NOT YOUR ORDINARY BIBLE STUDY: PROBING BIBLE THOUGHTS

PROBING BIBLE THOUGHTS

Probing Thoughts - Conflicting Emotions - Modern Day Bible Obedience

Alcohol

· Q – Is it a sin to drink alcohol? - NYOBS 03.21 – BEER, BOOZE AND BUBBLY

A – Very early on, Jesus was accused of being a boozer – He told them that it’s not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him; it’s what comes out – Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony and slander.
Whatever the heart is full of will eventually overflow the mouth – We are known by what we speak - The fruit of our mouth. – NYOBS 12.25 – ALCOHOL JESUS SPEAKS
Drinking booze is not a sin – Drunkenness is the sin – (You will not inherit the kingdom.)
We are free to have a glass of wine. – For some that are not “free”, drinking is still a sin and could cause them to stumble in their faith; so for their sake; drink privately at home.

Matt 11:18-19 – Jesus accused of being a drunkard

18 John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

NIV

Matt 15:16-20 – It’s not what you drink that defiles you

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.

17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?

18 But the things that come OUT of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” NIV

Matt 15:11 – What comes out of your mouth defiles you

11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes OUT of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” NIV

Matt 12:33-37 – The mouth speaks what’s in the heart.

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

34 For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

NIV

1 Cor 6:9-10 – Drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God

9 Do not be deceived: Neither … the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. NIV

Rom 14:19-21–Don’t cause your brother to stumble

20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. NIV

Angels

· Q – Are there baby Angels and female Angels? – NYOBS 34.17 - ANGELS

A - Scripture seem to indicate that there are NO Female Angels, so they do not marry, they are all Male adults probably with a body of a 30 year old person. (Same age as Christ when He started His ministry).
There are no Baby Angels. - A “Cherub” is not a cute baby with a little bow and arrow; they are Cherubim warriors who just the sight of will make your heart skip a beat.
I think if you saw “something” nine feet tall with a wing span of fifteen feet wide, it would scare the “Tater Tots” out of you – That’s why when you find Angels mentioned in the scriptures, they always say “FEAR NOT” when they great you - NYOBS 22.30 GIANTS
Billy Graham said “Angels, who think, will, and display emotions are ministering servants who can appear or remain invisible as they perform the tasks that God assigns them.”
Angels maintain the believer’s life during the believer’s assignment and interacts with them without their knowledge. – They literally keep you out of harm’s way and place a hedge of protection around you.

1 Cor 15:39-40 – Angel bodies are different from Earthly bodies

39 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.

40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. NIV

Matt 22:30 – Angels are male and do not reproduce

30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. NIV

Heb 13:2 – Interact unknowingly with the Believer

2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

NIV

Hebrews 1:14 – Minister and serve the Believer
¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (NIV2011)

Isa 6:2, 6 – Seraphim’s Attend the throne of God

2 Above it stood the seraphim’s: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

6 Then flew one of the seraphim’s unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

KJV

Gen 3:24 – Cherubim Guard – have flaming swords

24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. NIV

2 Chronicles 3:11 Cherubim’s wingspan was fifteen feet wide
¹¹The combined wingspread of the side-by-side cherubim (each wing measuring seven and a half feet) MSG

Luke 2:10 – Shepherds – FEAR NOT
¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (KJV)

Anti-Christ

· Q – Who is the antichrist? – NYOBS 21.18 ANTICHRIST –– NYOBS - 38.23 - NEW HITLER

A - He is not a Robot, a Demon or some kind of Beast or a hybrid fallen angel; He is a MAN and IS ALIVE NOW and will come on the scene when he is about 30 years of age; the same age as Christ when He started His ministry. (His life will mirror or parallel that of Christ).

· Before the Tribulation period begins, this New Hitler will be born most probably somewhere in the European Union or a country or confederation that was once part of the Roman Empire.

This is where he first enters into the political arena almost unnoticed. He will be religious, but not seeking the God of the Bible; perhaps even a homosexual. – His God will be Power and Money.
Many believe he is a Gentile “connected” to the tribe of Dan as this tribe is missing from the sealed 144,000 Evangelist as mentioned in Revelation 7:4-10; - The half tribe of Manasseh seems to take Dan’s place in the lineup of the Twelve Tribes. NYOBS 35.16 – 144,000; THE MARK

· He will be intelligent, a great orator, be a political, commercial marketing and military genius. - He will have great personal ambitions and goals; and to get them he will eventually sell his soul to Satan.

· He is described as a LEOPARD that acts with stealth, mobility and cunning speed, a BEAR with crushing power and a LION with a mouth that’s deadly.

· He will possess courage, power, perseverance, charm, charisma, and an awesome speaking ability, not powered by the “Energizer Bunny” but energized by Satan Himself.

· He will NOT be seen as EVIL; but seen as the answer to the Worlds Problems - The World will see him as the greatest man who has ever lived. – He most probably will be the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

· He will NOT have his miraculous powers till the Saints and the Holy Spirit who are the restraining force are removed from the earth via the Rapture, which is coming soon.

· His NAME will not be known for sure till 3 ½ years into the tribulation period when he is unleashed by Satan to do his bidding. – So if you have somebody in mind and he is over 30, forget it; don’t waste your time trying to figure it all out because this New Hitler is a master of intrigue. Now his FALSE PROPHET can be over 30 and is probably Jewish clergy living right now. - NYOBS 07.141 ESCHATOLOGY - 666 MARK OF THE BEAST

He starts the One World Religion with the Antichrist’s prophet as its leader.
The Antichrist, like Satan, desires to be worshiped and wants to be like God.
He will lead Israel to sign a peace treaty with the Arabs. The prophet Isaiah said this would be a contract with the pit (of Hell) - Death -
The Antichrist makes the covenant of Peace just before or at the beginning of the tribulation period to resolve the Islamic/Israeli dispute and to protect and defend Israel.
Egypt and Russia invade Palestine. The Antichrist keeps his promise and comes to the rescue and defeats Egypt. God then defeats Russia on the mountains of Israel.
The Antichrist decides he wants Israel for himself and breaks his covenant after 3 ½ years.
He slanders God’s name and sets up an image of himself to be worshiped in the Temple defiling the dwelling place of God,
This is the first time he is REVEALED as the Antichrist although many will suspect who he is by reason of the scriptures.
For a boat load of information and scriptures’, I encourage you to read the in-depth studies; – NYOBS 21.18 ANTICHRIST –– NYOBS - 38.23 - NEW HITLER

Rev 13:1-3 – He rises out of the sea of humanity

1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. KJV

2… and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. KJV

Gen 49:17 – Possibly a descendent of the tribe of Dan

17 Dan will be a serpent by the roadside, a viper along the path that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward. NIV

Dan 11:37 – He will not desire a woman maybe a HOMOSEXUAL

37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

Rev 13:2 - He will have Power and great authority

2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

NIV

Rev 6:2 – He will be a Military Genius – Impersonating Christ

2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. NIV

Dan 9:27 – He will make a covenant with Israel

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." NIV

Matt 24:15 – He will set up an image of himself in the temple

15 "So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand – NIV

Dan 9:27 – His Image Prophesied by Daniel the prophet

27 In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. NIV

2 Thess 2:4 He will proclaim that he himself is god

4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. NIV

Dan 11:36 – He will exalts himself above God

36 "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.

Ark of the Covenant

· Q – Where is the Ark of the Covenant? - NYOBS 16.20 - ARK OF THE COVENANT

· A - The original Ark is in Heaven. Moses was shown the Ark and told to pattern one just like it.

After the Ark was captured in war, it was sent back to the Israelites on a new ox cart where it stayed for twenty years at Abinadab’s house in Kiriath Jearim which was high on a hill overlooking Jerusalem. –- There it was guarded by a Priest. - Today in Kiriath Jearim there is a church called the “Church of the Ark” standing on the traditions site of Abinadab’s house.

Later King David would bring the Ark to Jerusalem and then at some point he moved it to Solomon’s Temple into a special inner room called the “Holy of Holies”
When the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586 B.C.; IF the Ark was present, it was either taken or burned, we just don’t know.
In Rome they say the Ark was lost when the basilica burned.
From the Apocrypha – 2nd Maccabees 2:4-10; “The Jeremiah Letter” – Jeremiah came and found a cavern in the rock, and there he brought in the Tabernacle (tent), and the Ark, and the Alter of Incense; and he made fast the door – “Yea, and THE PLACE SHALL BE UNKNOWN until God gather the people again together, and mercy comes; and then shall the Lord disclose these things”. – The Glory of the Lord and the cloud shall appear, as they were shown before Moses and Solomon.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are the final reference to the Ark of the Covenant and its location. Other writing not found in the Bible suggest that Solomon, concerned about an invading army, built a replica of the Ark of the Covenant for protection and that the real Ark was sent to Ethiopia for safe keeping with his son that he fathered with the Queen of Sheba and is under guard there even today awaiting its return.
More – June 26, 2009, Abune Paulos, the patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia attested that the Ark is being kept safe and secure in a church in Axum, Ethiopia.
The Temple Society, according to reports that surfaced years ago, claim that they are now in possession of the Ark of the Covenant.
Here’s more – A replica was discovered in 1940 in a cave in East Africa that was made by the Lemba priest – It was carbon dated to about 1350. – Writings say the original was burned up, but the core was used in the reconstruction.
The Apocrypha also mentions the Ark being carried away to Babylon. – This is disputed saying the real Ark was hidden. – Indiana Jones is the only one who actually knows where the Ark is.
After the Babylonian captivity, many synagogues made replicas of the Ark. It was placed behind a curtain in the side wall of the synagogue toward Jerusalem. - Inside was a copy of the Torah and other sacred books.

Side Note: The Roman Catholic writers saw the Blessed Virgin Mary as the “Ark of the Covenant” because she herself carried the Savior of mankind within her. – She became the “Holy of Holies” - “She is the Ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which Divinity resides” (Homily of the Papyrus of Turin)
When Christ returns for the millennial reign the Ark will not be present, it will not even be thought of because Christ will be on the throne in Jerusalem. - There will be no need to make a new Ark; and they won’t.

· There are a number of opinions on where the Ark is now. – There has been no proof presented either way of its existence or non-existence. – But I like to think it is hidden in a cave and that the Temple Society knows where it is… Just Saying

Rev 11:19 – The real Ark is in Heaven.

19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. NIV

Heb 8:5 – A copy of the real thing in Heaven

5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. NIV

Ex 25:9 – Make the Ark like this pattern.

9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. NIV

2 Sam 6:2-3 – The Ark was received at the house of Abinadab.

3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. NIV

1 Sam 7:2 – The Ark stayed twenty years at Kiriath Jearim

2 It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD NIV

2 Sam 6:17 – The Ark was brought into Jerusalem into a tent

17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD. NIV

2 Chron 35:3 – The Ark was in the Temple

3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel, KJV

1 Kings 8:6 – The Ark was in the Holy of Holies

6 The priests then brought the ark of the LORD's covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim NIV

1 Kings 10:13 – Commentaries say Queen of Sheba desired a son

13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country. NIV

Isa 18:1 – The Ark is in Ethiopia

1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia KJV

1 Esdras 1:54 (Apocrypha) – Carried off to Babylon

54 Babylonians took all the holy vessels of the Lord, both great and small, and the ark of God, and the King’s treasures and carried them away into Babylon.

Jer 3:16-17 – The Ark will no longer be remembered.

16 In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land," declares the LORD, "men will no longer say, `The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.

