The Word: Where did It originate, Man or God?

Welcome to Online Bible Boot Camp 2015!

It is only  proper that The Word (The Bible) should be the subject of the 1st week of #OnlineBibleBootCamp. In our search for the origins of the Word (The Bible), my promise to you, is that instead of preaching my thoughts, I will allow the Bible (The Word) to speak for itself!

The Word (The Bible), is pretty controversial, in this weeks lesson we want to explore the following topic that stem from some popular questions:

Where does the Word (the Bible) come from?

Why is reading/studying the Bible so importnat?

(Since I only recommend KJV) Where was King James and what role does he play when the Word (The Bible) was originally published?

How much of the Bible was altered by man?

The Bible is Soo amazing that it does Not need an interpreter. God's words are so powerful that they can 'speak' for themselves.  All we need do is listen. Therefore let us begin with allowing the Bible to tell us where the Word (The Bible) comes from. 

Psalms 119:89

"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

The word 'settled,' means: to conclusively resolve, or agree upon something.  

We see right from the beginning that if we simply read, the Bible (The Word) will interpret itself. The next time someone asks you where did this "Word," come from, you can bare witness that David wrote that the Word (the Bible) was settled in HEAVEN. 

Okay, now that we have that straight, Can the the Bible (The Word) be changed ?

"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." 

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭14
Even with all of the different Bible versions in circulations and 10,000 denominations in the United States alone, rest assured that if they change too many verses in too many places Everyone will know its been changed. Changing a verse here or there cannot prohibit the Gospel. God had 1 message written too many times, in too many places, too many ways, by too many different people.

This is very plain and simple reading so far. 'Whatsoever,' God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it!

On your own go and read how Paul instructed us to believe facts at the mouth of two or more witnesses in 2 Corinthians 13:1...

Therefore, let us turn to another prophet for confirmation. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.  Isaiah 40:8

The Apostle Peter must have studied the prophet Isaiah during his 'BibleBootCamp' (laugh out loud) because he quoted in his 1st epistle,  "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1Peter 1:25

Less than 10 minutes we have learned that the Word (The Bible) was agreed upon in heaven, it will last forever, and it CANNOT be changed by man!

Since the Word (The Bible) was 'settled,' in heaven and we know that King James has NEVER been to heaven (St. John 3:13), therefore the question has to be asked, how did this Word (Bible) get to man on the earth?

"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon." Revelation 5:1-4

So now John see's a vision of the Father on His throne with a sealed book. [This same book which was settled in heaven], it is now time for someone to"Read," the book!
Notice how no one was worthy to look upon the book, let alone open it. When it says , "no one," what about King James? What about Shakesspeare? If you read history you will find that in ancient times people knew that they did not fully understand everything written. Mainly because the Bible says that some things won't be revealed until the end times. So their most important function was an accurate translation!

When John realized that No one (not even King James I of England and William Shakespeare) could not even look upon the book he began to weep. And as he wept:

"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;"
Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭1-11‬

So, Jesus Christ (the Lamb) is worthy to look on the book and read it. (this is probably why Jesus is called, "The Word of God," in the 19th chapter of Revelation.

The reason that the book cannot be looked upon, is not because everyone's eyes stopped working, no one is worthy to read the book Not  because the earth is illiterate.  If i can recollect correctly, I was taught in the C.M.E. church that only the book of Revelation was sealed.. The prophet Isaiah also knew that the Entire book was sealed to some people.

"Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their 

prudent men shall be hid. Isaiah‬ ‭29‬:‭9-14‬

Notice again who it was that closed the eyes of the people so that no man could read the book. Then
notice why He did it...

The Lord sealed the book so that No One could read or even look on the book because of one simple fact: DISOBEDIENCE!

With the lips the majority of the Earth will call on the name of the Lord, Jesus but refuse to do 95% of what He commands!

*For an example of a precept of men that many of us have been taught (and the truth behind it) click here.

