Continuing a chronologically ordered Bible study:
(Genesis 9:1) And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth. (2) And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. (3) Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. (4) But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
Even as the herbs were food, so animals would be, but only when properly killed with the blood let out. They were not to be devoured alive as by a beast of prey. More importantly, blood made atonement for a sinner, and should not be considered an unimportant thing. The life of a sacrifice was accepted for the life of the sinner. The life or blood of an animal had a special significance to the Lord and was not to be eaten with its flesh.
(5) And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
This scripture is a little difficult to understand. Whether your life is required if you take the life of another beast (life) or another man, or whether God requires the life of the beast or man who kills you, either way it demonstrates that God will avenge the blood of the murdered. The word translated as beast in the scripture above also means "life".
(6) Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.
Wow! Really take in that scripture for a moment. If a man kills, by man he should be killed...because man is made in the image of God! We are created by God in His image, each person on this earth special to God, and for that reason, not a life for man to take upon himself to dispose of. Think of that scripture in the context of abortion. Life is so precious to God; each one is conceived in the image of God, and not a life to be snuffed out by man, especially when you consider it is to the idol of convenience!
(7) And you, you be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it." (8) And God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, (9) "And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your seed after you, (10) And with every living creature that is with you, of the birds, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you, from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. (11) And I will establish my covenant with you; never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." (12) And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: (13) I do set my rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. (14) And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; (15) And I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. (16) And the rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." (17) And God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth."
How atrocious and blasphemous that God's rainbow should now be a symbol for homosexuality, what God called an abomination! But Satan is the king of counterfeits. What he offers is worthless and usually just the opposite of what God offers. In this case, he led homosexuals to use a symbol of God's to promote the exact opposite of what God used it for - life. It was a symbol of God's promise that He would not destroy life as He had done with the flood, but homosexuals destroy their own lives with their behavior. Not only can homosexuals not be fruitful and multiply, and would therefore die out as a race if left to their own devices, but the average lifespan of a homosexual male is something like 42 years, and that is EXCLUDING DEATH FROM AIDS! The lifestyle is so destructive and dangerous, that they literally kill themselves. Throw AIDS into the mix and you have deaths at an average age of 35! IMAGINE THAT THIS IS THE DIVERSITY THEY WANT TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS!! Think of the insanity of teaching that such a destructive lifestyle is normal, a lifestyle that could kill our kids in their 30's, but then they preach about unhealthy foods! That is one way you can tell that these political battles are not really about our health and welfare, but only about control and destruction.
(18) And the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan. (19) These are the three sons of Noah, and from them was the whole earth populated. (20) And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. (21) And he drank of the wine and was drunk, and he was uncovered in his tent. (22) And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
The word translated "outside" can mean "out in the street", so that gives us a little more insight to Ham's behavior. He probably didn't just accidentally see his father and privately tell his brothers, but he broadcast it in the streets, bringing shame to his father.
(23) But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
With great respect for their father, and possibly because of their own modesty and piety, Shem and Japheth covered their father in his embarrassment without seeing him themselves.
(24) And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. (25) And he said: "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren."
It is interesting to note here that descendants of Ham were the Canaanites, who were destroyed by the Israelites, and also the Egyptians, and African slaves.
(26) And he said, "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. (27) God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant." (28) And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. (29) And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.
To recap the blessing of Noah by God, He blessed life and promised no more destruction by flood. Satan has twisted that blessing to convince us that abortion and homosexuality are God-given rights. Incredible, isn't it? And truly incredible and sad, that so many so-called Christians cannot see through these lies of Satan to God's truth.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Our Country's Current Flood
My last Bible study was on Noah and the flood. God said He never again would destroy the earth because of man's wickedness, as He had done in Noah's time. However, He still sends us warnings to turn us back to Him. Some people have viewed "the God of the Old Testament" as a cruel punishing God. They felt the message of the Old Testament was "Do as God says, or else!" and in their rebellion, have rejected that message. I think that is another lie of Satan to try to get us away from the truth of God's love. In recent years my study of the Old Testament has shown me God's love and mercy even then. Through His judgments, He was constantly trying to turn the people back to Him where the blessings were. What so many people don't understand is that punishments are not always a direct action taken against an evil deed, but sometimes the result of the deed itself. You reap what you sow. Consider this:
A country that kills future generations through abortion finds it doesn't have enough workers and therefore money in the Social Security fund to pay all the promises it has made to the people. Now it takes over healthcare so that it can ration it which means death panels will decide who lives and who dies. Actually, there is only one Author of life, but death panels will take it upon themselves to try to make those decisions because they believe population control is needed for the salvation of the planet. As if they can really save the planet!
