tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10947014993343778252024-02-21T06:30:32.102-05:00Exploring for TruthDigging Deeper Than Modern Traditionalism Tends To DoJeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-72340139675354026892016-04-29T18:37:00.001-04:002016-04-29T20:28:05.797-04:00Book Review: God Against the Gods: Storytelling, Imagination and Apologetics in the Bible - Brian Godawa<a href="http://amzn.to/1roy1fx" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;" target="_blank"><img alt="God Against the Gods - Brian Godawa" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1459529626m/29755815.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1roy1fx" target="_blank" title="God Against the Gods by Brian Godawa">God Against the Gods: Storytelling, Imagination and Apologetics in the Bible</a> by <a amzn.to="" href="http://amzn.to/1roy1fx" http:="" roy1fx="" target="_blank" title="Brian Godawa>Brian Godawa</a><br />
My rating: <a href=">4 of 5 stars</a>
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While Godawa is best known for his many fictional books and writings, I, being not much of a fiction reader usually, am only familiar with a couple of his non-fiction writings like this. Not too many months back I had read his <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1royka4" title="When Giants Were Upon the Earth The Watchers, the Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed by Brian Godawa">When Giants Were Upon the Earth: The Watchers, the Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed</a></i> and since I thoroughly enjoyed it, I approached this title with similar expectations. Well, those expectations were met. <br />
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Again, Godawa presents a look into the culture and writings of the ancient Hebrew and their surrounding neighbors, and in doing so, presents us with a deeper understanding of many texts of Scripture that, when taken too literally, become confusing.<br />
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The premise is, the ancients wrote in a literary style that we are not necessarily expecting from them, and until we recognize this fact, we are prone to misinterpret what the writers were trying to get across in Scripture. This has been a big problem in the modern church for decades upon decades, and Godawa joins the ranks of many, many other writers delving into these topics. <br />
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Ever since the discovery of the Ugaritic texts in 1929, and the Dead Sea Scrolls a few decades later, the understanding of Scripture has opened wider than at almost any other point in church history, yet the typical preacher/teacher and pew sitter have no clue about the depths of this topic being written and exposed. Sadly, without a better understanding of this ancient worldview, the modern church is doomed to continue misunderstanding the text and will continue propagating an alien view of the Scripture.<br />
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I will briefly mention a few chapters that stand out. Chapters one and two start right off looking at how story telling was done in the Old Testament. How they took the names of the other gods and twisted them in a belittling manner, as well as taking the stories of those gods and twisted them and took them over, applying them to Yahweh while demonizing the original gods. This is very helpful because many atheists want to say Judaism/Christianity just stole their theology from other nations. Once you grasp the true story telling aspect, you understand the Scriptures are a taking of those stories and inserting the truth with Yahweh at the center - so no, they are not just stolen stories. These two chapters alone should be put into a separate booklet that all Christians need to read, learn and understand - but wait there is more.<br />
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Chapters three and four look at Biblical creation and cosmology in the ancient mind. Enjoyable, but it was chapter five that stood out to me even more. Here Godawa discusses New Testament storytelling, dealing specifically with Acts 17:16-34 where Paul defends the gospel at the Areopagus in Athens. He breaks down the discussion verse by verse showing how Paul's style is doing pretty much what was already covered in the second chapter. He takes familiar story elements from the Greeks and twists them to make his point about Yahweh. This chapter was most enjoyable. <br />
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Sadly, all good things come to an end, and only a couple chapters later found myself at the end of this enlightening book. Every chapter is worth its salt here, those mentioned were just a few that struck me the most. I encourage all Christians to read this, but especially those unfamiliar with the ancient near Eastern worldview and its influence of the Hebrew Scriptures. There are tons of deeper scholarly works on this subject, but start here, Godawa is writing to the average person and is easy to grasp.
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1597336129">View all my reviews</a>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-81766907263999714352016-03-28T18:05:00.000-04:002016-04-06T09:02:42.612-04:00The Sky is NOT Falling: A Brief Survey of Apocalyptic Symbolism - Pt 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />I've spent the past three previous posts examining the issue of misunderstanding language in the New Testament that had an established symbolic meaning in the Old Testament, and the kinds of issues that causes in modern interpretations of biblical prophecy and the nature of "end time" events. In this final installment, I will examine a couple more examples, and then we'll close out this series.<br /><br /><b>AMOS</b><br /><br />Moving on, Amos gives us a prophecy against Israel, fulfilled in 722 BD when Sargon II of Assyria attacked them. <br /><blockquote>
<b>Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light…Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? (Amos 5:18, 20 ESV)</b></blockquote>
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Yahweh was angry at the people of Israel, stating:<br /><blockquote>
<b>I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. (Amos 5:21-22 ESV)</b></blockquote>
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As the Bible Background Commentary explains:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Amos’s attack is addressed at the empty, mechanically celebrated hagim, the technical term for the three major pilgrimage festivals (Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest and Feast of Ingathering). Religious festivals offered frequent opportunities for celebrations, communal meals and social gatherings. What had been designed as a means to praise and honor God, however, was not bringing any pleasure to him. (<a href="http://amzn.to/1RC7fZB">The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament</a>, p. 770)</b></blockquote>
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Hopefully this brings to mind some of the scathing rebukes Christ made against the Pharisees over their abuse of the law and worship of Yahweh. They very actions and lifestyles had made them a rejected covenant people, and judgment was coming on them too. And closing out this section from Amos, we see in chapter eight that we again find celestial language which is symbolic in nature as before.<br /><blockquote>
<b>"And on that day," declares the Lord GOD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. (Amos 8:9)</b></blockquote>
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Many commentators agree that this is best understood metaphorically as related to the sudden calamity that would come upon the people, just as we have seen previously. It can also again be directed at the pagan sun god, who at their seeming strength of day, is suddenly snuffed out. We see a similar occurrence of this in Jeremiah 15:<br /><blockquote>
<b>I have made their widows more in number than the sand of the seas; I have brought against the mothers of young men a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon them suddenly. She who bore seven has grown feeble; she has fainted away; her sun went down while it was yet day; she has been shamed and disgraced. And the rest of them I will give to the sword before their enemies, declares the LORD." (Jeremiah 15:8-9 ESV)</b></blockquote>
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Again, in both cases, the judgment brought upon them is described as their sun going down in the day time. But in neither case did the literal sun go down in midday nor stop shining - it is symbolic language as we see over and over.<br /><br /><b>NAHUM</b><br /> <br />In Nahum, Nineveh is to be brought under judgment, which took place when the Medes and Babylonians destroyed them in 612 BC. And wouldn’t you just know it, we find the same type of language being used here:<br /><blockquote>
<b>The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. (Nahum 1:3-5 ESV)</b></blockquote>
And then verse 8:<br /><blockquote>
<b>But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. (Nahum 1:8)</b></blockquote>
Whirlwind and storms, clouds under his feet, dry seas and rivers – all things we have seen before in the judgment setting. I would like to say a quick word about the mountains quaking. We have seen mountains mentioned at times and in various ways in these judgments, but here we are specifically seeing them quaking. In Micah 4 we are told:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:1-2 ESV)</b></blockquote>
So, Micah is Mount Zion as being elevated above every other mountain in the world, so what is the significance of that? <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the ancient Near East, a temple mountain represented the deity worshiped there and symbolized the deity’s presence with his people, the deity’s abiding victory over chaos, a gateway in to the deity’s heavenly presence, and the deity’s rule over the territory it dominated. Micah’s superlatives for Zion as “the highest mountain” and his comparison “above the hills” helps to validate that he aims to contrast Mount Zion – and so the Lord who is worshiped there – with pagan temple-mountains and their false deities. (Bruce Waltke, Micah – The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 678)</blockquote>
Turning to Psalm 18, we see similar language of mountains quaking as well as a possible connection of the mountains and the temple of the Lord idea. As David was in distress by the hand of Saul, he called unto the Lord:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. (Psalms 18:6-7 ESV)</b></blockquote>
Actually, many places in the book of Psalms we find mountains in relation to God, but that would be a whole other discussion, so I will stop at just this one comparison. So, to sum up this brief journey through the Old Testament prophets, we must come away remembering that:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
Unlike prose narrative, it should not be assumed that prophetic speeches and their writings are to be taken at face value. Prophecy is commonly expressed in poetry, which is terse and rich in figures of speech and evocative symbols. The writing prophets are identified as prophets by their patently inspired poetry, not just by their amazing predictions in conformity with Israel’s covenants. (Bruce Waltke, <a href="http://amzn.to/1VQuwdh">An Old Testament Theology</a>, Pg. 816)</blockquote>
The same thing can be said of the first century prophetic writings as well – they should not to be assumed as being understood simply at face value as many try to force them to.<br /><br /><b>NEW TESTAMENT</b><br /><br />So, as a brief recap, here are some of the things we have seen used commonly so far in our study of this language in the Old Testament:<br />
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<li>Cloud coverings representing calamities</li>
<li>Yahweh riding on the clouds in judgment</li>
<li>Darkness in the day – celestial oddities</li>
<li>Sun, moon and stars ceasing to give light</li>
<li>Stars falling from the heavens</li>
<li>Rivers/seas dried up</li>
<li>Woman and labor pains symbolism</li>
<li>Heaven/Earth/Mountains shaken</li>
<li>The heavens rolled up like a scroll</li>
<li>Lots of blood</li>
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So when it comes to approaching the New Testament books, in order to grasp what is going on, the reader has to consider the people and culture of the writers and their audience. The average Hebrew then was one who would have typically been brought up through childhood studying and memorizing these same Hebrew Scriptures we’ve been going through. <br /><br />From their earliest days, they were steeped in the language and understanding of the entire story of the people of God, so they understood the symbolic language being used. As readers then, we must remember that the Apostles were pretty much all brought up in a manner resembling this. So their speech and terminology would be layered with this type of symbolism too.<br /><br />Sure, we know the religious leaders of that day had messed things up quite a bit with their traditions, and so they did not always totally comprehend some of those deep prophecies that we now understand better in hindsight. <br /><br />While they may have been looking for a Messiah that was different than what was standing before them, we can be almost positive that that when it came to understanding the deep symbolism of the language we’ve been discussing, they were not ignorant enough to think it meant planet ending destruction like most do today.<br /><br />That being the fact, it is no surprise to think that when they heard the words of our Lord in places like Matthew 24, that they would not have been foolish enough to ever think it would be understood the way many prophecy experts have used it for the past few centuries.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29-30 ESV)</b></blockquote>
So we have here celestial oddities of becoming dark in the day, stars falling from heaven, heaven being shaken, and Christ coming riding on a cloud. This lines up nicely with what we have been reading so far. And looking over in the parallel passage in Luke 21, we see more of the same similar language of old about the roaring of the water, men shaking in fear, and the powers of heaven being shaken. </div>
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<br />Another verse that speaks of this same first-century soon-coming judgment is Revelation 6:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. (Revelation 6:12-14 ESV)</b></blockquote>
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Sun and moon darkened, stars falling, sky rolling up, mountains removed – all the language we have seen all along through the Old Testament judgments. We have seen over and over again how this language is dealing with national types of judgments, and not world-ending destruction.</div>
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<br />Therefore, unless the text itself gives clear testimony that this language is being used in a totally different fashion than usual, then we should assume the same prophetic and symbolic usage is being utilized. As good Hebrews, taught from childhood all about this understanding of the language and idioms of their culture, they would not have heard these verses and thought of an end of the world scenario.<br /><br />Nor would they have thought this was going to have to be a physical event where they would see stars falling, a man riding on literal clouds, or the sky rolling up like a scroll. Yet sadly, so many today believe that not only are these events to be woodenly literal, but they have totally disconnected this language from the common symbolic usage and have come up with tons of fantastical stories based on those interpretations. <br /><br />Add to that an ignorance of history and what happened just a few short years after the writing of the New Testament, and the about-to-come judgment against the nation at that time is ignored, and all of this language gets thrown into our future, and the first century application is totally unknown. But that is a topic for a future discussion.</div>
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<br />View the other parts of the topic<br /><br /> <a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_25.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_27.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_28.html">Part 4</a> <br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-86663928540321380502016-03-27T16:39:00.001-04:002016-03-28T18:42:53.702-04:00The Sky is NOT Falling: A Brief Survey of Apocalyptic Symbolism - Pt 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We pick up in this, part 3, with continuing to examine additional <span style="font-family: inherit;">Scriptures that <span style="font-family: inherit;">use <span style="font-family: inherit;">world-ending symbolic la<span style="font-family: inherit;">nguage that is actually speaking of </span></span></span></span></span></span> national/politica<span style="font-family: inherit;">l judgment<span style="font-family: inherit;"> by using cosmological terms to represent the powers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As discussed originally, this kind of symbolic language of the Old Testament seems to get all but lost on many modern readers when it comes to their understanding of the same usage by Jesus and the Apostles in the New Testament. We start this part looking at Jeremiah.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>JEREMIAH 4</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving
on to Jeremiah 4 we find a prophecy against Jerusalem at the time, a prophecy
that was fulfilled not too long afterwards when Nebuchadnezzar II took over in
586 BC. I will touch on just the highlighted versus from this section:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Behold, he comes up like
clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles--
woe to us, for we are ruined! (Jeremiah 4:13 ESV)</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here
again, as we just saw in Isaiah 19, we find more of the symbolism of God coming
on the clouds in judgment. As we continue we find mountains trembling (v. 24),
the heavens above becoming dark (v. 28), and the symbolism of a woman crying
out in labor pains (v. 31).Actually,
if you read verse 23-26 you find Jeremiah taking imagery from the Genesis 1:2
creation account and using it in poetic form to describe a reversal of
creation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
language is used to basically say that all that they thought was consistent in
life is now falling apart for them. This type of language is commonly used in
prophetic literature in connection with the Day of the Lord and coming
judgment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Taking
a very brief look at Zephaniah 1, we get another prophecy of the same coming
judgment of Jerusalem, and of course we find similar language from a different
prophet:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">The great day
of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD
is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin
and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick
darkness… (Zephaniah 1:14-16 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again,
we find darkness and clouds mentioned here. All of this language is wrapped
tightly in the symbolism surrounding the national judgment coming from God.
This is how the original Hebrews would have understood it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>EZEKIEL 30-32</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jumping
now into Ezekiel 30-32, we find the prophecy of judgment against Egypt. I have
read some who say this was accomplished when Cambyses
of Persia conquers Egypt in 525 B.C., while
I have heard others say based on Josephus, it was fulfilled in B.C. 587 when
Babylon destroyed them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
emphasis for us here does not require us to delve too deeply into the actual
date of occurrence, but simply to understand that this event did occur in the
past, and this language was not literally a reality. Here in Ezekiel, as
expected, we find the same language is used:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">For the day
is near, the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of
doom for the nations. (Ezekiel 30:3 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Here we find clouds again in
the story of judgment as has become common we now see. It is the day of the
Lord, a day he has set for national judgment. And later in the same chapter: </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">At
Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark, when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt,
and her proud might shall come to an end in her; she shall be covered by a
cloud, and her daughters shall go into captivity. (Ezekiel 30:18 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Now, I will state that not
every time we see clouds mentioned are we to assume it is a reference to Yahweh
riding them in judgment. Oftentimes it is used poetically to mean that a
calamity is falling on them, like in this verse here. For instance, the Targum,
which is the Aramaic version of the Hebrew Scriptures that was used in the
first century by many a Rabbi, puts this verse like this:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a king with
his army shall cover her as a cloud ascends and covers the earth:<span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, while this is not a
reference to God riding the cloud, it is a reference to clouds involved in the
judgment from God still, as we repeatedly see. And then moving into Ezekiel 32,
we see language that we find later in the New Testament, and that may be
related to verse that are often misunderstood.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And I will
cast you on the ground; on the open field I will fling you, and will cause all
the birds of the heavens to settle on you, and I will gorge the beasts of the
whole earth with you. (Ezekiel 32:4 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And the same language is used
later in the book when speaking of the fall of Gog:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">You shall fall on the
mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you.
I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field
to be devoured. (Ezekiel 39:4 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">As for you, son of man, thus
says the Lord GOD: Speak to the birds of every sort and to all beasts of the
field, 'Assemble and come, gather from all around to the sacrificial feast that
I am preparing for you, a great sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel,
and you shall eat flesh and drink blood. </span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">You shall eat the flesh of
the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth--of rams, of lambs,
and of he-goats, of bulls, all of them fat beasts of Bashan. (Ezekiel 39:17-18
ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Obviously there is no denying the connection that is used
Rev. 19:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Then I saw an angel standing
in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly
overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of
kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and
their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and
great. (Revelation 19:17-18 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">But while I did not delve into
depth to determine if this is a necessary connection, I was immediately struck
by the similarities with what we are told in Luke 17:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">I tell you, in that night
there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will
be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left." And
they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the
corpse is, there the vultures will gather." (Luke 17:34-37 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This verse is often misused as some kind of view of a <span style="font-family: inherit;">r</span>apture of
Christians being carried off of the Earth, but in reality it is not. I like the way Reformed
John Gill states it:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>the one
shall be taken</b> - not by
the preaching of the Gospel, into the kingdom of God, or Gospel dispensation;
though such a distinction God makes, by the ministry of the word, accompanied
by his Spirit and power; nor by angels, to meet Christ in the air, and to be
introduced into his kingdom and glory; but by the eagles, the Roman army, and
either killed or carried captive by them. (John Gill)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The idea of the post judgment
dead being eaten by the bird of the air seems to be a common thread as we have
seen on occasion, and is usually understood as an ultimate shameful end, to not
have a decent burial, but instead to food for the fowl of the air.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Now continuing on in Ezekiel
32: </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">I will drench
the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood, and the ravines will be
full of you. When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars
dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.
All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on
your land, declares the Lord GOD.
(Ezekiel 32:6-8 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Again, notice here we have
similar events as mentioned earlier in Isaiah 34, where mountains are flowing
with blood, so we can see how it is becoming a common piece of the apocalyptic
symbolic language used.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Likewise we again find here
the celestial darkening as before, and hopefully everyone can see the pattern
of symbolic language that continues throughout this study. This is not the
language of literal world ending events happening over and over again, these
are all national judgments.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">JOEL</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Now, most people are familiar
already with what is said in Joel, but sadly they still see this as physical
too. It is as if they are oblivious to, or simply seek to ignore all of the uses in the verses we’ve covered, and
from Joel on into the New Testament they start thinking literally for some reason. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Since we are clearly told that
these words from Joel began to be accomplished in the book of Acts (2:16 - this is<span style="font-family: inherit;"> THAT which was spoken of in Joel</span>), we know
they were not literal happenings. However, as before, we find the same types of
language here:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound
an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for
the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day
of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be
again after them through the years of all generations. (Joel 2:1-2 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Note that here we have the blowing of a trumpet at the Day
of the Lord, a day of darkness, gloom, and clouds. All things we have seen
before and shall see again as we get into the New Testament writings. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">The earth quakes before them;
the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw
their shining. (Joel 2:10)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Now of course, it could be that at times this language of
the sun and moon being darkened could be referring to an actual eclipse. We are
not ruling out this possibility. Knowing that God controls the celestial
bodies, and knowing he gave them for signs and seasons, it is not out of the
realm of possibility that these disastrous events were accompanied by an
eclipse as a sign. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And some commentators say that judgment scenarios like
this may have been so intense and large, and therefore could have produced so
much fire and smoke that it could have filled the sky and covered the light of
the sun, moon and stars from the sight of those experiencing it.While these ideas are not an impossible scenario, it must
not a considered a necessity to have gone down that way in order to fulfill the
symbolism of the language used. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Since the usage of sun, moon and stars has already be
established as symbolic language used of national judgment, even if these natural
occurrences did occur, the thrust of this language is not necessarily leaning
to that physical understanding.And while some may use this angle to get around the idea
of these celestial entities becoming dark, it in no way can be used in the
places where the stars fall to the Earth, or other such occurrences.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">The sun shall be turned to
darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD
comes. (Joel 2:31)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">While some may want to simply see this as a solar eclipse
and a blood moon eclipse, it must not be ignored that it is often understood as
a symbolic blotting out of the powers and rulers of the nation being judged,
and as mentioned, may be directed at the deities of a nation. And we find
similar language continuing on into chapter three.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Multitudes, multitudes, in
the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of
decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their
shining. The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the
heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a
stronghold to the people of Israel. (Joel 3:14-16 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<br />
That is all for now, and in the final part, we will look at a couple more Scriptural example and then tie it all up with an examination of New Testament connections.
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
View the other parts of the topic<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_25.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_27.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_28.html">Part 4</a>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-85478457432907130932016-03-25T17:16:00.000-04:002016-03-28T18:40:24.572-04:00The Sky is NOT Falling: A Brief Survey of Apocalyptic Symbolism - Pt 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvSdFSzVs-UXQ4Y-86KDiENZqjFNDMUr2LpLbckxojqNlgPJ29nfFSXap4rLjXZMpL2SNzdAh3n7dy7jLZY9FHHipoPytyLi8g5nR35IVV1aJcFbq-pIZBXx13m8eS4UEZvvQHKpZ_Ms/s1600/blood+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvSdFSzVs-UXQ4Y-86KDiENZqjFNDMUr2LpLbckxojqNlgPJ29nfFSXap4rLjXZMpL2SNzdAh3n7dy7jLZY9FHHipoPytyLi8g5nR35IVV1aJcFbq-pIZBXx13m8eS4UEZvvQHKpZ_Ms/s400/blood+moon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In part one of this series we began examining how cosmic language - sun, moon, stars - was not always considered literal heavenly/planetary bodies like we tend to assume today. In the ancient worldview, this language was symbolic and used frequently to refer to rulers, leaders, nations and the like. We ended by looking at some quotes from theologians of the past on this approach We pick up now by looking at how another
aspect of it is seen as related to Israel’s surrounding pagan nations that worshiped
these celestial bodies – or more precisely, worshiped deities represented by
these celestial bodies. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And beware
lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and
the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and
serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under
the whole heaven. (Deuteronomy 4:19 ESV
– see also 17:3)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This verse is ripe with the language of Yahweh's Divine Council, and the allotment by Yahweh of the rebellious nations to those lesser gods of His council. Those gods were allotted for the other people under, while Israel was to be faithful only to Yahweh. Yet, the practice of worshiping
these celestial objects was also obviously taken up by God’s people at times
when they strayed from God’s commandments, as we see evidenced in Kings:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And the king
commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the
keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels
made for Baal, for Asherah, and <i>for all
the host of heaven</i>. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the
Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.
</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And he
deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in
the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who
burned incense to Baal, to <i>the sun and
the moon and the constellations</i> and all the host of the heavens. (2 Kings 23:4-5 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So,
it becomes clearly obvious that the usages of language that includes things
like the sun, moon and stars, is not always to be considered literal.And
what is truly odd, is the inconsistencies and contradictory views that some
commentators come to on this subject. There are many that scream about taking
things literally, yet even they do not do so across the board.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
while they do interpret this language symbolically in places, they do not
always stay consistent, and turn right around and interpret the same language
usage differently in other places for no real textual reason.For
example, the literalist Allen Ross has mentioned it at least twice, with one of
the books being edited by Walvoord himself:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In ancient cultures these astronomical symbols
represent rulers. (Allen Ross, <i>The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament</i>, eds. John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, p.
87)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second dream involved celestial images – the sun,
moon, and stars being easily recognized for their significance for rulership. (Allen
Ross, <a href="http://amzn.to/1RqLc5N" target="_blank"><i>Creation and Blessing: A Guide tothe Study and Exposition of Genesis</i></a>, p. 600)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
then when they get to Revelation 12, with the woman clothed with the sun, and
the moon under her feet, and the crown of stars, some are quick to again leave
their literalism to understand these symbolically. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John
Walvoord himself says:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The description of the woman clothed with the sun and
the moon is an allusion to Genesis 37:9-11, where these heavenly bodies
represent Jacob and Israel, thereby identifying the woman with the fulfillment
of the Abrahamic covenant. In the same context, the stars represent the
patriarchs, the sons of Jacob. The symbolism may extend beyond this to represent
in some sense the glory of Israel and her ultimate triumph over her enemies.
