Was the crucifixion a tragedy or an achievement? For whom? 532-2 - 18 - 3

The crucifixion was an achievement for many reasons. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb who paid for our (my) sins so that we (I) can be assured of eternal life as we are justified before God. I've heard it said that it wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross; it was His love for us. The Resurrection and Ascension confirm that life doesn't end at the grave and that a home is waiting for us beyond our imagining and most important, we’ll be in the presence of Jesus.

The Crucifixion was prophesied in the Old Testament and the fact that the crucifixion happened as prophesied substantiates the Bible as the inspirited Word of God. A few of the prophetic verses from the Old Testament that were fulfilled include:

• Psalm 22, could have been dictated from the cross.

• Isaiah 53 was so accurate that opponents tried to post-date it

• Daniel 9:26 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself…”

• Zechariah 11:12-13, “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”

That Jesus would remain in the tomb for three days was prophesied by Jonah’s three days in the whale. Jesus was likely crucified on Wednesday and arose on the Sabbath and not on Friday, as claimed by the church. By deliberately incorrectly dating the crucifixion and resurrection the church was attempting to distance the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus from the Jewish Passover; Satan inspired anti-Semitic birthing of Replacement Theology.

While the crucifixion and resurrection was an achievement it was a tragedy for Satan. Genesis 3:1 5, “"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Satan may have bruised the heel of Jesus, nevertheless. Jesus certainly crushed Satan’s head.

God stepped out of eternity to become a man and be sacrificed for the sins of the world. After two thousand years Jesus remains the most important man ever; He was, He is and He will forever be. We are so blessed!

What is the third commandment all about? How does it affect you? 516 - 2 - 7

Proverbs 6:16-20, “ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”

Before CM and KI I thought the third commandment had to do with swearing. Now I realize that taking the Lord’s name in vain has to do with being a poor ambassador for God. To me being an ambassador for God means to home my skills as a Christian apologist. I hope in my small way to counter damage that has been done/is being done in many main stream churches. Too often lost is the message of justification by faith coupled with an inspiring message of what the blood of Christ has done for church members; rather, a great concern with filling the pews.

Paul tells us in ll Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I do my level best to be a positive and productive ambassador for God. A favorite is to talk to people about the simple message of the Good News: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV.

I attempt to be a better Christian apologist by being informed of other worldviews. The Issachar Track course I 605: Worldview, Research, and Analysis was very informative concerning the seven worldviews. These include Atheism, Deism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Finite, Godism, Polytheism and Theism. It was demonstrated that Theism is the only logical worldview and would include Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Since Judaism and Islam reject the divinity of Jesus Christ, these religions also fall by the wayside leaving Christianity is the logical worldview.

Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." There have been so many books written that are great asset in countering false religions. “Fast Facts® on False Teachings” by Ed Decker, 2002 is a quick overview of many of the so-called world religions and/or cults written in a fairly simple style that puts the cookies on the bottom shelve.

I maintain an online blog that likely has had little impact on nonbelievers, however, I seem to be reaching a few readers in far-flung parts of the world such as China and Russia. To date no readers from Muslim countries, go figure.

God's Hate List 516 - 2 -

Proverbs 6:16-20, “ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”

A proud look is first on God’s hate list; because of pride Satan sought to rise above God. Lucifer fell from heaven and took a third of the angels with him, angels who came into the daughters of Adam resulting hybrid offspring.

With lying tongue Satan lured Eve first through doubt and then by appealing to her pride by saying “you can become like God.”

Hands that shed innocent blood, you think? There are hundreds of thousands of abortions performed each year, a number far greater I would suspect then the children sacrificed by pagans. Today, babies are sacrificed not on an altar of stone, rather on the altar of a woman’s convenience.

Often through pride mankind rejects the Creator and worships the created. In Romans Chapter 1 we are told that through the creation we are without excuse. One of the judgments pronounced on man due to rejecting the creator is homosexuality. The gay agenda to promote homosexuality as normal could be attributed to a heart that devises wicked imaginations.

 Abortion and the demand for gay marriage have caused discord in this country. Those with a biblical worldview are often considered out of step and intolerant. Business owners are forced to provide services for gay weddings or face possible legal action.

What passes for entertainment today is all too often vulgar, violent and without merit. Vampires, wolves, witches and more are often portrayed as heroes and our young people run into mischief. God was thrown out of the schools in the 60s and now as a country we are reaping the ill effect of two generations raised mostly with a secular worldview.