A country that embraces homosexuality, what God called an abomination, is a country saying, "We really don't care what you think, God!" God doesn't have to strike us dead because of it. We'll do it to ourselves! How do we be fruitful and multiply and have blessings on the earth when we practice the thing that will bring the exact opposite result?
Because people love "Mother Earth" more than their Creator God, they do stupid things that actually endanger the earth! In times past, God's nature could take care of itself. The occasional forest fires created natural breaks that would protect residential areas from the next fire. Now "protected" forests provide fuel for fires that cannot be stopped! The terrible fires of late may not be a striking punishment of God, but a result of our own actions.
Mother Earthers have kept us from drilling for oil in our own country which would provide jobs and a release from dependence on countries that hate us and want to destroy us. Therefore we have constant wars with those countries. We have so much regulation because of the EPA that it kills small businesses and forces them to go overseas for cheap labor and cheap parts that further destroys our economy because we can longer afford to produce here or hire here.
We turned our backs on God and decided that it really didn't matter if we had a president who killed babies and promoted what God called an abomination and purposely eliminated Him from his quotes of our founding documents and even covered up symbols of Him where he had to make a speech. That didn't matter because this man was bringing us HOPE and CHANGE! And we needed hope and change! So we turned away from our only Hope and the source of our REAL change! And God let us have what we wanted. And it is destroying us.
One quick look at today's headlines and you can see the flood of disasters we are currently experiencing. The storms and tornadoes are devastating, and may be the only thing that is not purely of our doing. Many "enlightened souls" will say we have caused global warming that is causing increased storms and earthquakes, but they will only look for more regulation, government control, and even population control, that will obviously destroy us further. There is so much more unrest and fighting in the Middle East that I believe is completely attributable to Obama's weakness that emboldens our enemies. He tells them constantly that the US is not a country they need fear. Latin America is a place we didn't have to worry about nearly as much as we have since Obama took office and threw our Latin allies under the bus, so that no one is really fighting the drug cartels anymore. Then there have been the fires in Texas. There's news they want to breach a levee on the Mississippi to ease flooding in Illinois, but it will flood fertile farms in Missouri. What might that do?
We are destroying ourselves because of our own choices! God doesn't have to do it! But He tells us He will heal our country if we turn back to Him on our knees, repenting and changing from our evil ways. How is it that we cannot recognize that the God of the universe holds our lives and blessings in His hands? How is it we can still be so flippant about the things of our Lord? May the dear Lord have mercy on our country and not give us what we deserve!
A country that kills future generations through abortion finds it doesn't have enough workers and therefore money in the Social Security fund to pay all the promises it has made to the people. Now it takes over healthcare so that it can ration it which means death panels will decide who lives and who dies. Actually, there is only one Author of life, but death panels will take it upon themselves to try to make those decisions because they believe population control is needed for the salvation of the planet. As if they can really save the planet!
A country that embraces homosexuality, what God called an abomination, is a country saying, "We really don't care what you think, God!" God doesn't have to strike us dead because of it. We'll do it to ourselves! How do we be fruitful and multiply and have blessings on the earth when we practice the thing that will bring the exact opposite result?
Because people love "Mother Earth" more than their Creator God, they do stupid things that actually endanger the earth! In times past, God's nature could take care of itself. The occasional forest fires created natural breaks that would protect residential areas from the next fire. Now "protected" forests provide fuel for fires that cannot be stopped! The terrible fires of late may not be a striking punishment of God, but a result of our own actions.
Mother Earthers have kept us from drilling for oil in our own country which would provide jobs and a release from dependence on countries that hate us and want to destroy us. Therefore we have constant wars with those countries. We have so much regulation because of the EPA that it kills small businesses and forces them to go overseas for cheap labor and cheap parts that further destroys our economy because we can longer afford to produce here or hire here.