(John Walvoord, <a href="http://amzn.to/22Llb8h" target="_blank"><i>The Revelation of JesusChrist</i></a>, p. 188)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet,
even after having such knowledge, when they get to Matthew 24:29 where Yeshua
is drawing from the same Genesis symbolism, they do a flip flop in
understanding, and claim it to be a literal celestial destruction. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even
with the Scriptures clearly teaching that those things were to happen before
the generation hearing him would end, it still is lost to them. They fail to
see the prophetic discussion of the nation, represented by the temple, being
described in the same celestial language of destruction as used often in the
Scriptures. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Milton
Terry puts is ever so finely when he says:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Too little study of the Old Testament ideas of
judgment, and apocalyptic language and style, would seem to be the main reason
for this one-sided exegesis. It will require more that assertion to convince thoughtful
men that the figurative language of Isaiah and Daniel, admitted on all hands to
be such in those ancient prophets, is to be literally interpreted when used by
Jesus and Paul. (Milton Terry, <a href="http://amzn.to/1RqLCsW" target="_blank"><i>BiblicalHermeneutics</i></a> [1890], p.596)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s
look now beyond Genesis, to get an even better backdrop for how this use of
celestial language has been used throughout the Scriptures.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>ISAIAH 13</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First
we’ll start with Isaiah 13, which many say was prophesied around 730 BC, and is
spoken against Babylon of their time. According to the <a href="http://amzn.to/1Mqkeyj" target="_blank"><i>IVP Bible Background Commentary</i></a>, at that time, the Neo-Assyrian Empire
was probably the most powerful world network that the world had ever seen. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They
subjugated Babylonia and its Chaldean rulers like they did so many others. As
many of the nations tried overtime, they caused revolts and uprisings in order
to break free. Shortly after 630 BC, as the Assyrian empire began to
crumble, Babylonia and Media combined
forces to put extra pressure on the last of the Assyrian kings, and with his
death, the empire was over too. After that, began the emergence of
Nebuchadnezzar and the New-Babylonian Empire.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According
to the Mesopotamian creation epic titled <a href="http://amzn.to/1RqLWYE" target="_blank"><i>EnumaElish</i></a>, the great god Marduk had placed the constellations in order to
oversee the forces of nature, and assist him in the management of creation. At
that time, the movements of the heavenly bodies were considered omens about
things that would occur on Earth, and therefore astronomical observations were
a constant practice for them. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The findings were recorded and collected into the
<i>Enuma Anu Enlil</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece, this information was used to prepare individual
horoscopes. Using this, lucky and unlucky days could be determined by
consulting the guild of magicians and astrologers. So,
we can see the important part that constellations played for this nation, and
so when we come to the text speaking of judgment upon them, pay attention to
the celestial language contained here:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as
destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble,
and every human heart will melt. They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will
seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look
aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel,
with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its
sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not
give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not
shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their
iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the
pompous pride of the ruthless. I will make people more rare than fine gold, and
mankind than the gold of Ophir. </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Therefore I will make the heavens
tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the
LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:6-13 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By stating that on the day of Yahweh, all of the celestial bodies
would be darkened, Isaiah is claiming that the glory of Yahweh will outshine
and therefore mask all of the other supposed gods.Since Assyria and Egypt both worshiped the supposed sun god as their
primary deity, and the moon god Sin was of great importance in Babylonia, it is
no surprise that the prophet targets those gods of that arrogant people. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many
agree that this prophecy was fulfilled in 539 BC when Cyrus the Persian took
Babylon. But hopefully we see here how the celestial bodies of sun, moon and
stars are relevant to the judgment, and were not considered to be a literal
event at the time. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note
and file away that we also see here a reference to a woman in labor, which
should ring in our minds as being similar language to the birth pains we find
in places like Jeremiah 48 and 49, as well as Matt. 24:8 and Mark 13:8:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">For nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various
places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
(Mark 13:8 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>ISAIAH 19</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now,
moving forward to Isaiah 19, we find a prophecy against Egypt:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>An oracle
concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to
Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of
the Egyptians will melt within them. (Isaiah 19:1 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What
we find here is also not celestial type language as we have been discussing,
but it is the type of apocalyptic symbolism that we find in conjunction with it
as we get into the New Testament. Here in Isaiah we have God riding on the
clouds as well as a little more de-creation type language of rivers completely
drying up.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Associating
God with using clouds is not a new idea, as we know He used clouds to represent
His presence to Moses and during the Exodus from Egypt. However, now, it is a
symbol of judgment as God is coming - riding on the cloud to bring destruction.
As we are told in Psalm 103:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">He lays the
beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides
on the wings of the wind; (Psalms 104:3 ESV)</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So the idea of God riding a cloud is an established idea that is not considered
to be literally taking place. Actually, some say that this type of language is taken
from texts that speak of the Ugaritic god Baal. In the stories contained in the
two texts the Aqhat Epic and the Baal and Anat, Baal is referred to as the
“Rider of the Clouds.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His attributes include commanding the storms, unleashing lightening,
and a Diving Warrior rushing into war. He even appears in the Egyptian El
Amarna texts. This language in these earlier texts is very similar to Yahweh,
who is the Creator, Fertility God, and Divine Warrior. So, one of the ways that Yahweh presented himself to his people the
Israelites, in order to portray himself as the true God and sole divine power,
is by assuming the titles and powers of the ancient Near Eastern gods. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, we get over into Isaiah 34 where we’re presented with a coming
judgment against Edom, and it is described again with this destructive
language:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Their slain shall be cast
out, and the stench of their corpses shall rise; the mountains shall flow with
their blood. All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like
a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves
falling from the fig tree. For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens;
behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to
destruction. </span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">(Isaiah 34:3-5 ESV)</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some
translations say the mountains melted with their flowing blood. Obviously the
mountains didn’t literally melt or flow with blood – but some say the amount of
blood was so much that it loosed enough of the dirt of the mountain to cause
big chunks of it to slide down. John Gill sees it this way but considers it as
more of a hyperbole - stating it as being written in a more extreme fashion than
it truly was. He says this saying is:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">An hyperbolical expression, denoting
the great number of the slain upon the mountains, and the great quantity of
blood shed there; which should run down in large streams, and carry part of
them along with it, as large and hasty showers of rain wash away the earth, and
carry it along with them; such an hyperbole see in Rev. 14:20. (John Gill’s
Exposition of the Entire Bible)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
I was first reading through this verse, my mind immediately jumped to Rev.
14:20 too – so it was even more confirmation to see Gill does too. In
Revelation we are told that the blood “flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle” for roughly
200 square miles. Hyperbole indeed, yet I have heard people go into great detail as to
how this was to literally occur. Blood flowing greatly, rivers of blood, etc.
are all signs of the aftermath of God’s judgment and aside from Moses doing it,
are not considered literal occurrences. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also
here in Isaiah we are told the hosts of heaven shall rot, or be consumed as
some have it. So again, here is language dealing with the elements of heaven’s
and speaks as if they will cease to exist. The IVP Bible Background Commentary
is a fairly popular set that provides great insights from some leading Bible
scholars on a majority of verses. On this verse in Isaiah they state:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagery of disappearing stars: Always in command of
all creation, Yahweh shows mastery over the heavens and celestial bodies,
causing their brightness to be snuffed out in a reversal of creation. Prominent
astral motifs in the Mesopotamian religion included the idea that the gods were
given stations within the heavens and “their astral likenesses” marked the
zones of the calendrical year. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the celestial omens the disappearing of a star or
planet always suggested that the related deity had suffered defeat in battle.
Astral deities were considered among the most prominent and powerful of the
gods. The dissolving of the stars and the fall of the starry host are therefore
related. Both the natural manifestation as well as the deity connected to it
are overcome in this act of judgment. (<a href="http://amzn.to/1RqMAW4" target="_blank"><i>TheIVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament</i></a>, p. 624)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
verse also states that the sky would roll up as a scroll, which is obviously
symbolic, since when this judgment came, the literal sky did not roll up –
though sadly some seem to expect it to. The Bible Background Commentary continues,
adding some additional related insight:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The three major Babylonian gods are not represented by
stars but by the sky itself. Anu is the sky god, and the horizon is divided
into three paths (connected to Anu, Enlil and Ea). Therefore, rolling up the
sky is an act of judgment against the three main deities of the ancient world.
(<a href="http://amzn.to/1RqMAW4" target="_blank"><i>The IVP Bible Background Commentary –Old Testament</i></a>, p. 624) </span></span></div>
I am hoping by now you are starting to see a little bit of the point, and that this language is commonly used to speak of non-literal cosmic events in history, which we will see in upcoming articles was spoken of as coming to the first century church. I will stop here for now, and will move into other historic happenings in the next part.
<br/> <hr><br/>View the other parts of the topic<br/><br/>
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_25.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_27.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_28.html">Part 4</a>
<br/> <hr><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-33037265935736965642016-03-24T17:00:00.000-04:002016-03-28T18:39:42.320-04:00The Sky is NOT Falling: A Brief Survey of Apocalyptic Symbolism - Pt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm38_SQbIG8KkW2cONahotk7GJgZovgJFIPBYQm5gPsqXkT7r4DT8O-w1FyFLMYjFq9DqvwUmfE5yjJh7u2Yf662WNqsyiiscNn1Stz_gmAvogVWkvA94yxve4NZKY2_6ocFhicvbzm4/s1600/stars+falling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm38_SQbIG8KkW2cONahotk7GJgZovgJFIPBYQm5gPsqXkT7r4DT8O-w1FyFLMYjFq9DqvwUmfE5yjJh7u2Yf662WNqsyiiscNn1Stz_gmAvogVWkvA94yxve4NZKY2_6ocFhicvbzm4/s400/stars+falling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this short series, I would like to take you on a brief journey through some of the apocalyptic and
symbolic language found in the Old Testament Scriptures. I will be taking a look at the types of
verses that set the stage and lay the solid ground-work for understanding the
New Testament prophecy verses that seem to confuse so many readers of the Bible these days. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly,
when it comes to the New Testament Bible prophecy scenario, so many readers are
oblivious to how so much of the same language is used frequently in Old
Testament prophecy, and so they total miss and misunderstand what is being said by this language. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably
the biggest cause of this, is the fact that so much attention is given to the
New Testament writings alone, and so people get a truncated understanding of
language. Instilled
in the hearts and minds of so many believers is this false dichotomy that the
Old Testament was for those old people, and the New Testament is more for us.
And due to that, people have misused and abused so much of the New Testament
that it has made the gospel message so twisted. But worse yet, it has made the
stories of the New Testament to be taken out of context fully.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After
all, while the New Testament is the good news - it is only truly good because
it comes at the end of the story that contained the "bad" news. Without understanding the whole
old story, the good news is not ever to be truly understood - it is at best just a truncated view of the story. The
idea of understanding the whole story of Scripture, especially the Hebrew
Scriptures, in order to better understand the story of the New Testament was
the general thrust of of a lecture I gave at a church conference in 2012. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I opened
up that lecture by telling the story of the shocking question that was raised by one man. He
asked a pastor friend of his, “<i>What is good
news about the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the descendant of David?”</i> If
someone does not comprehend what was said beforehand about the coming Messiah,
or the struggles of the people and their promised hope, then this information
about a Messiah seems trivial.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also discussed the response a pastor gave
to the question “Did Jesus preach the gospel?” The pastor reasoned that since
the gospel is the story of justification by faith in the work of Christ and the cross, then
it was impossible to say that Jesus was preaching the gospel.<i> </i>The
pastor answered -<i> “Nope, Jesus couldn’t
have. No one understood the gospel until Paul. No one could understand the
gospel until after the cross and resurrection and Pentecost.”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is a
truncated New Testament only story that makes little sense out of its context
in the whole story. Of course, there are so many other things in the New
Testament that are totally misunderstood because of this same type of reasons. So
when it comes to the Bible story, without the old, the new makes little sense,
and that is why things have gotten so bad in the modern church sadly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are so many pieces of the Old Testament
that appear in the New, and without properly grasping the original reference, it leads to so many wacky interpretations. For our purposes in this series, I would like to focus on national
judgment language in general, especially the sun, moon and stars imagery.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just like Chicken Little, the majority of modern day
churchgoers have a theological understanding that causes them to believe the
Bible teaches about the sky literally falling. And just like Chicken Little,
they are wrong. The recent "blood moon" fiasco brought more of this type of craziness to the limelight due to typical misunderstandings.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The typical response to the "end time" scenario of these cosmic occurrences, most will respond and simply state that
obviously these things have not yet happened, because we have not seen the stars
literally fall from the sky, or the sky roll up like a scroll, and other similar ideas. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of
course, one of the main scriptures in question for this type of study is that of Matthew 24:29:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Immediately
after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will
not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens will be shaken. (Matthew 24:29 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is
this verse talking about the end of the entire world where the actual sun, moon
and stars and creation itself is destroyed? Most in the church today seem to
see it that way. Another similar star to earth issue is found in Revelation 12:
3-4 where the tail of the dragon sweeps a third of the stars down to earth. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet,
this type of verse is seen by many as being symbolic and not literal – but not
all do. Dispensational teacher John Walvoord agrees with E.W. Bullinger who
said:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is impossible for us to take this as symbolic; or
as other than what it literally says. The difficulties of the symbolic
interpretation are insuperable, while no difficulties whatever attend the
literal interpretation. (<a href="http://amzn.to/1o9u6AS" target="_blank">Bullinger, TheApocalypse</a>, 1902 – quoted by Walvoord, <i><a href="http://amzn.to/25nMIik" target="_blank">TheRevelation of Jesus Christ</a>,</i> 1966)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
the contrary, a literal approach has major difficulties, as stars tend to be
much larger than the Earth. A single star colliding with the Earth would
obliterate it, so the thought of any more than one is inconceivable. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Walvoord
and others get around this problem – or try to – by saying these stars are
actually more like meteorites, but that does not solve the issue. If evolution
proponents claim that a single meteorite hit the earth and destroyed all life
on earth during the dinosaur age, then to consider a third of the meteorites
hitting earth is again inconceivable. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
problem with all of this is that they fail to understand how the Bible uses terms
like these over and over again, and so they assign them literal, modern
definitions that are biblically inaccurate. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hebrew
symbolism and idioms are often ignored or unknown to many today. Most readers
take a surface level view of the Scripture, and use 21<sup>st</sup> century
definitions and interpretive techniques to come to their conclusions. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
simple survey of Hebrew Scripture is all that is needed to have a better
understanding of verses like these in the New Testament. So, let us go back and survey how the
Hebrew Scriptures used terms like these. We'll start with Genesis 22:17, which tells us:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I will
surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of
heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall
possess the gate of his enemies and in your offspring shall all the nations of
the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. (Genesis 22:17-18 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now while he does not refer to the offspring as stars, this is an
early connection of people and stars language being referenced together. Of course, we
see that this prophecy came to pass, as we are told plainly in Duet. 1:10:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The LORD
your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as numerous as the stars
of heaven. (Duet. 1:20 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does
that mean Abraham’s descendants have been multiplied to number into the
billions, or however many the inconceivable amount of stars actually is? No, of
course not, it is being used in a symbolic manner to mean a large amount, not a
literal amount.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now,
when you jump over to Genesis 37 and the story of Joseph, we find a clear cut
story showing the understanding of how God’s people understood the references
to sun, moon and stars. This story also shows us that it was a historic
understanding well known to them – so this is not where it originated:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Then he
dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I
have dreamed another dream. Behold, the <i>sun</i>, the <i>moon</i>, and eleven <i>stars</i> were
bowing down to me."<span style="color: teal;"> </span><span style="color: black;">(Genesis 37:9 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, taking the modern approach to
this verse, I guess we should understand that Joseph had a dream where one day
he would basically be a God, and the elements of the universe were going to
literally bow to him. Of course we know that was not the case, and we know that
even his family did not come to such a crazy conclusion:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But when he
told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to
him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother
and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?"</b><b> (Genesis
3:10 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So,
they clearly understood Joseph to be referencing his parents as the sun and
moon, and his eleven siblings as stars. These cosmic references were commonly
interpreted as representing governing authorities, as understood from Joseph’s
use here – but they were also often descriptive of nations or kingdoms. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
understanding is not alien to us as modern American’s either, if you stop and
think about it. Our own US flag has stars on it, each representing a different
and separate nation state – a political power basically. Other countries use
stars on their flag in a similar manner. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
will now share a series of quotes from other sources on this topic. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before the advent of speculative exegesis, most Bible
commentators who studied the whole Bible understood the relationship of
collapsing universe language with the destruction of the religion and civil
state of the Jewish nation. (Gary DeMar, <a href="http://amzn.to/21Jp5Mz" target="_blank"><i>LastDays Madness</i></a>, 4<sup>th</sup> ed., p. 144)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
rest of these quotes are actually ones that DeMar quoted following what he just
said:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is, the Jewish heaven shall perish, and the sun
and moon of the glory and happiness shall be darkened – brought to nothing. The
sun is the religion of the [Jewish] church, the moon is the government of the
[Jewish] state, and the stars are the judges and doctors of both. Compare Isa.
13:10; Ezek. 32:7, 8. (John Lightfoot, <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1SjWLhi" target="_blank">ACommentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica:</a> Matthew – 1
Corinthians</i>, ps. 319-320 – [1859])</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The darkening of the sun and moon, the falling of the
stars, and the shaking of the powers of the heavens, denote the utter
extinction of the light of prosperity and privilege to the Jewish nation, the
unhinging of authority of their princes and priests; the abject miseries to
which the people in general, especially their chief persons, would be reduced;
and the moral and religious darkness to which they would be consigned. (Thomas
Scott, <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1VKCMeC" target="_blank">The Holy Bible….with ExplanatoryNotes</a>…</i>, v.3 p. 110 [1832])</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus it is that in the prophetic language great
commotions and revolutions upon earth, are often represented by commotions and
changes in the heavens. (Thomas Newton, <a href="http://amzn.to/1SjWTNY" target="_blank"><i>Dissertationson the Prophecies, Which Have Remarkably Been Fulfilled, and at this Time areFulfilling in the World</i></a>, p.362 [1754])</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our savior goes on, to set forth the calamities that
should befall the Jewish nation, immediately after the destruction of
Jerusalem. So entire was the subversion of their ecclesiastical and civil
state, that it may be metaphorically represented by the sun, moon, and stars,
losing their light, and all the heavenly bodies being dissolved. (W. Dalton, <a href="http://amzn.to/21Jq2o9" target="_blank"><i>An Explanatory and Practical Commentary onthe New Testament</i></a>, v. 1 p 118 [1842])</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In ancient Hieroglyphic writings the sun, moon, and
stars represented empires and states, with their sovereigns and nobility. The
eclipse of their luminaries was said to denote temporary national disasters, or
an entire overthrow of any state. This is still an Eastern mode of writing, and
there are some classical examples of it. The Prophets frequently employ it, so
that their style seems to be a <i>speaking hieroglyphic</i>. Thus Isaiah describes the destruction of Babylon, and Ezekiel
that of Egypt – In accordance with this prediction, Josephus gives an account
of the persecution and slaughter of the nobility and principal men in the city
by the infuriated Zealots, computing their number at twelve thousand. (John
Forster, <a href="http://amzn.to/1SjX384" target="_blank"><i>The Gospel-Narrative</i></a>, p. 307
[1847])</span></span></div>
<br />
Hopefully, you can see hos historically this language of cosmology was not to be understood literal, but figurative and symbolic of national judgement from the Lord. We will pick up here and proceed in the next part.
<br/> <hr><br/>View the other parts of the topic<br/><br/>
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_25.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_27.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-sky-is-not-falling-brief-survey-of_28.html">Part 4</a>
<br/> <hr><br/>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-68906472835842472652016-02-22T14:00:00.000-05:002016-02-22T14:14:17.417-05:00The Book of Enoch's Influence on the New Testament (Pt 5)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-Ky1b6gq0WNpP5oIFpFjOjVU960OTUxwVt2Q5p8z5UB2FXOKG1QRDj9OkrnPX_4G6KT2e8tnHjzWOTrLsvt6GXFFL5Bu3_mU-D-D8VPRGffb24WTWufTienA2r6ThyphenhyphenxebCvlG4UwTqk/s1600/angels-in-chains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-Ky1b6gq0WNpP5oIFpFjOjVU960OTUxwVt2Q5p8z5UB2FXOKG1QRDj9OkrnPX_4G6KT2e8tnHjzWOTrLsvt6GXFFL5Bu3_mU-D-D8VPRGffb24WTWufTienA2r6ThyphenhyphenxebCvlG4UwTqk/s400/angels-in-chains.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the last part we looked at what Jude had to say about the judgment of the angels in chains and now
I turn the attention to 2 Peter 2:4-11</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For if God did
not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them
to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare
the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven
others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction,
making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he
rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the
wicked...; then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep
the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially
those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold
and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas
angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous
judgment against them before the Lord.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(2
Peter 2:4-11 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
we found in Jude, we have angels who sinned and were cast in chains awaiting
judgment, followed by a mention of Noah, which reveals to us that the timing of
this sinning of the angels was prior to the flood, and this is then followed by
again mentioning a connection with Sodom’s destruction, and he also connects
that to the lust of defiling passion and despising of authority in his own
time. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
this section is usually understood by scholars as borrowing from the Jude
passage, note that Peter adds a bit more to it than Jude, and that extra
information he mentioned adds even more to the obvious connection between this
verse and the Book of Enoch as his source.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter
says not only that the angels were in chains awaiting judgment, but that they
were in chains and cast into hell. Now the word here translated as “hell” is
actually better translated as Tartarus, not Gehenna, which is typically used
for the English word hell. Thayer’s Greek lexicon defines it as:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The name of the subterranean region, doleful and
dark, regarded by the ancient Greeks as the abode of the wicked dead, where
they suffer punishment for their evil deeds;</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tartarus
is considered to be the deepest location in Sheol, and the Greeks taught that
the gigantic Titans were chained and held there. Enoch however, says that this
is the place where the fallen angels, the Watchers, were chained and held for
judgment.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now they shall
say unto themselves: Our souls are full of unrighteous gain, but it does not
prevent us from descending from the midst thereof into the burden of Sheol.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And after that
their faces shall be filled with darkness </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And shame before
that Son of Man,</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And they shall be
driven from his presence,</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And the sword
shall abide before his face in their midst.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thus spake the
Lord of Spirits: This is the ordinance and judgement with respect to the mighty
and the kings and the exalted and those who possess the earth before the Lord
of Spirits.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And other forms I
saw hidden in that place. I heard the voice of the angel saying: These are the
angels who descended to the earth, and revealed what was hidden to the children
of men and seduced the children of men into committing sin. (1 Enoch
63:10-64:1)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
we have Peter, who is considered to be borrowing from Jude, but could be himself
borrowing directly from Enoch since we see he adds this additional element not
in Jude. The end result is, we have two section of Holy Scripture that are
clearly borrowing from the Book of Enoch for their doctrinal basis that is now
part of our canon of Scripture. Also note, in neither instance do they attempt
to fix or correct a view of the “Watchers procreating with women” view, but
actually add comments that favor that view of Genesis 6.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
wait - there’s more! Flipping back to Peter’s first letter, chapter 3, we find
yet another connection:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For Christ also
suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in
which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly
did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was
being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely
through water.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(1 Peter 3:18-20 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
we have spirits in prison, and they are tied to, or originating from events
surrounding and preceding Noah and the flood. And what event are we told in
Scripture directly preceded the flood time period? Of course, Genesis 6:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When man began to
multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of
God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives
any they chose… The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also
afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore
children to them… (Genesis 6:1-2, 4 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So the LORD said,
"I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man
and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I
have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis
6:7-8 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
of course, the Book of Enoch fills in the gaps with a story of what happened
around that time period, and of which we have seen some of the NT writers have
referenced from in their own writings, and never once is there any attempt made
to correct the people on the Genesis 6 “Watchers with women” idea. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
verse in Peter is a verse that has perplexed scholars for some time. Many ideas
have been discussed behind who these spirits are, where they were, and what was
being preached to them. Finding answers to this dilemma is clearly almost
impossible by relying strictly on the canon of Scripture. And hopefully by now
you are starting to see that even the author Peter was not solely relying on
what we consider canon of Scripture. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
spirits here originate as being from Noah’s day, imprisoned or bound
surrounding that time frame. And this idea lines up nicely with what we have
already seen in 1 Enoch 10 with the disobedient angels who were bound and
imprisoned in Sheol until the judgment. Beyond that connection, some scholars
even lay out how the book of 1 Peter reflects a great influence from Enochian
literature throughout. In his commentary on Enoch, Nickelsburg actually lays
out a chart showing a multitude of corresponding ideas and terms between the
entirety of 1 Peter and 1 Enoch 108. Here are some examples from his list:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Peter</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Enoch 108</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3:12 - those who do evil</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2, 6, 10 - those who do evil</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1:23 - perishable seed</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3b - perishable seed</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3:19-20 - spirits in prison</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3-6 - spirits punished</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3:20 - Noah’s sons saved</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">106:16, 18 - Noah, sons saved</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1:10-12 - Prophets, books, angels</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">6-7 - Prophets, books, angels</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1:7, 18 - disdain silver, gold</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">8 - disdain silver, gold</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1:7 - found praiseworthy</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">9 - found pure</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3:9 - bless, blessing</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">9-10 - bless, blessing</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3:16, 4:4, 16 - reproach, insult, abuse</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">7, 10 - reproach, insult, abuse</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2:9 - blessing by contrast</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">10 - blessing by contrast</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2:9 - summoned from darkness to light</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">11 - summoned from darkness to light</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">5:4, 6 - exaltation</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">12 - exaltation</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1:17, 2:23 - righteous judgment</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt 5.0pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">13 - righteous judgment</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So,
when it comes to this Book of 1 Enoch, we have a manuscript that has a long
history of acceptance in varying degrees within the ancient people of Yahweh up
through the early centuries of church history. Out of the many books explicitly
mentioned within the canon of Scripture, it is the only one we currently have
in existence that appears to be the original source. Within it, we get a
glimpse into interpretations that have obviously been influential on many New
testament doctrines that we now hold dear. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Doctrines
surrounding topics such as the Messiah, the Kingdom, the Son of Man, demons,
the final judgment and more are found here in ways that are more clearly
presented than they are as found in the Hebrew scriptures. And as we’ve seen,
the views found there have been carried over into much of the doctrines as they
are presented within the New testament Scriptures.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is understandable that those who hold the canon of Scripture in high esteem
tend to be uncomfortable with some of the doctrines contained within 1 Enoch -
the Watchers/giants storyline as well as the detailed ancient cosmology all
sound so foreign to modern readers. But that was not the case for the early
church and first century writers. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have personally had recent conversations where every type of excuse was given
to get around various scriptures in an effort to avoid the clear and historical
view on these things. And I can understand the issue, as there are many things
that just sound too odd. But we must remember we are approaching these things
with a much more enlightened and scientifically geared mindset, which causes
our views to be skewed. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many
things of the supernatural and spiritual realm are alien to us today. The more
we study ancient Hebrew writings and their understandings, as well as their
surround ancient near East neighbors, the more we find such strange sounding
doctrines to deal with. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So,
what does this all mean to us? Why am I bringing up this topic? </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well,
most people don’t read the intertestamental and Pseudepigraphal writings,
feeling they offer little to nothing to the Christian. Hopefully I have at
least opened your eyes in some small way to see how in fact, at least this one
writing was very influential in the doctrines we find propagated in the New
Testament that shape our theological belief. That being the case, it would be
of great benefit to further study and understand this obvious source material
that those first century writers were pulling from. Yes, there are many other
writings from the same period that could have been brought up, some which can
be shown to have been influential too, but none as clearly as Enoch was. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
we study the Bible, we practice Sola Scriptura, and we compare Scripture to
Scripture. We are quick to point out that a best understanding of the NT is
found in a better understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures. We also use the force
of that practice when we debate issues with others, saying that unless our
opponent can prove a doctrine from an Old Testament originating source, then
their case is weak. Well, if E. Isaac and other scholars were indeed write in
saying as I quoted earlier, that “There is little doubt that 1 Enoch was
influential in molding New Testament doctrines concerning the nature of the
Messiah, the Son of Man, the messianic kingdom, demonology, the future,
resurrection, final judgment, the whole eschatological theater, and symbolism,
“ then we may actually have another source of influential theology that needs
our attention if we are to gain an even better understanding of some New
Testament doctrines. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
NT writers were indeed drawing from and applying doctrinal influence from Enoch
and these types of non-canonical intertestamental writings also, and if these
were understandings that altered or expanded upon the Old Testament
understandings on a topic, and then those different understandings were brought
over and applied within our New Testament, then could it be that we may be
missing information in our understanding by ignoring them in our studies?</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Could
the church gain a better understanding of the New Testament from also
considering the teachings of some of the intertestamental writings, especially
ones like Enoch where the influence is so clearly brought into the New
Testament? I believe it is a question worth asking at least.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will close with this closing paragraph from Godawa’s book - which was very instrumental in this whole series of writings:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the preponderance of evidence shows that not
only does the new Testament letter of Jude quote directly from 1 Enoch 1 (Book
of the Watchers), but the entire letter and it’s alternate version in 2 Peter,
show signs of literary and theological dependency on the rest of the Book of
the Watchers (Chaps. 1-36), as well as chapter 80 (Book of Luminaries), chapter
46 (Book of Parables), and chapter 100 ( Epistle of Enoch). 2 Peter shows
evidence of structural and thematic dependency on 1 Enoch 17-22 and 108. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the fact is, the
entire New Testament shows such a multitude of allusions and linguistic echoes
of the entire corpus of 1 Enoch, that one can safely say, the book and its
basic interpretations may not be Scripture, but are surely legitimated by the
Bible and are therefore worthy of study and high regard by the Christian
Church. (Brian Godawa - <a href="http://amzn.to/21gqpZc" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Giants WereUpon the Earth</i></a>, pg. 34)</span></blockquote>
<br/> <hr><br/>View the other parts of the topic<br/><br/>
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_19.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_20.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_21.html">Part 4</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_22.html">Part 5</a> |
<br/> <hr><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-53581813640923284152016-02-21T14:00:00.000-05:002016-03-21T22:21:15.407-04:00The Book of Enoch's Influence on the New Testament (Pt 4)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8Ohc0i8phn7ALpwUEhj366TOCib4cwUa_HLZncniLdpnzVyIpfpp3v9hNHwHhLVwwi7QhMs7xD8nDe-l-b5wW_QlRnjtkZkn5XvJZ4FOIGDFcYlH3JlFn4lslSIgqM4GzTMHQv5RzW4/s1600/dore-tartarus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8Ohc0i8phn7ALpwUEhj366TOCib4cwUa_HLZncniLdpnzVyIpfpp3v9hNHwHhLVwwi7QhMs7xD8nDe-l-b5wW_QlRnjtkZkn5XvJZ4FOIGDFcYlH3JlFn4lslSIgqM4GzTMHQv5RzW4/s400/dore-tartarus.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now,
let us return our attention to the passage in Jude that we mentioned earlier.