Therefore the majority of the world holds this book (The Bible) but the understanding thereof is sealed to them. Again, why because of  DISOBEDIENCE!

So, only Jesus Christ, worthy to loose the seals of the book and read it. What did Jesus do with the book after He recieved it at the Fathere's hand?

"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.
Revelation  1:1

So basically the Bible (The Word) has taught us that the Word was settled in heaven, the Father gave it to Jesus, who sent it to man (John in this particular case) by way of an angel.

Alright fine, so the Word (The Bible) is  important, but why is it soooo important?? Let us allow Jesus (The Word) to piece together what we have been reading in one cohesive succint statement:

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he 
that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (or: the book will not be sealed to you if you believe)
 "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world,
but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what Ishould speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
John‬ ‭12‬:‭44-50

The Bible (The Word) reinforces itself.  Jesus got the Word from the Father, therefore everything that He spoke were not His own words but The Father's Word. Why? Because just like in the world you are FIRST judged good or bad, right or wrong, a shame or a delight based on the word of your father. ‬

Whether or not you have been obedient to our Father's words is what will determine if you get eternal rewards, or eternal punishments.

Now that we "know," (because we have read) where the Word (The Bible) comes from,  how it got to man And that it 'cannot' be changed, let us see  what we are supposed to do with this book or this Word (Bible).

Revelation 10: "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not... 

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Revelation‬ ‭10‬:‭1-4, 8-11‬

We witness here an example of the "angel," giving the Book to John. Now understanding this fact, (having your eyes open) as you read your Bible, you will begin to notice that just about every time somebody receives the word from heaven it is from an angel.  Jesus Christ IS the Word, so, except for when He was here, His Word is always entrusted to the hands of angels.  (Luke 1:5-22, 26-33, Daniel 9:20-23/10:1-21, Acts 7:53/ 27:21-25, Judges 2:1-5)

Notice also what he did with the book, "ate it up!" As humans, we 'eat,' or consume books and words with our eyes. This is our example, this is why #onlinebiblebootcamp is important, because we should all be eating or ' consuming' the Word (The Bible). 

Why?

For the same reason as John, so that you also can bear witness to the "truth!"

Now remember by the mouth of 2 or more witnesses is a fact established, so let's look at another example. 

"And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them...

And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe." Ezekiel‬ ‭2‬:‭3-5, 7-10

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Here God has commanded Ezekiel to speak to Israel, warning him that they won't listen. When he received the scroll (The Word), what did he do?

"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." ‭Ezekiel‬ 3‬:‭1-4, 10-11‬

So Ezekiel got the Word, consumed it and then he was able to go and preach the Gospel. 

ENOUGH METAPHORS WE NEED PLAIN SPEECH!



Even the King should have a copy of the Book (The Word).

"When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;...

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:" Deuteronomy‬ ‭17‬:‭14, 18‬

What do you suppose the king should do with his copy of the book? 
Read of course!

Jesus has an example for us: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and,  stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias.

 And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." ‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭14-21

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Jesus could have quoted this scripture from the book of Isaiah, but He is giving us a message and showing us an example… We should read! In church, when preaching the Gospel We should be reading!

"Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them." Isaiah‬ ‭34‬:‭16‬ 

Go find you a book (Bible) and read it daily!

Why is this necessary? Because we must study in order to 'prove' God's will, and that you know it. 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ 

And

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" ‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ 

And After you have studied, Paul wrote to Timothy to:

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭2-5‬

And finally: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬

May the Lord add a blessing to the reading of His Word...

Grace and Peace in the name of Jesus... The God of Israel

Knowledge is The Key - Locksmif

Bible Boot Camp Week 7: The Doctrine/Actions of the Apostle Paul

First of all I would like to offer apologies to my fans for being MIA (missing in action) during week 6. For this reason I plan to double up for week 7. Thank you for your continued support, and with out further a due let us jump right into the lesson:

A lot of Christendom follows many different doctrines and dogmas. Most of the discrepancies and inconsistencies— both within and across denominations— stem from the fact that as you read the Epistles (letters) of Paul sent to the various churches throughout Mesopotamia and Asia it appears that the Apostle to the Gentiles is  hostile to the Law of God, the 10 commandments in particular. 