17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. NIV

Baptism

· Q - What is the correct way to be baptized? – NYOBS 03.07 - BAPTISM

A - Submersion, Immersion, Dip, Pour, Sprinkle; all methods have been used down through the centuries. Archeologists have uncovered basins that the believer stood in, or knelt, as water was poured over their heads from a pitcher.
Let’s look at Baptism. Water had a heavy symbolism of purity and was used in purification rites. There are two similar words in Greek for Baptize; Bapto meaning to dip or immerse and the other Baptizo meaning a change that has taken place by some means. The latter was used most of the time in the scriptures.
It’s interesting how the word “wash” (baptize) was used. The Pharisees were astonished that Jesus did not “ceremonially” wash (baptize) Himself before He ate bread. This was a partial immersion or baptism of their wrist and hands. - Luke 11:38 – Mark 7:3 - The same word is used for “dip” as when they dipped (baptize) a morsel of bread.
Jesus was baptized by submersion, not because He was a sinner, but for the symbolism of a “change” in life for the believer and for a witness to John’s followers.
Three thousand were baptized in one day, probably with water poured over their heads. - Paul was baptized in a house. - The jailer and his family were baptized in their house. - The Israelites were baptized in a cloud. - The thief on the cross was not baptized at all, but had a change of heart. (Water doesn’t save)
Baptism is a doctrine that divides denominations. At the base of every denomination are differences on church doctrine, usually legalism. - We are commanded to be baptized with water because it is symbolic of purity. - Baptism is a symbol and sign of a “change” of heart; that you are “born again”. - It is a public statement that you are dead to your old life; raised to a newness of life in Christ; never to go back to your old ways. - Baptism does not save, the requirement is your Faith in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is a change from one state to another, like a civilian putting on a soldier uniform; we put on the garments of Christ; we are identified and baptized unto Christ.
Baptism is death and burial to our past life with change to a new resurrected life in Christ.
Baptism is something that we do, but it is also something that has been done to us; Change.
Baptism in water is not necessary for Salvation; otherwise the thief on the cross was lost. Our salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone; Jesus Christ plus nothing else.
The act of baptism must be accompanied by a heart attitude of faith in Jesus Christ.
If you do not confess it, you do not possess it. -The scriptures show that a public confession and commitment is required. - When you fall in love with someone; you act different; what’s in your heart will overflow your mouth. - You want everyone to know; otherwise you’re really not in love. Love is the way you act. - (You are a Believer or a Make believer)
For sure, Faith is something you have, but it is expressed through your actions or you don’t really have the faith. If you have the light, you WILL let it shine.
Before Jesus came on the scene, John was using water baptism as the symbol of a person’s testimony of “repenting of sin” and their changed life. - They certainly knew the story of Noah’s family being saved; raised up above the waters in the ark and the Israelites being saved; delivered through the waters of the Red Sea.
It is worth noting: Noah and the Israelites were brought through the waters, NEVER to go back. This is an intense statement – CHANGED – NEVER TO GO BACK.
While baptism is a commandment, it is neither a requirement nor a guarantee of a person receiving the gift of eternal life.
The method of baptism is any way you can; Read the scriptures, and then follow the Holy Spirit’s convictions of your heart.

Rom 6:3-4 – Baptism symbolizes death to a new life

3 don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. NIV

Matt 3:16 – Jesus was submersed or totally immersed

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. NIV

Luke 3:16 – John baptizes by submersion

16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water “NIV

Acts 2:40-41 – Three Thousand get baptized

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. NIV

Acts 9:17-18 – Paul was baptized in a house

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, NIV

Acts 16:32-33 – Jailer’s family baptized in a house

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. NIV

1 Cor 10:2 – Baptized in a cloud

2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea NIV

Luke 23:42-43 – The Thief – No baptism

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." NIV

Rom 2:28-29 – Baptism is the circumcision of the Heart – A change

28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. NIV

1 Peter 3:20-21 – Water Baptism is a Symbol of Salvation

20 God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

21 and this water “SYMBOLIZES” baptism that now saves you NIV

Phil 2:12 – WORK IT OUT

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Cain and Abel

· Q – What was wrong with Cain’s offering to God? – NYOBS 16.06 CAIN AND ABEL

A - Adam and Eve worshipped God and brought their children up to offer sacrifices.

· Sacrifices; Dual Intent: Thanksgiving for what had been received and Faith that it would continue. -The boys had two different trades; being able to exchange and trade with each other. - Cain was a Farmer and raised vegetables and offered the “first fruits” of the soil to God - Abel was a Sheppard and raised sheep and offered the “firstlings” of the flock.

Much is made over the fact that God requires a meat offering, but The Torah commands sacrifices of both animals and grain crops. – So then, what was the problem here?
I don’t think it mattered what was being “offered”, it was Abel’s FAITH in God that commended him as a righteous man before God - Without faith, it’s impossible to please God. – Faith was something Cain lacked.
When you read the account, you can see Cain’s character was sullen, self-willed, haughty and vindictive – He harbored thoughts of murder in his heart. - Scripture supports obedience to God is far better than your sacrifice to Him. - God disregarded “Cain” and his offering, but told him to cheer up, everything could still work out. – This was about Cain, not about Cain’s offering. – God extended Himself to Cain, but Cain’s pride was wounded which produced envy, hatred, violence, unbridled anger and a spirit of revenge.
Duly note; that it was not too late for Cain to choose the way of God. - Cain was ticked off and mad – Satan was crouching on his very doorstep ready to pounce.
You can almost paint the picture. – The brothers are two opposite classes of man - Abel is God’s humble, believing man of Faith and Cain is Satan’s proud, self-willed man – Good and Evil.
NOTE: God extended Himself in reconciliation to Cain; the hope of forgiveness and victory. If you do what is right; blessing are set before you - If you do what is wrong; Curses. - It’s the same today; we can try to do better or get angry with God. - Life is “Choice Driven”. –The Lord looks on the thoughts and attitude of man’s heart.

Cain could have learned from his experience, but made a life choice to get angry. - Anger gives Satan a foothold. – Anger is a seed of sin that can mature into a harvest of death.
Cain in Hebrew means: get; acquire; Spear – Probably killed his brother with a spear.
Abel in Hebrew means; breath; futility; Vapor – His life was but a vapor.

Gen 4:2 – Two ways of life.

2 Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. NIV

Heb 11:6 – Without Faith, it’s impossible to please God

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV

Heb 11:4 – Abel had FAITH in God.

4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

1 John 3:12 – Cain’s actions were evil and he belonged to Satan.

12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brothers were righteous. NIV

1 Sam 15:22 – Obedience is better than sacrifices

22 "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. NIV

Cats and dogs in Heaven

· Q – Will we see our pets in Heaven? – NYOBS 21.32 – PETS IN HEAVEN

A - I have tried to find scripture about whether our puppies are in heaven or not. The only scripture I have found is in Revelation and it speaks of “creatures” under the earth and in the sea and in heaven; “puppies are creatures”, so it seems they could be there… not only that, Animals cannot sin, so why wouldn’t they be in heaven. - This brings up the subject of Dinosaurs, Reptiles, Rats, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Lice, and Maggots, will they be there too? - The all eat and poop; scripture says nothing unclean will be in heaven.
Isaiah the prophet says there will be animals living at peace with one another, but is this in the new heaven or in the new earth or is this in the millennium reign of Christ on this present earth.
Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a chariot pulled by horses and Christ returns from Heaven on a horse; of course this could all be just symbolic and not literal horses in Heaven.
And finally we read that the “creatures”, and “all of creation” as well as “ourselves” are waiting for the redemption. - I think animals will be on the new earth, but not in the new heaven - GOOD GRIEF that’s only an opinion; a guess a best; I still don’t know.

Rev 21:5 – Christ is making ALL things new

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. KJV

Isa 11:6-8 – New Heaven or New Earth or the Millennium

6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. NIV

Rev 21:27 – No impurity will enter Heaven

27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. NIV

2 Kings 2:11 - Horses in Heaven

11 … there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. KJV

Rev 19:11 – Christ comes on a horse

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, KJV

Rev 5:13- Creatures in Heaven

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: NIV

Rom 8:21-23 – All creatures await redemption.

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. KJV

Circumcision

· Q – Should a Christian be circumcised like Jesus? – NYOBS 30.02 - CIRCUMCISION

· A - Circumcision was the first controversy in the Church. Those that were known as Judaizers took a position that any Gentile who wanted to become a Christian must first become a proselyte Jew and be circumcised before he could be a member of the Christian fellowship.

· Paul took exception to that, claiming that salvation was Faith in Jesus Christ alone and nothing else – Paul taught that it was the Spiritual circumcision of the heart that was important not the outward physical circumcision.

· Jeremiah the Prophet taught the same thing as Paul; it was the “circumcision of the heart” that was important.

· Peter had been commanded to take the Gospel to the “circumcised” Jews.

· Paul had been commanded to take the same message to the “un-circumcised” Gentiles.

· Christian Church Counsel; the “CCC” met and after Paul presented his case to them, the Church Counsel determined that Abraham was saved by his Faith not by the Law of circumcision and they broke away from the binding LEGALISM of Judaism and agreed that circumcision should not be a requirement to become a Christian.

· NO you do not have to be circumcised in the flesh, but many do so desiring to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. – It’s the heart that God wants circumcised.

Jer 9:25-26 – Circumcision of the heart is the important thing

25 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh—

26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the desert in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in HEART." NIV

Deut 30:6 – God will circumcise your heart

6 The LORD your God will circumcise your HEARTS and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. NIV

Rom 4:9-12 – Abraham was righteous before he was circumcised.

9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.

10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. NIV

Rom 2:28-29 – Inward circumcision of the Heart by the Spirit

28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. NIV

Gal 2:1-8 – God does not judge by external appearance

1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.

2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

4[This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

6 As for those who seemed to be important-whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance-those men added nothing to my message.

7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.

8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. NIV

Acts 15:1-19 – The Church Council agreed with Paul

1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."

2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.

7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them:

8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this

19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

NIV

Demons

· Q - Is there demon possession today? – NYOBS 11.16 - DEMONS

· A - Demon is from the Greek word daimon – In the KJV it is translated Devil – The Jewish traditional roots passes down to us that demons are the forces of darkness and wickedness and their leader is Satan. – Demons are HELL’S ANGELS.

There seems to be two classes of demons; those that are free in “THE AIR” and those bound in “THE ABYSS” which is a temporary holding place for evil spirits until they are thrown into the lake of fire. - There leader is The Prince of the power of THE AIR; SATAN
The evil spirits or demons that live today are the same spirits from the first earth age – moving from person to person, killing, stealing and destroying as they go. - NYOBS 11:16 – DEMONS
They do not consist of matter or material body or substance – they are without physical existence in themselves, but they belong as property or a thing to Satan. - They are invisible and operate above the laws of nature – have supernatural intelligence and knowledge along with terrible physical strength which they impart to those possessed.
A demon spirit needs a moist place to find rest and attempts to take over humans as well as animals. – They need to possess a person’s mind and body to enable them to get around.
Jesus validated the existence of Demons. - He referred to them as Unclean Evil Spirits and went on to say some people could be possessed by many of them.

· Demon POSSESSION is a demon residing in a person and exerting direct control and influence over that person causing certain derangement of mind and body.

· Demon OPPRESSION or Influence must always be distinguished from Demon possession in relationship to a person. Demon influence is just demons messing with you because they can. There is NOT one scripture in the New Testament about a Believer; a Christian being possessed by a demon. We may be troubled, bothered, harassed and tempted by demons, but never possessed. - We can be Obsessed and Oppressed, but NOT Possessed.