We turned our backs on God and decided that it really didn't matter if we had a president who killed babies and promoted what God called an abomination and purposely eliminated Him from his quotes of our founding documents and even covered up symbols of Him where he had to make a speech. That didn't matter because this man was bringing us HOPE and CHANGE! And we needed hope and change! So we turned away from our only Hope and the source of our REAL change! And God let us have what we wanted. And it is destroying us.
One quick look at today's headlines and you can see the flood of disasters we are currently experiencing. The storms and tornadoes are devastating, and may be the only thing that is not purely of our doing. Many "enlightened souls" will say we have caused global warming that is causing increased storms and earthquakes, but they will only look for more regulation, government control, and even population control, that will obviously destroy us further. There is so much more unrest and fighting in the Middle East that I believe is completely attributable to Obama's weakness that emboldens our enemies. He tells them constantly that the US is not a country they need fear. Latin America is a place we didn't have to worry about nearly as much as we have since Obama took office and threw our Latin allies under the bus, so that no one is really fighting the drug cartels anymore. Then there have been the fires in Texas. There's news they want to breach a levee on the Mississippi to ease flooding in Illinois, but it will flood fertile farms in Missouri. What might that do?
We are destroying ourselves because of our own choices! God doesn't have to do it! But He tells us He will heal our country if we turn back to Him on our knees, repenting and changing from our evil ways. How is it that we cannot recognize that the God of the universe holds our lives and blessings in His hands? How is it we can still be so flippant about the things of our Lord? May the dear Lord have mercy on our country and not give us what we deserve!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Noah and the Flood
(Genesis 6:1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, (2) that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
Recall in Genesis Chapter 4 when Seth was born, it was noted that men began to call on the name of the Lord again, indicating that up to then they weren't. This scripture says that the godly men began to marry the daughters of the men who did not follow God.
(3) And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
Funny, as a child, I always thought this scripture to indicate the time when God changed the lifespan of man from the 900+ years of Adam and his children and grandchildren, to only 120 years. I now see that God was giving men just 120 years to get their acts together. After all, Noah lived a great many more than 120 years. God had just about had it with men, but He was giving them 120 years to repent before He brought the flood.
(4) There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
How interesting to note that the word "giants" here actually has a much expanded definition: Properly, a feller, that is, a bully or tyrant: giant. Although they may have been giants in stature, I believe the word is more properly defined as "bullies" or "tyrants", as that best continues the theme of a line of godly men versus a line of ungodly men, who are now intermarrying.
(5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it sorrowed the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the birds of the air, for it sorrows Me that I have made them." (8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (9) These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (10) And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (11) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. (13) And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (14) Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (15) And this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
A cubit was the length of a man's forearm, about 18 to 20 inches. Therefore the length of the ark was to be 450 to 500 feet long, the width 75 to 83 feet wide, and the height 45 to 50 feet high.
(16) You shall make a window for the ark, and in a cubit you shall finish it above; and the door of the ark you shall set in its side; you shall make it with lower, second, and third stories. (17) And behold, I Myself am bringing a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh from under heaven, in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. (18) But with you will I establish my covenant; and you shall go into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. (19) And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. (20) Of the birds after their kind, of cattle after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. (21) And you take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them." (22) Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
God makes His plan to destroy men on earth, but He had found favor with one godly man, Noah. God tells Noah of His plan to save a remnant of all living things in an ark that Noah will build.
(Genesis 7:1) And the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen you are righteous before Me in this generation. (2) Of every clean beast you shall take to you by sevens, a male and his female; and of beasts that are not clean by two, a male and his female; (3) Also of fowls of the air by sevens, male and female, to keep species alive on the face of all the earth.
Growing up, weren't we always taught that Noah took two of every species of animal? Here it clearly states there were more of the clean animals. But does it say seven or seven pairs of clean animals? I still do not know. The old commentaries state that there were seven animals, three pairs of male and female, and a seventh for sacrifice; and they point to a later scripture where Noah does indeed sacrifice "of every clean beast". However, I find it interesting that in both instances of the word translated as "sevens" above, the original word "sheba" is written twice, if I am understanding my Strong's correctly. I suppose "sheba sheba" is translated "by sevens" or is it "seven and seven"? This is not an important doctrinal issue, by any means, but I found it interesting to ponder.