In this edition of Bible Boot Camp, we should investigate St. Paul and see whether he really is 
For or Against: Moses, the law and/or the prophets.  

We will Definitely deal with some of the things that he wrote and said, but as we all know, actions speak louder than words. Therefore i want to encourage the reader to pay close attention to what Paul "did!" 

First let us start with who the Apostle Paul actually was. His resumé should give us some insight on how to approach his writings.

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." Philippians 3:3-7

Consider this scripture for a moment. This means Paul was raised an Israelite; not only did he adhere to the Law as written by Moses he was of the sect of the Pharisees.  Touching righteousness Paul was "blameless." How do you suppose he became 'blameless,' by being a Pharisee. 

I realize that the Pharisees behavior was frowned upon by Jesus, but even Jesus gave the Pharisees props concerning the law. 

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." Matthew 23:1-3 

If you recall the lesson from week 5, Moses is the second most important person written about in the Bible. Why? Because Jesus was/is that prophet that was like unto Moses! Acts 7:37-38,52

So, the Pharisees were the people learned and well versed in the scriptures. Like Jesus said they told the people right things, however, don't do after their works (obviously because they conspired to crucify Jesus).   
We MUST separate the office from those corrupted individuals because the Apostle Paul felt the office was important enough to explain it to the Philippians. 

Basically, the Pharisees were the educated people in Israelite society. Being smart and/or informed is not an abomination, for our God is a God of Knowledge! 1Samuel 2:3

•The Commandments give you wisdom in the sight of the nations Deuteronomy 4:6

•It made Solomon wiser than Asia and Egypt 1Kings 4:30

•Daniel was among those that Children of Israel in captivity that were: skilful in ALL wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding science... Daniel 1:1-6

•Moses understood the ways of God and was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians Acts 7:10, 22 

So, being smart is not an abomination, a problem may arise if a smart person speaks to someone who is not as well acquainted with the subject matter being discussed (the point might 'go over the listeners head). 

More often than not, this is the case when people deal with the writings of the Apostle Paul. Remember in Philippians, he was full of so much zeal he persecuted church, he described himself also with adjectives like 'blameless'.

Considering all these things, there should be no surprise when Peter wrote the following concerning Paul: "...even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." 2Peter 3:15-17

Now then, rather than asking the question 'did Paul keep the Sabbath day,' lets just see what he DID.

" But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience." Acts 13:14-16

Now we are not concerned at this time with what he said, but notice that he is preaching to the people on the Sabbath day. Keep in mind Acts chapter 13 occurs at least 10 years after Jesus death and resurrection; some would argue, that he is preaching to Israel on the Sabbath day.  This is probably true, so let us continue to read:

"And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath." Acts 13:42

After Paul's sermon to the Jews, notice that the Gentiles did not ask him to preach to them on Sunday even-though it would've been a perfect opportunity, seeing as how Sunday is the very next day after the Sabbath day (Saturday). They didn't even Ask!

So then what happened;

"Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." Acts 13:43-44

And again in Chapter 17: "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," Acts 17:1-2

There are two things to take away from Acts chapter 17;

1. He preached on 3 consecutive Sabbath days,

2. He preached Jesus Christ out of the Old Testament (scriptures) [but of course he did, when the city came together to hear the 'word of God' in chapter 13, the New testament had not been written down yet]!

And Again: "After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth... And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." Acts 18:1-4

Remember we are reading the Acts of the Apostles!

Seems pretty clear that Paul's acts was one of keeping the Sabbath day, Not Sunday.

What about the other 'Holy Days' that were written in Leviticus 23?