This is one of the few stronger passages that show an even clearer dependence
on the Enochian texts. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was also about
these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the
Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and
to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have
committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly
sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 14-15 ESV)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is a direct quoting of 1 Enoch 1:9, but one thing worth noting is that Jude
states here that what Enoch is doing in this verse is prophesying. Referring to
a verse from Enoch as being a prophecy sure feels like he is adding much more
weight to it than if he was just quoting it as a secular type source like we
see occasionally in Scripture. The other thing that is notable in studying both
books further, is that Jude does not simply quote a verse and move on, but in
fact continues to follow the content patterns of 1 Enoch along with allusions
and echoes of its phrases and language throughout his letter.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Both
books share the primary apocalyptic theme of the punishment of the ungodly. And
they both do so by pointing to an evil in their day and stating it is a fulfillment
of a past prophetic proclamation. Not only do both books appeal to ancient
judgment examples as a connection to the promised judgment coming to the
present ungodly company, but they both look back to the same ancient corruption
of the angelic watchers who corrupted humanity. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1
Enoch chapters 1-36 of course deal in great detail with those Watchers that
Jude touches upon. And in Jude 13, he condemns “wandering stars,” which is a
common Hebrew idiom in both the Hebrew Scriptures and Pseudepigrapha that is
referring to divine beings. They are also referred to as the “host of heaven,”
a term which also denotes deity. We also find the stars of heaven referred to
as “heavenly host” which are likened to pagan deities (Deut 4:19) as well as
those angelic Sons of God that surround his throne (Psa. 89:5-7, Job 38:7). So
it is of no surprise that Enoch discusses those fallen angelic Watchers using
the imagery of imprisoned stars.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The angel said
(to me), “This place is the (ultimate) end of heaven and earth; it is the
prison house for the stars and the powers of heaven… they are the ones which
have transgressed the commandments of God.” (1 Enoch 18:14-15) </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
Jude pulls that similar theme in when he condemns those wandering stars by
saying it is for them that “the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved
forever” (v 13). And Jude speaks of these ungodly villains as those who
“pervert the grace of God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord,
Yeshua the Christ” (v. 4). This aligns with the declaration against the angels
found in 1 Enoch 67:10, where it says:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So the judgment
shall come upon them, because they believe in the debauchery of their bodies
and deny the spirit of Yahweh. (1 Enoch 67:10)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
theme of fleshly defilement and of the rejection of authority that Jude
mentions in verse 8 are likewise the traits of those angels in verse 6 that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“did not stay within their own position of
authority, but left their proper dwelling.”</i> Who are the angels
mentioned in Jude? It is plainly
evident, as some scholars point out, that Jude is obviously pulling directly
from 1 Enoch chapters 6-19, being the earliest existing manuscript that holds
an account of the fall of the angelic Watchers. Enoch plainly states, in
talking to the fallen Watchers:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wherefore have ye
left the high, holy, and eternal heaven, and lain with women, and defiled
yourselves with the daughters of men and taken to yourselves wives, and done
like the children of earth, and begotten giants (as your) sons? And though ye
were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with
the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and,
as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those also do who
die and perish. (1 Enoch 15:3-5)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of
those Watchers who sinned, Jude says they were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the
great day”</i> - which is closely connected with 1 Enoch 10:12:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bind them fast
for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their
judgement and of their consummation, till the judgement that is for ever and
ever is consummated. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire:
and to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined for ever. (1
Enoch 10:13-14)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
quick note while looking at this verse, and this was touched upon earlier when
mentioning that forum post. We note here that the angels were held for 70
generations, at the end of which time would be the day of judgment. In the
Gospel of Luke, he counts 70 generations leading up to their present time and
the time of Christ. Christ said the judgment would occur within his generation
- being the 70th generation, thus correlating to Enoch’s prediction time frame.
And the book of Revelation, which discusses the tossing of the devil and his
angels into the lake of fire likewise lines up with what Enoch tells us about
events surrounding the judgment and timing of the first century.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All
of this combined just shows us an additional confirmation for the timing of an
event that was to take place in that first century time frame, and not
thousands of years later or in our future as many teach today. Now when it
comes to Jude 6 and 7, there are a couple ways you can look at that connection.
Some modern commentators go through the motions to disconnect any idea of the
two verses being comparisons to each other. They’ll say these two verses are
just two examples of judgment, and are not being compared to each other.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
will contend that verse 6 speaks of these angels, which they sometimes attempt
to make out as mere men and not heavenly beings; and then say that verse 7 is
speaking of the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah being compared to those cities that
surrounded them. So when it says that they “in like manner indulged…” it is
referring to those surrounding cities indulging in like manner to what Sodom
and Gomorrah had done. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadly,
such an interpretations does not hold up when examined strictly by the original
text, but also even more so it fails when considered in light of other Second
Temple texts that Jude is obviously pulling from. What we have here is a
condemnation of heavenly angelic beings who left their heavenly abode and
sinned and held for judgment. Then we have a comparison of sin to those angels
in verse 7. Let’s see these together:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And the angels
who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper
dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the
judgment of the great day-- (Jude 6 ESV)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">…just as Sodom
and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likewise</i> indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural
desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7
ESV)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
we have angels sinning, and then, just like them, we have a single group being
discussed, the collective group of Sodom, Gomorrah and the surrounding cities.
And what about them? They - Sodom, Gomorrah and their surrounding cities -
“likewise” or as some translations have it “in like manner” - they “indulged in
sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire.” In like manner to whom? The
angels in the previous verse.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
what we have here is a telling of how the angels as well as Sodom, Gomorrah and
their cities were all guilty of indulging in sexual immorality. We see this connection clearly displayed in
other Second Temple writings, such as:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do not become
like Sodom, which departed from the order of nature. Likewise the Watchers
departed from nature’s order; the Lord pronounced a curse upon them at the
Flood. (Testament of Naphtali 3:4-5)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thou didst
destroy those who aforetime did iniquity, among whom were giants, trusting in
their strength and boldness, bringing upon them a boundless flood of water.
Thou didst burn up with fire and brimstone the men of Sodom, workers of
arrogance, who had become known of all for their crimes, and didst make them an
example to those who should come after. (3 Maccabees 2:4-5)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let them not take
to themselves wives from the daughters of Canaan; for the seed of Caanan will
be rooted out of the land. And he told them of the judgment of the giants, and
the judgment of the Sodomites, how they had been judged on account of their wickedness,
and had died on account of their fornication, and uncleanness, and mutual
corruption through fornication. (Jubilees 20:4-5)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
hopefully, you can now see that a connecting of the angelic judgment with the
judgment upon Sodom and surround cities, is not unique to Jude, but is indeed
just something Jude has actually borrowed from other non-canonical writings.
And that in all places, both groups are mentioned together and are labeled as
being guilty of similar acts.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
should also help solidify the argument that these two verses in Jude are indeed
being used in comparison to one another, and that indeed the “likewise” in Jude
7 is calling back to compare to verse 6 and the sin of the angels for indulging
likewise in sexual immorality. To sum up, I appreciate the way Brian Godawa put
it:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jude’s linking of Sodom with the days of Noah and
the sexual sin of the Watchers is a literary doublet that reinforces the
Enochian Watcher paradigm. Combined with the other Enochian allusions, echoes,
and linguistic memes in Jude this certainly provides a preponderance of
evidence of the extensive dependency of Jude upon 1 Enoch far beyond the single
quotation in verses 14-15. (Brian Godawa - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/21gqpZc" target="_blank">When Giants Were Upon the Earth</a></i>, pg. 30)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'll stop here and pick up in the last part with looking at what Peter says on this topic.</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
View the other parts of the topic<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_19.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_20.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_21.html">Part 4</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_22.html">Part 5</a> |
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-90705046255787967162016-02-20T12:29:00.000-05:002016-03-21T22:22:41.176-04:00The Book of Enoch's Influence on the New Testament (Pt 3)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTGQcN8qCODYQGSWiE8ll1GiTBXLYVUSfey-4JnqZ-j_daeX8271O5oOY7UBMXk80w-2Lw2DhI0F9fT9G-ru7FuYQRQnq9uslto0jVDGALMICWa8YzHtvpyAVAzsaEFXIcO8qt8yW5eY/s1600/son-of-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTGQcN8qCODYQGSWiE8ll1GiTBXLYVUSfey-4JnqZ-j_daeX8271O5oOY7UBMXk80w-2Lw2DhI0F9fT9G-ru7FuYQRQnq9uslto0jVDGALMICWa8YzHtvpyAVAzsaEFXIcO8qt8yW5eY/s400/son-of-man.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We left off last time in starting to look at the "Son of Man" discussion, so let us now pick up by looking at another
example of the Son of Man theme that is beyond what we are told in Daniel. It can
be found in 1 Enoch 48:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And at that hour
that Son of Man was named in the presence of the Lord of spirits….Even before
the sun and the signs were created, before stars of heaven were made, His name
was named before the Lord of spirits. He shall be a staff to the righteous and
they shall steady themselves and not fall. And he shall be a light of the
Gentiles, and the hope of those who are troubled of heart. (1 Enoch 48: 2-4)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Could
it be that Paul was drawing from this Enochian storyline when in Romans he
speaks of such things as:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So I ask, did
they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their
trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. (Romans
11:11 ESV)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
then he goes on to discuss Gentiles coming to faith along side of the remnant -
i.e. the righteous who steady themselves in Christ so as not to fall? Hopefully
you are starting to see that there is an uncanny amount of similarities presented
in the Book of Enoch.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There
are so many other examples of parallel language and scenarios found in the Book
of Enoch, and not all of them are necessarily so much of a full expression of
whole scenarios as we have seen, some are simply key terms and references that
are not clearly seen in the Hebrew Scriptures. These types of thoughts and
terminologies are influential in how we now view key doctrines that the church
holds as sacred. On this topic, writer E. Isaacs concludes:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is little doubt that 1 Enoch was
influential in molding New Testament doctrines concerning the nature of the
Messiah, the Son of Man, the messianic kingdom, demonology, the future,
resurrection, final judgment, the whole eschatological theater, and symbolism.
No wonder, therefore that the book was highly regarded by many of the earliest
apostolic and Church Fathers. (E. Isaac, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
New Translation and Introduction - The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha</i>)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
of the earliest experts on Enoch and other Pseudepigrapha writings is R.H.
Charles, and he went on to list about sixty examples where the language of the
New Testament reflected possible Enochian influence, then coming to the
conclusion that:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Enoch has had more influence on the New
Testament than has any other apocryphal or pseudepigraphal work. (R.H. Charles,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Qrxsws" target="_blank">Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament</a></i><a href="http://amzn.to/1Qrxsws" target="_blank">, Vol. 2</a>)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let
us now look at a sampling of some of the terminology parallels between the New
Testament and 1 Enoch that Charles presents. Again, these are mostly terms and
ideas that are found in the New Testament with no real Hebrew scripture
correlation, but are almost directly pulled from 1 Enoch:</span></div>
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-insideh: 1.0pt solid black; mso-border-insidev: 1.0pt solid black; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1536; width: 624px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 1pt solid black; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">New Testament </span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: black black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Enoch</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 John 1:7 - Walk in the light</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">92:4 - Walk in eternal light</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 John 2:8 - the darkness is past:</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">58:5 - the darkness is past</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 John 2:15 - Love not the world nor
the things that are in the world</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">108:8 - love...nor any of the good
things which are in the world</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rev 3:5 - clothed in white raiment</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">90:31 - clothed in white</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rev 3:20 - I will come in to him and
will sup with him and he with me.</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62:14 - and with that Son of Man shall
they eat and lie down and rise up.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rev 7:15 - He that sitteth on the
throne shall dwell among them.</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">45:4 - I will cause Mine Holy One to
dwell among them.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rev 20:13 - the sea gave up the dead…
and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them.</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">51:1 - in those days shall earth also
give back that which has been entrusted to it, and Sheol also shall give
back... and hell shall give back.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rev 20:15 - cast into the lake of fire</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">90:26 - cast into this fiery abyss</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rom 8:38 - angels… principalities…
powers</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">61:10 - angels of power… angels of
principalities</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 Cor 6:11 - justified in the name of
the Lord Yeshua</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">48:7 - in his (Messiah’s) name they are
saved</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Col 2:3 - (Christ) in whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">46:3 - the Son of Man… who reveals all
the treasures of that which is hidden.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Thess 6:15 - King of kings and Lord
of Lords</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">9:4 - Lord of lords… King of kings.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Acts 3:14 - the Righteous One (Christ)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">53:6 - the Righteous and Elect One
(Messiah)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">John 5:22 - He hath committed all
judgment unto the Son</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">69:27 - the sum of judgment was given
unto the Son of Man</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt 19:28 - when the Son of Man shall
sit on the throne of His glory</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">62:5 - When they see that Son of Man
sitting on the throne of his glory</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt 19: 28 - ...ye also shall sit on
twelve thrones</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">108:12 - I will seat each on the throne
of his honor</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Matt 25:41 - prepared for the devil and
his angels</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">54:4-5 - chaines prepared for the hosts
of Azazel</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luke 9:35 - This is My Son, the Elect
One</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) black black rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; padding: 5pt; width: 3.25in;" valign="top" width="312"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">40:5 - the Elect One (Messiah)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">49:2 - Mine Elect One</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
last one here in Luke is a little bit more interesting than how it is listed in
the gospels of Matthew and Mark. In those two versions of the story, it
essentially just says “this is my son, listen to him.” Here in Luke, we have
the addition of the term “the Elect One, ” and as Lumpkin puts it:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The “Elect One” is a most significant term (found
14 times) in the Book of Enoch. If the book was indeed known to the Apostles of
Christ, with its abundant descriptions of the Elect One who should “sit upon
the throne of glory” and the Elect One who should “dwell in the midst of them,”
then the great scriptural authenticity is justly accorded to the Book of Enoch.
Then the “voice out of the cloud” tells the Apostles, “This is my Son, the
Elect One”.... the one promised in the Book of Enoch. (Joseph B. Lumpkin - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1QrxBA1" target="_blank">The Books of Enoch: The Angels, The Watchers and The Nephilim</a></i>, pg 15)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now,
list of these kinds of comparisons goes on, but hopefully these give you an
idea of some of the similar language and thoughts originating from the Book of
Enoch. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
interesting point of view that scholars have noticed, is that in some instances,
we find that some terms have had one understanding in how they were presented
or applied in the Hebrew Scriptures, but then those terms have taken on a
different meaning and understanding in 1 Enoch. And then it became <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> new understanding that was presented
in Enoch that was then brought over into the New Testament. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">R.H.
Charles argues that things like the notion of Sheol, demonology and future life
which are barely mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures, are given more light and
expanded upon in 1 Enoch, and that this expanded view corresponds to the New
Testament usages.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
before I get to the bulk of what I wish to cover, I want to take a quick look
at the idea of the Messiah, and what the book of Enoch reveals about him. We
know in the Hebrew scriptures that we have a fairly clouded view of who or what
he was to be, yet we have a much clearer view once Christ comes on the scene. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
let’s consider what we know about the Messiah from the canon of Scripture, and
consider it with what the Book of Enoch tells us about Him. These are scattered
bits of information throughout Enoch, and R.H. Charles has done the leg-work to
pull them together into a more cohesive view much of what Enoch says about this
coming Messiah. From the Book of Enoch we find that the Messiah was going to
be:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not of human descent, but is a supernatural being</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Given four titles used for the first time in Enoch and then in the NT:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Christ (46:10, 52:4)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Righteous One (38:2, 53:6 → Acts 3:14, 7:52, 22:14)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Elect One (40:5, 45:3, 4ff<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>→ Lk 9:35, 23:35)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">○<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Son of Man<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Judge of the world and revealer of all things</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Messianic champion and ruler of the righteous</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As judge, who possesses righteousness, wisdom and power</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The righteous one in an extraordinary sense (38:2, 53:6)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Possessor of righteousness, and it dwells in Him (46:3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Has wisdom which could find no dwelling place on Earth (42)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wisdom dwells in Him, and the Spirit of Him who gives knowledge (49:3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Secrets of wisdom stream forth from His mouth (51:3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wisdom is poured forth like water before Him (49)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Him abodes the spirit of power (49:3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Possesses universal dominion (62:6)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is the revealer of all things</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His appearance reveals the revelation of good and the unmasking of
evil</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Brings light to everything hidden (righteousness and sin) (46:3,
49:2,4)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Brings life to those that have perished on land and sea, and those in
Sheol (51:1, 65:5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Evil when unmasked will vanish from His presence (49:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All judgment has been committed to Him (69:27)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He will sit on the throne of His glory (45:3, 62:3,5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Which is likewise the throne of God (47:3, 51:3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All men, righteous and wicked, and all angels He will judge (51:2,
55:4, 61:8, 62:2,3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By the words of His mouth will He slay the ungodly (62:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He is the stay of the righteous (48:4)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The avenger of the life of the righteous (48:7)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The preserver of the righteous and their inheritance (48:7)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will vindicate the earth as the possession for the righteous (51:5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cause the face of the righteous to shine with joy (51:5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He will cover the righteous with life (62:15)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He will make the righteous resplendent with light (39:7)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Make the righteous “become angels in heaven” (51:4)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He will abide in closest communion with righteous for ever (62:14)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will be in the immediate presence of Yahweh (Lord of Spirits) (39:7)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His glory is for ever and ever, His might to all generations (49:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hoping
you see how closely the things mentioned in the Book of Enoch are with what we
see and believe from the what we have learned from the New Testament about the
Messiah. Now, moving away from the Messiah character directly, and placing him
into the overarching prophecy of the works of the Son of Man and history, we
find many more similarities with what we find in the New Testament.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The watchers (angels) fell and lead mankind astray (54:6)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The were punished immediately, bound for judgment (54:5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Held to await final judgment (54:6, 55:3, 64)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the meantime mankind sins, and denies Lord of Spirits (38:2, 41:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kings and the mighty trust in their scepter and glory (63:7)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They oppress the elect of the children of God (62:11)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer of the righteous ascends, their blood crying for vengeance
(47:1)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly the Head of Days will appear, with the Son of Man (46:2-4,
48:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Judgment is declared on all according to their deeds (91:1)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fallen angels cast into a fiery furnace (54:6)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kings and mighty men given to destruction as they burn and vanish away
48:9-10, 62:12)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They are tortured in Gehenna by the angels of punishment (53: 3-5;
54:1-2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Other sinners driven from face of earth- Son of Man slays them with
the word of His mouth (62:6)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sins banished (49:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Heaven and earth transformed (45:4-5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Righteous and elect have their mansions therein (39:5, 41:2)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The light of the Lord of Spirits shines upon them (38:4)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They live in the light of eternal light (58:3)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They seek after light and find righteousness and peace with the Lord
of Spirits (58:3-4)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They grow in knowledge and righteousness (58:5)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Surely you can see
this storyline from Enoch is likewise presented and playing out in our New
Testament Scriptures. It is no wonder why those 17th century readers of the
rediscovered Book of Enoch supposed it to have been written after the New Testament,
the parallels are almost uncanny.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We will stop here for now - more to come!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
View the other parts of the topic<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_19.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_20.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_21.html">Part 4</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_22.html">Part 5</a> |
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-66006648168527536592016-02-19T16:27:00.001-05:002016-03-21T22:23:08.364-04:00The Book of Enoch's Influence on the New Testament (Pt 2)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINs5e-GCGgtQOuBuogLZLQ8LH7sXTgCSm1sScmgMqT4mW5bI6GHJ5otpf68VJw-HdyDT1oNdp2ggnR5iXBy1gIrNvcSZsTbcWE9YK2fsfBGqKvR1955qOdJWhrn01wTDq13XG2PptdXg/s1600/Bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINs5e-GCGgtQOuBuogLZLQ8LH7sXTgCSm1sScmgMqT4mW5bI6GHJ5otpf68VJw-HdyDT1oNdp2ggnR5iXBy1gIrNvcSZsTbcWE9YK2fsfBGqKvR1955qOdJWhrn01wTDq13XG2PptdXg/s400/Bible.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We ended in the last part with a little diversion on determinism in Hebrew thought, so now back to the path at hand. What benefit does the Book of Enoch
provide for us when it comes to our canon of Scripture? Well, the most
obviously answer comes from one of its primary uses by people today, and that
is its relationship to the ongoing debate into the true meaning of Genesis 6
and the sons of God taking daughters of man as wives. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Book of Enoch obviously sees the sons of God as indeed angelic
entities procreating with human women and creating a hybrid race of giants.