Although the Third Commandment has to do with being an ambassador for God, God’s name is profaned by those who are too proud to acknowledge the need for Him in their life. Interestingly enough, the unpardonable sin is to profane the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31-32 “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Discuss both the greatness and the weaknesses of Solomon.516 - 1 - 4

Solomon had several names and it seems the personality to match each of them. The name given to him by Nathan was Jedidiah, which means “beloved of the Lord.” It would seem that he was loved by the Lord as he was given so much. As a very young man Solomon ascended to his father’s throne and asked God for wisdom. A very auspicious start to his reign.

As The Koholeth he was the preacher and was inspired to write a good portion of the Word. This included thousands of Proverbs, several that he failed to keep. For example, Proverbs 2:16, “To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” 700 wives and 300 concubines who were blamed for leading him down the path of idolatry. 1 Kings 11:3, "And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart." As with Eve, the finger so often is pointed at the woman or in this case, hundreds of women.

As The Aguar The collector, he certainly excelled again with 700 wives and 300 concubines. Add to that 1400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen. This was condemned in the Torah. Deuteronomy 17:16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. 17:17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

Solomon was an accomplished businessman and greatly multiply to himself, riches. Matthew 6:29, “And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Lemuel was the name his mother Bathsheba gave him. Bathsheba was protective of her son, and along with the prophet Nathan, made certain that Solomon was elevated to the kingship before the death of his father David.

Ironically King David was not allowed to build the temple as he been a man of war. King David provided sufficient means to build the temple, a task passed on to Solomon. As eager as King David was to build the temple, it seems that Solomon wasn’t and first build his palace and then a home for God.

Luke 13:30, "And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last." Very little is said in the Word about Nathan, the younger son of King David and Bathsheba. However, due to a blood curse, Nathan is in the biological line of Jesus. Solomon is in the legal line of Jesus.

Christ at the Checkpoint, the trifecta of the scorners, fools and the simple 516 - 1 - 8

2 Timothy 3:15-17, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Today, an increasing number of people and/or organizations are questioning these very biblical verses/principles. The organization, Christ at the Checkpoint, is certainly no exception and is likely part of what’s being called the emergent church.

Proverbs 1:22, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?"

Jan Markell is a frequent contributor to the Rapture Ready website. Her article on the organization, Christ at the Checkpoint is a very good read.

'"Jesus Isn't Coming Back to "Occupied Territory"'

http://www.raptureready.com/featured/markell/37.html

Ms. Markell says it best, "Here we go again. Another Christ at the Checkpoint (CATC) conference is set to launch March 10-14. It's another tragic event that tells half-truths and hardly the entire story. The theme is "Christ at the Checkpoint III: Your Kingdom Come." It's based on the Lord's Prayer and how Christ would approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today."

CM commented concerning scorners, "To make a mouth" and referenced to Proverbs 14:6, "A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth." Jesus' brother James has more to say about wisdom, James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” By promoting replacement theology, those aligned with CATC are most assuredly mocking God’s wisdom and pronouncements in His unconditional Land Covenant.

Proverbs 21:24, "Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath." Add to that Proverbs 19:29, "Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools." No one can say that they were not warned.

More for the fool, Proverbs 15:2, "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness." And even more, Proverbs 15:14, "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."

As for the Simple, he is one who lacks discernment and is receptive to most everything. Here, another first by James is applicable. James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

Are you vocal in prayer? Do you think it is important? Why? 532-2 - 16 - 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.

Why did the arresters fall to the ground? Why did Jesus heal Malchus? 532-2 - 17 - 8

John 18:4-8, "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way"

Twice Jesus said, I am he and I would suggest that the word he should be spelled with a capital H in recognition of his deity. Exodus 3:14, "And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you." John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

As the very incarnation of the Godhead I would suspect that it would be difficult for hostile hands to touch Jesus unless Jesus were to allow it. Perhaps Jesus caused the guards/arresters to fall down to the ground to get their attention and compliance. Jesus was in control and made certain that his disciples were not arrested. John 18:9, “That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.”

John 18:10, "Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus." No mention of Jesus healing Malchus in John 18, however, Luke 22:49-51, "When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him." Matthew 26:51 and Mark 14:47 both refer to the injured ear but not to the healing. Only in the book of John is Malchus referred to by name.

Jesus came as the suffering servant who gave his life to reconcile a fallen world to his Father. Jesus was and is love and compassion and the healing of Malchas would logically follow.

That said, perhaps the falling to the ground of the arresters is more suggestive of Jesus at his second coming. At that time Jesus will come as the conquering Messiah with the two edge sword of the Word. I would suspect that all it took to knock the guards over was just a tiny minuscule of the force that Jesus has. Imagine the awesomeness and power of Jesus at his second coming.