· You can be bewitched, bothered and bewildered by demons trying to discourage you, trying to get a foothold in your life. – Specially causing doubt in your prayer life

· The Spirit of God inhabits us permanently – Our body is the temple of Holy Spirit – God, who is in us is greater and stronger than he who is in the world. (Satan and his demons)

· Demons cannot enter into a person who is occupied by someone stronger than they are. The Holy Spirit and an unclean spirit cannot co-exist in the same person, just as light cannot co-exist with darkness. - NYOBS 40.02 – BEWITCHED – BOTHERED – BEWILDERED --

Satan and his unclean spirits can get a foothold in your life through; Willful sin – Pride – strife – un-forgiveness – Doubt - Fear and Negative speech just to name just a few.
They produce invisible chains of infirmity that are not physical. You can’t see demons, but their bondage is ever present. – Their presence can move around your body exhibiting headaches, backaches, chest pains, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, sadness, depression, stress, fear, paranoia, rage and even cause you to exhibit different personalities. - This suffering is not really a physical sickness; so medical treatment gives minor relief if any. – For sure, it’s not God trying to teach you something. – It is God’s will that you are healed. – “Prayer”, “The Word” and “Faith” are the only remedy.
The Christian has dominion over demons and is protected by SEVEN things; 1) Submission to God – 2) The blood of Jesus Christ – 3) The Holy Spirit within us – 4) God’s Word; the Bible – 5) The believers authority – 6) The gifts of the Spirit 7) and Our prayer life. – (Seven, we are complete.)
An evil spirit cannot co-exist with the Holy Spirit; A CHRISTIAN CANNOT BE POSSESSED.
I think that it is a blessing from God that we cannot see these evil spirits in their physical form. – NYOBS 01.215 – FOURTH DIMENSION

Mark 1:39 – Jesus preached and drove out demons
³⁹So He (Jesus) traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (NIV2011)

Matthew 4:24 – News spread Jesus healing demon-possessed
²⁴News about Him (Jesus) spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. (NIV2011)

Luke 7:21 – Jesus called Demons; Evil Spirits
²¹ At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. (NIV2011)

Matt 12:43 – A demon spirit cannot rest in a dry place.

43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through DRY PLACES, seeking rest, and finds none. NKJV

Mark 5:12 – Demons desire a moist place to live, even an animal

12 The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. NIV

1 Corinthians 6:19 – Our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
¹⁹Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (ESV)

1 John 4:4 – God who lives in us is greater than Demons
⁴Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (ESV)

Matthew 8:16 – Demons Oppress
¹⁶That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. (ESV)

Luke 13:11 – They produce a spirit of infirmity

11 There was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. KJV

Mark 1:40-41 – Jesus said He wants us healed.

40 Then a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You want to, You can heal me”

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I WANT TO”; be cleansed." LB

Isa 54:17 – It will not succeed – It will fail

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, NKJV

Eph 2:2 – Satan – The prince of the power of the air

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: KJV

Eph 2:1-2 – Some demons are free “in the air”

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. NIV

Luke 8:31 – Some demons are bound “in the Abyss”

31 they begged him not to order them to go into the Abyss. NIV

Fasting

· Q – Why do people fast? – NYOBS 24.25 – FASTING

· A - Fasting in the NT is done as a sign of remembrance of God’s provisions and watch care; other times it’s done because of sincere penance, grief, distress or even impending destruction.

Apocrypha - Fasting makes atonement for “Sins committed in Ignorance. Apocrypha Ps Sol 3:8

Ezra fasted in preparation for receiving visions. - Apocrypha - 4 Ezra 6:31

Fasting is done in “PREPARATION” to Hear from God - Cornelius was fasting when he received a vision about Peter from God – Daniel was fasting when the Angel Gabriel appeared. – Moses was fasting when God wrote the Ten Commandments in stone.
The Isaiah List is some of the things that constitute a true fast – Fasting becomes Bread.
Bread is sharing your food with the hungry. – Bread is providing shelter for the poor – Bread is providing clothes for those in need – Bread is opening your eyes to see the need of those in your own extended family – Bread is living an unselfish life. - Man shall not live by Bread alone, but by every word of God.
Isaiah says to fast in order to loose the chains of injustice – To undo heavy burdens – To fast to get free from oppression - To break every yoke.
LISTEN – The thing that caused the fall of man was FOOD – Fasting humbles your spirit and demonstrates your earnestness before God.
Fasting chastens your soul. – It subdues your appetite giving more attention to prayer. Fasting and humbling yourself before God brings answers from God and is the cure for unbelief.

Isa 58:6-7 – The Isiah List of Reasons to Fast

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Acts 10:30-31 – Cornelius heard from God while fasting.

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. KJV

Dan 9:3-21 – Daniel fasted and the angel Gabriel came to him

3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. NIV

Ex 34:28 – Moses fasted and God wrote the Ten Commandments

28 Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten Commandments. NIV

Luke 4:4 - Man shall not live by Bread alone

4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. KJV

Foot Washing

· Q - Is Foot Washing an Ordinance like Baptism? – NYOBS 40.198 – FOOT WASHING

· A - It was just before the Feast of the Passover when Jesus washed the feet of His Disciples and told them that this was an example of what they should do; to have the heart of a servant and wash others feet in humility, to love one another.

· After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, scripture indicates that the early Church practiced the example of humility with foot washing as commanded by Christ.

· There are three qualification for something to be deemed an ordinance or sacrament.

1. Was it instituted by Christ?

2. Is it universal for all believers?

3. Is it a permanent application?

· There are arguments both ways. - A Church may participate in this without it being an ordinance or sacrament, however the remaining fact is, that those who participate in this action are blessed and are deeply touched by its significance. I certainly was.

John 13:1-15 – Jesus set the example of foot washing
¹Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father… He laid aside his outer garments, taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
¹²When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
¹³You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (ESV)

John 13:34 – Command – Love one another
³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (ESV)

1 Timothy 5:9-10 – Early Church practice
⁹Let a widow be enrolled IF she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
¹⁰having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. (ESV)

John 13:7-9 – Wash my hands and head as well
⁷Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
⁸ Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
⁹Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (ESV)

John 13:15 – I have given you an example.

¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (ESV)

Fate - Karma

· Q – Am I already predestined for Heaven or Hell; is there NO hope?

A – God elects to save some and send others to hell. – What a heavy statement!

· Every person is born with a destination to Hell, however some by the Grace of God have been predestined to go to Heaven before they were ever born; the rest received justice. With that truth said, God has also provided a way for everyone else to come to Him through belief in his Son; Jesus the Christ.

The scriptures say God is not “a respecter of persons”, All are treated the same, therefore he does not predestine some to hell and some not. – That would be double predestination since all are damned to hell already. - No man can on his own come to God. He must be “enabled” by the Holy Spirit. – The roads of PREDESTINATION and FREE WILL, both run parallel to Heaven.

· Abraham with his free will had a child by Hagar a maidservant and through predestination had a child with Sarah - NYOBS 54.28 -SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD REVISITED

· Can you see; Ismael existed because of Free Will and Isaac existed 14 years later because of Predestination; both make up God’s Sovereignty. NYOBS 29.28 – PREDESTINATION REVISITED –

· Man’s has Limited Free Will which cannot exceed the boundaries of God’s Sovereignty; like Satan as he runs in the endless circle of restraint that God’s chain allows him.

· God’s Sovereignty – God sees from the end to the beginning and nothing will thwart His plans. – We have Free Will choices and the results of those choices affects what happens in our everyday lives; however our decisions do not change God’s sovereign plan.

· Our viewpoint from Earth’s side of Heaven’s gate; the sign says “Who so ever will may come” - John 3:16

· The viewpoint from Heavens side of Heaven’s gate; the sign says “Chosen before the foundations of the world”. - Ephesians 1:4

· There are Two Roads in life; one of “FREE WILL” given by God to Man & Angels and the other of what God has already “PREDESTINED”; together they form God’s SOVEREIGNTY If we have no Free Will, then it is impossible for us to be held accountable for our decisions and consequential actions.

Genesis 16:1-4 – FREE WILL – Abraham has Ishmael by Hagar
¹Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar.
²And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
³So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a WIFE.
⁴And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. (NKJV)

Genesis 17:21 – PREDESTINED - Isaac
²¹But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” (ESV)

Galatians 4:22-23 – Ishmael Free Will – Isaac Predestined
²²For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.
²³But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh (FREE WILL), and the son by the free woman through the promise (PREDESTINED). (NASB)

Phil 1:6 – God’s Sovereignty - He begins and finishes His works

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

NKJV

Isaiah 40:13 – Who can understand the mind of God
¹³Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?

(NIV2011)

Romans 11:33 – We can never figure out God’s ways and path
³³Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (NKJV)

Isa 55:9 – His ways and thoughts are higher that man’s

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

KJV

Rom 11:33 – His ways are past finding out

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! KJV

Isa 14:24 – He has a plan

24 The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.

NIV

Isa 14:27 – He has a purpose

27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?

His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

NIV

Proverbs 16:33 – He determines the roll of the dice
³³The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (ESV)

Heb 9:27 – Man is predestined to die and then the judgment.

27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, NIV

John 1:12 – PREDESTINED - Those who believe have the right

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

NIV

Acts 16:31 – FREE WILL - Just believe

31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household." NIV

John 5:24 – Believers predestined to life

24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. NIV

Acts 10:34 – God shows no partiality to man – All treated equal
³⁴Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (KJV)

Fourth Dimension

· Q - Is there really another dimension, one that is invisible? NYOBS 01.15 – FOURTH DIMENSION

A - Yes, there is; and God created it before the earth was created. This fourth dimension is not a different place, its right where we are now – Its attributes and functions are by the thought and the will of God.
It exists along with our own world and is not discernible to our five senses unless God supernaturally allows it, and SOMETIMES HE DOES. Angels operate in this dimension and are NOT impeded by physical limitations, matter, time, space, or by the laws of nature.
This dimension was not created for man and would probably be terrifying if we were able to see what’s going on all around us. This is not mythology, but is an actual spiritual dimension.
Some scripture examples; Philip was transported through it at lightning speed. At another time the laws of nature were suspended and Peter was able to walk on the water, then the Disciples boat was zapped through it to the shore on the other side.
There are many modern day stories of cars being moved through it avoiding disaster.
In this dimension, the miracles of God are staged and executed by God’s ministering angels.
NOTE; There is also spiritual warfare taking place around this same dimension ushered in by Satan to oppose the purposes and promises of God. Satan is “The Prince of the power of the air”. He already manipulates the weather, bringing hurricane forces of destruction. - You will note that the hurricane force winds come from across the sea around the nations that are into voodoo and where the Holy Spirit has very little presence. Just saying
I think most probably that the rapture will operate in this 4^th dimension. Laws of nature will be suspended; resurrected bodies of dead believers will reunite with their spirits then reunite with living believers and then they all are caught up to meet Jesus, passing upward through their ceilings leaving their clothes behind. Only believers will see this happen.

Col 1:16 - Invisible Dimension

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: KJV

2 Kings 6:17 – The Lord allowed a lad to see in the 4^th dimension
¹⁷LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 – Angels Operate There - Unseen

17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. NIV

Eph 6:12 – Rulers of Darkness are There

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. KJV

Job 4:12-16 - Job Sees Something That Shakes His Bones

12 "A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it. Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A FORM stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice: NIV

Dan 10:12-13 – Battles Are Staged There

12 Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

13 But the “prince” of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was DETAINED THERE with the king of Persia. NIV

Eph 2:2 – Satan Manipulates the Weather There

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the “prince” of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: KJV

2 Cor 12:2-3 – Paul Allowed To Visit There Briefly

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago WAS CAUGHT UP to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows. … heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. NIV

Acts 8:39-40 - Philip Steps through It

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch SAW HIM NO MORE: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip WAS FOUND at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. KJV

John 5:13 – Jesus Steps through It

13 And he that was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. KJV

John 6:19-21 – Jesus & Disciples & Boat Zip through It

19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. - But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."