This is the common view on Genesis 6 that the ancient Hebrews and early church
held, and the Book of Enoch is a key source for further promoting this
understanding.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When it comes to this book in general, some quote it as if it were
Scripture, while others condemn it as total myth and heresy. But if we find
that it has been influential on some biblical writers and has influenced them
in the writing of our canon of Scripture, then it would demand further
consideration, would it not? </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s start with a look at what little we know about the man Enoch
just from the Scriptures. Genesis 5 tells us Enoch is the son of Jared, that at
age 65 he had a son, Methuselah, and that he lived another 300 years after
fathering Methuselah, and at that time, at age 365, he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“was not, for God took him.” </i>So the fact that we are told that he
was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no more</i> after age 365, a lifespan
that pales in comparison to those of that time living hundreds of years longer,
this gives us a clue something is different here. We are told he “walked with
God” which carries the connotation of a direct and immediate relationship with
God. Enoch’s walk with God was different than those around him. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Genesis 6:9, we are told that Noah similarly “walked with God,” and
we know how special he ended up being. And as special as Noah was, Enoch was
likewise special. Note that we are not told he died as all of those around him
in the genealogy verses are said to have done, but just that he “was not.” This
is the only time in this genealogy chapter that “was not” is used, and scholars
agree it cannot mean simply that he died. And of course we are told in the book
of Hebrews that he indeed had not died in this instance:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By faith Enoch
was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God
had taken him...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(Hebrews 11:5 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Beyond that, the only other mentionable content about Enoch we have is
in the book of Jude, which we will deal with further in a bit. It states:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was also about
these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the
Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and
to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have
committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly
sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 14-15 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As mentioned, the Book of Enoch was held in high esteem in the early
Christian church, but translator E. Isaac concluded that the book fell into
disfavor around the 4th century in the West due to the negative reviews of it
by influential theologians like Julius Africanus, Augustine, Hilary and Jerome,
and that it was the medieval mind that was responsible for it becoming
virtually oblivious to the church until its rediscovery in 1773 by Scottish
explorer James Bruce.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some believe it fell in disfavor because the text was at a time
manipulated by those in the Manichean heresy camp, and therefore Jerome and
Augustine outright dismissed it as apocryphal because of its popularity - not
on any scriptural basis though. It was Augustine, with his early background in
Manicheanism that was the most influential with his rejection, and he laid the
foundation for the modern church's continued rejection. Brian Godawa sums it up
well, stating:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But we must learn our lessons from
Augustine’s fallacy of guilt by association. Just because some aberrant sects
of non-Christian cults may value 1 Enoch does not make it an unworthy text,
especially since it has a long pedigree of acceptance within the historic
orthodox faith. After all, non-Christian cults of all kinds do the same thing
with the Bible. Abuse of a text does not negate proper use. (Brian Godawa - <a href="http://amzn.to/1OkeqjT" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Giants Were Upon the Earth</i></a>, pg. 18)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now while we are not saying that 1 Enoch is to be considered
Scripture, many people do not even realize just how influential it was on our
New Testament writers, some of whom appear to have used it directly as source
material for doctrines that they then injected into what we today hold as canon
of Scripture. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Say that the Book of Enoch as a non-canonical writing was a source of
historical and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>doctrinal truths is not
as odd of a thought as it may sound to some. Scholars note that there are well
over fifty references in the Scriptures to just over twenty non-canonical
source texts used by Biblical authors that are currently still lost to history.
These are non-Biblical texts that the writers of Scripture canon specifically
mention as being either the source of truths for the information they wrote in
Scripture, or are promoted as suggested reading for further truth and reference
for what they wrote in Scripture. A few examples of such mentioned works would
be:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Book of the Wars of Yahweh (Num 21:14), the Book of Jasher (Joshua
10:13), the Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41), the Book of the Annals
of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19), the Book of the Annals of the Kings of
Judah (1 Kings 14:29), the Annals of Samuel the Seer (1 Chr. 29:29), the
History of Nathan the Prophet (2 Chr. 9:29), and many others, but you get the
gist of the point being made. Basically, with such evidence of an
acknowledgement of non-Biblical sources by the very writers of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture canon, we cannot simply dismiss
such influential texts as totally irrelevant of unworthy of inspection.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, at present all of these types of works remain lost,
except one, the Book of Enoch. And the fact is that this book was considered to
be one such source that contains information with both a direct and indirect
influence on our New Testament writings. The Book of Enoch would have been one
of those books that was probably wide read by the Jewish people of the first
century. It appears to be one that was obviously known by most people, as we find
in the New testament not only a direct quote here and there, but quite a large
amount of direct allusions to doctrines expressed within it.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Terms like “Son of Man,” for instance. Many will simply say this
terminology that Yeshua employs is harking back to its appearance in Daniel 7,
and there is no denying that there is an obvious connection. However, what
little we are told in Daniel regarding that designation does not directly
correlate to the extensive use we find throughout the New Testament. One scholarly
work argues that while Daniel 7 shows a vision of the Son of Man on a cloud
approaching the throne of the Ancient of Days and receiving a kingdom of glory
and dominion, the New Testament Son of Man engages in a more judicial office
that the one presented in Daniel. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Daniel he is enthroned after judgment, but in places like Mark 8:38
and Matt. 10:32-33, the Son of Man comes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in</i>
judgment. This difference aligns much more closely to those teachings contained
in the Parables of Enoch. Mark 13:26-27 tells us:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the
angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to
the ends of heaven.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Mark 13:26-27
ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This Son of Man text goes beyond what Daniel 7 states, but aligns more
closely with the resurrection imagery contained in 1 Enoch 51, 61 and 62.
Another example we can look at is the parable of the sheep and the goats in
Matthew 25:31-46:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before
him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from
another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the
sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Matthew 25:31-33 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He goes on to speak of those who did this, that and the other thing,
and those who did not do any of those things, and then concludes in verse 46 by
stating <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And these will go away into
eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” </i>Now while Daniel
7 gives us a reference to a kingly throne idea, it does not present us with any
kind of real judgment of nations motif like we find here. However, this type of
motif is indeed reflective of what we are told in the Book of Enoch chapter 62
where we are told of the gathering of the people for judgment: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One half portion
of them shall glance at the other half; they shall be terrified and dejected;
and pain shall seize them when they see the Son of Man sitting on the throne of
his glory… </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the Lord of
the Spirits himself will cause them to be frantic, so that they shall rush and
depart from his presence… </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So he will
deliver them to the angels for punishments in order that vengeance shall be executed
on them - oppressors of his children and his elect ones… </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The righteous and
elect ones shall be saved on that day; and from thenceforth they shall never
see the faces of the sinners and the oppressors. The Lord of the Spirits will
abide over them; they shall eat and rest and rise with that Son of Man forever
and ever. The righteous and elect ones shall rise from the earth and cease
being of downcast face. They shall wear the garments of glory.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How about what we learn in John 5 about judgment and the Son:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Father judges
no one, but has given all judgment to the Son... (John 5:22 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sounds like almost a direct quote from Enoch 69:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And he sat on the
throne of his glory, and the sum of judgment was given to the Son of Man.
(Enoch 69:27)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, let’s take a look briefly at some from the Book of Revelation.
Let’s start with the discussion of the blood of the martyrs in Rev 6:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When he opened
the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for
the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud
voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge
and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each
given a white robe and told to rest a little longer... (Revelation 6:9-11 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enoch had foretold this in
similar manner:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In those days the
prayer of the righteous shall have ascended, and the blood of the righteous
from the earth shall be before the Lord of spirits. In those days the holy ones
who dwell above in heavens shall unite with one voice and supplicate and pray
and praise, and give thanks and bless the name of the Lord of spirits on behalf
of the blood of the righteous which has been shed, that the prayer of the
righteous may not be in vain before the Lord of spirits, that they may have
justice, and that they may not have to wait forever. (1 Enoch 47:1-2)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And sure we are all familiar with what we are told in Rev. 20:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then I saw a
great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and
sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and
small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was
opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written
in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who
were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were
judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades
were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown
into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15 ESV)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, this correlates pretty closely with what we find in Enoch 47 and
51:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In those days I
saw the Head of Days when He seated himself on the throne of His glory, and the
books of the living were opened before Him; and all His host which is in heaven
above and His counselors stood before Him. And the hearts of the holy were
filled with joy because the number of the righteous had been offered, and the
prayer of the righteous had been heard, and the blood of the righteous not been
required before the Lord of spirits. (1 Enoch 47:3-4)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And in those days
shall the earth also give back that which has been entrusted to it, and Sheol
also shall give back that which is has received, and hell shall give back that
which is owes. For in those days the Elect One shall arise, and he shall choose
the righteous and holy from among them. For the day has drawn near that they
should be saved. (1 Enoch 51:1-2)</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, here is a question that hit me as I was studying this, and it is a
question worth pondering I think. If we accept the Book of Revelation as
inspired canon of Scripture - <i>which we do</i>; and if we understand it as prophecy
revealed beforehand to John - <i>which we do</i>; then what do we do when we find very
similar or identical “prophetic” scenarios in the Book of Enoch, written
hundreds of years earlier than Revelation, but that correlates with it? Just food
for thought.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More to come...</span></div>
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</div>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
View the other parts of the topic<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_19.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_20.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_21.html">Part 4</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_22.html">Part 5</a> |
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-77654201614738593552016-02-18T16:40:00.000-05:002016-03-21T22:25:31.036-04:00The Book of Enoch's Influence on the New Testament (Pt 1)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPxm_IvDZ8R-JU5HsWa857nY9E9gC0KMUgStUIn8nbAcZA5ot56w_U9yt9ChhtY4pX4Y_fSscp13KXKAxVsNVzDnWI4TAfh_aPOt6Gtmbn7qlo7kM-Tq3rbmzGPh2Dfc2iWlpDRDB0Tg/s1600/517DWFUtLfL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPxm_IvDZ8R-JU5HsWa857nY9E9gC0KMUgStUIn8nbAcZA5ot56w_U9yt9ChhtY4pX4Y_fSscp13KXKAxVsNVzDnWI4TAfh_aPOt6Gtmbn7qlo7kM-Tq3rbmzGPh2Dfc2iWlpDRDB0Tg/s320/517DWFUtLfL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I would like to step outside of the Bible in order to step back into
the Bible - well sort of something like that. I’d like to start by stating
these basic principles that I believe most everyone would agree with. The
Bible was written by an ancient people of a different time, culture and
mentality than us. We know and understand that there are many things we
struggle to understand in the scriptures because of this fact. And because of
this, we take to the study of ancient writings, people and times. But, as we
know, not everyone does this sadly. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The battle continues over the opinions on the creation account and the
book of Genesis. Studies in the writings from the surrounding nations at the
time period of the writing of Genesis give scholars insight into the types of
writing styles and language use for the period. Through this, alternative
meanings can be discovered for words we thought we understood already.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The same principle is applied to our study of Scripture elsewhere - we
have to understand the culture and it’s use of phrases, idioms and terminology,
in order to best understand what was written in Scripture at the time.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wish to take a look at one piece of influential literature, an
ancient writing that you have probably at least heard of its name - the Book of
Enoch. I hope to show you how this writing, which was lost or ignored by the
church for nearly two thousand years, was actually a key influential writing
that had a big impact upon our New Testament Scriptures. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, when it comes to the discussion of extra-biblical literature like
this, people tend to have different reactions. Mention something like the
Apocrypha to a Protestant - their instinct is to raise their fists in
preparation for a fight. When you bring up Jewish writings that come from the
biblical period, people either simply ignore or dismiss them as useless, or
simply deny they contain any truth at all, and think instead that they contain
error and myth.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We may hold to inspiration of Scripture, and we believe all of Scripture
is true, but such a view does not require that we view everything outside the
Scripture as necessarily false. Some people do exactly that, particularly when
it comes to other scripture-like material from days of old. “If it was true,
why did the early church not include it in the canon?” some may ask.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Book of Enoch is understood by scholars to be one of the many
apocalyptic writings that came out of the second temple period of Hebrew
history. Part of what makes these books relevant to those who study the Bible
today, is the fact that they are written in a similar manner as our New
Testament, containing similar language, terminology and doctrines.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most scholars also classify many of these writings as pseudepigraphal
- pseudo meaning not genuine. This is because it seems to have been a common
practice, they say, to find writings penned under the names of a famous or
widely known figures from the past. There are many reasons why this practice
was supposedly done, and so they believe these writings are not actually
written by Enoch, since he lived several thousand years earlier than they have
dated this book.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, for the larger part of church history, the Book of Enoch was
lost to the church. The early church period after the Apostle had it, with even
some sects of the church, like the Ethiopic branch, holding it as indeed sacred
and part of their canon. It was considered as scripture in the Epistle of
Barnabas and by many of the early Church Fathers, such as Athenagoras, Justin
Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Irenaeus<sup> </sup>and Tertullian, who
called the Book of Enoch “Holy Scripture,” and wrote c. 200 that the Book of
Enoch had been rejected by the Jews because it contained prophecies pertaining
to Christ. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In looking at another of the reasons why the book was rejected by
some, I found what I think is an amazing quote from author Joseph Lumpkin, who
is not a preterist, but states this about church history:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since any book stands to be interpreted
in many ways, Enoch posed problems for some theologians. Instead of reexamining
their own theology, they sought to dispose of that which went counter to their
beliefs. Some of the visions in Enoch are believed to point to the consummation
of the age in conjunction with Christ’s second coming, which some believe took
place in AD 70 (in the destruction of Jerusalem). (Joseph B. Lumpkin - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Books of Enoch: The Angels, The Watchers
and The Nephilim</i>, p 16)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His implication here seems to be saying that some in the early days of
the church believed the second coming was in AD 70. Sadly he does not develop
that or explain any further as to where he is pulling this tidbit of
information from.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He does go on to mention that the “70 generations” discussed in Enoch
was a problem for scholars too, because they thought it indeed could not be
stretched beyond the first century. Kind of like what troubles people about
Daniel’s 70 weeks. So in the end, we find it to begin being discredited after
the Council of Laodicea and then later church fathers denied the canonicity of
the book. Some even considered the letter of Jude uncanonical because it refers
to this "apocryphal" work. The book eventually fell from view for
almost two thousand years, and was only rediscovered and published in English
around the turn of the nineteenth century. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A short side note. When I was researching some additional info on the
70 generations mentioned in Enoch, I stumbled upon a general forum discussion
on religion, and found someone who was struggling with this issue. He said:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Enoch, it predicts the Messiah will
arise 70 generations after Enoch, 'seventh from Adam.' This in itself would be
harmless if Enoch was just a fairytale, but in Luke's genealogy of Jesus there
are indeed 70 from Enoch to Jesus! </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It seems that (a) Enoch correctly
predicted it, (b) Luke modified the genealogy here and there to make it match
Enoch, (c) Enoch is again taking from it (Luke). Something is going on here! If
Luke just made something up like that, how can we be sure he didn't just make
up or borrow things from older non-inspired texts as he saw fit?</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What also seems a bit troubling is that
Enoch says the judgement will occur 70 generations after Enoch; at the time of
Christ. Christ says he would return before the generation had passed away, again
fitting in with Enoch. So here we have another conundrum: either (a) Christ was
a false prophet or (b) the Preterist interpretation is correct and he somehow
returned before the generation ended. (</span><a href="http://www.city-data.com/forum/christianity/915992-70-generations-enoch-jesus.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.city-data.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, post 3/9/2010
by Trimac20)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Two things to note - he may indeed be correct in implying that Luke,
as a first century writer, may have been borrowing from the Book of Enoch, as
we will be looking into further as we go. Secondly, it is worth noting that
based on his study of the book he was beginning to show leanings towards a
Preterist understanding of things. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to the topic, after falling from view for almost two thousand
years, when the Book of Enoch is rediscovered, it was actually assumed that it
must have been a writing that was penned some time after the Christian era. The
main reason for this was because it had so many quotes, paraphrases and
concepts that were found within the New Testament. However, this view changed
after the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Ten fragments of the Book of Enoch
were found among these scrolls which lead some scholars to believe the book may
have been used widely as a prayer book, teacher’s manual or study text. But its
inclusion within the Dead Sea Scrolls reveals that the book was actually in existence
before the time of Christ. As Lumpkin puts it:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These (Dead Sea) scrolls force a closer
look and reconsideration. It became obvious that the New Testament did not
influence the Book of Enoch; on the contrary, the Book of Enoch influenced the
New Testament. (Joseph B. Lumpkin - <a href="http://amzn.to/24cY5ZT" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TheBooks of Enoch: The Angels, The Watchers and The Nephilim</i></a>, p 11)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are actually three books of Enoch that you will find out there,
but I will only be discussing the first of those three - commonly known as the
Ethiopic Book of Enoch, or 1st Enoch. It contains 107 chapters which scholars
divide the book into 5 main sections.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first 36 chapters is commonly known as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of the Watchers</i></b>, and
describes the activities surrounding the Genesis 6 procreation between the sons
of God and the daughters of men and Enoch being taken to heaven in relation to
the judgment for that.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Section two is chapters 37-71, referred to as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Parables</i></b>, and is
usually the center of debate among scholars. It relates to the Book of
Watchers, but it contains the development of ideas surrounding the final
judgment of those even outside of the fallen angels discussed in section one.
It is also where we see the appearance of a person referred to with the terms
“Son of Man,” “Righteous one,” “Chosen one,” and “Messiah.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapters 72-82 are known as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Astrological Book</i></b>, as it describes
the knowledge revealed during Enoch’s trip to Heaven regarding the movements of
the heavenlies bodies, the firmament, and the Solar calendar. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapters 83-90 are referred to as the book of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dream Visions</i></b>, and
describes visions of the history of Israel down through the intertestamental
period. It is for this reason that many scholars conclude that the book of
Enoch - or at least this section of it - must have been written during the
intertestamental period, and not earlier, since it contained history only up
until that time. The Ethiopic church though, held this book was indeed written
before the flood, and that this section was indeed prophetic visions of things
to come.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapters 83-84 deal with the first vision, dealing with events
surrounding the deluge, and 85-90 is the history of the world up through the
establishment of the Messianic kingdom.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The final chapters, 91-107, are referred to as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Epistle
of Enoch</i></b>, or the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Warnings and Blessings of Enoch</i></b>,
are is usually further broken down into five covered topics: Exhortation,
Apocalypse of Weeks, Epistle, the Birth of Noah, and the Conclusion. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I mentioned earlier, the Book of Enoch is considered one of the
writings known as apocalyptic. There are many such Hebrew writings that are
outside the canon of scripture. As writer Michael Stone puts it:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of these writings were very much
concerned with eschatological matters, the imminence of the end of days and the
way men should act in this last period preceding that end. Moreover, the end of
days was not just seen as a chance event, but was understood as having been
fixed in advance, as had the whole course of history from creation. (Michael
Edward Stone - <a href="http://amzn.to/1ov59kx" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scriptures, Sects andVision: A Profile of Judaism from Ezra to the Jewish Revolts</i></a>, Pg. 61)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, for a those who thrive in eschatological type studies, these types
of books should sound fascinating to us, right? I admit that is one of the key
reasons I started looking in to them. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me take a brief stop here to chase a rabbit trail. There is a
doctrinal theory out there that states the Bible does not teach a determined
set plan of Yahweh, but that things are open ended, dependent on man’s actions
and reactions, and that many results are not even totally known to Yahweh. This
is basically the view known as Open Theism. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few months ago I was in a discussion on Facebook with someone that I would have considered to be well read. He was
espousing this view of Open Theism, going on about how the Hebrew people didn't
believe in a view of Yahweh as being a deterministic God who knew everything
about the future. I granted to him that maybe while strictly considering it
from only the canon of Hebrew Scriptures his view may appear to have credence,
but that it fails miserably to be so in the light of the even larger amount of
ancient Hebrew writings like those pseudepigraphal and intertestamental
writings. His response was that he had never read any of them.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So here is a person, spouting off and belittling others - especially
those holding to predestination type views - and speaking in an authoritative
manner about the historic beliefs of the Hebrews, yet by his own admission, he
is ignorant of all but a few of their writings. Real scholarship comes about by
a fairly thorough look at a wealth of such information before coming to such
concrete conclusions as he was doing.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If the Hebrews indeed had a totally open view of history and Yahweh’s
knowledge of it, then the whole realm of prophecy is almost useless, as it is
always subject to change due to man thwarting the hoped for outcome. This
fellow even stated that if Yahweh had been unsuccessful in convincing Moses to
act on his behalf, then he would have raised up someone else to do the task. I
don’t know about you, but I find such a view to be extremely radical and
thoroughly unbiblical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author Michael Edward Stone summarizes the position by somewhat
agreeing that looking strictly at some of the Hebrew Scriptures, events of
history appear to be contingent on the action of men, but he then continues:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In many of the Pseudepigrapha, however, a
determinism is clearly presented. God fixed the times in advance; they can be
calculated (by Him at least); human action is of no weight in determining the
course of history. Moreover, these views were conceived under the very strong
impression of the dualistic opposition of the world to come and this world.
(Michael Edward Stone - <a href="http://amzn.to/1ov59kx" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scriptures, Sectsand Vision: A Profile of Judaism from Ezra to the Jewish Revolts</i></a>, pg 62)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, either Yahweh’s people had a total flipping of opinion in their
view and writing on Yahweh over time, or the deterministic nature of the Hebrew
scriptures have been misunderstood by us. I am one who already sees much
determinism throughout the Scriptures already, so finding it in these other
writings is not such a change of position for me at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More to come!</span></div>
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<hr />
<br />
View the other parts of the topic<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_19.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_20.html">Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_21.html">Part 4</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-book-of-enochs-influence-on-new_22.html">Part 5</a> |
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-50872296647542701232016-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:002016-02-08T10:00:01.736-05:00Gospel Conversation: Living the Gospel (Pt 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We ended part two after a section on honoring God, so now we look at the idea of living:</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Respect to Worldly Men<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
top of being a manner of living that honors Yahweh, it is also a way to
convince unbelievers around you. While the audience relevance scenario is
different, the exhortation from Peter is applicable as to how this works: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep your
conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as
evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of
visitation. (1 Pet. 2:12 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes,
they had there day of visitation that was approaching, but the underlying
principle is still solid – that honorable conduct and good deeds glorify Yahweh
to those around us. So it is actually a two-fold response – it glorifies God
and convicts the unbelievers around us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
aspect of it - as relating to those around us - is found a few verses later,
where Peter says this action will actually silence ignorance:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For this is
the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of
foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a
cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:15 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Peter
also gives us a hint of what we spoke of from Paul earlier in our opening text.