(4) For in seven 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." (5) And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. (6) And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters were on the earth. (7) And Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. (8) Of clean beasts, of beasts that are not clean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, (9) Two by two they went into the ark to Noah, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
Two by two, the male and the female, seems to indicate an even number of each species, so at this point, I believe there were seven pairs of clean animals, rather than only seven animals.
(10) And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. (11) In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Not only did it rain from heaven, but the "fountains of the deep were broken up", indicating perhaps that land or hills, etc. that held the water in the seas broke away, allowing the oceans to rush over the land.
(12) And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (13) On the very same day Noah and Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark; (14) They and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. (15) And they went in to Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, in which is the breath of life. (16) And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. (17) And the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. (18) And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark went upon the face of the waters. (19) And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. (20) The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.
Again, a cubit is the length of a forearm, about 18 to 20 inches, so 15 cubits is 22 to 25 feet. The hills were covered and then the waters went upward another 25 feet and covered the mountains.
(21) And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. (22) All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. (23) And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man and cattle, and the creeping things, and the birds of the air; and they were destroyed from the earth; and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (24) And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.
(Genesis 8:1) And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark; and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided; (2) The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. (3) And the waters receded continually from the earth; and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. (4) And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. (5) And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. (6) And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. (7) And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. (8) He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. (9) But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and pulled her into the ark to himself. (10) And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. (11) And the dove came in to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; so Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. (12) And he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. (13) And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.
It was the 601st year of Noah's life, on the first day of the first month of the new year, appropriately so, for a new beginning.
(14) And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried. (15) And God spoke to Noah, saying, (16) "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. (17) Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, of birds and of cattle and of every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply on the earth. (18) And Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. (19) Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their kinds, went out of the ark. (20) And Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (21) And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, "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 destroy any more every living thing as I have done. (22) While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
Recall in Genesis Chapter 4 when Seth was born, it was noted that men began to call on the name of the Lord again, indicating that up to then they weren't. This scripture says that the godly men began to marry the daughters of the men who did not follow God.
(3) And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
Funny, as a child, I always thought this scripture to indicate the time when God changed the lifespan of man from the 900+ years of Adam and his children and grandchildren, to only 120 years. I now see that God was giving men just 120 years to get their acts together. After all, Noah lived a great many more than 120 years. God had just about had it with men, but He was giving them 120 years to repent before He brought the flood.
(4) There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
How interesting to note that the word "giants" here actually has a much expanded definition: Properly, a feller, that is, a bully or tyrant: giant. Although they may have been giants in stature, I believe the word is more properly defined as "bullies" or "tyrants", as that best continues the theme of a line of godly men versus a line of ungodly men, who are now intermarrying.
(5) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it sorrowed the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the birds of the air, for it sorrows Me that I have made them." (8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (9) These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (10) And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (11) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. (13) And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (14) Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (15) And this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
A cubit was the length of a man's forearm, about 18 to 20 inches. Therefore the length of the ark was to be 450 to 500 feet long, the width 75 to 83 feet wide, and the height 45 to 50 feet high.
(16) You shall make a window for the ark, and in a cubit you shall finish it above; and the door of the ark you shall set in its side; you shall make it with lower, second, and third stories. (17) And behold, I Myself am bringing a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh from under heaven, in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. (18) But with you will I establish my covenant; and you shall go into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. (19) And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. (20) Of the birds after their kind, of cattle after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. (21) And you take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them." (22) Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
God makes His plan to destroy men on earth, but He had found favor with one godly man, Noah. God tells Noah of His plan to save a remnant of all living things in an ark that Noah will build.
(Genesis 7:1) And the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen you are righteous before Me in this generation. (2) Of every clean beast you shall take to you by sevens, a male and his female; and of beasts that are not clean by two, a male and his female; (3) Also of fowls of the air by sevens, male and female, to keep species alive on the face of all the earth.