21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately THE BOAT reached the shore where they were heading. NIV

2 Kings 6:5-6 – Axe Head Floats on Water – Nature suspended

5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! For it was borrowed.

6 ….where did it fall? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and THE IRON DID SWIM.

KJV

1 Thess 4:15-17 – The Rapture – Pass through ceilings

15 ..the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

NIV

Luke 24:12 – Jesus Passes through His Linens

12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the STRIPS OF LINEN LYING by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. NIV

Garden of Eden

Q – Where is the Garden of Eden? – NYOBS 09.34 – GARDEN OF EDEN
A - The garden was located on the east side of Eden and was west of the city of Nod which is near Jerusalem. – Probably in the Tigris-Euphrates Valley which included the whole of the “Fertile Crescent”, from India to Egypt. Note: East of Eden is a matter of prospective, depending on where the writer was standing.
The word garden (paradeisos) translates “enclosure” similar to a park.
The word Eden in Sumerian means “Plain” or flat region.
It was watered by four head waters as well as springs that provided irrigation, insuring lush vegetation, pasture and all kinds of fruit bearing trees that were good for food.
Based on the four rivers, we think we know about where the Garden of Eden was. - Only in Mesopotamia do we find a single river dividing into four arms. - This is a region with land that is very rich and fertile where streams abound, divide and reunite - many scholars deem it to be from latitude 31 degrees to 33 degrees-30 minutes.
Most of the smart people tell us that it was located at the head of the Persian Gulf at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, but silt brought down since 3000bc has added over 100 miles to the head of the gulf making it impossible to know where to start looking.
Except for Satellite mapping technology showing possible river beds, no trace of the Garden has ever been found. - It is widely thought that it perished during the great flood of Noah.
The land was loaded with precious gems and Gold – rubies, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, beryl and Gold.
The temperature was temperate, so no clothes were needed. - As Adam was to tend and keep the garden it would not be farfetched to believe that the garden also contained grain and vegetables as the land was very fertile. - There were also many kinds of birds and animals that filled the land.
There were two special trees in the middle of the garden – the tree of life and the other which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (knowledge of right and wrong)
Scholars believe that the tree of knowledge of good and evil was just an ordinary tree planted for the purpose of testing Adam. – By eating of the tree, Adam did not receive UNIVERSAL knowledge, but received EXPERIENTIAL knowledge. – He experienced the knowledge of right and wrong. - The omniscient (all knowing) God already knew Adam would fail. – “the universal law of sin and death” had already been put into effect. “If you sin you will die”.
Almost all nations have traditions of an age of innocence – evil did not exist – life was without care or labor – food came forth spontaneously in abundance – no one aged or lost their vigor.

Gen 2:8 – The Garden was in the east of Eden

8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.

Gen 2:10 - Four rivers

10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. NIV

Gen 2:25 – They didn’t wear any clothes

25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Gen 2:9-14 – All kinds of trees were planted – Two were special

9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were … good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Giants

· Q – Where did the Giants come from? - NYOBS 22.30 - GIANTS

A – Scripture clearly states that some angels left their own habitations.
“When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them”. This is a special passage when you realize that daughters of men had always been born to them – It seems at some point, a desire was awakened in the “sons of God” and they took “whoever they chose” to marry with NO emphasis on character, but only on beauty, probably marring more than one.
These “Fallen” Devine beings are identified as “Sons of God” or Nephilim which took the women of earth in marriage and had sexual intercourse resulting in a hybrid of giants.
There is no marriage in heaven, as Devine beings are immortal and therefore there is no need to propagate; to replenish or repopulate as mortals do on earth. Mark 12:25
The sons of Adam, the Sethites and the Cainites were going in two opposite directions keeping diversely apart physically and also in moral and character distinctions.
Some students hold that the Godly line of Seth were actually “the sons of God” and were said to have disobeyed God, by “coming down” from the mountains and breeding with the wicked Cainites thereby producing giants; they conclude that they were not any fallen angels at all, only disobedient men. – (Based on scripture, I disagree and hold to the Angel theory)

Nephilim were a people that existed before the flood of Noah and according to what I read existed after the flood also. – So the Nephilim came down at least twice.
Giants terrorized the Israelites from the time they entered into Canaan until the time of David. - The fearsome race of Rephaims; the Emims, Zamzummims, Anakites, Sabeans, and some Philistines were of great physical statue, large framed and abnormally powerful.
King Og, the last of the giant Rephaite’s bed was eight feet wide and thirteen feet long
I know this is reaching, but in the Apocrypha, the Book of Jubilees 7:21–25 states that ridding the Earth of these Nephilim was one of God's purposes for flooding the Earth in Noah's time. The Apocrypha describe the Nephilim as being evil giants.

Job 1:6 – Satan and the sons of God present themselves

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

KJV

Jude 6 – Some angels left their own habitation.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. KJV

Gen 6:1-2 – Nephilim known as “The sons of God”

1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them,

2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. NIV

Gen 6:4 – The Nephilim had sex with the women of the earth

4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. NIV

Deut 3:11 – Giants called Rephaites – Bed 13 feet long

11 (Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.) NIV

Great Pyramid

· Q – Who built the Great Pyramid? – NYOBS 19.02 - GREAT PYRAMID

A – The Great Pyramid is the Testimony of Jesus Christ and YAHWEH God engraved in Stone. - It is thought that the pyramid was built with the universal language of math or more specifically; geometry, a language which transcends the borders of race and culture.

Ancient writings indicate that Egypt was invaded by Sethites; a great foreign army from the East; they were the descendants of Adam’s son Seth; Known as THE SHEPPARD KINGS. They had acquired compound crossbows and chariots and overwhelmed King Cheops who immediately surrendered without engaging in battle.
Bible and Egyptian records say the Shepherd Patriarchs were Seth, Enoch, Noah and Shem. The “Shepherd Kings” leader is believed to have been none other than Enoch
Let’s stop for a minute – Looking forward in time we can see that God gave Noah specific plans for the Ark; He gave Moses specific plans for the Ark of the Covenant as well as the temple and all its furnishings - So it’s not too FAR OUT to believe that God also gave blueprints for the Pyramid to Enoch. – Therefore God would be the Architect; the builder would be Enoch and the workers would be King Cheops subjects.
It must be understood here that what was built was impossible, even with today’s technology. - The skills, tools, mathematics and “know how”, were never in the hands or minds of the Egyptians and it all vanished upon completion. – There is no “authentic” record that indicates the Egyptians were of advanced intelligence or even understood the ancient mystery of squaring a circle; “pi”. - On the contrary, all of the records indicate that Egypt reproduced about 130 similar pyramids with abject miserable inaccuracies. – They did not even use the Pyramid inch or Sacred Cubic.
The construction took place during the reign of Cheops, but no record has ever been found where Cheops proclaimed himself as the builder of the Pyramid.
Ancient records indicate that 100,000 men labored in 3 months relays for 30 years – That’s laying about one block every three minutes of daylight with supreme accuracy.
At completion, the Shepherd Kings just picked up and left Egypt as quickly as they had come and then went and built Salem, now called Jerusalem; then they vanished along with their technology. - The tools and machinery used in the construction have never been found.
The word Gaza means border. - At one point Egypt was divided into the lower and upper Egypt with a border in the center. The Great Pyramid was built in the center of Egypt on that border in Gaza.
It is located at the exact center of the geometrical quadrant formed by the Nile Delta.
The cornerstones at the four base points are TRUE North, East, South and West. - When the sun crosses the equinox, there is no shadow cast on any side
The truncated Great Pyramid covers thirteen acres of land – Thirteen is the number for sin, rebellion and depravity. – Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. It was erected in a land swimming in sin.
Josephus the Jewish historian writes “Seth and his immediate descendants were the inventors of a peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies and their order. And that their wisdom might not be lost before it was sufficiently known, upon Adam’s prediction that the world was to be destroyed, they made two pillars, the one of brick, and the other of stone. They inscribed their discoveries on them both, that in case the Pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the Pillar of stone might remain and exhibit these discoveries to mankind; this Pillar remains in the land of Egypt to this day”.
Jesus said that if the Disciples kept silent about His message; the STONES would cry out.

Matt 24:35 – God’s word is inscribed in stone

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Gen 6:15-16 – God provided measurements for Noah’s Ark

15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.

16 Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. NIV

Ex 25:10-11 – God provided measurements for Ark of Covenant

10 "Have them make a chest of acacia wood--two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.

11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. NIV

Jer 32:19-20 – God set signs and wonders in Egypt

19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for your eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

20 Which hast set signs and WONDERS in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

KJV

Isa 19:19-21 – There will be a pillar – A witness unto the Lord

19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

KJV

Luke 19:40 – The Stones will shout out

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the STONES would immediately cry out.

KJV

Isa 19:19 – Built on the border in the center of Egypt.

19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

KJV

Ps 19:4 – The line goes through it throughout the earth

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. KJV

Mark 7:21-22 – Thirteen – Sin, Rebellion

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: KJV

Homosexuality

· Q – Dosen’t God’s love include alternate lifestyles? – NYOBS 02.02 – HOMOSEXUALITY - - NYOBS 18.05 – SAME SEX MARRIAGE

A – If you don’t believe or care what God says, then this study will be meaningless to you. Right out of the chute God said two men should not lie together as a man with a woman - BAM - God said every man should have a wife and every woman a husband lest Satan get a foothold in your life. BAM - Then He said if you don’t listen to me, you will get AIDS. – BAM If you accept a homosexual’s lifestyle, you become a part of it. – Your silence is acceptance - BAM - God said to cut off the pervert from your presence. – BAM - God, the JUDGE uses words such as detestable and abomination – He says they are worthy of death – BAM –

· I had a childhood friend named Paul who I played with, did my homework with, double dated with, spent the night with and cried with when he went into military service. I loved him so very much, but it never occurred to me to have a SEXUAL relationship with him.

The Bible shows that there is a love between two men that is approved by God. It is a love of the spirit of the other and not a physical sexual love. – The King’s son Jonathan loved David and took off his clothes and gave it to him. This was a sign of a covenant between them – NYOBS 05.34 – BLOOD COVENANT
Our President of the USA recently came out in favor of Same Sex Marriages which the Bible actually foretold would happen.
It is prophesized that a leader will come forth that will not regard the God of Israel nor have any moral values or standards. – Not just anti-God, but Anti-Christian. – Self Centered.
Scripture says that we should NOT cast our “pearls” of wisdom in front of “pigs” because they just won’t know what to do with it. They will call your words of concern an intolerance of a different lifestyle, hatred of a sexual orientation and bigotry at its height.
While the world simply calls homosexuality just another alternate life style, God calls it an abomination and you will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire regardless of how many times you say “Praise the Lord” and state that you believe in God and that you are a Christian.
If you are GAY, you have already been judged by God. – BAM - BAM - BAM - So don’t get upset with me because I agree with what “God the Judge” has already said...
The Judgment “Day of the Lord” is soon and will come unexpectedly. - God Himself has judged the homosexual and will give him over to his shameful lust. - He will say, “Make Believer; I never knew you”.

1 Sam 18:1-4 - Love of Friends - Jonathan and David

1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (A blood covenant)

Lev 18:22 – Same sex should not lie together.

22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Rom 1:27 – The recompense is AIDS

27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. NIV

Lev 18:29 – Cut off the homosexual from your presence

29 Everyone who does any of these detestable things--such persons must be cut off from their people NIV

1 Cor 7:2 – Every man should have a wife; a wife a husband

2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Dan 11:37 – The Antichrist fosters homosexuality

37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.