Living as people who are free hearkens back to the living as citizen idea. Plus
he reinforces Paul’s teaching to honor others and love the members of the body
of Christ. Then later in 3:16 Peter speaks of our good behavior putting to
shame those who slander and revile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Respect to the Saints<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
top of glorifying Yahweh, and affecting those unbelievers around us – we now
look at how it affects our fellow saints. When fellow believers see us living a
gospel honoring lifestyle, it will warm their hearts. They see the glory it
brings to the Father, and that brings them joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They
will not only feel joy, but will bless God the more for it. And likewise, to
see this spirit of love working through others, it should fill us with the same
joy, seeing the good things being done in our Father’s name. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
is also a means of adding additional encouragement to others. They see another
brother or sister practicing a righteous gospel centered life, and it gives
them great joy and encouragement to continue doing the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
the other hand, seeing someone making the gospel profession yet walking
contrary to that, is disheartening, and brings shame to them and the whole body
in general. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also,
new converts will be emboldened in their walk by seeing the gospel living of
those around them, and they will be given the encouragement to follow the
example and seek to imitate that righteousness too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So
our gospel lifestyles – or lack thereof - can greatly affect those around us,
making it of great importance that we watch over ourselves in these areas. Let
us hold fast to truth and not be proven to be liars as we are warned in 1 John:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we
lie and do not practice the truth.</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (1 John 1:6 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead,
we should always seek to stand firm in that manner of living that is worthy of
the gospel:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (1 John 1:7 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
is the hard words found later on in this same letter that help to separate the
sheep from the goats as it were:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No one who
abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him
or known him. Whoever makes a practice
of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1
John 3:6,8 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now,
we could go into all kinds of detail here about what it means to keep on
sinning, etc. but instead of going down that path, let’s keep it more surface
level and simply say that someone who has no desire to - or ignores all efforts to - live a disciplined, gospel honoring life <i>may</i> need to take a real hard look at
their spiritual life and profession in general. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
someone would rather contradict their profession of salvation by a habitual,
public, and unapologetic manner is showing forth no evidence of being born of
God. Whereas this same section tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little
children, let no one deceive you. Whoever <i>practices</i>
righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. <i>No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides
in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God</i>. By
this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the
devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one
who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:7,9-10 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So,
this kind of makes the gospel lifestyle less than optional. It seems fairly
clear that if someone does not practice righteousness or does not love their
brother, they are not of God. Those are pretty strong words, and they should
hopefully wake us up to the seriousness of the situation. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Of
course, this is not saying that righteous living </span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">causes</i><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> us to be of God, but it is saying that those truly of God </span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">will</i><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> have a heart towards this gospel
manner of living.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those
who don’t tend to take care of themselves anyway. Like a comet, they may blaze
for a short period, but after a while of no righteous living or striving for
growth, they tend to fade away and disappear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
you think about it, what is the purpose of being born of God if you are just
going to stick it in your pocket and make it of no use to your life or anyone
else’s around you? Does Scripture give us any indication of a lifestyle that he
calls us to where we just accept His gift and hide it away only for ourselves?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Going
back to our original verse in Philippians:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Only let your manner of
life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or
am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one
mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…</b><i> </i> <b>(Phil. 1:27 ESV)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As
we said earlier, he is saying “above all else” we are to strive to live in a
manner of life worth of the gospel – it means our prayer should be that we live
and act differently than before. We should be “set apart” and noticeably so by
those around us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes
we’re human – yes we’re seeds of Adam – yes we stumble – yes we sin – yes we
fall. But are we to use our human nature as an excuse to continue in sin with
never much desire to be rid of it and work hard at striving for holiness?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
are to strive and work within ourselves to daily seek to overcome the secret
sins that are keeping us from being the men and women God wishes us to be. We
are to stay in his Word frequently to better learn and understand the nature
and ways of Yahweh, in order that we may focus our lifestyle to be more
pleasing to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is not works based righteousness, this is works based love. If Yahweh has loved
us and brought us into his family and renewed us with truth, we should be more
than willing to love and honor Him with a lifestyle according to his mandate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Living
in a manner worthy of the gospel means earnestly desiring the ability to pray
in good conscience something like this updated prayer borrowed again from
Jeremiah Burroughs:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Father, you know, according to what light you
have given me in the gospel, that it has been my care to look to my manner of
living. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, that I might live to your honor and be a
witness to your truth; that I might hold forth your image and further your
designs, and make up the dishonor that you have from others in the world. That
I might convince wicked men and stop the mouths of those who are contrary! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, that I might be a means to convert those with
whom I live, or otherwise to judge them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, that I might rejoice the hearts of
the saints, that they may lift up their heads with boldness because of me, and
that they may be established and edified.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many
in today’s pews could not repeat this prayer in sincerity. But the question is,
do we desire to be able to do so? Are we struggling daily to make our manner of
living more like this? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many
do not have such a concern or desire, but are just fine going to church, going
through the motions, and putting on a good front while there – only to go live
like the devil the rest of the week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do
we attend church services or listen to sermons with the intent of learning new
things about Yahweh and to strengthen ourselves with new ways that we can live
more unto Him? Or do we go to church because that is what is expected of us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What
is it we are seeking most to do in this life – be pleasing and appeasing to
men, or seek to be honoring to our Father who has given us life and truth? I
once sat under a pastor who said plainly from the pulpit, “In this life, we can
never be sinless – so why try?” That is a sad and lazy excuse that allows us to
just wallow in our sin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
church is sadly filled with men and women just like this – whose daily lives
are a great dishonor to the Lord they profess to love and follow. Nothing
darkens the glory of the Father as much as a professor of the gospel who lives
so loosely with little concern for correction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May
our hearts not be set in such a direction, and may God’s Words always chime in
our ears:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we say
that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the
truth: (1 John 1:6 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Let no
corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building
up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Let all
bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:29, 31-32 ESV)</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one
another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and
his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:11-12 ESV)</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his
brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen
cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-4076888570894993972016-02-07T14:00:00.000-05:002016-02-07T14:00:05.786-05:00Gospel Conversation: Living the Gospel (Pt 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPkjSK1pWyG4W-2m58sX5EB1ERJ_aWCEIBDKfMGpSOsoclvoSg3KVH-J4Q7QHB0V0cQfSjv6r_xwjL6P90JoLn0ah3gd63g8UUhKi8EiFukbM2qUwk1xTznkEi3AS7lwoAjitCROkFmk/s1600/living-the-christian-life.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPkjSK1pWyG4W-2m58sX5EB1ERJ_aWCEIBDKfMGpSOsoclvoSg3KVH-J4Q7QHB0V0cQfSjv6r_xwjL6P90JoLn0ah3gd63g8UUhKi8EiFukbM2qUwk1xTznkEi3AS7lwoAjitCROkFmk/s400/living-the-christian-life.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We ended in part one mentioning how the
gospel message is a message of peace, love and reconciliation. Our manner of
living should reflect that too. We must live in a manner that manifests the
power of the gospel beyond just the words we say – it must be evident in our
very actions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
see this idea even in the very words of Christ, who told his audience:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the same
way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 5:16 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our
manner of living, our words, and our works should portray the beauty,
excellence, and glory that the gospel offers to mankind. Has God the Father
brought the light of the gospel into your life? Does evidence of it shine forth
in your heart? Has he revealed to you those glorious mysteries of salvation in
Him? If so, then let the light of that break forth and shine in your lifestyle
so that others can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gospel
living goes above the normal lifestyle of the world around us and should reveal
a lifestyle powered by the love of God and the Holy Spirit. It goes above and
beyond the live-for-ourselves, fulfill-our-own-desires mentality, and seeks the
higher calling of love and unity with the body. Similar to what we are told in
1 John:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No one born
of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot
keep on sinning because he has been born of God. (1 John 3:9 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
gospel lifestyle will reveal the evidence of this seed of God within us
producing a lifestyle that is above the norm. God’s seed will produce the fruit
that makes our gospel lifestyle more evident. Of course failure to do so
reveals the opposite, as we are told in 1 John:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If anyone
says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not
love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John
4:20 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is the high calling of a gospel lifestyle – it is one that lives consistently
with the profession of a gospel conversion. It is not one that is filled with
hypocritical words and actions that go against the very gospel and Lord that we
claim to follow. It is one that relies on the life giving vine to bring forth
the fruit of this lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Abide in
me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides
in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Apostle Paul gives us a whole section of instruction for the kind of gospel
lifestyle we should be living out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But as for
you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded,
dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Older women
likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.
They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their
husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and
submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Likewise,
urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be
a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound
speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame,
having nothing evil to say about us. (Titus 2:1-8 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
wish time would permit me to go through each of these traits to unwrap the
wealth of doctrinal truths contained in them. Terms like sober minded,
dignified, and self-controlled pack a punch when it comes to how we men should
strive to live in the gospel. The same can be said for the lifestyle traits
mentioned for the women and younger men.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
the end, the reason for this lifestyle is so that “an opponent may be put to
shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Oh it would be nice if the church’s
opponents today would have nothing evil to say about us, but sadly that is not
the case because so few truly strive to live a gospel lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James
gives us great instruction along this line too:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who is wise
and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the
meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our
conduct should show forth the love and meekness of the gospel – it should be
evident in the way we live. James continues:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But if you
have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be
false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is
earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:14-16 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note,
where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there will be disorder – not unity
as there should be. This is not showing the evidence of a gospel lifestyle,
which James then states by saying:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But the
wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full
of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness
is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:16-18 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is a manner of living that is revealing the gospel. This lifestyle is evidenced
by the presence of peace, gentleness, reason, mercy and good fruits. If we are
to manifest the evidence that God has brought about a true saving knowledge and
wisdom within us, then we should know that God requires us to show that through
living the gospel lifestyle in love, meekness and wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Honoring God<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aside
from leaving the opponents without evil things to say, this lifestyle is also
one that is honoring to God. Of course striving for this type of God-honoring
lifestyle has brought forth many attempts to produce satisfactory results in
this area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One
example was just a few years back, there was the WWJD movement. “What would
Jesus Do?” was plastered on everything – but especially things like rings and
bracelets. It was a means to give people a visible sign to help them always
remember to questions their motives when making decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
one, which I am not sure when it got started but recall hearing it often when I
was growing up, which is a slightly different take on the WWJD idea, is where
you ask yourself if you would still do such and such activity if Christ were
sitting beside you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These
are all means to cause us to hopefully stop and think before we act foolishly.
They are set up to hopefully help us attempt to train our minds to live in a manner
pleasing to Yahweh and showing forth a gospel lifestyle to those around us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of
course, these types of things can and have led to much abuse and legalism in
practice – thus actually counteracting the truth it seeks to establish. People
do just like they have been doing since…forever – they create rules and
practices that become hedges to protect against possible sin and over time
those rules become traditions that go far beyond anything biblical.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
must not allow ourselves or others to produce guidelines that bind us to a new
law or legalism instead of grace, or we will become just as fruitless as the
early people of God with all of their over-the-top ways of seeking to keep the
law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
must also watch that we do not let works becomes our attention grabber tool. I
appreciate the way the Puritan preacher Jeremiah Burroughs put it:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is one thing to do a good work that <i>may</i> be seen, and another thing to do a
good work that <i>it</i> may be seen. To do
a good work that may be seen is lawful, though we should not do them
principally aiming that they may be seen. (Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646), <i>Gospel Conversation</i>, pg. 10)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
other words, do not become someone who does good deeds simply to reap the
attention and credit upon themselves. I am sure you are familiar with what we
are told by Christ in Matthew about this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beware of
practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them,
for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 6:1
ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
continues on saying not to blow a trumpet to draw attention to you when giving
to the needy, and not stand on the street corner to pray in order to be seen
doing so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
point being that you should not do these things with the direct intent of
gaining attention to yourself. If your deeds are seen, be sure they bring all
of the glory to the Father and not to yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Through
your lifestyle and deeds, you do give honor to the Father, and become a living,
breathing, walking gospel message. To habitually live contrary to that is to do
the opposite – and provides a negative message.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
changed lifestyle – one that is lived above and beyond the normal standards of
the world, is indeed a witness of the gospel’s power. People who claim to have
been born again, and then live as if nothing has happened and no differently
from anyone else - they do not present such gospel power. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
church is ignored so much these days because of the widespread hypocritical
professions when compared to the lifestyles standards by many church goers.
Instead of love and mercy the church is seen as a place offering judgment,
condemnation, and an image of greediness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
church is supposed to be the go-to place for answers, love, and mercy. Instead,
it has become a house of self-serving liars that is avoided by the world
because of its failure to live as the gospel requires. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many
people have left the organized church because of this hypocritical lifestyle
they find contained within. This kind of lifestyle is more in line with the
basic human nature that we are called to strive to live in opposition to. Even
Paul is aware of it and speaks to the church at his time, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let no
corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building
up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Let all
bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:29, 31-32 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is how the church body should live – by seeking to build one another up. This
is the way a child of Yahweh is to behave. This love is not suggested, it is
required if you claim to follow your master:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A new
commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13: 34-35)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is the evidence to the world around us that we truly are who we profess to be –
followers of Yeshua. We are the witness to this truth, and our lifestyle either
promotes a proper image of Yahweh, or it provides an image that is dishonoring
and detrimental to the gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll finish up this thought in the next part.</span></span>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-50941199947716175222016-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:002016-02-06T17:04:48.822-05:00Gospel Conversation: Living the Gospel (Pt 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCdXmW5XthYunFcS2q8egaqObEnCYUyIe1c0cVqvM9UMHxdssKutaNq-9iNHuuNPpeiWF0hki8NHGw71pFKeuiHyzW94mTfuIMu-tEab5zBW2WschgUmxmfrEoWWZSASx6BCPiC1mgMY/s1600/Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCdXmW5XthYunFcS2q8egaqObEnCYUyIe1c0cVqvM9UMHxdssKutaNq-9iNHuuNPpeiWF0hki8NHGw71pFKeuiHyzW94mTfuIMu-tEab5zBW2WschgUmxmfrEoWWZSASx6BCPiC1mgMY/s400/Christian.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would like to take a look at some verses from Paul where he is exhorting the
Philippians in his absence. Our text comes from Philippians 1, and of course
looking at the context here, we find Paul writing to those at the church in <st1:place w:st="on">Philippi</st1:place> with great joy. Let’s do a real quick synopsis
to get the context of Paul’s words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In verse 5
he states they have been partners in the gospel with him since day one, and in
verse 6 he reminds them that he who began the good work in them would complete
it in the day of Christ. In verse 7 he states that they were partakers with him
in grace in both imprisonments and defense of the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In verse 8
he openly yearns for them in the affection of Christ. In 9-11 he prays that
they abound more and more with knowledge and discernment, so as to be ready for
the approaching day of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 12
through 14 he speaks of all of his trials and imprisonments as being a great
benefit to the spreading of the gospel message. In 15 through 19 he speaks of
those who preach the gospel, some with good motives, others with bad ones, but
explains how he is happy either way since in both cases Christ is preached. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 20
through 26 is the familiar section where Paul speaks of his desire to die to be
with Christ, but how it is most beneficial for the gospel’s sake that he
remains present in the flesh. Then, in 27 through 30 he exhorts them to
continuing living in a manner worthy of the gospel, not fearing their
opponents, for they have been granted the privilege of not only just believing
in Christ, but also suffering for him just as Paul has. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, verse I would like to discuss this
morning in verse 27:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Only let your manner of
life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or
am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one
mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…</b><i> </i> <b>(Phil. 1:27 ESV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul is
exhorting them to live in a manner of life that was worthy of the gospel of
Christ, and that is the topic I would like us to look at to see if we are
striving to live up this exhortation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First,
notice that to Paul, living in manner worthy of the gospel of Christ is of
utmost importance. He starts by saying “only” – which is to say above all else.
He places this at the start of his thought, and says that living in this manner
is above all else the most important thing to do. To do this it entails many
aspects of love, mercy and righteous deeds as we shall see. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">So,
above all else, we are to strive to live in a manner of life worth of the
gospel – but what exactly does that mean, and what does the Word tell us about
doing so?</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When it
speaks of the “manner of life,” the original Greek implies to live as good
citizens. In the King James, which I spent most of my early Christian years
using, it is translated as “let your <i>conversation</i>
be as becometh the gospel of Christ,” which is where my title comes from. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the
original writers and even the readers of days of old would have understood the
term conversation to mean more than our speech, unfortunately to the modern
reader it is often misunderstood as being limited to how we speak, and so a
better, more modern interpretation is often needed to get the point.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However,
even the translation we have here - to live in a manner worthy of the gospel –
still misses the mark a bit. These people were citizens of the local
government. They lived in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
local government, and they knew the difference between being a good and a bad
citizen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></st1:place></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Philippi</span></st1:place><span style="line-height: 115%;"> was a colony under Roman rule, and so they had to abide by
Roman rule. This brought forth many advantages as well as disadvantages. Living
as a good citizen probably had more advantages than disadvantages, and so they
knew this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being a good
citizen in a city means being a part of a community where people pull resources
together to use for the common good of the whole. Even today, we have people
using their talents to assist others in the area who do not have those skills.
Being a good citizen means using those skills honestly and not taking advantage
of others, and working together for the common good. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those in the
<st1:placetype w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">church</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Christ</st1:placename></st1:place></st1:placetype>
also belong to another polity, or order of things though. Just as they were to
be good citizens of their local government, Paul is encouraging them here to
apply similar standards to how they should live within the church body, and do
so in such a way as is worthy of the gospel of Christ. John Gill puts it like
this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A church of Christ is as a city,
and is often so called; the members of it are citizens, fellow citizens, one
with another, and of the household of God, and have laws and rules according to
which they are to conduct themselves; as such do who walk worthy of their
calling, and becoming the charter of the Gospel by which they have and hold
their freedom and privileges, as citizens of the new Jerusalem: and such a
Gospel walk and conversation lies in such things as these; constant attendance
on the preaching of the Gospel, and on the administration of Gospel ordinances;
a strict observation of the rules of behavior towards persons that have given
offence, either in public or private; a just regard to the discipline of
Christ's house, in admonitions; reproofs, censures and excommunications, as
cases require; cultivating love, unity, and peace; keeping the ordinances as
they were delivered; retaining and striving for the doctrines of the Gospel;
holding the mysteries of it in a pure conscience, and adorning it by a becoming
life and conversation.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, Paul
goes on to say that he wants them to “stand firm in one spirit, with one mind
striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” and then verse 28:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign
to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. (Php
1:28 ESV)</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While we may
not be facing the same enemies or situations that Paul was directly addressing
here, we still live in a world that is opposed in many ways to the gospel, and
therefore the church still has opponents. Plus, we all belong to the same body
of Christ that those at <st1:place w:st="on">Philippi</st1:place> did, and
therefore can pay heed to Paul’s exhortation here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, he
states that “this is a clear sign” – what is the clear sign? The clear sign is
the “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the
faith of the gospel.” When a church body is united, standing firm beside one
another, and working as a single body, then it performs in a way that is a good
sign to others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a general
rule, does that sound like the state of the church these days? Do we as
Christ’s body stand firm in one spirit on hardly anything anymore? Do we have
one mind and strive side by side for anything?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly, the
church does not do this, and that is a key reason why so many in the world
around us see today’s church as impotent and of little use to society in
general. There is so much disagreement between denominations and individual
congregations, that to say the body of Christ works as a single body is near
impossible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The individualistic
mindset is much more the way of the day. Everyone wants to do their own thing,
they all want to make a name for themselves, or they want to do a ministry
their own way. There may be two churches on the same street, just a stone’s
throw from each other, with many similarities, but to think of merging them
into one body so pool their resources is rarely ever a possibility. Neither
body – or their leaders - wants to give up their position.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead of
wasting twice the money on overhead and resources that do the same thing,
wouldn’t merging together, pooling the resources, and combining talents not
allow them to accomplish much more for the kingdom? But this is never an idea
because no one wants to give up their small piece of the pie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even on a
non-congregational front, I can’t help but wonder how much more good would be
accomplished if the multitudes of separate “feed the children organizations”
and other such organizations would join together as one. Think of all of the
money that would be saved in avoiding having all of the individual promotion
and overlapping of </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">labor that is being done to promote each group. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However,
admittedly, Paul’s context is more directed at a single church body and how it
functions together, so let’s move back in what he is saying here. After this
section of verses, he continue on in chapter 2 to explains some of what he
means by all of this one-spirit one-mindedness. This is not just applying to
the individual mindedness of most independent congregations, but is mainly directed
at the individuals in the church themselves. Paul continues:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">So if there
is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,
having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from
selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than
yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the
interests of others. (Php 2:1-4 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of
what fuels the individualistic attitude in churches today tends to come from
our own pride and self-worth. We tend to put ourselves above others, and only
look out for our own interests. Self-love is highly promoted by the world, but
seems to have taken a foothold in the church body too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul here
says it would aid in completing his joy if they were to have the same mind and
same love, and look not to their own interests only, but to others also. This idea of love is nothing new of course;
Paul has said it elsewhere, like Romans:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in
showing honor. (Rom. 12:10 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we are concentrating on outdoing one another in showing honor, and
looking out for their interests, that will pretty much squelch any self-love,
pride, or selfish attitudes we could have. We should be actively on the
look-out for ways we can show honor to others, and put their interests ahead of
our own interests. This is just one key aspect of loving one another and is repeated
by others, for Peter tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">As obedient
children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as
he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. (1 Pe 1:14-15 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, he is giving us an
emphasis on the conduct and manner of living, which of course is tied to loving
one another as he states a little later:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Having
purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly
love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born
again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and
abiding word of God. (1 Pet. 1:22-23 ESV)</b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">John tells us many times the
same message on loving one another:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one
another. (John 13:34, see also 15:12, 17)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And
then over and over again in 1 John we are hit with it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For this is the message that you have
heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1 John 3:11 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">And this is his commandment, that we
believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he
has commanded us. (3:23) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beloved, let us love one another, for
love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (4:7)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in 3pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beloved, if God so loved us, we also
ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another,
God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (4:11-12 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is a major key to kingdom living – love others, especially within the body of
Christ. This self-sacrificial love is what brings a body together in unity and
love. Our manner of living must be raised higher than normal, and higher than
the natural law requires, in order for it to be worthy of the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
gospel message is a message of peace, love and reconciliation. Our manner of
living should reflect that too. We must live in a manner that manifests the
power of the gospel beyond just the words we say – it must be evident in our
very actions.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We'll pick here in part 2</span></span></div>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-27072083628512406412016-01-23T23:22:00.001-05:002016-01-30T11:32:59.885-05:00Review: The Dragon King: First Emperor of China (Chronicles of the Watchers, #1) - Brian Godawa<a href="http://amzn.to/1WFWUx6" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Dragon King: First Emperor of China" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1453164103m/28599969.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1WFWUx6" target="_blank">The Dragon King: First Emperor of China</a> by <a href="http://amzn.to/1WFX2Nb">Brian Godawa</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1516033707">5 of 5 stars</a>
<br />
<br />
I start by saying I have not previously read any of Godawa's novels of this nature. I did read his <a href="http://amzn.to/1WFX8nZ" target="_blank" title="When Giants Were Upon the Earth The Watchers, the Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed by Brian Godawa">When Giants Were Upon the Earth: The Watchers, the Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed</a> which was the historic appendixes from each of the novels in the "Chronicles of the Nephilim" series. So that book was nothing like these novels are.<br />
<br />
I was more than pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I RARELY read fiction, preferring deeper studies into things like history, theology and ancient cultures. Well, I guess that is why I enjoyed this story so much, because it was jam packed with all of those topics. <br />
<br />
East meets West in this historically driven story of a few Greeks making contact with an Asian culture they never knew even existed. And the things they find there astonish them. Dragons, giants, true spiritual beings unlike the myths they were so accustom to in their homeland.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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For almost half of the book, I kept asking myself, "what does this have to do with <a href="http://amzn.to/1WFXDi2" target="_blank">the Watchers</a>?" Then it all started creeping into the story, and I was fascinated and hooked. When I got about 40% into the story, I became so hooked I couldn't put it down and I zipped through the rest of the story in two days (thank you snow storm for providing some extra time off). <br />
<br />
The multiple story lines were not hard to follow at all, and while the various oriental names kind of were more complicated to keep up with, after a short while the key characters became common knowledge. The book is very well written, the story line flows well, the characters well developed, and the reading level keeps this book within the grasp of most all age groups from pre-teen and up. <br />
<br />
My only concern throughout as I was reading and greatly engaged, was wondering how someone without my extensive knowledge of the <a href="http://amzn.to/1OG7voJ" target="_blank">unseen realm, divine council</a>, spiritual entities etc. would truly grasp the amazing significance of so much of the most fun and amazing character and story parts here. Then I remembered that this series follows hard on the heels of Godawa's eight part series of the <a href="http://amzn.to/1ngylKZ" target="_blank">"Chronicles of the Nephilim"</a> where I believe most of this was covered in greater detail. Is that series required reading before starting this one? No, I do not think so at all, as this story stands alone just fine as is. Would some aspects of the story and characters make a little more sense or add a bit more depth to the grand scheme of things? Probably so. But even without that additional background understanding, the book is an enjoyable read with just the amount of knowledge presented in this volume alone. Knowing deeper thoughts on those other aspects, at least for me, made it that much more thrilling and engaging to see them incorporated in this story. <br />
<br />
I am encouraged to read future editions in this series, as well as being prompted now to add additional fiction books like this to my reading list - starting with adding the eight previous volumes in the <a href="http://amzn.to/1ngylKZ" target="_blank">"Chronicles of the Nephilim"</a> series to the top of the list.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>About the Book (from promotional material):</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>East Eats West</b></h3>
It’s 220 B.C. The ancient Western Empire is crumbling. In a
desperate bid to save his throne, the Greek Seleucid king over Babylon
sends his son, Antiochus, a dishonored warrior, into the mysterious land
of the Far East to capture a mythical creature that will give him
absolute power: a dragon.
<br />
<br />
Antiochus takes with him his longtime friend, Balthazar, a member of
the Magi order of Babylon, responsible for both the religion and
science of the empire. But Balthazar also carries with him a dangerous
secret that could destroy Antiochus’ plans and plunge the world into
chaos.
<br />
<br />
They sail beyond their maps into the mysterious and uncharted
Eastern Orient. They are discovered and escorted inland to the empire of
Ch’in (now known as China), ruled by the first emperor, Ch’in Shi Huang
Di. The emperor is a brutal ruler and is on the edge of insanity in a
mad quest to find the elixir of immortality.
<br />
<br />
Antiochus meets and falls in forbidden love with a beautiful
concubine of the emperor, Mei Li. But she also harbors a secret that can
bring down the mad emperor. It’s the truth of China’s spiritual past
that is mysteriously connected to the ancient Tower of Babel.
<br />
<br />
And there are spiritual principalities and powers who seek to stop
them all. These are the Watchers, who have their own plans to rule the
world. Finding and capturing a dragon is the least of Antiochus’
difficulties in this action-adventure clash of cultures and war of gods.
