In what ways are we in “Barabbas’s shoes”? 532-2 - 17 - 7

Luke 19:40, “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Although the stones that would cry out should the people hold back their praise is not an idiom for Christ, the passage is very revealing.In the movie "The Sobbing Stone" there were a variety of strange sounds emanating from a plain gray stone. Various scientific groups tried to determine what the sobbing was but were unable to record it. One by one the various scientists would stay up all night listening for the sobbing and each began to be haunted by the sound. Some of them thought there was something very familiar about the sounds but just couldn’t quite place them.The sobbing stone had been lying under the cross at the time of the Crucifixion and a variety of sounds including the voices of people surrounding the cross were imprinted on it. Early in the movie there was a drip, drip sound coming from the stone; the sound of the blood of Jesus falling on it. Later in the movie the various scientists could hear audible voices and realized that it was the crowd around the cross, saying, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Psalm 22:15. “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” Then came the realization that the voices they heard were their own. Jesus was crucified for all the sin that ever were, and that ever will be. Jesus was and is our propitiation.

In his commentary, CM pointed out that “Barabbas” means “Son of the Father” and included John 5:43, “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.” I’ve always thought of this "another one" as being the Antichrist, however, here Jesus was crucified because the people chose Barabbas over him.

Barabbas was guilty and rightfully condemned to death. Barabbas knew that Jesus who was to die in his place was innocent. As it was for Barabbas 2000 years ago so it is for us today; Jesus paid the price for our sins. Ephesians 2:7-9, "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

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What does this chapter teach about our eternal security? 532-2 - 16 - 3

While much of the country is suffering from extremely cold weather Arizona is absolutely beautiful. Today with temperatures in the 80s I grabbed a T-shirt and didn’t pay much attention to what was printed on it until a friend made a comment about it being a recruiting T-shirt. It has a Red Cross symbol on it with the words “Jesus Saves” and “Life Preserver” in large letters. It also says “God on Duty” and “Search * Rescue * Tried * True.” Plus “World Patrol” and “Special Faith Issue.” Sounds like an appropriate T-shirt to wear while answering this discussion question.

John 17:11 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one, as we are."

John 17:12, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” So while in the world, Jesus lost no one but the son of perdition which was known from the foundation of the world.

John 17:20 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." I take this to mean that anyone that I might influence to seek justification through the free gift of grace will also be interceded for by Jesus to the father.

John 17:21, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." How wonderful to be one with the Godhead!

According to CM, in his commentary on Eternal Security "The Basis of our Eternal Security All three persons of the Godhead have a share in preserving to fruition that which God has determined."

1. It Depends upon God the Father, upon on His Sovereign Purpose, His Solemn Promise, His Infinite Power and His love for us.

2. It Depends upon God the Son and His Substitutionary Death thereby justifying us.

3. It Depends upon God the Holy Spirit and His three Ministries; Regeneration, Baptizing and His Sealing Ministry.

We can rest secure in our Eternal Security and God’s love for us as evidenced by:
John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."


Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Are you vocal in prayer? Do you think it is important? Why? 532-2 - 15 - 6

Having been raised in a conservative Protestant church my prayers were generally not spoken out loud with the exception of praying the Lord’s Prayer, along with the minister and the rest the congregation.

I have had several injuries to my neck and before I retired I would react to an especially stressful day with what I called my “God headaches.” I would lay in bed in excruciating pain and tell God in no uncertain terms to either take the pain away or to take me because I really didn’t much care either way. As I recall, it wouldn’t be long before these headaches would dissipate.

Several years ago I tripped over my sandals and fell backwards catching myself with my right hand. The pain again was excruciating and I thought that I possibly broke my right wrist. Since my left hand has been adversely affected by polio, the thought of losing the use of my right hand for several weeks was rather terrifying. I was barely able to get undressed for bed that night and as I laid in bed I cried out to Jesus, “You promised that by your stripes we are healed.” The next morning my wrist still hurt, but it was functional and I prayed my thanks to God.

A few months ago I pulled something in my shoulder and again the pain was excruciating. My first thought was that I had torn my rotor cuff and could surgery be required. Again, I went to bed and cried out to Jesus, “You promised that by your stripes we are healed.” As before, by morning my shoulder felt much better and I again gave thanks.

My church attending life has gone from a conservative Protestant church to an Episcopalian church to a New Thought church to a Baptist church and now to a Pentecostal church. I started to attend the Assembly of God church because most of my friends were going there and the pastor was often on fire. It was rather disconcerting to me when I first heard my friends speaking/praying in tongues. I’m coming to understand that speaking in tongues is a manifestation of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Rather than speaking in tongues, I sing in tongues occasionally in the shower or while driving. It is my understanding that when praying in tongues we rather get out of our own way in our communication with God.

Paul had quite a bit to say about speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians. On the day Pentecostal, Acts 2:3-4, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

As for being vocal in my prayers, it certainly helped when I was desperate and cried out to Jesus. 

What was the most impacting lesson in these two chapters? 532-2 - 15 - 6

And CM asks, “Are you saved?” If so “What are you doing with it?” He also asked “What is your calling.” Much as it pains me to admit it, I feel that I have done very little to bring anyone into the Kingdom.

I attempt to reach people via the Internet, both through a blog and Facebook. In the 2 plus years that I’ve had my blog I’ve had just over 13,000 page views, not a very impressive number of views. Further, I would suspect that I would account for a percentage of the total page views. As for Facebook, I only reach family and friends and the same ones continue to “Like” my postings and I suspect most simply ignore them.

So what does Jesus say in this chapter of John to give me some guidance in becoming a better ambassador for Him.