" And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus." Acts 18:19-21

And again: " And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." Acts 20:15-16

The day of Pentecost is also sanctioned and outlined in the 23rd chapter of Leviticus. But why was Paul 'hasting' to be  at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost?

"Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there...

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:" Deuteronomy 16:9-11,16

The day of Pentecost is also known as the feast of weeks (This is also why the disciples were 'with one accord in one place' when the holy spirit was given in Acts chapter 2). The Lord chose to place His name in Jerusalem, that is why Paul was in a rush to be in Jerusalem during the Day of Pentecost.

Finally: "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 1Corinthians 5:6-8

This is a reference to the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread as found in Leviticus 23:5-8 if you want to read on your own. The most important thing to be pointed out here is that 90% of people whom call themselves 'Christians' do not celebrate nor honor the Passover. Although in the New Our Passover'! If for no other reason, the fact that Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us we should all be fully aware of this day, and what it really means. Also Paul is encouraging us to keep the feast of unleavened bread; I wonder why 95% of churches never teach the feast of unleavened bread... I will leave it to my readers to go back to their respective congregations and ask that question.
Testament Christ is called '

Next, in the book of 2nd Corinthians, Paul is warning believers to separate themselves from the world, and quotes the law here: " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2Corinthians 6:14-18

What thing(s) is/are unclean? Or what is it that when touched, makes you unclean? The most talked about thing that makes someone unclean is what you eat. 

"And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat. Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.

  

And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase. These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you." Deuteronomy 14:6-10

Why?

"For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten." Leviticus 11:44-47

There are other things that would make one unclean, most of which are found in the Old Testament; the Law; and the Prophets.

In conclusion: the doctrine actions of Paul, show us that he was an advocate for the the holidays Holy Days, and the Dietary Law of God. 

From now on, as you read through the letters of Paul, and it seems that he is contradicting himself, Moses, the Prophets or the old testament in general, remember Paul was sooo smart and well informed that what he is really saying is probably just going over your head, and you should pray to the Father in the name of Jesus for understanding. 

Remember, Jesus left the keys to the kingdom with Peter and Peter has warned you about how deep the Apostle Paul was!         

" "...even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." 2Peter 3:15-17

May the Lord add a blessing to the study of His word in Jesus name.

Knowledge is The Key - Locksmif

Week 5: If you believe not Moses you CAN-NOT believe Jesus: Who do you think Moses talked about?

 A lot of people try and separate the Old and New Testaments as if there is a different God that

dealt with Moses than the God that dealt with the Apostle Paul. 

Newsflash:

The entire book was written about Jesus Christ from Genesis chapter 1 to Revelation chapter 22. 

Let us begin the synchronization of the testaments with the statement that gave me the title of this weeks Bible Boot Camp lesson... 

Jesus was explaining to the Pharisees about the witness of men, not being greater than the witness of God. He told them that the Father is His witness, however, since they (the Pharisees) respected the witness of men, Jesus told them about the greatest witness among men, whom even they respected. The statement speaks volumes, even to us at this day:

"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" John‬ ‭5‬:‭43-47‬ 

Also the parable of The rich man and Lazarus reveals something to us about the importance of Moses in relation to Jesus Christ. 

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." ‭ Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭19-31‬

The point you want to recognize in the parable is 1. To prevent the brothers from going to the place of torment, all that was needed was Moses and the prophets! {v. 29}

Even after the rich mans persistency, believing that all someone would need is one born from the dead to testify to them (like most of us would assume). 2. Abraham informs him (and us) that if you don't/won't hear MOSES, you won't hear someone who returns from the dead. And Abraham is correct, although One returned from the dead (Jesus), you CAN-NOT hear his words, if you WILL-NOT hear Moses words. 