<br />
<h3>
<b>Part of the Historical Fantasy Series Chronicles of the Watchers</b></h3>
<h3>
<b> </b></h3>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1S2xqet" target="_blank"><i>The Dragon King</i></a> is the first book of the Historical Fantasy Series<b><i> Chronicles of the Watchers</i></b>
that charts the influence of spiritual principalities and powers over
the course of human history. The kingdoms of man in service to the gods
of the nations at war. Completely based on ancient historical and
mythological research.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review">View all my reviews</a>
<br /> <br /><br/>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-90914052867008667522016-01-15T18:06:00.001-05:002016-01-30T11:42:06.806-05:00Review: Making Sense of the Millennium - Douglas Wilkinson<a href="http://amzn.to/1PxEut8" target="_blank" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Making Sense of the Millennium" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394258871m/21374724.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1PxEut8" target="_blank">Making Sense of the Millennium</a> by <a href="http://amzn.to/1PxEut8" target="_blank">Douglas Wilkinson</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1146850841">5 of 5 stars</a>
<br />
<br />
I was unfamiliar with this author when I began, but little by little started thoroughly enjoying his writing style and pace. The book deals with a LOT more than just the Millennium, so the title can be a bit deceptive. I thought it was going to be millennial heavy, but it was not, it was a concise look at eschatology as a whole, focusing particularly on historic beliefs by Amillenialist and Premillennialists, comparing their views, and weeding out many of their illogical issues. <br />
<br />
I love the way he slowly builds and builds upon topics relating to and leading up to the ideas of the millennium, as it lays a very well-laid foundation before he turns to dealing with the logical millennial conclusion in the latter section. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=pointsouth-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1514764121&asins=1514764121&linkId=SSHCCX6JXEWX5X7J&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin-left: 15px; width: 120px;">
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A good amount of time is spent on grasping a proper understanding of the "day of the Lord" and what it means in Scripture. This is such a key point that is so often misunderstood these days, so this is an excellent section for sure. He then deals with the issue of resurrection, but never really crossing over into the in-depth arguments that scholars have on the topic; he sticks more with the issue of its time in the flow of events in general. <br />
<br />
He then moves on to comparing Daniel 7 and Revelation 20, to show their parallelisms. I love these types of comparisons, and this section was a delight to read as he unfolds things before moving into the next chapter where he actually deals with the millennium. He pulls from a wealth of information from the scattered theories and thoughts presented throughout church history and into modern day scholarship to bring about some coherency. <br />
<br />
Following that he moves right into an examination of the "new heavens and new Earth" - another often misunderstood concept to Bible Readers. He does a parallel comparison of the three mentions of this term in the Scriptures (Isaiah, 2 Peter and Revelation) to show how they align and speak of the same thing - which is NOT what most pulpits profess it to mean these days. This was another favorite section because of the comparison of the texts as well as the commentary provided on sections of Isaiah. <br />
<br />
The book closes by returning to a look at the Amillennial and Premillenial issues in light of the conclusions presented throughout the book. Overall a very good, easy-to-understand walk through the Bible that leads one to a better understanding of a fulfilled understanding on this topic.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review">View all my reviews</a>
<br /> <br /><br/>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-2230642963156473682016-01-07T14:53:00.001-05:002016-01-30T11:42:44.536-05:00Review: Judaism's Strange Gods by Michael Hoffman<a href="http://amzn.to/1VNm3FP" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;" target="_blank"><img alt="Judaism's Strange Gods" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337636774m/14101315.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1VNm3FP">Judaism's Strange Gods</a> by <a href="http://amzn.to/1VNm3FP">Michael A. Hoffman II</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/334078960">0 of 5 stars</a>
<br />
<br />
OK, I will admit up front, I did not thoroughly finish this entire book. The first portion of the book lays the foundation for the thrust of the book, and the rest becomes page after page of quotes, proofs and other evidence of the strange beliefs of Judaism. <br />
<br />
Prior to this, I had read a handful of books and resources showing how those who are Jews today are of no relation to the bloodline of Abraham and the OT Israelite Hebrews, but are in fact simply converts to the religion over the years. So I was already familiar and pretty convinced of the lack of a Jewish "race" today. <br />
<br />
Just prior to reading this book, I had read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18803540.Judaism_and_Christianity_unMasked___Vol_3_The_Semite_or_Rabbi_After_70_AD" title="Judaism and Christianity unMasked - Vol 3 The Semite or Rabbi After 70 AD by Jerry Wayne Bernard" target="_blank">Judaism and Christianity unMasked - Vol 3: The Semite or Rabbi After 70 AD</a> by Jerry Wayne Bernard, where he spoke of the difference in biblical Israelites and Jews, and the origination of the Jew being post Babylonian captivity. Well, this book by Hoffman falls along the same lines and goes further to show how different and diametrically opposed Judaism is from OT biblical Israelite beliefs. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=pointsouth-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0970378483&asins=0970378483&linkId=SHZR4MVAISI2BOUJ&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin-left: 10px; width: 120px;"></iframe>He explores their own written teachings to show how deceptive Judaism is in an effort to protect their real beliefs from the Gentiles world. How those beliefs come not from the Bible, but from the Talmud, and the writings over the centuries of the odd beliefs/commentaries produced from the Rabbis. <br />
<br />
I am surprised how little of this I knew. I knew little about modern day Judaism, and only kind of knew terms like Talmud, Mishnah, etc. without fully grasping their role in it all. I mainly believed, like I think most Christians today believe that Judaism is just a continuation of that biblical Old Testament belief system by a people claiming to be descendants of Abraham that just reject the New Testament. However, that is not the case at all.<br />
<br />
Judaism is an almost full departure from biblical Israelite/Hebrew beliefs, and a new religion based very, very loosely on the OT, and more solidly on a series of new beliefs claiming to be the secret "Torah" given to Moses and passed down orally for centuries until it was finally written down in the early centuries, after the destruction and annihilation of the Jewish system and temple in AD 70. They wrote them down in the Talmud to preserve their religion, but it stems from a post-Babylonian belief system, and not the Old Covenant scriptures. <br />
<br />
Now it makes more sense to read Jesus continually countering the people with "you have heard it said....but I say" comments. It is because at the time, Judaism of his day was basing its system on this secret oral Torah they claimed to possess. Well, fast forward 40 years after Christ's death, and their entire temple and system was destroyed in AD 70 (per Matthew 24/Luke 21, etc.) and what once was oral became written and future generations picked up on it, continued it in, expanded upon it, and pushed things further and further from the faith of Abraham and the OT saints. <br />
<br />
After the first half or so of this book, the rest is a great reference resource, as he has sections divided by topic, showing what Judaism teaches on various subject, like:<br />
<br />
Rabbinic interpretation of Scripture<br />
The inferiority of Gentiles<br />
Gentiles not a brother or a neighbor<br />
Warrant for the murder of gentiles<br />
New World Order - Talmudic courts<br />
<br />
And the list goes on and on, with section after section, hundreds of pages showing what they believe and teach on things - most of which is covered up by Jews and the press and made to look pretty to the public (because deception is approved and promoted when it comes to protecting the public face of Judaism from gentiles). <br />
<br />
This book is not just this man's belief, and he is not out with a vendetta against Jews, nor is he in anyway being anti-Semitic or racist (he covers this thoroughly in the opening chapters). He has gleaned the bulk of this material from other authors over the centuries who revealed these things, as well as so many Jewish source documents. <br />
<br />
So what he is presenting here is a journey through their own beliefs, to reveal what is hidden from the public eye, and what he reveals is that the God of Judaism is not the OT God - Yahweh - but is a self-centered man-made religion of laws and practices stemming from many sources, but rarely from the Hebrew Scriptures.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review">View all my reviews</a>
<br /> <br /><br/>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-26885475136652551562015-11-04T14:00:00.000-05:002015-11-06T08:44:52.273-05:00Culturally Understanding the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Pt 4
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgpFmdpAztEQgNfSfIIuCsA8Jn2wRj0urb6zabSXWvjf329bSru7m5cIwss9IwFW7lcoJj5FZd5hXK2hSgsUPxAbeaY04nWGfNIk7vZ1Sr9Eau3iLZuOtsHiadk0Axr-2LeJH0RRglBs/s320/the-prodigal-son-01.jpg" width="320" />
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the prior three parts I have been looking into the cultural aspects and understandings of the actual surface level story of the prodigal son. How would those listening in the first century have understood the finer points of the story? By understanding how <i>they</i> understood it, we can better understand it. Now I wish to examine the underlying story, the application side as it was being directed and applied to those hearing it at the time. Sadly this is not the angle or depth that is taken by most commentators that I examined. The cultural and <span style="font-family: inherit;">historical</span> application of it seems to have almost been totally lost in mainstream teachings. As mentioned before, most simply see this is an example of how God welcomes and loves any repentant sinner that comes to him.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The problem I have with that assessment is that it does not
fit the relevance of what is being said, to whom it is being said, and doesn’t
fit the players in the story. If you recall, this chapter contains three parables, this being
the third in the trilogy of stories. The chapter starts by stating:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And the Pharisees and the scribes
grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2
ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, we know some of the main people being addressed here by
Yeshua are the Pharisees as usual. One thing that people seem to gloss over in
the story is that it is two sons and a father - the father and two children
already related to him. The father figure in the story represents Yahweh, and the sons are children of God – part of his family in the
beginning. And one of the children forsakes the family and leaves.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The Pharisees listening to this story represent those two tribes of Israel that are
still serving and maintaining a covenant relationship with Yahweh. They are the
older brother in the story. That alone should assist in revealing that the younger son
is not representative of just sinners returning to God in general. The one
returning is one that beforehand was in close covenant with God – not a
stranger to God and the covenant as everyday people coming to God would be.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">If that were the case, and this was just representing
ordinary people, then this is telling us that they were in close covenant with
the father, left the covenant and then came back. That would be to say they
were alive in the Father, chose to leave, thus being dead to the Father, and
then returned to the Father. Some of course do view this story as focused on
people who make a decision for Christ, but stray and then later return, but
even this is hard to apply to just ordinary people in the world when we
seriously considering all of the things surrounding the story.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">A better understanding is that the younger son represents
those ten tribes that were removed from the covenant in the past due to their
sin and disobedience. These ten northern tribes were:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">1. In a covenant relationship with the Father - just as the
younger son was</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">2. Cut off from the Father – just as the younger son was</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">3. Considered dead to the Father – just as the younger son
was</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">4. Intermingled with the pagan nations – just as the
younger son was</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">5. Being restored to the Father through the Messiah – just
as the younger son was</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">6. Causing the existing tribes (Pharisee/Israel) to recoil and rebel against
the Messiah</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">God has previously promised that this would happen and it
was happening in their day. For some reason, the current religious regime was
not seeing that as the promised plan and were therefore not accepting it, and that is why the
story has an open ending – because they were being told what was happening, and
were to decide <i>their</i> response.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Let’s take a brief look at some of what is said on this
topic, with a little background history first. There were the twelve tribes, and
they previously split into two separate nations. The two tribes of Judah and
Benjamin were considered the Southern Kingdom, and together they were referred
to as Judah. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The other ten tribes made up the Northern Kingdom, and they
were designated by the name Israel. Now, when we get to the book of Hosea, we
see that Hosea is told by the Lord to take a wife of whoredom and have children
of whoredom. These children are named names that represent the tribes in
various ways. The first son was named Jezreel:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Call his name Jezreel, for in just a
little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will
put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. (Hosea 1:4 ESV) </span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, here we are told the ten tribes referred to as the
house of Israel will be brought to their end – Jezreel means that God has sown
– as in the sowing or scattering of seeds. Then we are told the next child was
a daughter named No Mercy:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more
have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all. But I will have
mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God. (Hosea
1:6-7 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And then another son came:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">When she had
weaned No Mercy, she conceived and bore a son. And the LORD said, "Call
his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God."
(Hosea 1:8-9 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, here is what we are told.
These children will be the end of the kingdom of the house of Israel, they will
be scattered and sown, and they will be called no mercy and not my people. But
in verse 11 the promise to them is made:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And the
children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and
they shall appoint for themselves one head.
(Hosea 1:11a ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This one head they will under
is of course the Messiah. So, the promise is that they are no longer a nation
and are scattered away from the covenant, but that one day they will be brought
back and reconciled unto God through the Messiah.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This idea appears in places
throughout the first testament scriptures, but is stated pretty clearly again
in one other place I would like to bring into the mix, and that is Ezekiel. In
Ezekiel 37 we have the story of the valley of dry bones that most everyone
knows. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The prophet is taken to a
valley, shown old dry bones, and they are given flesh and brought back to life
with the Spirit of God. This is understood as resurrection imagery looking to
the day when the people are restored to life in the land of promise. The story
is followed by a second, the two sticks story.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnDB51QwSDdC6eTSWXgFU_YVymxZ9ivpbCf08TFUDuompRrS8LRYBkF5Lvgczed-tVvWEnXqtuhYKQQ1aFepBkoQAoamaGMhn_ipeTThCEoGuK0kkNHhX06_-9aHw3kdrEqLWVCuz9-o/s1600/139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnDB51QwSDdC6eTSWXgFU_YVymxZ9ivpbCf08TFUDuompRrS8LRYBkF5Lvgczed-tVvWEnXqtuhYKQQ1aFepBkoQAoamaGMhn_ipeTThCEoGuK0kkNHhX06_-9aHw3kdrEqLWVCuz9-o/s320/139.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">"Son of
man, take a stick and write on it, 'For Judah, and the people of Israel
associated with him'; then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph (the
stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.' And join
them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand. And
when your people say to you, 'Will you not tell us what you mean by these?'
(Ezekiel 37:16-18 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, we have two sticks, each
representing the kingdom groups of Northern and Southern kingdoms as we’ve
already discussed. He says they will be one day brought back into one stick.
When inquired as to what this means, we are told:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Thus says the
Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which
they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their
own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of
Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer
two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. They shall not defile
themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of
their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which
they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I
will be their God. "My servant David shall be king over them, and they
shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey
my statutes. (Ezekiel 37:21-24 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I wish I could go further to
look at the later verses on how God’s new covenant will be made and how He will
set his sanctuary in their midst to dwell there forever, but that would be a
whole other study.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">What we have here is a promise
of restoring the people of Israel who had been scattered among the nations, and
to bring them back and merge them so that there are no longer two kingdoms, but
one. And that one kingdom shall be ruled by David – which we understand to be
Yeshua, the Messiah, the descendant of David. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">They shall be ruled by him,
and they shall have one shepherd. Hopefully, the idea of shepherd here is
something you have come across frequently in the ministry of the Messiah, who
called himself the shepherd, tying it right into to Ezekiel. He stated:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">I am the good
shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I
know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep
that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my
voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:14-16 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Again, we see the Messiah as
shepherd, going forth to find the sheep not of the current fold to bring them
in and make one flock under one shepherd, instead of the two current flocks.
Another time, the Messiah plainly states he is there for one particular and
main focus in his ministry. In responding to the pleas of the Caananite woman,
Yeshua stated:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">I was sent
only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Here is the mention of those
lost, scattered people of the house of Israel. This is who the Messiah was
first interested in retrieving. Earlier in Matthew, when Yeshua was sending out
the Apostles to preach, he plainly told them:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">These twelve
Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter
no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel. (Matthew 10:5-6 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And when speaking of Zacchaeus, Yeshua stated:</span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><b>And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luk 19:9-10 ESV)</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So when we see the Bible speaking of "the lost" - instead of thinking this is just a generic term meaning all unbelievers, we must first examine the context to see if it is a direct reference to the gathering ot eh lost sheep of Israel from among the nations. Yeshua sent his disciples out, and their mission for that time was
not to be unto anyone except these lost sheep of the house of Israel, as
promised in Hosea. So, the main focus of Christ’s work was to retrieve those
lost sheep of Israel. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Then we come to our text of
the parables in Luke 15, and as I said, it is the third parable in the chapter.
And low and behold, the first parable is about a lost sheep being found and the
great celebration over that. Same symbolism – Christ came to find those lost
sheep of the house of Israel. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So when we jump to our parable
later on, the theme is still there. The two sons represent the two houses,
Israel and Judah. Israel, the youngest son, starts in covenant, but is broken
off, dispersed among the pagan nations, and then later, as a lost sheep, some
are brought back in love and mercy from the Father.That was actively happening during his lifetime - the period of the people hearing him speak this parable.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">In continuing to look at this
in the first century, we can jump over into 1 Peter, we see he is writing to
these same dispersed people, the house of Israel:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Peter, an
apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia… (1 Peter 1:1 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And what does he say to these
dispersed people of the house of Israel? He goes through the rest of chapter
one showing them some of the plan of God in salvation, and then we get to chapter
2:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">But you are a
chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own
possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light. </span></b><b><span style="color: red;">Once
you were not a people</span></b><b><span style="color: black;">, but now you
are God's people; </span></b><b><span style="color: red;">once you had
not received mercy</span></b><b><span style="color: black;">, but now you
have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Remember, in Hosea this house
of Israel were called no mercy and not a people, so Peter is directly
addressing the promise of Hosea here. He states later in that same chapter to
those same people:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">For you were
straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your
souls. (1 Peter 2:25)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Again, the straying, dispersed
people being brought back into the one nation under the Shepherd Messiah as
promised. Then we look back to Hosea briefly to pick up verse ten in that first
chapter:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">Yet the
number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which
cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them,
"You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of
the living God." (Hos 1:10)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">As we read through the
ministry of Yeshua, knowing his main task is to the lost house of Israel, and
we understand that in Hosea they will be restored and called “Children of the
Living God” we should start picking up on that language coming about in his
work. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">We find for instance, at the
announcement of the birth of the John the Baptist, who remember was to prepare
the way for the work of the Messiah, the angel states about John:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">And he will
turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God (Luke 1:16
ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, we have the people of
Israel referred to as children from the start. Then, looking back to the same
story already touched upon, when dealing with the Caananite women and stating
he was only there for the lost house of Israel, she presses him further, and he
states:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">It is not
right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. (Matthew 15:26
ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Here, he is connecting the
lost house of Israel with the term children directly again. But actually, the
language of this same story in Mark adds a tidbit more that shows the fuller
ministry of the Messiah:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Let the
children be fed first</span></b><b>, for it is not right to
take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. (Mark 7:27)</b><b></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">He is not totally denying the
Gentile women permanently; he is saying that his first mission is to the
children of Israel. This implies what we know begins to take place later, when
that mission stops being about the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and turns
to being open to all of the pagan Gentiles nations under Paul.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Now, we jump over to Yeshua as he
stands before Caiaphas the high priest, and it is said of Yeshua:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">He (Caiaphas)
did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he
prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only,
but also to gather </span></b><b><span style="color: red;">into one the
children of God who are scattered abroad.</span></b><b><span style="color: black;">
(John 11:51-52 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, again, here we have those
scattered abroad being referred to as the children of God being brought into
one, just as Hosea and Ezekiel promised. The Messiah had come to first save
those lost sheep, gathering from among the scattered tribes those that would be
brought back as the children of God into one kingdom under the Shepherd. Yes, he died for the nation (Judah - the son who remained in covenant), but also for those scattered.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">And of course, to make sure you
do not misunderstand this as to say only those of the houses of Israel and
Judah would be called children of God, we know from the opening remarks in John,
that after Yeshua came to his own, and was rejected in the end, that this grace
was granted to others.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black;">He came to
his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive
him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who
were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,
but of God. (John 1:11-13 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">These non-bloodline born people,
who believed in Messiah, were brought in and given the right to become the
children of God. They were not in any way born with that right as the tribes
were, but they were born from and through the grace and power of Yahweh, and
granted the right to be brought into the same fold with the children of God.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">So, to bring all of this to a
close, hopefully you can see how the story of the prodigal son is not a story
about any and all repentant sinners who come to God. It is in fact the story of
two nations and the Father. It is a piece of the final chapter of a long story and
promises made long beforehand.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Both nations, represented by
two sons, start under the Father’s care, in covenant with him. One nation is
separated, scattered among the pagans, losing all of their covenant rights, and
considered dead and in the world of darkness. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The plan is to bring those
scattered people back together under the Father once again. This is only done
when the Father takes action, sending himself in to do the job, taking on the
humiliation, becoming a man, the Messiah, and going forth to seek and save
those which were lost. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The other nation was never
separated or scattered like that, yet they had hostility towards the plans of
the Father, and therefore they despised the plans of Yeshua, who was God in the flesh, humbled and coming for his people, and they rejected him
as their Messiah. Like the older son, they were greatly angered by the Father
for what he was doing in allowing this sinful nation to come back and be
restored on equal footing with them. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">A remnant from among them were indeed faithful, and they were saved, but a large amount of them refused fellowship with
the nations being received back in, treating them as outcasts, and they
rebelled against the plan of Yahweh, which in the end cost them <i>their</i> right to
be children, and they were therefore branches that were cut off, cast out and utterly destroyed along with their
house and system of worship when the old covenant was fully ended.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">While the story of the
prodigal son does show the extent of love and mercy that the Father has and bestows
even to us today as former aliens to his covenant, the story must be first
understood as the story relating to the promises of Hosea and Ezekiel, and the
bringing together two kingdoms back into one, under one Shepherd.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">In
accomplishing this, Yeshua then becomes the all-in-all, fulfilling all that the
tribes never could, and thus receiving in himself the promises that were given
beforehand to the covenant people. He has inherited all that the Father has
promised, becoming the light of the world, and bringing reconciliation to any
from the nations of the world who turn to him. Amen.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-unstanding-prodigal-son-luke.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_4.html">Part 4</a>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-84005957384142587402015-11-03T14:00:00.000-05:002015-11-06T08:47:56.441-05:00Culturally Understanding the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Pt 3<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96l4p6qL5OIUht1UDP5pDYWVlgbs51c36bRM4tYsaQTcPhuYUvTXvQUk4j4kgCauHlhaM2WvdmqLYao8V9VBd46pdfgKJA6LWCLmfPzVMCW5XHUyuUdAEMlMJcaZnHxA47TMFnM-T5rk/s320/prodigal-son2.jpg" width="247" /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In the first two parts we looked at the prodigal son himself. His request, his leaving, he ruin and his return. After his return, the attention is then turned to the older son who returns home to the celebration.</span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">"Now his
older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard
music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these
things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has
killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But
he was angry and refused to go in. (Luke 15:25-28a ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In
their culture, the eldest brother is the one responsible for assisting in the
reconciliation process between the father and younger brothers if the need
arose. This older brother should have stepped in way back at the begging of the
story, and tried wholeheartedly to stop the younger brother from doing what he
was doing in breaking the father’s heart to begin with, but he did not. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
older brother was obviously not doing his duty – he was not being respectful to
the father or loving to the brother. Now that the brother has returned, he is
more upset and refuses to even join the party. In doing so he is showing his
hatred of his brother, as well as disrespecting the father himself, and he deserves
punishment now himself.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Also,
the custom in these types of party situations is that the oldest son is usually
serving in the place of a kind of head waiter. He is not a waiter in the sense
of how the servants serve the guests, but he is in charge and is a visible sign
of just how respected the guest are. He would be like a manger, overseeing
things and interacting with the guests. So his refusal to do so in this
situation is to disrespect his father’s guests also. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">For
the older son, this whole situation is inconceivable. Reconciliation and
restoration cannot occur without a penalty being paid by the offending party –
that is the way it is to be. Since that is not what has happened, the oldest
son is too angry to take part in any of it.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
older son’s rebellious attitude is public, and the guests as well as the father
are made aware of the attitude he has in this situation, because the father
immediately responds, but instead of punishment as the son deserves, the verse
tells us:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">His father
came out and entreated him… (Luke 15:28b)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Again,
the father responds in an out of the ordinary fashion. The son’s public refusal
of duty as well as disrespect for brother and father should be met with
sternness, but instead, the father pleads with the son to not act this way. The
word used here for entreat means to call to one’s side, strive to appease, to
exhort, to comfort, to encourage. It is the same word Paul uses in 2 Cor. 5:20:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">We <i>implore</i>
you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20b ESV) </span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
father is begging the older son to change his mind and be reconciled with his
brother as the father has already done. But the oldest instead lays forth his
case in frustration:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">but he
answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never
disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might
celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured
your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' (Luke
15:29-30 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Though
this statement, the oldest son exposes a few things. First, he does not even
properly respect his father in speech. The normal cultural response from the
son should have been something the lines of “O father, these many years….” But
the son just blurts out in frustration to “look at what I have done.” </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Second,
extreme jealousy is obvious, as he states how the father has done so much for
the rebellious younger son, yet has done nothing for him in all the years of
obedience. On top of revealing the jealousy, he is also accusing his father of
favoritism here. His
anger for his brother becomes clearly evident when instead of referring to him
as his brother he refers to him as “this son of yours.” They both have the same
father, and yet he will not be associated with him in a family setting.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Again,
this outburst of disrespect from the older son should get him immediately
arrested and taken away for punishment by the word of the father. That is what
normally should happen in that culture. But again, the father does the
opposite:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">And he said
to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was
fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive;
he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke
15:31-32 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The father does not respond in anger, nor is any form of
punishment or rebuke mentioned. He overlooks the disrespect, the bitterness,
the arrogance, and the accusation of favoritism. Instead, the father reminds
the oldest son that what is left of the inheritance all belongs to him. All
that he has worked obediently for is still his to possess.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The father also addresses his son here using a different
form of the word for son. All through this story, the normal word for son has
been used, but here when addressing the older son he uses the term <i>teknon</i>
which is a word displaying love and affection. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The only rebuke is that the oldest son should likewise be
celebrating at the return of his lost brother. He should be showing
appreciation that the lost son has returned and been restored to fellowship
with the family. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">How does the oldest son respond to this final statement by
the father? The story stops and we stand waiting alongside the other party
guests wondering just what will be the rebellious son’s response. Will he give
up his rebellion and likewise be reconciled with the father and return to the
house in humility? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">We do not know from this story itself, because it is
addressed to the audience in Yeshua’s day, and their response was being
revealed at that time. He was addressing a rebellious group of religious leader
who stand in opposition to this message. As with most of his parables, this one
to is directed at them.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Will they be reconciled with the father, or will their
hardness of heart not allow it? Well, we of course know the ending of the story
as it played out in history. I will use the words of Kenneth Bailey here:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Then the older son in great anger took his
stick and struck the father. (Kenneth Bailey, <i>The Cross and the Prodigal</i>,
pg 87)</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This of course is referencing the response of the religious
leaders of the day, who stayed in their rebellion, continued to reject the
message as well as the messenger from the Father, and took that messenger and
nailed him to the cross. They were not favorable nor tolerant of the other
brother being brought into the family with them, and we see that struggle
throughout the New Testament.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Of course we also know that the Father did not respond in
love to them in the end, as he brought fire and destruction down upon them and
their city, wiping them out of the family permanently in the war of the Jews that ended in AD 70. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In the next part we shall begin looking beyond a cultural understanding of the literal story being told here, and begin examining the meaning and application to the actual parties being address by and through this parable. Who does the prodigal son represent? Who does the other son represent? What point is Yeshua making in this parable? Find out more in part 4.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-unstanding-prodigal-son-luke.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_4.html">Part 4</a>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-51039582450568186842015-11-02T14:00:00.000-05:002015-11-06T08:48:42.559-05:00Culturally Understanding the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Pt 2<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqK4pnXoOQ5R9zDxnuGwUUBfYJGkVM_J5ZYDWEchU-byP1mYOkwO6CYjB3nnaY0way7MhXUNuI5RqMf4-YvgjSP5s-LfpEXf1sVUw6DcfxSGWBuCRKfVe8IQei1Z0vxpy4KJMMmgPE54/s320/frostad-prodigal-son-turning-point-with-pigs.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In part one we began looking at the prodigal so<span style="font-family: inherit;">n</span> parable, covering th<span style="font-family: inherit;">rough where he </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">has left his people, cut all ties and rights to
them, took everything he owned and lived recklessly and lost everything. He had
nothing left, nowhere to go and of course could not simply call his parents to
come and pick him up.he </span></span></span>He knows going home would mean
dealing with the ridicule of the rest of the village, as well as that of his
brother who now has the rights of the rest of the father’s possessions.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">These options are not ones he
can bare to deal with, not at this point and time at least. Instead, he chose
another route:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">So he went
and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into
his fields to feed pigs. (Luke 11:15 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It
is the fact that pigs are mentioned here that most commentators say he was
living, spending, and now working among the Gentiles. The word here translated
as hired in our text, is often translated as “joined to” and comes from the
root word meaning to glue or attach. It is used elsewhere to refer to
everything from dust clinging (Luke 10:11) to joining oneself with a prostitute
(1 Cor. 6:16). </span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Some
commentators state that it is not uncommon for a man to join himself to
another, even if it is not something the other party desires. Kind of like in
some cities where when you stop at a red light, a person will rush over and
clean your windshield against your will and expect payment. It is possible that
is what this son does. The reason some think this might be the case, is the job
he is given.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Chances
are the speech and dress of the son would have given him away as being a Hebrew,
and in an effort to rid himself of this man, the person assigns him a job he
suspects will cause the man to leave. It can be hard for us to fully grasp how
this is would be for someone from a culture that loathes pigs. But, the son
accepts even this – he is that desperate. So desperate in fact that the next
verse tells us:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">And he was
longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him
anything. (Luke 11:16 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
Greek word here translated as longing is a very strong word and implies a very
strong desire. Some say that the pods spoken of here were not something that
could even be digested by humans, and thus he was unable to even eat them, but
truly and strongly desired to be able to. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Things
were getting worse for him, and there was no relief in sight. He couldn’t eat
what the pigs were eating, and asking others was not working, as no one gave
him anything. He was finally at the end of his rope, unable to provide anything
for himself.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>He
was broke and starving, and death was surely in his future, so he decided there
was only one option left.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">"But
when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have
more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to
my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven
and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of
your hired servants."' (Luke 11:17-19 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">One thing we should notice here
is that the son was not repentant. Many over the years have understood that
when it says “he came to himself” that it implies a repentant attitude, but
others point out that there is nothing in the language to really reveal that at
all. He does not mention being sorry for anything he had done, he simply
realizes that he was truly starving and decided enough is enough. He reasons
that even his father’s servants have food, and <i>that</i> is what he desires
to have so he won’t perish. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">He
will acknowledge his sin against the father, but only because it is a means to
an end - he desires to eat, even if it is as a servant. The words he chooses to
say to his father may have some significance too. Yeshua is talking to an
audience that knows the Scriptures; they are quite a scholarly group. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">When
the son says “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,”</span><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="color: black;">The words used here are a
paraphrased version of the words of Pharaoh to Moses after the plagues. Pharaoh
says:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">I have sinned
against the LORD your God, and against you. (Exodus 10:16 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Some
commentators say that the Aramaic version of this verse is worded even more
closely to the way it is stated in our text in Luke. If that is indeed a
legitimate link, we all know Pharaoh was not repentant. He simply wanted to
manipulate Moses and get away from the bad situation, and that seems a similar
attitude that the son in our story has. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Because
he was in dire straits with no other options, he would choose what he believes
is the right things to say, hoping that his father would have him back as a
servant.Of
course, he is not asking to be restored to the family. If he were accepted back
as a servant, it would mean he would most likely reside in a nearby village
with the other workers, and not in the family home. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">He
does not ask to be in any way restored to the former relationship as a son, nor
does he ask to in any way be a part of any inheritance. He is still not asking
for that responsibility or relationship. The son is seeing the root issue to be
focused on his losing everything and starving, and not to breaking the
relationship or breaking his father’s heart.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It
seems he is not aware of what he has actually done. The issue of relationship
with the Father does not seem to be a focus at all, he simply wants to return
and get food. Reconciliation does not seem to be his goal in taking this course
of action.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I am
sure most of us can see modern ways this type of scenario plays out. For
instance, say a child has done something to completely hurt the parents in some
way, by breaking their trust or disobeying them directly, and they get caught
doing so. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
child will most likely apologize – but most likely the focus of their concern
will be with the issue they got caught in. Rarely are they aware of the damaged
relationship with the parents, they are simply sorry they got caught and saying
what is needed to satisfy the uncomfortable position they are in. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Reconciliation
is not usually the thought they have, they simply want to get out of the bad
situation of getting caught. Had they not gotten caught, they would probably
have done nothing.If
the prodigal son had not ended up like he had, chances are he would not have
ever considered returning home. He was only doing so now because he was
desperate. And so we are told:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">And he arose
and came to his father. (Luke 15:20a ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">As
the son approached the town, he surely would have been thinking more and more
on what he would say, maybe even practicing how he would lay it on thick to
gain some sympathy. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">He
probably pondered on how he would handle facing the town’s people, who once
they had discovered what he did, would perform the Kezazah ceremony against
him. This would mean having to take their punishment before he could ever make
it over to see his father at all. After who knows how long, he may eventually
be summoned to the presence of his father.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">By
that point, the village would have rejected him, and surely then his father
would be very angry, and he would have to plead to be taken back as a servant.