NKJV

Matt 7:6 – Don’t give what is Holy to a dog. – To the pig

6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. NKJV

1 Cor 6:9-10 – WARNING - Homosexual will not inherit Heaven

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God

Rom 1:26-31 – God says; Go ahead - You want it – You got it -

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. NIV

Matt 7:21-23 – Praise the Lord – I never knew you

22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' NIV

Rom 1:32 – You approve of those who practice abominations

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are WORTHY OF DEATH, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. NKJV

Luke 17:26-27 – Judgment is coming unexpectedly

26 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.

27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. NIV

Imagination

· Q – Is it a sin when you think things that you shouldn’t? – NYOBS 28.02 – IMAGINATION

A - STANDING ON THE CORNER is an old song with the lyrics that go like this;

“Well you can’t go to jail for what you’re a thinkin’ or for the look in your eye;

Just standing on the Corner watchin’ all the girls; watchin’ all the girls; go by”

God says you WILL be judged for what you’re a thinkin’ and for the look in your eye. - The deceitful heart that plots evil and stirs up dissension with the wink of the eye; with the signals of the feet and with the motions of the fingers; God will destroy “without remedy”.
Our mind is a battle ground literally between LIFE and DEATH. - Evil thoughts and vain imaginations lead a man into ruin and destruction. - The Lord God detests evil thoughts and wants us to renew our mind and forsake our vain imaginations. He will have mercy on us and abundantly pardon.
Let the unrighteous man forsake his evil thoughts, God will have mercy and abundantly pardon. – Renew your mind - Fix your thoughts on Jesus – Put your mind on things of God.
Think on things that are True, Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely and of Good Report, think on things that have Virtue and things of Praise.
Guard your thoughts; let them be seasoned with the Word of God so as not to be taken hostage by Satan with deceptive philosophies, human tradition and principles of this world.

Matt 5:28 – You can sin in your imagination

28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. NIV

Gen 8:21 – Man’s imagination is evil from his youth

21 I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done. KJV

Jer 16:12 – Caution: The imagination of the heart is evil

12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: KJV

Jer 18:12 – The heart is full of evil imaginations and devices

12 And they said there is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. KJV

Matt 15:19 – Out of the heart comes evil thoughts

19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. NIV

Isa 59:6-7- Evil thoughts leads a man into ruin and destruction

6 Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

7 Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are EVIL THOUGHTS; ruin and destruction mark their ways. NIV

Prov 6:12-15 – Plots - evil and deceit come from the imagination

12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,

13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,

14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart-- he always stirs up dissension.

15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed -- without remedy. NIV

Eph 2:3 – Our desires and thoughts are from our sinful nature

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of (God’s) wrath. NIV

Jer 11:8 – The imagination doesn’t obey or incline its ear to God

8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked everyone in the imagination of their evil heart: KJV

Prov 15:26 - God detests the thoughts of the wicked

26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. NIV

Isa 55:7 – Forsake evil thoughts; God will abundantly pardon

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

NKJV

Mark 8:33 – Put your mind on the things of God

33 Jesus rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." NIV

1 Chron 29:18 – Put God’s precepts in your thoughts and heart

18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: KJV

Heb 3:1 – Fix your thoughts on Jesus

1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. NIV

Rom 12:2 – RENEW YOUR MIND – Be transformed

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV

Phil 4:8-9 – THINK on things that are true, honest, pure, praise

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

KJV

Matt 6:22-23 – Thoughts are the lamp that “leads” into actions

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body”. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Col 2:8 – Guard your mind from tradition and worldly principles

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. NIV

Incest & the Races

· Q – Where did the races come from? – NYOBS 37.02 - INCEST

· A - Before the Leviticus Law was given there was obviously major incest occurring during the time of Adam and Eve whose children intermarried with their sisters, bothers, cousins and so forth fulfilling the mandate and command to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth.

· Adam begat his third son Seth when he was a young man of only 130 and lived to be 930 years of age giving plenty of time to produce many extended family members for Cain to choose from to marry - There is no record of any daughters, as the recorded line of heritage was through the Sons. - NYOBS 16.06 - CAIN AND ABEL

· Wikipedia says that a common justification given for the incest taboo is the impact inbreeding may have on children of incestuous sex. - Children whose biological parents have a close genetic relationship have an increased risk of congenital disorders, disabilities and death due at least in part to genetic diseases caused by the inbreeding.

· Medical science today shows that it can cause Down Syndrome, mental impairment, stunted growth, shortened hands or neck, low muscle tone, flat head, large tongue, abnormal teeth, abnormal ears, flattened nose, slanted eyes, undescended testicles as well as congenital heart disease.

· Albinism (white skin) results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles. - It is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin.

· In scripture it appears that when God gave His laws against incest that He already knew that children could have physical disorders through the inbreeding.

· What COLOR was God? We see God as the same color that we are as scripture says we were made in His image and likeness. What Color was Adam before any genetic disorders?

· What if Adam had BLACK skin and Eve had YELLOW skin and when Cain killed Abel the mark that God placed on him was that he made his skin turn WHITE setting up the skin colors for the races. – (That one is just for fun, it’s not in the Bible … so don’t get upset.)

· Sometimes it does gives me pause to wonder, if in God’s plan, the inner marriages caused the physical changes in skin colors and eventually the different races. - Just a thought.

· Noah repopulated the earth with three races. - It is believed that Noah’s three sons had taken wives from other nations before the flood. - NYOBS 17.10- NOAH’S ARK

· Shem is the progenitor of the “Semitic” peoples of the East. (White)

· Japheth’s descendants are the inhabitants of Asia Minor and the sea people. (Yellow)

· Ham’s descendants became the Egyptians, Canaanites and Africans. (Black)

Genesis 1:26 – Let us make man in our image; our likeness
²⁶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

(KJV)

Genesis 1:28 - Be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth
²⁸And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: (KJV)

Genesis 4:15 - Then the LORD put a mark on Cain
¹⁵But the LORD said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

(NIV2011)

Leviticus 18:6 – Don’t have sex with a blood relative.
⁶None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover nakedness; I am the LORD. (NASB)

Lottery

· Q – Is it a sin to play the lottery? – NYOBS23.18 - LOTTERY – GAMBLING

A – Answer this question; why do you play the lottery? Is it a thirst for wealth? Do you not trust God to supply your needs? - If your life is not content; then you are driven by greed. God will not bless greed.
When the occasional Bingo, Lottery or Gambling changes from amusement to dependency, you are in trouble. – It certainly does not start out that way, but that’s how it ends. I have been in a gas station and observed a customer purchase $45.00 worth of scratch off tickets and hastily scratched them off right then and there.
Isn’t it foolishness to think that God needs you to have a winning lottery ticket just so He can get ten percent of your winnings or even one hundred percent for that matter? God doesn’t need our money. He has cattle on a thousand hills – He can just sell some cows if He needs to do something and that’s no “bull”. When we give to God, it just allows us to get in on what He is doing.
Need Money, Trust God – Give away what you can and it will come back to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. - If you measure out a tablespoon of giving, God will repay you with a shovel full. – You can’t out give God.

1 Tim 6:5-10 – The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil

5 Men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 we brought nothing into the world; we can take nothing out of it.

8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. NIV

Ex 20:17 – You shall not covet

17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet … or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

NIV

1 Cor 6:12 – Don’t become addicted to money

12 "Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything. NIV

Phil 4:19 – God supplies all my needs

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. KJV

Prov 10:22 – It is God that make one rich- with no sorrows

22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. NKJV

Ps 50:10 God has cattle on a thousand hills

10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. NIV

Luke 6:38 – Give and it will be given to you

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." NIV

Length of Days

· Q - How long can we live? - NYOBS 06.14 - DEATH

A - The time of our death is unknown, it’s not set. We only know our days are fleeting away.- God has set a maximum limit on our life of 120 years although the AVERAGE is about half of that or 70 years or perhaps 80.
Our life decisions can shorten our life span but God gives us ways to maximize it. – Start by asking God for your life to be lengthened, then by asking Him for the Understanding of Spiritual things; then keep His laws and Concepts, respecting and honoring Him. – Our days can be lengthened by guarding our tongue that we not speak evil and we can add more by showing love, by helping, respecting and speaking well of our parents. - What happens to us in life is “Choice Driven”. - We are urged to pray about our actions.

Stuff Happens - In the movie Forrest Gump - a runner stepped into some dog poop and Forrest Gump says, “IT HAPPENS”. - Stuff does happen. – It’s not Satan and it’s not God; things just happen. The law of gravity is in effect and when used correctly it’s a good thing and when used incorrectly, it will kill you; water sustains life, but it can kill you - . Electricity is a modern blessing, but it can kill you.
It is God’s WILL that we all live a long life NOW, and even more in heaven - but that’s just not the case. – God’s “WILL” is just not being done on earth because of SIN and UNBELIEF.
NOTE: God gives us (the believers), angles to protect us and they will not let us die until our part of God’s plan has been accomplished.

Jer 1:4-5 – Before we were born – He knew us

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; NIV

Eccl 3:2 – There is a time to die

2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, NIV

Heb 9:27 – We will all die

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: KJV

John 10:10 – God’s WILL is for us to have abundant life.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. KJV

Matt 6:9-10 – God’s WILL is NOT being DONE on earth

9 "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

(NIV)

2 Sam 14:14 – He does NOT take away life but offers A WAY

14 Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.

Job 14:5 – We cannot live beyond the limits set by God

5 Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. NIV

Genesis 6:3 – Our Maximum years are fixed at 120
³Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” (ESV)

Ps 90:10 – Our average years are 70-80 - It’s not fixed

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. KJV

Psalm 21:4 – We can add years by just asking God

⁴He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. (ESV

Deut 5:16 – We can Add days by treating our parents good

16 Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, KJV)

Proverbs 10:27 – Add more by Respecting & Honoring God

²⁷The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. (ESV)

Proverbs 3:1-2 – Add more by Asking for Understanding of laws

¹My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
²for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (ESV)

1 Kings 3:14 – Add more by keeping Gods Laws

¹⁴And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (ESV)

Exodus 20:12 – Add more by honoring your parents

¹²Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. (ESV)

1 Peter 3:10-11 – Add more by keeping your tongue from deceit

¹⁰ For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
¹¹ let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. (ESV)

Luke 4:10 – Angels watch over us till our death

10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: KJV

Isa 55:11 – Our assignment will be completed

11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. KJV

Gen 27:2 – We just do not know when we will die

2 Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. NIV

Ps 39:4 – The number of our days of life are Fleeting days

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days;

let me know how fleeting is my life. NIV

Ps 144:4 – Life is brief

4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. NIV

Luke 20:36- The Believer will not die again.

36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection. NIV

Kosher

· Q – What is Kosher? – NYOBS 17.29 – KOSHER

A - Originally it meant good and proper and later became “something fit” for ritual use and even applied to witnesses who “were competent” to testify.
Ester asked the king to do her a favor if he found it “good and proper” (kosher).
Later it evolved into dietary laws NOT for health reasons, but whose purpose was to bring holiness and unity to the Jewish people. - The Bible gives no reason for the distinction between the clean and the unclean.
A Shochet, who is trained in the laws of the Shechita (Kosher slaughtering), does the killing of animals.

Est 8:5 – If it’s good and proper, kosher; do me a favor

5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right (kosher) before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman KJV

Lev 11:2-47 – A distinction between clean and unclean.

2 Say to the Israelites: `Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat:

3 You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.

4 "`There are some that only chew the cud or only have a split hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you.

5 The Coney, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you.

6 The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you.

7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.

8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.

9 Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales.

10 But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales--whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water--you are to detest.

11 And since you are to detest them, you must not eat their meat and you must detest their carcasses.

12 Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be detestable to you.