Food4Thought: 

When Jesus called the Apostle Phillip, He simply told him 'follow me.' However, when Phillip wanted to explain who Jesus was to Nathanael he didn't say, "my personal saviour has arrived," nor did he limit who Jesus was to any one of the details of His reason for coming in the flesh—

"The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." John‬ ‭1‬:‭43-45‬ 

If you have read Moses and the prophets, you know who Jesus is, whether or not he was the Messiah etc.. through the details of his actions. 

After Jesus resurrection on one of the last occasions he spoke with the disciples he explained again to them who he was, and from where? Moses (and the prophets)!

"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭25-27

Through this act Jesus is relating ti us, that Moses and the prophets is how you know about Jesus 1st Coming, as well as His 2nd Coming. 

May the Lord add a blessing, to the study of His Word.

LockSmif... Knowledge Is The Key

Bible Boot Camp Week 4: Where Does GOD Want To Live

There is always a great and vigorous debate about If and/or When Christians will go to heaven. I, myself have participated in and even encouraged the debate.
While thinking about the topic for week 4, I decided to take the conversation away from us as people, and let the Bible speak on where God and/or Jesus Wants To Live!
It is my hope that thru this blogpost, the debate can begin to be diminished, because as Christians our desire should be to be/live where ever Jesus (Christ) is.

This Earth was not created in Vain, the Lord created to be inhabited Isaiah 45:18.
This is why man was created from the earth: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7

the earth is 70% water

You must wash often because you are made of dirt.
Your body is over 70% water just like the earth.
Everything you eat comes from the earth whether meat or plants.
You can be sure, because anything left on top or inside of the ground  (earth) will eventually turn again into dust.


And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it...  And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Exodus 25:21-22

God is God. God dwells in heaven, why does He need a sanctuary? Answer: so that He could dwell among them!

In verse 21-22 the mercy seat is where God sits. But God had a throne in heaven. Why a mercy seat on earth? To meet with Moses and commune with him.

In the book of Numbers Israel was commanded to set up the tabernacle of the congregation. Why?

"And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them...  And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him." Numbers 7:1,5,89

Moses heard God speak with him from off the mercy seat.

Even when the children of Israel were in the wilderness they were instructed when they had to do defecate, to cover it up. Why? So that God would not have to look at it, the unclean thing, as he walked through the camp.

"Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:  And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:   For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee." Deuteronomy 23:12-14

In another place it is written, the Lord will take the whole EARTH as HIS POSSESSION! 
"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Psalms 2:1-12 
Zion = Jerusalem; Jerusalem is his Holy Hill.

Jerusalem = Zion; the Western Ridge = Mt. Zion

Not only will God (Jesus) dwell in Jerusalem, the children of Judah will also be there with Him FOREVER:

"For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land... Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more...  But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion." ‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭1-2, 14-17, 20-21

In the book of Revelation after Jesus takes down the nations he inherits (or takes) the kingdoms of this earth, and he will rule the EARTH, FOREVER!

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Revelation 11:15 

David first captured Zion, being that David was a man after God's own heart, that may have something to do with why God wants to live there. Or maybe even the other way around, David was a man after God's own heart because he wanted to live where God wants to live...

"David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David...  So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward." ‭2 Samuel‬ ‭5‬:‭1-7, 9‬


Finally, the most straight forward scripture about where God 'wants' to live, He actually swore it to David:
"The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish." ‭Psalms‬ ‭132‬:‭11-18‬

The conclusion of the matter is regardless of where you 'believe' that you will go (grave, heaven, hell) after your time on this planet, the fact is that the God of the Holy Bible chose to live HERE (past tense because He chose it since the beginning) with His creation. The Earth is where God will dwell. Even in the Lord's prayer we recite 'thy kingdom come' because Jesus knew that in Revelation 22 the kingdom of God comes down from the Father out of heaven. 
So let's discontinue the debate about where we want to spend eternity, let it suffice us to spend eternity with our creator On The Earth.

May the Lord add a blessing to the reading and studying of His word in Jesus name.

Locksmif... Knowledge is the key