After all, not only did he in essence declare a death wish upon his father, but
he then left and lost everything among the pagan nations. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">However,
we know that what does happen is not at all what he would have expected in his
situation. The text tells us:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">But while he
was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and
embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20b ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This
action of the father’s is very much against what a man in his position would
do. He is basically breaking all of the rules of the oriental patriarchy just
by running. The Greek word used here for “ran” is the technical term used for
the foot races in the stadium. So, we are actually told that the father raced
to the son with urgency. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In
their culture, a man of his age would always walk slowly and in a dignified
manner. They would never, ever run. To
do so would require him to reach down and take the front ends of his rode and
hike them up so he could run. Doing that would thereby expose his legs, which
was considered a humiliating posture for him. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Performing
this action would be to bring great shame upon himself, on top of the shame the
son’s prior actions had already brought upon him and the family name. But
obviously the father was not concerned at all about this. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">His
compassion leads him to do these acts, and knowing how the villagers would
treat the son upon his arrival, he probably ran even faster to catch him first.
This is the father, leaving his high home, assuming a humiliating posture in
order to seek he who was lost and bring about reconciliation. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">As
parents, we all can learn from this scenario. When our children go astray, how
quick are we to run in to say “I told you so,” or to berate them with scornful
speech? Often the parents will belittle them and bring them to shame. But here,
we find pretty much the opposite of that.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">We
find the father humiliating himself to reconcile with his rebellious son. And
the father has done all of this without hearing word one from the son. Is the
son repentant? The father doesn’t know. Is he coming home to repay all he took?
The father doesn’t know. Whatever the news is, the father has yet to hear it,
yet he humiliates himself to run and love his lost son.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">There
are those in of the Islam faith who actually use this story to show that man
can be saved without a savior – without Yeshua. They claim the boy repents,
returns, and the father forgives him. They say therefore there is no need for a
cross, no suffering, and no savior needed to get to God. They totally miss the
suffering, sacrifice, and humility that is portrayed here. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">They
also fail to see this story as representing the Father in heaven, sending the
son, who is God incarnate, who assumes the humiliating position as a human in
order to passionately go out and seek and save those who were lost, and bring
them into reconciliation and <span style="font-family: inherit;">son-ship</span> once again. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">They
also, like many commentators today, make the mistake of viewing this whole
story and the characters involved as basically a representation of God the
Father loving and reconciling any repentant sinner unto himself. However, in
light of audience relevance and what Yeshua had come to do, I find it hard to
agree with that general assessment of the party’s involved or the main focus of
the story, but I will discuss that a little later. The story continues:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">And the son
said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no
longer worthy to be called your son.' (Luke 15:21 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Now,
in case you don’t notice here, the son’s planned confession is a bit shorter
than he initially decided upon. What happened to the last sentence where he was
to say “</span><b><span style="color: black;">Treat me as one of your hired
servants” </span></b><span style="color: black;">as he mentioned back in verse 19? Was he
caught off guard by the actions of his father and forgot? Had he along the road
decided against that portion?</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Can
you imagine what may have been going through the son’s mind just moments
before? He is walking home, knowing he has rejected his family and brought
shame to them. Knowing he will most definitely face being outcast by the rest
of the village and probably greatly punished. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Now,
he reaches the village and here he sees his father running toward him. Not
knowing what the father would do, he may have thought that his father was
running to take swift vengeance against him. After the way he had rejected him,
he knew he deserved such a response. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So,
surely he would have been shocked and taken back when his father instead came
and threw his arms around him and started kissing him. Maybe that threw him for
a loop and caused him to forget his planned speech. Or maybe instead, the son
now realized he had no right to ask anything of the father directly.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Instead,
he would just throw himself on the mercy of the father and accept whatever
happens at his hand. Or it is possible the son was cut short in his speech, as
the father interrupts him:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">But the
father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him,
and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf
and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. (Luke
15:22-24 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
twist here is that in this situation, it should be the son who was to come
bearing gifts. The son is in the wrong, he has committed great wrongdoings
against his father, and it is he who owes a major debt. But he comes empty
handed with nothing to offer the father.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">He
basically spat in his father’s face and wished him dead, cutting all ties as a
son, and now returns, declaring he is unworthy to be called a son still.
Instead, he is given a king’s return and restored fully to <span style="font-family: inherit;">son-ship</span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">Now, being lavished with gifts so quickly and so <span style="font-family: inherit;">publicly</span>, it would surely stop any idea of the villagers performing the
Kezazah ceremony, as the son was now openly reconciled to the father.
Unfortunately I cannot spend any time here going into any of the details on the
gifts he was given, but suffice it to say they were prime, extravagant gifts
from the father.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">Now we reach the point where son #2 joins the party. And we'll pick up there in part three.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-unstanding-prodigal-son-luke.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_4.html">Part 4</a>
<br/> <hr><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-71474985301190332722015-11-01T20:19:00.001-05:002015-11-06T08:49:33.163-05:00Culturally Understanding the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Pt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimni3CQRNbyWNs6vtLPo95nOS0zrJ-jyGTjWxJ-502EUI2H5ORruobIFiHu57aX6zzKsgQvWnN-2cH63RBOYpIBoOD0h0TIMeERgMSmsATZ8VUhbviOk_IrYD23ano6MwGngMGCSX6YJg/s320/PRODIGAL+SON+PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most people familiar with biblical stories, have heard of the well-known parable
commonly referred to as the Prodigal son, which is found in Luke 15:11-32. Now
most all bible scholars will tell you that you should never push the symbolism
or story line of a parable too far, and that the main thrust of the message is
more important that all of the little details one can try to pull from it – and
this is true.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And while this is a fairly simple story as far as the amount of details
we have, there is still a lot that can be missed simply because we are of a
different cultural background than the original hearers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lately at our church we have been learning more and more about the cultural
surroundings of the first century writings, especially the Hebrew mindset
behind them. This same Hebrew understanding needs to be applied to the parables,
like this one.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There would be points and details that they would have immediately
grasped and story gaps that they would have filled in simply because of their
background and understanding. So, I would like to dig into this story a bit, and examine
this story in light of some of the cultural surroundings and understandings
that may escape us, and to fill in some pieces that we may miss.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many people typical think this is a nice story about forgiveness, and
leave it at that. And while this is somewhat a true analogy, there is so much
more that never gets considered. I think the most common application of this parable in the modern
church, is to see it as applicable to any repentant sinner coming to God, and
the forgiveness he brings. In the latter part of this message I will explain
why I believe this understanding of the intent of the original parable is a
false one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">For most people I believe, when they think of this story
they think of it as mainly a story dealing with the one rebellious son. However,
there are actually two stories that need focused on. And honestly, the second
one is probably more of the focal point of the story for the audience he is
speaking to.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I will mention though, that this parable is the last part
of a series of three parables that Yeshua has told right in a row in this
section. Some commentators have even shown how all three are interconnected to maintain
a main single thread throughout, but I am not able going to take that route
today. Instead, I wish to focus on just the third story, but first, I would
like to read the opening remarks that start the three story segment.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Now
the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the
Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats
with them.” So he told them this parable. (Luke 15: 1-3 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So, we see the setting that started this parable trilogy.
It is because Yeshua has been hanging out with tax collectors and sinner that
the Pharisees were grumbling. And due to their grumbling, he spoke to them the
three parables. Now, let us jump to the third one about the father and his
two sons. I will be breaking it down in sections as we go.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">And he said,
"There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his
father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he
divided his property between them. (Luke 15:11-12 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">What we find here is a request
from the younger son to his father, requesting his portion of the inheritance
basically. However, there are a few things that we may miss here by not
understanding the cultural significance of the request.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">First off, he is not actually
asking for his inheritance. Especially in that type of culture, an inheritance
is what one receives when the father passes away, and it means that the son was
then responsible to handle the father’s duties. The son would become the leader
and assumes the care and power over what was left to him. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In our day and age, for most
of us at least, an inheritance is a chunk of money or goods that we possess. In
days of old, if your father’s owned a large farm with lots of servants and/or
employees, then the responsibility of all of that was turned over to the son. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The son could turn around,
close shop and cash it all in, but that rarely happened. To that culture, the
land, the business, and the family were all tied to the place they were
established, and the sons took over to continue enlarging upon what was
previously established.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The Greek word for inheritance
is kleronomia, and it is used elsewhere, like the parable of the vineyard in
Matt. 21, where the owner put tenants in the vineyard, and when it came time to
reap it, he sent servants, and the tenants killed them. So he sent his son to
the tenants:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">But when the
tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us
kill him and have his inheritance.' (Matt 21:38 ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">They knew that one day the son
would be the boss when he inherited the family business. But in our story, that
word is not used. In our story, the son is not asking for a piece of the family
business. He did not want to assume any responsibility or authority, he simply
wanted to cash out and leave on his own.In the normal course of
events, when the father died, the two sons would own it all and continue
expanding upon it, but in this case, he had no desire to continue with the
family at all.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In our verse, he uses the word
<i>ousia</i>, meaning the son is asking for
the possessions or wealth that is his portion. In doing this, he is asking to
cash out of the whole family. He wants to take what is his and leave, leaving
his position in the family, and all future connections and benefits of it. He
wants to break all ties and relations and go his own way. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">On top of that, what he is
asking for something that is not even a consideration that is due to him until
his father passes away. Culturally, to ask such a thing as this is the
equivalent of wishing his father were dead. The <i>Bible Background Commentary</i>
states it this way:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">To ask one’s father for one’s share of the inheritance
early was unheard of in antiquity; in effect, one would thereby say, “Father, I
wish you were already dead.” Such a statement would not go over well even
today, and in a society stressing obedience to one’s father it would be a
serious act of rebellion for which the father could have beaten him or worse. (<i>Bible
Background Commentary</i>, pg. 233)</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In real life, this request
would be met with a refusal, anger and punishment. And of course, we find that
to be the very case throughout Scripture whenever Yahweh’s people turned their
back on Him, it was met with judgment time and time again. However, in this
story, the father agrees to let the deal be done, and he divides the
possessions and gives him his portion. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">One thing to also note is that
according to the laws in Deuteronomy, the first born would receive a double
portion, and so therefore, in this case, the younger son’s portion would only
have been a third. So, after the father has
divided things, he gives the son his portion, and then we are told that:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Not many days
later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far
country… (Luke 15:13a ESV)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Here we find that only a very
little time has passed, and the father has given the son his cut, and the son
has packed and is leaving. Now, according to some scholars, the original
language that is translated as “gathered all” literally means he “turned everything
into cash.”</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This makes more sense in the
story, as it would be difficult for the son to have packed up all of the physical
possessions and property that would have been bestowed to him. Plus, the verse goes on to say that he spent
everything, implying that what he had was in the form of money.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Now, in order for the son to
have sold everything, including part of the family land, he most likely would
have sold things at a low price in order to liquidate them as quickly as he
wanted in order to leave. This would take a big toll on
the family overall too, because now, a big chunk of what was family property,
and was most likely tied to the family income, was gone. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Not only would the family have
suffered financially due to this, but the father’s reputation would surely have
been in question. Living in community like they did at the time, the news of
something like this would have quickly spread. Everyone would have heard what
was going on, especially as the father or son was going around liquidating
things. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So for the father, he was not
only losing out financially, but the destructive relationship would have
brought about public humiliation in town and to the father’s name in general.
Now, the son has taken everything and left for a far country, and we are told:</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">…and
there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent
everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
(Luke 15:13b-14 ESV)</span></b><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Now, after all of that, the
son has left and lost everything. Now all of that money is all gone, there is a
famine, and he has nothing to survive on. You would think at this point, most
kids would run back home with their tail tucked between their legs. But something we may miss here
is that according to Jewish custom, he was almost unable to go home. There was
the ceremony known as the Kezazah – which means literally – “the cutting off.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">If a Jewish boy lost his
family inheritance among the Gentiles and sought to return home, the community
would perform the ceremony by breaking a large pot in front of him and declare
– “so-in-so is cut off from his people.” Once performed, he would be an outcast
and no one would have anything to do with him. So going home would not be
putting himself in a very favorable situation anyway. One of the Dead Sea Scrolls
gives this example of a fatherly warning that relates here:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">And now, my sons, be watchful of your inheritance that has
been bequeathed to you, which your fathers gave you. Do not give your
inheritance to the Gentiles…lest you be humiliated in their eyes and foolish,
and they trample upon you…and become your masters.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This is what the son has done;
he has squandered his inheritance among the Gentiles. So, he was now literally
a man without a home, and had no way to return to his family or any of the
rights he previously held as a member of his community. When it says in the
verse that he took a journey, the Greek word used only here by Luke literally
means that he “traveled away from his own people.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So, he has left his people, cut all ties and rights to
them, took everything he owned and lived recklessly and lost everything. He had
nothing left, nowhere to go and of course could not simply call his parents to
come and pick him up. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So what to do? We'll take a look at that in the next part.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-unstanding-prodigal-son-luke.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/11/culturally-understanding-prodigal-son_4.html">Part 4</a>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-73810628495641566862015-10-29T14:28:00.001-04:002016-01-30T11:43:25.130-05:00Review: The Ancient Giants Who Ruled America: The Missing Skeletons and the Great Smithsonian Cover-Up (Richard J. Dewhurst)<a href="http://amzn.to/1GMZQEJ" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Ancient Giants Who Ruled America: The Missing Skeletons and the Great Smithsonian Cover-Up" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394821073m/20493845.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1GMZQEJ">The Ancient Giants Who Ruled America: The Missing Skeletons and the Great Smithsonian Cover-Up</a> by <a href="http://amzn.to/1GMZQEJ">Richard J. Dewhurst</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1174524628">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br />
<br />
There was a lot more in this book than I had assumed. For the most part, this whole book is story after story, news clip after news clip, historical document after document, giving testimony to just find after find of "giants" amount the "mound people." These mound people being inhabitants of the North American continent way before the American Indians. <br />
<br />
The stories of these findings are so many, it is near impossible to try to ignore them or pass them all off as just a bunch of hoax stories. The evidence is just too overwhelming. Sadly, most in the American (and world) public arena have no clue such history exists. Aside from just the giants found, the thousands of average size people at the same time seemed to have more advanced systems of town life than we might assume.<br />
<br />
The bulk of the stories are from the last 150-200 years, so we're not talking ancient history and myths, we're talking reported accounts of these things being uncovered just in the times since Englishmen came to this continent and started digging and plowing things up. I was just overwhelmed by the amount of data contained here.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=pointsouth-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1591431719&asins=1591431719&linkId=YLZI72S2BQQSEYIB&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin-left: 10px; width: 120px;"></iframe>The author does propagate the idea of these people and findings as being here as long as 10,000 or more years ago, which would seem to speak against the common Christian thought on timing (as the book comes from a Christian stand point), which was a little odd I thought. A lot of the dates appear to be based on carbon dating of items, which from what I understand is quite a flawed and assumptive method of dating, but none of that is discussed in any detail at all.<br />
<br />
Regardless of the accuracy or methods of dating, we are still left with an overwhelming amount of evidence for a pre-Indian tribe of cultured people in the Americas, with a general height of 5.5 feet, but among whom lived some people of much taller height, averaging from 6.5 to 8+ in height. Many of the buries of these giants give evidence that in life they were leaders and/or highly esteemed.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review">View all my reviews</a>
<br /> <br /><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-1497190648409155052015-10-28T12:00:00.000-04:002015-10-29T07:48:15.910-04:00The Battle is the Lord’s: Where are the Men? Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YFeS9w4dEQ5STPBRqUlXyjHRrI3OrO5wvRn-41xZWeI4Ol-sk-146PImDYrR6trKlDldfLLZqaZlrzttfO5qxjlsjkC7RTIH5wqLgvW0kT13y7yNHOth-3uiuxmaYmUhn3GP2B-FajU/s1600/7-28-11-iStock_000001785848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YFeS9w4dEQ5STPBRqUlXyjHRrI3OrO5wvRn-41xZWeI4Ol-sk-146PImDYrR6trKlDldfLLZqaZlrzttfO5qxjlsjkC7RTIH5wqLgvW0kT13y7yNHOth-3uiuxmaYmUhn3GP2B-FajU/s400/7-28-11-iStock_000001785848.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I ended the last part making the statement that one of the last major
rebellions against tyranny and oppression, one of the last major battles for
truth and freedom, took place in the middle of the nineteenth century. Properly
referred to as the War Between the States – or as it is more commonly known by the
inaccurate title of the Civil War. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Following
the war, the government “thinkers” and humanistic “educators” knew that in
order to prevent a future war where the people would again take up arms to
fight against government tyranny, they needed to weed out the spirit of truth
and justice, and to replace it with submission and passivity in the people. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The way they
set out to accomplish this was through a compulsory state education system. You
see, up until a little while before that time, our country did not have any
state sponsored public schools. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the
1620’s, when the Pilgrims and Puritans came to this country seeking religious
freedom, they were products of the Protestant Reformation. So, for the roughly
220 years from 1620 to 1840, American education had a distinct moral character,
and stemmed from an almost entirely Christian and Calvinistic orientation. </span></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In America,
education was seen as always including religious principals, as we find plainly
stated in the definition of the word education as found in the first American
dictionary, Noah Webster’s 1828 edition:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Education:</b> The bringing up,
as of a child; instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all
that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the
understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth,
and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good <i>education</i>
in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious <i>education
</i>is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and
guardians who neglect these duties.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Reformed
Martin Luther, even back in his time and country plainly stated:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am much afraid that schools will prove to be
great gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy
Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his
child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution, in which
men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God, must become corrupt.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luther’s
sentiment is what the early American settlers held to in their thoughts on
education. Even the early American colleges, like Harvard, were started and
based upon orthodox Christian principals. Harvard’s original mission statement
was:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let
every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the
main end of life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal
life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ at the bottom as the only
foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even Daniel
Webster (not to be confused with Noah Webster mentioned above), an admired
politician for 40 years in the early 1800’s stated:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In what age, by what
sect, where, when, by whom, has religious truth been excluded from the
education of youth? Nowhere; never.
Every-where, and at all times, it has been and is regarded as essential. <i>It
is of the essence, the vitality of useful instruction.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The great
Southern Presbyterian theologian Robert Lewis Dabney, who had served as
chaplain to the armies under Stonewall Jackson for a time, said this at the
time when the public education was beginning to rear its ugly head in the
states:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Yankees have had this “nostrum” of free
school education, in full force, for two generations.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nostrum – for those not
familiar with the term, is usually used to mean <span style="color: #333333;">a</span> <span style="color: #333333;">medicine</span> sold with false or exaggerated claims and
with no <span style="color: #333333;">demonstrable</span> <span style="color: #333333;">value;</span> <span style="color: #333333;">quack</span> <span style="color: #333333;">medicine.</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did not this very system rear us that very
generation, which, in its blind ignorance and brutal passion, has recently
wrecked the institutions of America; has filled our country with destitution,
woe and murder; and, with a stupid blindness, only equaled by its wickedness,
has stripped its own Commonwealths, in order to wreak its mad spite on ours, of
the whole safeguards for their own freedom and peace? <i>These are the fruits of</i> this Yankee
system of State primary education… I have not yet learned enough of that type
of “intelligence” which this system seems to foster, to repudiate my Savior’s
infallible maxim, “the tree is known by its fruits.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, Dabney
sees that because of the state education system, which had already been in
place in many northern states, a whole generation of people rose up to fight
the war that destroyed much of the foundational values of America. Of
course, this sentiment is further enforced when we consider a conversation that
was had between the aforementioned Senator Daniel Webster and two Virginians,
years before the war. The story is related by Dabney after the war had ended:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Webster’s return towards an impartial course
had then gained him some respect in the South, and my two friends paid their
respects to him. While conversing with them he fixed his dark eyes on them, and
with great earnestness asked: <i>“Can’t </i>you Southern gentlemen consent,
upon some sort of inducement or plan, to surrender slavery?” They replied
firmly: “Not to the interference or dictation of the Federal Government. And
this not on account of mercenary or motives, but because to allow outside
interference in this vital matter would forfeit the liberties and other rights
of the South.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Are you fixed in that?” asked Webster.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes, unalterably.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Well,” he said, with an awful solemnity, “I
cannot say you are wrong, but if you are fixed in that, go home and get ready
for weapons.” They asked him what on earth he meant. He replied that the parson
and common-school teachers and school-marms had diligently educated a whole
Northern generation into a passionate, hatred of slavery, who would, as
certainly as destiny, attack Southern institutions. So that if Southern men
were determined not to surrender their institutions they had better prepare for
war. Thus, according to Mr. Webster, the crimes, woes, and horrors of the last
fifteen years (the War Between the States) are all partly due to this school
system.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many of
those “great minds” behind this “indoctrination” system felt that it was the
differences in the education between classes of men that caused such evil in
the world, and that if the education of the masses was more leveled, it could
remove evil from society. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">European scholar
George Hagel and Scotsman Robert Dale Owen, often referred to as the father of
socialism, came in with a whole new idea for education. They believed that the
basic tenants of the Christian religion hindered man’s evolution. Some in this
camp believed that with the proper education, and the eradication of religion,
man could evolve to eliminate the evil in the world. A colleague of Owen’s
states the following:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The great object was to get rid of
Christianity and to convert our churches to halls of science... the plan was
not to make open attacks upon religion — although we might belabor the clergy
and bring them into contempt where we could — but to establish a system of
state — we said national — schools; from which all religion would be excluded
and to which all parents were to be compelled by law to send their children. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the turn of this
century, these fellows had heavily influenced American educators like John
Dewey and his colleagues. They sought to change America through public education. Knowing
they could not sway the mature adults from their views, they sought instead to
change the future generation by re-educating the children.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">They sought to
change the nation, once high in literacy, by shifting the education system from
emphasizing intellectual and academic skills, to rather emphasizing social
skills. Get them to deal with activities, rather than the mind. This leads to
the eventual addition of psychology to the school system, which has happened in
our life time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Socialist H.G.