13 These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture,

14 the red kite, any kind of black kite,

15 any kind of raven,

16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,

18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,

19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

20 All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you.

21 There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.

22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket- or grasshopper.

23 But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest.

26 Every animal that has a split hoof not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you; whoever touches [the carcass of] any of them will be unclean.

27 Of all the animals that walk on all fours, those that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening.

28 Anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean till evening. They are unclean for you.

29 Of the animals that move about on the ground, these are unclean for you: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard,

30 the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink and the chameleon.

31 Of all those that move along the ground, these are unclean for you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean till evening.

32 When one of them dies and falls on something, that article, whatever its use, will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, hide or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean till evening, and then it will be clean.

33 If one of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean, and you must break the pot.

34 Any food that could be eaten but has water on it from such a pot is unclean, and any liquid that could be drunk from it is unclean.

35 Anything that one of their carcasses falls on becomes unclean; an oven or cooking pot must be broken up. They are unclean, and you are to regard them as unclean.

36 A spring, however, or a cistern for collecting water remains clean, but anyone who touches one of these carcasses is unclean.

41 Every creature that moves about on the ground is detestable; it is not to be eaten.

42 You are not to eat any creature that moves about on the ground, whether it moves on its belly or walks on all fours or on many feet; it is detestable.

46 These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves in the water and every creature that moves about on the ground.

47 You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.'" NIV

Mystery of the fourth cup

· Q – What is the mystery of the Fourth Cup of wine? – NYOBS 05.11 – LORD’S SUPPER

A - It’s a revelation – It’s a proclamation – It’s a promise. - Wine is symbolic of His covenant with us through His shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins; and that He makes intercession for us.
Communion is not “the elements” of the wine and bread, but the Church communing with Christ. It’s an event, not an object – an encounter, not a miracle of wine turning to blood. After Jesus returned to Heaven the disciples continued the practice of fellowship and the breaking of bread and prayer in their homes. (Giving thanks – Eucharist)
It looks back commemorating the deliverance from Egypt as they were saved from the destroying death angel and delivered from servitude.
It looks forward in expectancy to His return and the coming messianic kingdom of God. His death is our means of salvation and we are therefore spared eternal death.
There were four cups of wine at the Passover meal. Jesus did not drink the fourth cup; the Passover meal was not completed. Jesus said He would drink it with us anew in Heaven.
This is the expectation of the resumption of the “messianic banquet” in the kingdom of God with Christ at the head of table; where all believers will drink with Him the fourth cup.

It is finished. – This brings tears to my eyes.

It is symbolic of the “eschatological banquet” yet to come in Heaven, physically with Christ. - This is an oneness with the body of Christ, which each person is a part. - It is a remembrance of the “historical” Jesus, and also a joyful proclamation of the “living presence” of the Holy Spirit who guides our every step - Mixed emotions; Solemn but Joyful. - Jesus said that He would leave and go and prepare a place for us, and that He would come again to receive us, so that we might be in His physical presence.

Acts 2:42 – They continued in the fellowship and prayer

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. NIV

Mark 14:24 – A new covenant

24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. NIV

Matt 26:28 – Forgiveness of sin

28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins NIV

1 Cor 10:16 – It is communion with the body of Christ.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? KJV

Rom 8:11 – Gives life and nourishment to our mortal bodies.

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. NIV

John 14:3 – Jesus leaves to prepare a place for us

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. KJV

Matt 26:29 – We will drink new wine with Him in Heaven

29 But I say unto you, I will NOT drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. KJV

Noah’s Ark

· Q – Why did God save only Noah’s family on the Ark? – NYOBS 17.10 – NOAH’S ARK

A - He’s a NUT - You can just hear the scorn, ridicule and laughter of the town’s people who for 120 years, shook their heads in pity, as they watched a crazy old fool and his three idiot sons build a Hugh Boat on dry land when there was not any water to be found for hundreds of miles.
Noah, a preacher of righteous, preached for 120 years the message of; REPENTANCE telling them that “the world is coming to an end”, but nobody listened. – 120 YEARS -
For SEVEN DAYS after Noah entered the Ark God left the door open until the day it started to rain giving the OPPORTUNITY for others to come … and then God shut the door.
The Ark signifies “SALVATION” – The water symbolized “BAPTISM” - Noah entering the Ark signified “ACCEPTANCE” – The Closing of the Door was God’s “SEAL” of judgment and the sign was the “RAINBOW” – It was instituted by God, universal in scope, unconditional and everlasting. - God promises that He will not destroy the earth with a flood again.

Gen 6:5-7 – God is grieved - His patience wears thin

5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them."

Gen 6:8-9 – Noah found favor

8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

9 Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. NIV

2 Peter 2:5 – Noah Preached

5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; NIV

1 Peter 3:20 – God waited patiently for 120 years

20 God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. NIV

Gen 7:7 – Just eight people entered into the Ark

7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. NIV

Genesis 7:1-4 – God left the door open SEVEN MORE DAYS
¹Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
⁴For after SEVEN MORE DAYS I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made." (NKJV)

Gen 6:12 – Everyone was corrupt except Noah

12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. NIV

Mountain Sea Shells

· Q - How can there be sea shells and sand on top of mountains?

· A - When the earth was in eternity past, it was covered by water and it stood above what would be mountains and it was at God’s word that the Mountains rose and the valleys sunk and the boundaries for the seas was set. – It’s in the Book – – NYOBS 17.16 – OTHER FLOOD

Psalm 104:5-9 – The mountains rose and the valleys sank down
⁵He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
⁷At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth. (ESV)

Paradise

Q - What and Where is Paradise?– NYOBS 56.27 – PARADISE & HELL
A - Before the time of Christ’s ministry, Hell was divided into two compartments separated by a large gulf. – Those who worshipped Jehovah God and had died in His friendship were in a compartment of Hell known as “Abrahams Bosom” or “Paradise”. In Biblical times, people would recline as they ate and the one reclining near the head guy was referred to as reclining “In His Bosom”; a place of honor.

· Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise was where the “righteous good” went after death. – There they “tarried” till the resurrection. – NYOBS 15.36 – ABRAHAMS BOSOM

During this time of “tarring”, the people were awake having emotions, feelings, and dialog. Note: Not one of them had ever heard of Jesus Christ; the Son of God.
At Christ’s death on the Cross, He went to Abraham’s Bosom also known as Paradise and for three days preached the “Good News Message” to those that had died over the past 4,000 years, and they ACCEPTED Him.
When Jesus ascended, He took “Paradise” and everybody in it up to heaven, where it is now. There is no longer a “tarring” place on this earth.

· Today when we go to “rest with the fathers”, we are immediately active with Christ. - SELAH

Luke 16:26 – Hell had two compartments separated by a gulf
²⁶And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.'(NASB)

Eph 4:9 – Christ descended into Hell before He ascended to God

9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also DESCENDED FIRST into the LOWER PARTS of the earth? KJV

1 Peter 3:18-20 – He preached in Hell – In Abrahams Bosom

18 For Christ died for sins once for all… He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

Eph 4:8 – He took all those in Abrahams Bosom to heaven

8 Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Holy Spirit day of Pentecost) KJV

2 Cor 5:8 – Today at death, we are immediately with Christ

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. NKJV

Passover

· Q – What did they eat for the Passover meal? – NYOBS 32.17 - PASSOVER

A - Water: A dish of salt water for washing the hands represented the tears of the slaves.
Red Wine: As the feast progressed, their cup would be refilled four times with RED wine representing the blood.
The Lamb: A one year old male lamb without blemish was roasted whole; not boiled, and was eaten without breaking a bone in his body. It was called the “Paschal Lamb” and was eaten with the bitter herbs. Jesus was the Lamb of God - Not a bone in His body was broken.
The Fat is the Lords - The tail of a sheep or lamb could contain as much as 15 pounds of fat; this was the richest part of the fat and was offered as a sacrifice to God.
Bitter herbs salad consisted of bitter lettuce, chicory or endive; Today, Jews use grated horseradish or onion, parsley and watercress. It was symbolic of how the Egyptians embittered their live during captivity.
Haroset sauce or fruit pulp was grated apples, chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon and sweet red wine mashed together into a texture resembling mortar, making a thick dip. It represents the mortar of Pharaoh’s building projects. - NYOBS 05.11 – LORD’S SUPPER
Unleavened bread; Two varieties (1) Wrapped in a napkin, there were three wafers of bread such as Matzos; which had a texture like a cracker. (2) Another type resembled nut or date bread and was thick and heavy. - Unleavened bread represented that there was no time for bread to rise with leaven because of their quick flight out of the bondage of Egypt.
Other dishes; a hardboiled egg and sweet vegetables also for dipping.
The very first Passover, they were to eat the meal inside the house and not outside, fully dressed with their sandals on and their staff in their hands and their “kneading bowls” bound up in the clothes on their shoulders ready to go.

Ex 12:34 – The kneading bowls were already packed up.

34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.

Ex 12:11 – Belt and sandals on with your staff in your hand.

11 And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover. NKJV

Ex 12:46-47 – Must be eaten inside one house

46 "It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.

47 The whole community of Israel must celebrate it. NIV

Num 9:11-12 - Not one of the LAMB’S bones will be broken

11 They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

12 They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. NIV

John 19:36 - Not one of CHRIST’S bones will be broken

36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," NIV

Lev 3:16 – The fat is the Lord’s

16 The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD's. NIV

Qualification Heaven Entrance

· Q – Are there qualifications to enter into Heaven? – NYOBS 12.34 - HEAVEN QUALIFICATIONS

A - Jesus said we must come to Him believing and trusting; without reservation; just as a child would run to his daddy and jump into his arms.
The Sermon on the Mount; “The Beatitudes” do not show a man how to be saved; they show the characteristics of one who is saved. – They are not promises of blessings for the saved, but are a DESCRIPTION of the saved.

Poor in spirit – Realization that we are spiritually bankrupt and can offer God nothing.
Those who mourn – Anguishing over sin; over perishing souls; wanting right to prevail.
Meek – Accepting opposition, insults and provocation – Bearing patiently – mild and calm.
Hunger for righteousness – All sin and wrongdoing to anyone grieves them.
Merciful – Being kind, showing pity, mercy and compassion, even when it’s not convenient.
Pure in Heart – No hidden motives or self-interest, a pure heart with singleness of purpose.
Peacemaker – Bringing men into harmony with each other – calming the waters.

Love – You must love Christ more than your own family or you are not worthy of Him.
Give – of what you have to those who can’t pay you back; - Give justice, mercy, compassion and faithfulness.

Someone who is rich puts his trust in what he has – Someone who is poor puts his trust in what he hasn’t – It’s very hard for someone rich to seek the Kingdom of Heaven; they do not see themselves as having any needs. – They are self-sufficient. – They don’t need God. (Jesus said this, not me.)
The Bar is set very high - Who then can qualify to enter the Kingdom of God? – By man’s efforts, no one can qualify to enter – only by the grace of God is it possible.

Matt 18 2-5 – Believe and trust as a child with his daddy.

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. NIV

Matt 5:3-12 – Qualification are your attitude toward God

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NIV

Matt 19:16-26 – Hard for the rich to enter into Heaven

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. NIV

Shophar

· Q –What is a Shophar? – NYOBS 52.31 – SHOPHAR

· A - Shophar also spelled Shofar is a musical instrument of sorts of ancient origin used for Jewish religious purposes.- The choice of the Ram’s horn for the Shophar is in remembrance of Abraham’s sacrifice of a Ram instead of his son Isaac.