John 5:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

This is a great lesson in pointing out where our justification really comes from. We are justified through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. So many in organized religion deviate from this in their quest for power and control over the laity. While it appears that both Roman Catholic Church and Islam have hundreds of millions of adherence, the religious leaders are not abiding in the vine as they are not abiding in the Word. My minor efforts to bring people into the kingdom hopefully will help to bear fruit. However, it is the Holy Spirit that will do the convicting. So I continued to abide in Jesus and work to become a better representative for Jesus.

John 5:19^, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

I have the good fortune of having a number of very mutually supportive born-again friends. That said, it’s becoming more obvious daily that our society has lost its moral compass. Taking a stand for the Word of God opens one to ridicule and possible legal action. Owners of bakeries and printing shops are forced by law to fill requests from same-sex couples or face legal action(s) for discrimination. We who truly internalize the Word of God are an irritation to those who are of the world. It hasn’t become a case of kill the messenger in this country as it has in other parts of the world.

So how has this impacted me; I’m more aware of world events. While I haven’t become a Prepper, I’m aware of the advisability of being as self-reliant as possible. More important than a stockpile of food and water is the knowledge that God is in control and sharing that knowledge. And prayer...

How does Isaiah 5:1-7 impact us here today? 532-2 - 15 - 1

About a year ago I answered is a discussion question in another KI class, "What is God’s greatest problem? How is it resolved?” God’s greatest problem is just how does a righteous God forgive sins without compromising His righteousness? Of our many sins one that I suspect that will really bring down God’s hedge of protection will be our arrogance and disobedience in our treatment of his chosen people.

According to CM, God's has three Alternatives:

#1 He can indulge it and allow it to go on forever;
#2 He can force man into automata;
#3 He can withdraw Himself.

IMO any indulging our sins by God, alternative #1, is quickly coming to an end. We are not automats so we are left with alternative #3. God can choose to withdraw himself from us by withdrawing His hedge of protection from America. Given world events, it would seem that any hedge of protection has long since been removed from many other countries and is being removed from American.

Jeremiah 19:3-5 as well as Isaiah 5:1-7 seem as applicable today as when they were proclaimed thousands of years ago.

In his book “The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's Future” Jonathan Cahn discloses that when attacked by the Assyrians, those in the northern kingdom boasted, "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9:10. Rabbi Cahn said that 911 was a shaking, however, rather than repenting, two of our leaders quoted Isaiah 9:10 and most in the country wanted to rebuild the towers taller and better. We would seem that we are on track for a definite pruning.

Isaiah 5:6 includes “I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.” Interesting and timely article, “West Coast Is “On Track for Having the Worst Drought in 500 Years”

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/02/west-coast-track-worst-drought-500-years.html

And of course we are again meddling in Israel’s right to the land deeded to her by God in His unconditional covenant. Isaiah 5:5, “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down.”

God will not be mocked and will continue taking down the hedge of protection that we in the United States have long enjoyed. Interestingly enough, a group of rabbis are reacting to John Kerry’s bulling of Israel and threatening an embargo. “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is now being warned he’s risking the divine wrath of God if he continues plans for Israel that some feel is a war against the Almighty.”

http://www.wnd.com/2014/02/divine-wrath-of-god-threat-on-kerrys-head/#i8xP73o0msJdlgFD.99

Indeed, these are very interesting times that we live in.

What occurs between vv.5 & 6 in Revelation 12? 532-2 - 14 - 3

Revelation 12:5-6, ^“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”

This is a question that I have pondered before because I’m just not so sure but what these verses points to mid-trib rapture of the Church. However much as I’m praying for a pre-trib Rapture, Revelation 12:5-6 has long given me a level of discomfort. Flat out and plain and simple, I’m praying to be rapture before the start of the seven year tribulation. However…

The woman “gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.” The woman then fled into the wilderness to a place of safety (Petra) for the duration of 1,260 days, the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” The woman is the remnant of Israel fleeing the Antichrist mid-tribulation when he is totally indwelled by Satan and breaks the seven year covenant with Israel after 3 ½ years. Further, this evil Son of Prediction causes the desecration of the Temple.

The Son of the woman/Israel is Jesus and if His ascension to the Father is a representation the Church, oops, could this mean a mid-trib rapture? A problem with a mid-trib rapture is that it goes against The Doctrine of Imminence where we are we are to expect Him at any moment, Also, a mid-trib rapture runs counters the point of view that the rapture occurs before the start of the seven year covenant which kicks off the start of the seven year tribulation.

This Thursday we are having a special guest teacher at our Bible study. I not sure but what he may present an argument that that the church rather than being raptured will be protected/ hidden in place during all or part of the tribulation. So...to be continued...

Daniel also prophesies this as the time of Jacob’s troubles. Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

How is the Doctrine of Immanency (The Doctrine of Imminence) relevant to our priorities today? 532-2 - 14 - 5

Jesus told The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25. Matthew 25:1-6, “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”’

We read that at the midnight cry the five foolish virgins discover that they didn’t have oil for their lamps and rushed out to buy some. Matthew 25:10, “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” Verse 13 pretty much sums up what our priorities should be, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

The Doctrine of Imminence deals with “next expectation.” According to “The Doctrine of Imminence” we can expect Jesus at any moment; there is nothing more required for the Rapture of the Church to occur. The Jewish Wedding is analogous to what will happen in the lead up to the rapture. Jesus, the bridegroom, ascended into his father's house to prepare a place for his bride, the Church, just as was done in biblical time. Just as the bride was to be ready as the bridegroom could come at any time, the Church should eagerly anticipate the coming of Jesus for his Church. Part of waiting on the Lord to call us home is to be as righteous as humanly possible befitting the bride of Christ.

Paul tells of the wonders of “The Blessed Hope.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53,”Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” Paul further tells us in 2 Timothy 4:8, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."