Wells stated it truthfully in his 1933 book <i>The
Shape of Things to Come</i> when he said “no revolution could be a real and assured revolution until it has
completely altered the educational system of the community.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1918, the book<i>
The Science of Power</i> by Benjamin Kidd is printed, in which he declares:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main cause of those deep dividing
differences which separate peoples and nationalities and classes from each
other and which prevent or stultify (to render futile) collective effort in all
its most powerful forms... could all be swept away if civilization put before
itself the will to impose on the young, <i>the
ideal of subordination to the common aims of organized humanity</i>... it can
only be imposed in all its strength through the young. <i>So to impose it has become the chief end of education in the future. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, you blind leaders who seek to convert the
world by labored disputations! Step out of the way or the world must fling you
aside. Give us the young. Give us the young and we will create a new mind and
new earth in a single generation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kidd quotes
Masonic Carbonari leader Giuseppe Mazzini (1805‑1872) in this regard, who
stated: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your task is to form the universal family.... Education, this is the
great word that sums up our whole doctrine. (Giuseppe Mazzinis, <i>On the
Duties of Man</i>)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kidd refers to
Mazzini's distinction that “education is addressed through emotion to the moral
faculties in the young and instruction to the intellectual (faculties),” and
Kidd claims “Power centers in emotion.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, it has been
just over a hundred years since all of these things were planned and said, and
if you look back, you can see the radical changes in this nation over that time
period. Little by little, generation by generation, the inner desire for truth
and justice, and that inner fight, has slowly dwindled just as they expected it
to with their education system. Through a series of indoctrination methods, and
in stripping the Lord out of the classroom, they churn out more and more
students of the state. </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, without turning this into a expose’ of the education system, let
me begin to close by saying that hopefully you can see the connection between
how in times past, the fear of the Lord, which included bravery and the
understanding and responding to duty, was more prevalent, and how that has
slowly been on the spiral downward for the past hundred years or so. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This can be seen to coincide with a concerted effort to educate it out
of people if you simply read the history of this education system’s founding.
And for all intents and purposes, it is fair to say that they have succeeded in
their goal, turning more and more American’s into sheep that can be led around,
never questioning the moves or motives of the leaders, never calling them into
account, and never rebelling or taking action against them.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This education has also removed the words of God from the lives of men,
and instead of being an integral part of education, has been stripped totally
from it. With kids spending the majority of their daytime hours under this
education system, and parents pending less and less time providing religious
training in the off hours; it is no wonder why the fear of God is gone.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Add to that the modern church’s fascination with health, wealth and the
love of God, while ignoring the deeper things like the fear of the Lord and the
doctrine of total sovereignty. Add to that a faulty view of eschatology, and an
escapist attitude in that realm, and is it a surprise that the church has
become pretty much stagnant and obsolete today? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most churches have an average sermon length of twenty minutes, so the
people get pep-talks devoid of any substance or teaching, and with less and
less people engaging in reading of great theological works, or even their own
bibles, it is no wonder the church is in the state it is in. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reports show that more and more people who have been regular attendees
in church for many years, are leaving the organized church each year; and more
and more children brought up in Christian homes, leave the faith entirely by
their college years.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">All of that combined, produces a generation more ignorant and fearful than
the last, creating more people who are easily herded where needed, and rarely
question of push back against injustice and wickedness in our lives, society, or
government. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was all by design, and as long as Christians support this free
education system, it will continue to be the case. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As long as Christians refuse to read their Bible and dig into it – this
will continue to happen. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As long as Christians put up with mediocre churches that teach little to
nothing about the depths of the whole Bible message – this will continue to be
the case. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As long as Christian parents leave it solely up to the school or church
to provide their children with religious training – this will continue to be
the case.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, in closing, we need to consider first that as Christians who follow
a living God, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but one of security and
reliance in our sovereign Lord. Our duty is to stand up against whatever
Goliath comes forth in our life, standing for truth, justice, and in love for
others, and make sure that we teach that to our children, for they will get it
nowhere else.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we come up against an obstacle, we are not to turn in fear, but we are
to do our duty, and to rest assured that whatever the outcome, it was all we
can do – because the battle is not ours – the battle is the Lords!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. (2 Chron. 19:7)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-2.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-4.html">Part 4</a>
<br/> <hr><br/>
Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-79595548130701180072015-10-27T23:17:00.001-04:002016-01-30T12:01:36.964-05:00Review: The Bible's Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing from Your Bible (Joel Hoffman)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/125004796X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=125004796X&linkCode=as2&tag=pointsouth-20&linkId=PVMYSGCHSNDW2NPE" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Bible's Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing from Your Bible" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405301185m/19286654.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/125004796X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=125004796X&linkCode=as2&tag=pointsouth-20&linkId=PVMYSGCHSNDW2NPE">The Bible's Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing from Your Bible</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/92391">Joel M. Hoffman</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1391978523">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br />
<br />
Overall an interesting read, though with some issues. First, the title, while meant to engage and intrigue the reader, is kind of presenting a false assumption. He is assuming that most any biblical sounding writing should have been included in the "Holy Scriptures," regardless of its content or acceptance in culture and history. While he does not push that issue throughout the book, the implication is still there, and the book falls short of making the case for that implication.<br />
<br />
Basically, the book examines a handful of extra-biblical historical writings, and how their inclusion in today's accepted biblical books would have added to the biblical narrative. His analysis of such writings as the Book of Adam and Eve, Apocalypse of Abraham, Book of Enoch, and writings of Josephus provided some interesting insights. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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He didn't really discuss in any depth the reasons these books were rejected, but seems to just assume their contents to be historically and supernaturally accurate and therefore worthy to be consider biblical canon, so that was a let down. But his examination at least provided some insight into what these writings contain, which is beneficial for those not familiar with these writings. <br />
<br />
I especially enjoyed the section on Josephus the most, as it provided information of a more historical aspect. Aside from that, much of the rest was hit or miss for me. While he didn't avoid or totally ignore the supernatural and God aspect, I felt throughout that he was often came across as if he was essentially ignoring God and the supernatural, and leaning more on a naturalist and human empowered approach to some conclusions. <br />
<br />
In the end, I do not think he necessarily made a strong enough case for why these books definitely belong in the Bible, but Hoffman simply discusses what they bring to the table in adding to the story. I guess, based on the title, that I was expecting more of a defense for their inclusion, but that is not what we are given here.<br />
<br />
I think what we do have is an interesting look into the contents of some of these extra-biblical writings, and how including them may impact today's understanding of some 0aspects of biblical theology.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/search/label/Book%20Review">View all my reviews</a>
<br /> <br /><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-91399979990394475232015-10-27T12:00:00.000-04:002015-10-29T07:49:10.287-04:00The Battle is the Lord’s: Where are the Men? Part 3<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5t1ZXpmKrF9MZweBF2dkHmXMTr0LCpPnQ7QdsiVPY81OiRG7BLMvcWsjtn_pQOiI3WUUVfdE-hnzGAVAgdwxfkJjYNcBtICNcbsfmCrL8ZXrOaeWpNZ1-Ae7-BfbU7E4SJIduE9GOX8/s400/week6-large.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the previous two parts we've looked at David and Gideon's stories in the Scriptures. Now, I would like to just mention two biblical stories, one from each
testament, both with similar results. The first is from Leviticus 10 and the
story of two of Aaron’s sons, who were just ordained as priests in the Lord’s
service:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put
fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the
LORD, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the LORD
and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said, ‘Among
those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be
glorified.’ (Lev. 10 1-3 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two new priests, sons of Aaron, on their first duty in the temple, and
what do they do? They stray from what they are supposed to do. Now, it says
they offered “unauthorized fire” – or as the KJV puts it “strange fire.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Theologians go back and forth on what this fire was, and what made it
unacceptable, but without going into detail on that, we know that it was fire
that was not supposed to be used in the temple service. God expected all
aspects of the service to be specifically what he laid out, and this was
obviously not what he had specified; and it cost them their life. </span></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then we jump to the familiar story in Acts of 5:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of
property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the
proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to
the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold,
was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in
your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last.
And great fear came upon all who heard of it. (Acts 5:1-5 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obviously Ananias lacked the fear of God, but the people around got it
real quick. And as the story continues, three hours later the wife arrives, not
knowing what happened to her husband before, and she repeats the lie and drops
dead too. And we are then told again:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of
these things. (Acts 5:11 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instead of fearing the Lord, this husband and wife feared what those
around them might think of them, so they concocted this lie to impress people. So,
in both of these stories lives were lost for crossing the Lord, and that is a
fearful thing for sure. In both cases a wrong was committed, and a lack of fear
on the part of the involved parties could be partly to blame. May we always take
heed that:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb.
10:31 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I do not want this to become a message on the fear of the Lord,
I do feel it obligatory to at least show the same type of language appear in
the New Testament:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from
every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the
fear of God. (2 Cor. 7:1 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to
silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using
your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor
everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Pet. 2:15-17)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fear of the Lord is what we should all be living under. Fear that
drives us to reverence, awe, love and worship of the one true Lord. Fear that
knows we serve the Lord that rules over all of mankind, over the actions of
everyone from rulers to animals, each step is guided by a supreme hand that
loves those who fear him. When we live in that fear, we have no need to feed
anything around us.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">At this
point I would like to jump forward in time and take a look at a character not
too far removed from our time in history, and how his faith and belief caused
him to do his duty with little to no fear. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">On January
21, 1824, Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born in Clarksville, Virginia,
and at age three he became an orphan and was bounced around between relatives
and other homes. At age 18, he entered into West Point
and began his training that would make him well known in history. While at
school there, another of his fellow cadets shared with him the gospel message.
For some time afterwards, he investigated Christianity, and eventually made his
public profession of faith at the Presbyterian Church in Lexington, VA.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
graduation he went on to serve with distinction in the Mexican war, and
eventually because a teacher at the Virginia Military Institute, were he taught
from 1851-1861. On Sunday,
April 21, 1861, he and his cadets received orders to join the Confederate army.
He and his wife knelt in their bedroom and prayed, and afterward he stood up,
marched out – never to return home again. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thomas had
become quite a student of the Bible, believing that every need in life could be
met through it. Many of his military
strategies that made him famous had been taken out of the book of Joshua. He
read the Bible and lived his life as much as he could be what was contained
within it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those who
fought with him used to say "He lives by the New Testament and fights by
the Old."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As he read
his Bible, or when his wife read it to him, he would often stop and underline
passages. That Bible is now preserved in a museum, and you can see his
underlining matched how he sought to live.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">During the
war, he sought to always provide a good example to those under his command, and
he witnessed to them also, leading many of them to the message and life of
salvation. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thomas was a
man of prayer, never entering a battle without first praying, and many give
testimony of his praying during battles. He said prayer had become a habitual
permanent fixture in his life.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thomas had a
strong unshakable belief in the sovereignty of God, that God is always in
control even when it seems the world around is falling apart. At the
first battle of Bull Run, while shells and bullets
were flying around, Thomas stayed on his horse and remained calm and collected
like nothing was going on. Brigadier General Bernard Bee saw this and
told his own troops “There stands Jackson
like a Stone wall. Men, let’s determine to die here with him.” After
that battle Tom Jackson’s brigade became known as the Stonewall Brigade, and he
would forever be known as Stonewall Jackson.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jackson’s courage and
composure really came out in this great battle. During the heat of the
battle a messenger came and handed Jackson
a letter to sign. He dismounted and when he did a canon ball blew up a
tree that was near by. Wood chips rained down on Jackson, but without missing a step, he
calmly brushed the wood chips from the paper and continued reading. He
then mounted his horse like nothing happened.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U0o-DGCuRSjOrPxpt84dR5Lnl7ZKPGjjEmGjPGKg-WazQNAk4fhBGXSZbdbJ1em1gR4oGldAEtuw_FlIwBOLMHMne3jjxwOyhkToUN2SFVxsQnnFupJGlenwWmi13lG5XJ06THub7XA/s1600/-stonewall-jackson-anonymous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U0o-DGCuRSjOrPxpt84dR5Lnl7ZKPGjjEmGjPGKg-WazQNAk4fhBGXSZbdbJ1em1gR4oGldAEtuw_FlIwBOLMHMne3jjxwOyhkToUN2SFVxsQnnFupJGlenwWmi13lG5XJ06THub7XA/s320/-stonewall-jackson-anonymous.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Others saw
this and were amazed at his composure when danger was all around. Someone asked him how he could do it. Jackson’s
response was right on, and if you are one that lives in fear of those things
going on around you - if people are bigger to you than God is - I pray that
you’ll take to heart Jackson’s
words, because they are true, Biblical, and reliable. Jackson answered: </span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“My
religious belief teaches me that I’m just as safe on the battlefield as I am in
my bed. The Lord has already appointed the day of my death so I need not
worry about that. I live my life and prepare myself so I will always be
ready to meet my Lord, when death does overtake me.” - Thomas Jonathan
“Stonewall” Jackson</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we rest
in the sovereignty of the Lord, what do we have to fear? If we believe all is
under his control and providence, and nothing can be done to change that path,
then what can we possibly fear or seek to change by our fear?</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>for God gave us a
spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, as
Christians we do not have a spirit of fear, but of love and control. We can
march forth into life knowing that while the battle is the Lord’s, we are the
instruments by which he has established to take down the Goliath’s around us. However,
instead of this peace in the face of fear, most people today have no fear of
God, and so they fear for their life most everyday. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few years ago, the news was filled with an event most everyone is familiar with. The news
event I speak of is was the shooting that took place in Aurora,
Co. when James Holmes opened fire on the movie
crowd during the opening night of the new Batman movie. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, let me
say before going any further, that I agree this was a great tragedy, and my
prayers go out for the families who suffered through that. Please do not
construe anything I am not saying as a way of playing down that disaster at all.
I simply wish to use this as a recent example, and toss out some observations
that can be applied to this or any similar tragedy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Actually,
what I am saying is not really necessarily directly connected to this item, but
it was this item that caused me to rethink some things that brought me back to
the direction of teaching on this topic. I had not followed the story
beyond what was said those first couple of days, so please excuse me if I state
anything that had changed as far as the details. But really, the
details are not as relevant to my point here.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the news
reported, the man entered the theater, and then at some point during the movie,
went to the emergency exit door, opened them, where he had awaiting for him weapons.
He then re-entered the theater, tossed a gas grenade into the theater, and
entered wearing a gas mask, and started shooting weapons into the unsuspecting
audience.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
witnesses who escaped reported that the shooter slowly stalked the aisles of
the theater, shooting people at random, as panicked movie-watchers in the
packed auditorium tried to escape.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">One survivor
stated to a news crew. “I froze up…I was scared. I honestly thought I was going
to die!”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, I was
not there, I have not heard all of the reports of what happened, or all that
the survivors reported. I have no way of knowing what all of the details were
or what thoughts went through the minds of the participants. That is why I use
the example as strictly an example, not a detailed look at this event.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, in
strictly taking a look at the scenario in general, I couldn’t help but think to
myself, where were the men in that theater - men who feared the Lord and not
just fearing for their own safety? Out of a theater of probably a hundred
people or more, you would expect at least one, if not a mob of people to attempt
to go after the one man that was against them? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instead, in
these types of cases, fear grips them – fear for their lives, and they panicked
and fled; kind of like the armies of Israel fleeing before Goliath. It
just made me think of how much fear has become so prevalent in the hearts of
man these days, and how the fear of the Lord, which leads to courage and
fighting for protection, has dissipated in general.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Years ago I
kind of wondered a similar thing about the 9/11 plane ordeals. A plane full of
people, and a few men with razor knives they said, you would think in such
tight quarters as they were in, that it would be fairly easy to overpower the
men. Sure, in doing so someone might get hurt, but bravery and a trust in God’s
protection should cause people to do their duty of protecting others.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">People have
lost the knowledge of what God’s word tells us:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Psalm 27:1 – The Lord
is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of
my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27: 1 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In God I trust; I
shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps 56:11 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, I
cannot fully blame just them for this inaction and mentality. This is pretty
much exactly the type of people and reaction that was planned all along for the
last 150 plus years. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the last major
rebellions against tyranny and oppression – one of the last major battles for
truth and freedom, took place in the middle of the nineteenth century. Properly
referred to as the War Between the States – it is more commonly known by the
inaccurate title of the Civil War. And it is there that we will pick up in the final part to come.</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-2.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-4.html">Part 4</a>
<br/> <hr><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094701499334377825.post-60065439161199959162015-10-26T12:00:00.000-04:002015-10-29T07:50:57.919-04:00The Battle is the Lord’s: Where are the Men? Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqNP5d7uf_JCt-xymfWzm54wWXxlLCJ1AAQXGpYAuh_VvgXA9mGn1iKFMR_imjpdlGabPdxvIazgFy_7k86dAApiPM5y8_-XM76Ela5PLEPFG_GTW_fJB-D6MyzwzJ9AzM85m5AlzDJA/s1600/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqNP5d7uf_JCt-xymfWzm54wWXxlLCJ1AAQXGpYAuh_VvgXA9mGn1iKFMR_imjpdlGabPdxvIazgFy_7k86dAApiPM5y8_-XM76Ela5PLEPFG_GTW_fJB-D6MyzwzJ9AzM85m5AlzDJA/s320/th.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In part one we began looking at the story of David and Goliath, and David's reliance on God for the battle. Now we turn to the story of Gideon, from the book of Judges, where God made it especially
clear that the battle would be won by him and not by the might of the army.
When they came up against the Midianites the army of Gideon numbered 22,000
troops. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The LORD said to
Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into
their hand, lest Israel
boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ (Judges 7:2 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, Gideon
told the people that whoever was fearful should return home, and 12,000
departed, leaving the army at 10,000. Now that was a lot of scared people
there.</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And the LORD said to
Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will
test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go
with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall
not go with you,’ shall not go.”</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So he brought the
people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the
water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every
one who kneels down to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting
their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt
down to drink water.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And the LORD said to
Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites
into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” (Judges 7:4-7
ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So with 300
men, Gideon went forth and chased down the Midianites and destroyed them. </span></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Lord had
fought for his people numerous times in the past, with one of the largest being
how he brought them out of Egypt;
and surely these stories were probably quite well known in the tribes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though one
should question why Saul and those in the army did not have the same type of
faith as David. Why was there not one godly, confident man among the entire
army that was willing to stand up for the name of the Lord? Of course, in
reading the book of Samuel up until this part, I guess we can see how the past
was filled with idolatry and ignoring YHWH, plus their demanding of a king in
His place – so they are not too far from that disastrous past, which may
explain their lack of trust at this time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, as we
consider David and his actions, we must remember why David took the actions to
begin with. Author Peter Leithart states it like this:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though
the story of David and Goliath is popularly known as an example of a great
underdog triumphing over great odds, the accent in the biblical account is not
on David’s heroism or his glory. Of course, he did receive honor, as the women
sang his praises on his return from battle (18:7). But David’s heroism was not
like the heroism of an Achilles or an Odysseus. David did not fight because his
honor had been violated, but to vindicate the honor of the Lord. (Peter Leithart,
<i>A Son to Me</i>, pg. 97)</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">David knew
that his Lord was all powerful and sovereign over all men, even this giant, and
while the Lord had the power to strike Goliath down where he stood without the
aid of man, there were plenty of stories of old where the Lord required man to
be faithful and act, and he would grant them the victory. For the people of
God, these things were not left up to chance, and they lived in the comfort of
that faith.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since the
time of David, we have additional stories of how the Lord has continued to do
battle for his people. Like in 2 Chronicles 20:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And he said, “Listen,
all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem
and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not
be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” (2
Chron. 20:15)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are
but a few examples of the great and powerful sovereign Lord that Christians
everywhere today worship and follow. However, in today’s day and age,
acknowledging the sovereignty of God in all things is so misunderstood,
ignored, or outright disbelieved; and so we find the church is weakened and
crippled by fear. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">At this time, I am not going to go into any long discussion to prove the sovereignty
of God in all things. I simply wish to
discuss some of the effects of having and not having a strong faith in our
sovereign Lord.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Scriptures tell us much about fear, and we are exhorted time and time again to
cast out all fear. Fear is a big enemy to people, and it is fear that causes us
to often ignore our duty and hope someone else steps in to do it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is
only one kind of fear we should all strive to have, and that fear will dispel
the others and keep all things in perspective – that one fear is of course, the
fear of the Lord. Probably the most well know verse on the fear of the Lord for
most Christians, comes from Proverbs and Psalms:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise
wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:7)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who
practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Ps 111:10 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even in Job, one of supposedly the earliest stories in the Bible, we are
told the same thing:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and
to turn away from evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:28 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course,
the Lord warns of the flip side of this later in the chapter from Proverbs:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I
will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to
listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have
ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at
your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you
like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and
anguish come upon you. </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me
diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not
choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my
reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill
of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the
complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster." (Proverbs 1:23-33)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Malachi
we have a similar teaching as the Lord speaks of His judgment:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>"Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift
witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear
falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and
the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, <i>and do not fear me</i>, says the LORD of
hosts. (Mal. 3:5 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, when we
speak of the fear the Lord, it is not in a manner of dread and terror as we
normally think of when we consider fear. The word here for fear is a noun of
the same origin as the word reverend. So to fear the Lord is to have reverence
for him, to worship and acknowledge him as Lord. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fearing the
Lord in this manner produces love, because we know the Lord is on our side and
protects the ones who revere and honor him alone. We see in the first
testament, following after the declaring the law of God in Duet. 5, that the
people are told:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be
on your heart. …take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It
is the LORD your God <i>you shall fear</i>.
Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. (Duet 6:5-6, 12-13 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The people
were to love and obey the one true Lord, and in the same breath they should
fear him. So love and fear are not so far apart that they cannot be reconciled,
but in fact they should flow from one another when it comes to the Lord. If we
love and fear him alone, what else have we to fear? In Kings we see the people
exhorted again to this reverence and worship:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>…but you shall fear the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched
arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice. (2 Kings
17:36 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The people
are to worship and give reverence only to the Lord for he has done mighty works
for them. The Lord promised peace to the nation if they continued to fear the
Lord. </span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not
rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who
reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. (1 Sam. 12:14
ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the ancient
world there were many gods that were worshiped by the nations (for an excellent YouTube mini-series on who these gods were, see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRlayLBRY473O-Ds9cyhqs7GRJ_zukcSM" target="_blank">here</a>). Throughout the
Scriptures, there are exhortations to give fear or reverence to only one, and
that is YHWH our Lord. The first testament is filled with what this reverential
fear brings to the people:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>…but you shall fear the LORD your God, and he will deliver you out of
the hand of all your enemies. (2 Kings 17:39 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes
known to them his covenant. (Psa. 25:14 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who
hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep
them alive in famine. (Psa. 33:18-19 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him (Psa. 103:17 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">What can be implied from this verse as far as the love of God and
those who do not fear him? So the steadfast love of the Lord is NOT on those
who do not fear him. But….I thought God loved everyone? That is what most
churches teach, right? Well, I won’t go down that path at this time. Let’s look
at just a few more verses, these from the book of Proverbs:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The fear of the LORD prolongs life (Pro. 10:27 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away
from the snares of death. (Pro. 14:27 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests
satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. (Pro. 19:23 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and
life. (Pro. 22:4 ESV)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">With all of the health and wealth, name it / claim it, mark it / park
it preachers out there with their claims that God wants you to be rich, I
wonder how many of them connect that richness to humility and the fear of the
Lord as we see here in Proverbs?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I just said, most in the church teach nothing but the love of God,
and rarely teach on what it means to fear God. Now admittedly there are still
plenty of hell-fire and brimstone preachers teaching a more extreme view of
anger and fear, and that is not the type of fear we speak of – but in general,
the majority of mainline teachers are all about the love of God. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">After all, God is not to be feared, he is the one providing blessings
to us they say, and it is the devil who is out to get us at every turn, right? So they
blame every bad thing on Satan, and attribute every good thing to God. I assume
they haven’t read or understood the book of Job and even the works of Satan
being under the Lord authority, but that is a whole other discussion. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will pick up with a cor stories in the next<span style="font-family: inherit;"> part.</span></span></span>
<br />
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men.html">Part 1</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-2.html">Part 2</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-3.html"> Part 3</a> |
<a href="http://exploringfortruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-battle-is-lords-where-are-men-part-4.html">Part 4</a>
<br/> <hr><br/>Jeff McCormackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04376814441324031992noreply@blogger.com0