· Ram’s horns were used as signaling devices in war as well as for heralding special festivals. They were used as musical instruments and even drinking vessels. - They were made to make noise; to give signals, to announce special occasions. - It had limited musical attributes because of its monotone sound as it could not play a melody. Any changes in pitch was based solely on the facial muscles of the sounder.

· The Shophar will usher in the Return of the Messiah and the end time wrath of God.

· There will be SEVEN Shophar trumpets sounded – NYOBS 07.02 – ESCHATOLOGY – LAST THINGS TO HAPPEN ON EARTH

Genesis 22:11-13 - Abraham offered a Ram instead of Isaac
¹¹But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
¹²He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
¹³And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

(ESV)

Joshua 6:4 - Trumpets made of Rams’ horns
⁴Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of RAMS’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. (ESV)

Psalm 98:6 - Shophar used somewhat as a musical instrument
⁶With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! (ESV)

Numbers 10:4-5 – Blown as a signal
⁴If only one is sounded, the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you.
⁵When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. (NIV2011)

Judges 3:27 – Blown as a call to arms
²⁷When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader.

(ESV)

Isaiah 27:13 - Shophar will usher in the Return of the Messiah
¹³And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. (ESV)

Revelation 8:2 - Shophar sounded at the End Time wrath of God
²Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and SEVEN TRUMPETS were given to them. (ESV)

Segregation

· Q – Does God want us to be segragated by races? - NYOBS 23.26 – SEGREGATION

A - It was God’s plan from the beginning to divide up mankind and separate them from the Nation of Israel. It was God that set up the boundaries and determined the exact place that they should live and the language that they should speak. - God segregated Israel from the other nations because He chose to love them; He chose them to be His Holy people; He chose to keep His oath to Abraham and his descendants.
The plan was for Segregated Israel to be adopted as sons; to receive the divine glory, the covenants, the law, the temple worship and the promises. - They were to be a kingdom of Priest and a Holy Nation set apart from the other nations. They were to bring the “Good News” to ALL nations – They were to be the first Missionaries, the first Evangelist.
God forbid intermarriage with other nations lest they be drawn away into idolatry. - They were to drive out of their nation anyone who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, anyone who practices divination, sorcery, witchcraft, casts spells, or consulted the dead. The nation of Israel must be blameless before the LORD. - Through the Patriarchs of Israel, the human ancestry line of Christ would be traced.
Making the case for segregation. - Can I make the leap here to say that God wants all the races to stay segregated? This is hard for me to embrace as what seems to be the underlying theme in scripture is; God wants a special people for Himself that loves Him and worships Him alone. - I want to worship Him and Him alone, but I am a GENTILE, not a Jew.
Scripture says that when I accepted His Son Jesus the Christ as my Savior, I was grafted into the vine and now have Jewish roots. – So spiritually, I am a Jew. - If I am Black and Spiritually a Jew and my wife is White and Spiritually a Jew, would we not both be part of the Jewish Nation of Israel?
Should not the criteria for marriage be; do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and covenant with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be the third party in your marriage covenant embracing that a covenant with God is not to be broken through divorce.
Interracial Sin - For those in scripture that are referred to as the Greek or Gentile, interracial marriage is NOT A SIN because we are not Jewish, however scripture indicates that it will be a “thorn in the flesh” for the two of them and even more for their children plus it affects the whole extended family. They will be the subject of crude remarks, rejection and sometimes isolation. You may be strong for yourselves, but your strength must extend, if it can, to your children too.
The better thought is “DO NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED” – Do not marry an unbeliever - What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever. - Come out – Be separate.

Deut 32:8 – God divided mankind and set the nations boundaries

8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. NIV

Acts 17:26 – God determined the exact places they should live

26 From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live .NIV

Dan 7:14 – There will be various people, nations and language

14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. NIV

Deut 7:1-3– Command – DO NOT INTERMARRY with them.

1 When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations--the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—

2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.

3 DO NOT INTERMARRY WITH THEM. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, NIV

Deut 7:6-8 – God chose in love Israel to be a Holy

6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.

8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. NIV

Deut 18:13 – Israel must be blameless before the Lord.

13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God. NIV

Rom 9:4-5 – The promises are for Segregated Israel

4 The people of Israel, theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. NIV

Ex 19:6 – They are to be a Kingdom of Priest – a Holy Nation

6 You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." NIV

Isa 52:7 – Israel to bring “The Good News”

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" NIV

Rom 11:17-18 – We have been grafted into the Jewish root.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, NIV

2 Cor 6:17 – Separate yourself from the unbeliever

17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.

2 Cor 6:14-15 – Do not marry an unbeliever

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Snake Handling

· Q – Is snake handling in the Bible? – NYOBS 32.23 – SNAKE HANDLERS

A - There are SIGNS that followed the Believer mentioned in the Book of Mark. - In other words there are certain actions that will be observed in a Believer that has been filled with the Holy Spirit as it was poured out on the day of Pentecost. - A couple of these “signs” dealt with poison; from drinking deadly poison and being bitten by poisonous snakes.
There were people who could be hired to get a snake out of your house. They were known as “Snake Handlers” or “Snake Charmers” – Oddly enough, snakes do not have ears, so they cannot hear, they can only feel vibrations or see movement. – So you can’t charm a snake by playing music – But they might feel the vibrations or see you swaying as you toot your horn.

Church of God with Signs Following is a Pentecostal Church founded by George Went Hensley in 1909 and occasionally practiced handling poisonous snakes and drinking poison. The “Signs People” believed that if there was “Sufficient Faith” they would not die or be permanently harmed. - The practice was denounced in 1928 by the Church of God because of the number of deaths and near death experiences. – However there are still some 50 to a 100 Churches that still practice “The Signs” and are referred to as “Signs People”.
Wicked people are metaphorically mentioned as snakes that come among you, un-charmed by the Word of God. – In other words the Disciples have been assured that they will be able to “HANDLE” whatever comes against them. – The “Snake” in the grass is rendered harmless. – Luke says if they step on a snake in the grass they will not be harmed.
The quoted scripture is part of “The Great Commission” to go into all the world and preach the Gospel; with the emphasis that God will protect them, even from snakes and people trying to poison them. – The purposeful drinking of poison without harm IS NOT taught in the New Testament.
If you accept the “gift signs” as a COMMAND today; then you must accept ALL of them including drinking deadly poison. While these signs did follow the early Christians, they disappeared in that era although they still manifest themselves in some sects of Appalachia.
The TEST of your Faith is not snakes, but correct doctrine; the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

Mark 16:15 – The Great Commission and Assurances

15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. NKJV

Luke 10:19 – Authority to trample on serpents – Not Handle

19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. NKJV

Ps 58:4-5 – The Wicked are like snakes that cannot be charmed

4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; they are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,

5 Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skillfully. NKJV

2 John 7-10 – The test is not snakes; but correct doctrine

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; NKJV

Speaking in tongues

· Q – Can you be filled with the Spirit if you do not speak in tongues? – NYOBS 08.02 – SPEAKING IN TONGUES -- NYOBS 08.12 – GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT - 18 GIFTS

A - On the day of Pentecost, the town was full of people from many places, speaking many different languages and all coming to celebrate the day of Pentecost. - This would be THE perfect opportunity to share to Gospel of Jesus Christ to many who would wind up taking the Gospel message back to their own hometown.
The sound of a mighty rushing wind got their attention – Then they were amazed to hear the Gospel spoken in their own language; 3,000 received the saving grace of Jesus Christ. - So the purpose of speaking in tongues to the crowds WAS TO SHARE the wonderful works of God and THE GOSPEL of the Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world in every language.
The controversy over the use and misuse of tongues started almost immediately and was addressed by Paul in his letters to the church. - There is still much debate even today. - Paul warned us that we should not put too much emphasis on any particular gift, that ALL the gifts are important to the body. – NOTE; He did not associate the gift of tongues with the “fullness of the Spirit” or with special sanctity.
Paul plainly states that everyone DOES NOT speak in tongues. – Tongues are listed as just one of the gifts given. - I list part of Paul’s extensive monolog with the Church so that you can see how DIVISIVE tongues can be by attaching such importance to this one gift.
NOTE: Paul did not forbid tongues; an acknowledgement of their importance to the body.

Acts 2:41 – 3,000 heard the Gospel and got saved.

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

NIV

1 Cor 12:14-29 – We need all the gifts – not just tongues.

14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.

18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

29 Do all work miracles? (no) - Do all have gifts of healing? (no) - Do all speak in tongues? (no) - Do all interpret? (no)

NIV

1 Cor 14:1-13 – Prophecy is a more desired gift than tongues

1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Star of David

· Q – Was the Star of David was also used in the occult? – NYOBS 18.02 – STAR OF DAVID

A - The Star of David is the incorrect term and use for the Hexagram; it was actually known as the “Shield of David”.
The shield or star is formed by two inverted triangles. One pointing up and one down.
The esh is the symbol for fire. - The mayim is the symbol for water
Together they form the word shamayin which is the word for “heaven” which is a paraphrase for “God”. – In reverence, the Jews would not utter the name of God, but would make references to Him, such as “heaven”. – i.e. The Kingdom of Heaven (God)
Each of the four outer triangles is labeled with one of the four letters YHWH which in Hebrew is Jehovah. – We would say Yahweh adding the vowels A and E.
The number SEVEN - The Star of David at least since the 20th century remains associated with the number seven and thus with the Menorah, and popular accountassociate it with the six directions of space plus the center - Up, Down, East, West, South, North, and Center – Seven points. – It was interlaced. – The Menorah was deemed “The light of God”
Balaam prophesied that a STAR would come out of Israel. (It happened 14 centuries later)
The Star of Bethlehem is sometimes referred to as the Star of David because Jerusalem, David’s capital and home also included the city of Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
The Star of David also called Magen David was used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits. (Sorry... The pictures did not re-produce in this google format)

Ps 18:35 – You give me your shield

35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great NIV

Seal of Solomon. - Whether fact or folklore, it is said that King Solomon used a Hexagram to seal his documents that was interwoven or conjoined with part Brass (light) and part Iron (Dark). – The light and dark conjoining colors represented the unity of body and soul.
The Seal of Solomon is mentioned often in ancient magical texts. – Therefore the Shield of David would also be appropriated for magical signs. - We do not find this symbolism used during the time of Jesus. - In the middle ages the Hexagram was widely used in magical spells and was the “emblem” for magic

In Germany the name for it was “Drydenfuss” which represented the footprint of a Trud; a special kind of demon. – It was used to ward off demons as well as to call them up.

Suicide

Q - Can suicide send a man to hell? – NYOBS 09.17 –SUICIDE- EUTHANASIA

A - The bigger question is, have they accepted Christ? - Although suicide is a sin, it does not affect a man’s salvation. - All have sinned and come short of the glory of God – Thank God for His Grace and Mercy.
Can refusing to take “medical options” be considered suicide? Absolutely not. – It’s not a sin to desire to be with the Father. – What if my motive is not of Faith, but of just wanting my family not to suffer mentally and financially. – The answer is still no, it’s not a sin. You are motivated by your family’s needs.
Assisted Suicide – Jonah knew it was wrong to take his own life, so he asked others to throw him off the ship to calm the sea. – King Saul asked someone else to take his life.

· Would giving your life jacket to another be a sin? – Would starving yourself so that your child could eat be a sin? Not at all. – No greater love has a man, than to lay down his own life for another. – Jesus laid down His life for us.

