT is established between God who is Spirit and the man Jesus the child of the Holy Ghost. The contents contained in the new testament are not dependant on Adam or attempts by the fallen race to ratify its contents. However, Adam's fallen sinful offspring became benefactors of all the contained promises and blessings, simply because in the veins of the man Jesus flowed the blood of His own holy Spirit.

"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)

It is HIS blood that seals the everlasting testament. In order to receive the contents willed to you by the ONE GOD who was in the man Christ Jesus, you must come to the advocate of the will. This is the way that the Holy Ghost spoke through the mouth of Peter -- Jesus, after being taken up, gave commandments to the apostles THROUGH the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:2-3)

Remember when the people wanted to know what to do, and they asked this very question, saying to Peter (standing with the eleven), "What must we do?" (Acts 2:36-41) They had come to the realization that they had, by their collective actions crucified the Lord of glory. The response? 

Peter said to them, Repent (why not?) and be baptized (why not?) in water (symbolical of being buried and rising again) as outlined in Romans chapter 6:3-6 and Acts 2:38.

Into the name of the Lord Jesus, said Peter. And as many as are baptized into Jesus the Christ will be baptized into His death. This is why there is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)

No other name. Only Jesus! Ye shall call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Father, son, spirit are titles, signifying to some extent positions or roles. These are descriptive titles. But there is only ONE NAME -- and as the angel of the Lord said, "And ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." 

Hear ye Him, and follow the instructions as per the words of the administrator of the New Testament (the Holy Ghost). Continue steadfast in His Word. Press into the mark which is the "risen" Christ Jesus. Remain in the apostles doctrine and don't ever look back but rather, upward -- for the Lord Jesus has a purpose and calling on your life. Study your New Testament every chance you get -- at every opportunity -- asking for His guidance and direction.

Pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. Stand in the offering plate.

Because He Continues Ever, Having An Unchangeable Priesthood- Part 2231

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." (Genesis 14:18)

"The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent -- Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4)

To you Jesus -- a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. In other words, JESUS' priesthood is not after the order of the Levitical priesthood. Melchisedec who met Abraham was priest of the most high God. In this capacity, Melchisedec had neither earthly father nor mother. Neither did Melchisedec have any record of descent, He had neither beginning of days nor did He have an ending of life. In other words, Melchisedec continues as priest forever.
Note the comparison. JESUS had no earthly father or mother. Jesus has no record of descent. The embryo was the child of the Holy Ghost. The embryo seeded by the life giving blood of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, in JESUS blood did flow the eternal life of the holy Spirit of God. Further, God has an unchangeable priesthood. JESUS being the child of the Holy Ghost. JESUS, being the two promised seeds saw one seed implanted into Eve, and the other seed implanted into Abraham.

JESUS went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was in Him. For God purposed plan of salvation was to seek and to save all of those people who would otherwise be lost. As Jesus said, He did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.

JESUS is the Wisdom / Word of God. God as a Son was in the world and the world did not recognize Him. They did not recognize Him because there was no glitz or glamour in His appearance. Still, God who is Spirit veiled Himself in flesh.

We learn more when we study Hebrews 7:

"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.
Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receives them], of whom it is witnessed that he lives. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receives tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For He testifies, "Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (for those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, "The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)" ... by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this [man], because He continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law makes men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [makes] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (Hebrews 7:1-17)
The embryo (holy Spirit seeds) were clothed in flesh whilst in the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary. This woman Mary was blessed among women chosen of God to be surrogate. However, it must also be noted that Mary was not blessed above any other woman. For as the scriptures declare, "Those who hear the Word of God, and continue in God’s Word will be more blessed, than the womb that JESUS was clothed in."

JESUS then arising from the tomb on the first day of the week of Sabbaths was yet not ascended into heaven. The offering for sin sacrificed although not as yet presented. JESUS being the “once and for all sacrifice” in which sacrifice man's redemption from sin is secured.

JESUS who before death was clothed in generational Adamic flesh, upon rising from death was no longer veiled in such flesh. For it is written that the first man - Adam - had a natural body. The Second Adam was the Lord. Yes indeed, we killed the natural veil of flesh which veiled the Holy Spirit Life.

JESUS did not immediately rise from the dead. As we read in the scriptures, JESUS had to descend in Spirit into the spirit world to liberate more captives. JESUS completing that mission then quickened His body (was made alive). His natural body changed from a natural body into a living spiritual form (a quickening spirit) This spiritual body bore all the cruel markings He had received whilst He delivered Himself into the hands of sin prone men and women.

Touch me not Mary for I have not as yet ascended! JESUS as Priest of God then ascended into Heaven upon the first day of the week of sabbaths -- displaying the markings of His mauled crucified body, as payment in full. He paid the ultimate price once and for all.

Stand in the offering plate.