Sampson prayed for strength to kill the Philistines, the enemy of God, knowing he would be committing sacrificial suicide. – Note: God gave him the strength he prayed for.
The word suicide does not appear in the Bible, neither are there any laws relating specifically to it by name, yet the implications are there based on the 6^th commandment, “Thou shall not kill”. - There are examples of Suicide in scripture – A jailer almost took his own life, but was stopped – A disgruntled man hangs himself – Fearing the worst a man sets himself on fire – Another with remorse and guilt commits suicide by taking his life.
Ultimately man is responsible for his own actions, however your actions may have contributed to someone else taking their own life. – By purpose, you may have provided the means and assistance for the loss of this life, or perhaps you inadvertently contributed to “the environment” and “thought process” which led up to the loss of life. – This complicity is something that you should seek God’s forgiveness about. (I know this is a heavy statement)
Suicide is murder - It is not condoned in scripture, it is a sin - However it’s not the un-pardonable sin – This sin can be forgiven.

Rom 3:23– Everybody has fallen short

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NIV

Acts 15:11 – His grace saves us

11 We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." NIV

John 10:27-28 – They will not perish

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. KJV

John 6:37 – If you came to the Father, you are His

37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. KJV

Rom 8:38-39 – Suicide cannot separate us from God

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 15:13 – Love – Lay down your life for another.

13 Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. NIV

Tattoos

· Q – Is it OK for a Christian to get a tattoo? – NYOBS 38.11 – TATTOOS

· A - Very early in the Bible we find references to the “heathen”; those that did not recognize the one God of Israel. They would make cuts in their flesh and rub colored clay in it to make it stand out. – This Tattoo was a “sign of a covenant” with others to protect them against their enemy, much like the gangs today. – When you mess with me you mess with all of us in the covenant gang.

· Tattoos were associated with pagan cults who tattooed themselves when they mourned for their dead. – Archeologist have found tattoos on preserved skin dating back to 6000 BC.

· In order to SET APART the chosen people of Israel, the moral and ceremonial laws instructed them to do everything possible to NOT look the same as the heathen - cutting or tattooing themselves was therefore forbidden. A Christian should not look the same as the Worldly Heathen. - Tattoos represent the ways of the heathen world; those NOT chosen by God to be a people Holy to Him.- The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD, banned all body markings as a pagan practice

· The tattoo today has undergone a dramatic redefinition and has shifted from a form of defiance to an acceptable form of expression. – It’s called BODY ART –

· Health risks including infection and allergic reactions have been associated with Tattooing. Infections can be transmitted through the use of unsterilized equipment or contaminated ink. These infections include surface infections of the skin, fungal infections, some forms of hepatitis, herpes, simplex virus, HIV, staph, tetanus, and tuberculosis.

· A Tattoo shows “Ownership” of your body – Scripture teaches that Tattoos on God’s chosen people bring shame to the name of God. – It’s in the Book -

· Image of God - Christians should make every effort to NOT look like the rest of the world; like those that have rejected Christ. We are SET APART and should strive to conform ourselves to the image of God’s only begotten Son; Jesus the Christ.

· We are known by our fruit – Does your SPEECH and SONGS glorify God or glorify the world? – Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth SINGS. – Are you a Believer or just a Make-Believer going through the motions with just a form of Godliness? – 2 Tim 3:1-5

· Is a person damned if they have a tattoo? – Absolutely not – Our salvation is NOT based on whether or not we have a tattoo; it’s based on our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our personal Savior plus nothing else. - Thinking about a tattoo; FORGET IT. - Got a Tattoo; don’t get anymore – Should you try to have a tattoo removed? – It only matters to you; God looks on the heart not the color of your skin. - Tattoos under the New Covenant are NOT A SIN, but we would do well to honor God by not getting any. – Life is certainly choice driven -

· I saw a young lady at the beach with a tattoo of a yellow butterfly outlined in brown in the small of her back. It was striking and kept my attention. – I really, really liked it. – After this study, I realized that that’s how life is – I am drawn to what is just opposite of God’s will – The Apostle Paul said it best; ^“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am NOT practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I shouldn’t.”

· The Real Question is; are you as Believer or a Make-Believer? – Where is your HEART?

Romans 8:29 – Be CONFORMED to the image of God’s Son
²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (NIV2011)
Leviticus 19:28 – Tattoo NOT
²⁸DO NOT cut your bodies for the dead, and DO NOT mark your skin with tattoos. I am the LORD. (NLT)

Ten Lost Tribes

· Q - What happened to the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel? – NYOBS 48.27 – TEN LOST TRIBES

· A - The 10 tribes of the Northern kingdom of Israel were all carried off into captivity, exiled and scattered among the nations; lost, vanished. The remaining two tribes that were not carried off was the Southern kingdoms of Benjamin and Judah.

· By Devine plan, everyone in the world will have a FINAL chance to hear the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ preached by a REMNANT of the Ten Lost Tribes, which are already in place, scattered throughout the Nations.

· Out of those tribes, the angel of God will seek out 144,000 blameless Jewish bondservants of the Most High God to testify of Jesus and become His Evangelist, presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, tribe and language.

1 Kings 14:14-16 – Ten Northern Tribes of Judah Scattered

¹⁴Moreover, the LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam today. And henceforth,
¹⁵ the LORD will STRIKE ISRAEL as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and SCATTER THEM beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the LORD to anger.
¹⁶And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and made Israel to sin.” (ESV)

Genesis 9:26-27 – Japheth dwell in the tents of Shem - JAPAN
²⁶And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant.
²⁷God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. (Prophecy of Noah) (ASV)

2 Esdras – Ten Tribes traveled through Arzareth (AMERICA)

Their (Ten Tribes) long journey through that region which is called Arzareth. (America) The Apocrypha

Rev 7:4-8 – Tribes of Israel - 144,000 – ALL JEWS

4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,

from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000,

from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,

from the tribe of MANASSEH 12,000, (** half tribe)

7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,

from the tribe of Levi 12,000,

from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,

from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,

from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. (NIV2011)

Revelation 14:4 – 144,000 were not defiled with other gods
⁴these are those (144,000) who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. (NIV2011)

Tithe

· Q – Is the tithe required under the New Covenant? – NYOBS 04.30 – TITHE

A - Tithing is a New Testament “Principal”, however nowhere in the New Testament are we commanded to tithe; all eight of the NT scriptures about tithing point back to the OT principal; scripture says this principal is forever.
Dual Intent: Tithing Demonstrates thankfulness for what God had already given us; and demonstrates trust that He would continue to bless us. - Right out of the chute, the Bible talks about meditating on God’s Word and DOING what it says; followed by a promise that you will be prosperous and successful.
Man is inherently tight fisted with what he has. - Giving has to be learned. - You will put your money where your heart is. - The Church workers must be paid to support their families or they will have to seek work elsewhere and the Church will not be able to function.
God has generously given to us; we should generously give back to His storehouse. – He said to “test Him” with the tithe and see if He will not pour out a blessing on us.
Many years ago I was earning 18k annually which was not enough to live on, and a friend told me to tithe what I wanted to earn… I started tithing for 20k… Within 3 months, I was promoted and got 20k. I told my friend, he said I was short sighted; I should have tithed for 24k….. So I did it again….. and in another 3 months I was promoted again…. got 24k….. Shortly after that, I received an unsolicited job offer and got a fifty percent increase. I stand so blessed; God is so faithful.
Under the New Covenant we are no longer REQUIRED to tithe, however tithing is God’s way of letting us get in on what He is doing and we get blessed in the process.

Heb 7:5 – The Tithe is a tenth – It is a law

5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people-that is, their brothers-even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. NIV

Matt 23:23 – The tithe is a New Testament principal

23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. NIV

Neh 13:10-11 – The workers must be paid

10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.

11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" NIV

Josh 1:8 – Obedience gives birth to prosperity

8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. NIV

Num 18:23-24 – This is a lasting ordinance

23 This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.

24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. NIV

Trinity

· Q – Is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the Trinity all the same persons? – MAYBE -

· A – The Father is God, but He is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit –

· A - The Son is God, but He is not the Father nor the Holy Spirit –

· A -The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Father nor the Son -

The word Trinity is NOT found anywhere in scripture, but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are alluded to frequently. – NYOBS 09.02 - TRINITY
The comparison is best explained as a rope with three strands interwoven; each strand being separate and distinct from the other, but woven together as integral parts of the rope. Each person of the Trinity is self-conscious and self-directing, yet never acting independently or in opposition. – One Spirit – One Lord – One God -

· H₂O – can be Liquid (Water), Gas (steam) or Solid (ice) but are all still H₂0.

· Time – can be Past, Present and Future.

· Space – has Length, Width and Height

· There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

· There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

· There are different kinds of working, but the same God.

Just as the sun communicates light, heat and energy; God reaches down to us through the Trinity to fellowship, communicate and share with us according to our ability to receive.

Matthew 3:16-17 – All present same time, God, Son, Holy Spirit
¹⁶And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
¹⁷and behold, a voice (God the Father) from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son (Jesus), with whom I am well pleased.” (ESV)

Matthew 28:19 – Baptize in name of Father, Son & Holy Spirit
¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)

2 Corinthians 13:14 – Grace, Fellowship; God, Jesus, Holy Spirit
¹⁴The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (ESV)

1 Peter 1:2 – God the Father – God the Spirit – God the Son

2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: NIV

John 10:30 – Jesus and God are one
³⁰ I and the Father are one.” (ESV)

1 Cor 12:4-6 – Same Spirit – Same Lord – Same God

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. NIV

Eph 4:4-6 – One Spirit – One Lord – One God

4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Why Evil

· Q – Did God create Evil? - NYOBS 41.05 - HARD QUESTIONS -- NYOBS 37.29 – FREE WILL

· A - In the beginning God created everything and IT WAS GOOD so did God create Evil also? - The first time we see Evil appear was in the person of an Angel named Lucifer also called Satan who was created perfect and was beautiful to behold and was full of wisdom. Using his “FREE WILL” he desired to be as God and sit on His Throne Satan

· God created Angels and man with Free Will and with that He opened the door for Him to CHOOSE to do the greatest Good or the possibility to do the greatest Evil.

Evil is the direct result of God creating beings with FREE WILL. - So in effect, God allowed Sin to come into existence. - NYOBS 02.10 - SATAN; WHY IS HE
So the next BIG question is; did God know that Satan would rebel or was the omnipotent God surprised? – After all, scripture does say that evil was discovered or was FOUND in him.

· You may then ponder that if God is omniscience, then He knows everything, then He must have known that Adam would mess up. - You are right; Satan had already exercised his Free Will and rebelled before Adam was ever created. - God did know Adam would sin and had therefore already put into effect the plan of salvation so man could find “THE WAY” back to Him.

Ezek 28:12-15 – Satan created perfect – Given Free Will

12 Thus says the Lord GOD; You … full of wisdom, and PERFECT in beauty. - Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set thee so: you were upon the holy mountain of God

15 You were PERFECT in thy ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was FOUND in thee. (MSG)

Ezekiel 28:15 – Evil was detected in you
¹⁵From the day of your creation you were sheer perfection... and then imperfection—EVIL was detected in you.

(MSG)

Isa 14:13-14 – Satan’s FREE WILL - The five I wills

13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.

14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." NIV

John 8:44 – Father of lies

44 He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and THE FATHER of it. KJV

1 John 3:8 – The Plan of Salvation was from the beginning

8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. NIV

Acts 19:23 – THE WAY, caused a great disturbance
²³About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning THE WAY. (ESV)

John 14:6 – Jesus Christ is THE WAY
⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

Apocrypha - Goodspeed

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

King James Version Bible – KJV

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible - NIV

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Wikipedia -

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney

NOT YOUR ORDINARY BIBLE STUDY

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

PROBING BIBLE THOUGHTS - NYOBS 57.02

· A - Fasting in the NT is done as a sign of remembrance of God’s provisions and watch care; other times it’s done because of sincere penance, grief, distress or even impending destruction.

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