Growing up, weren't we always taught that Noah took two of every species of animal? Here it clearly states there were more of the clean animals. But does it say seven or seven pairs of clean animals? I still do not know. The old commentaries state that there were seven animals, three pairs of male and female, and a seventh for sacrifice; and they point to a later scripture where Noah does indeed sacrifice "of every clean beast". However, I find it interesting that in both instances of the word translated as "sevens" above, the original word "sheba" is written twice, if I am understanding my Strong's correctly. I suppose "sheba sheba" is translated "by sevens" or is it "seven and seven"? This is not an important doctrinal issue, by any means, but I found it interesting to ponder.
(4) For in seven 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." (5) And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. (6) And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters were on the earth. (7) And Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. (8) Of clean beasts, of beasts that are not clean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, (9) Two by two they went into the ark to Noah, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
Two by two, the male and the female, seems to indicate an even number of each species, so at this point, I believe there were seven pairs of clean animals, rather than only seven animals.
(10) And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. (11) In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Not only did it rain from heaven, but the "fountains of the deep were broken up", indicating perhaps that land or hills, etc. that held the water in the seas broke away, allowing the oceans to rush over the land.
(12) And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (13) On the very same day Noah and Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark; (14) They and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. (15) And they went in to Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, in which is the breath of life. (16) And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. (17) And the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. (18) And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark went upon the face of the waters. (19) And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. (20) The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.
Again, a cubit is the length of a forearm, about 18 to 20 inches, so 15 cubits is 22 to 25 feet. The hills were covered and then the waters went upward another 25 feet and covered the mountains.
(21) And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. (22) All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. (23) And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man and cattle, and the creeping things, and the birds of the air; and they were destroyed from the earth; and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (24) And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.
(Genesis 8:1) And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark; and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided; (2) The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. (3) And the waters receded continually from the earth; and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. (4) And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. (5) And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. (6) And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. (7) And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. (8) He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. (9) But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and pulled her into the ark to himself. (10) And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. (11) And the dove came in to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; so Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. (12) And he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. (13) And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.
It was the 601st year of Noah's life, on the first day of the first month of the new year, appropriately so, for a new beginning.
(14) And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried. (15) And God spoke to Noah, saying, (16) "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. (17) Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, of birds and of cattle and of every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply on the earth. (18) And Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. (19) Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their kinds, went out of the ark. (20) And Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (21) And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, "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 destroy any more every living thing as I have done. (22) While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Is There Any Doubt of the Propagandization by the Media?
It's truly incredible! How stupid do they think we are?! The president is out there actually lecturing us that we cannot spend more than we take in when HE IS THE CHAMPION OF DOING JUST THAT! Surely everyone knows that by now. But a willing media uses those ridiculous sound bites to try to demonstrate a fiscally responsible president and candidate for re-election.
I cannot tolerate the mainstream media anymore. As a matter of fact, I almost missed this story, even though the reporter was from a local station to me:
The Outburst Heard 'Round the World
Nobody Interrupts POTUS
The Drudge Report was even touting this incident as the first time a reporter turned aggressive with Obama. Stories like this are very hard to come by, probably because reporters don't want to be punished, or often they are very liberal and want to prop up the prez.
Regarding Brad Watson's questions, of course the president and his administration punish those who don't go along with him or dare to question him. Just as he cannot be questioned in an interview, state governments had better not question him, either. Remember the news of federal funds being withheld from Arizona after their immigration law?
The current news is full of stories of an oppressive government that oversteps its bounds and a president who lies as easily as he talks. Don't believe for a moment that he is really for the middle class when the "bible" he uses, "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky, tells him the middle class is the enemy and instructs him on how to destroy the middle class while pretending to help it! Don't believe that his health care plan is about helping all Americans, when there are those on his staff who believe in population control through whatever means necessary, even writing about putting sterilants in the drinking water. "Death panels" are described as a natural option for these radicals. Obama reminds me of Nicholas Carpathia from the Left Behind series. There was a scene early on when he's meeting with world dignitaries and he kills two that refuse to go along with him. He then proceeds to tell the rest of the folks about what they just witnessed, the horrible tragedy of one guy killing the other and then turning the gun on himself. It's been awhile since I saw it, but it was something like that. Anyway, people start nodding and agreeing that is what they saw, at least the majority of the people led by the wrong spirit; the one man who had just accepted Christ as his savior and was being shown the truth by the Holy Spirit was not deceived. Sometimes I feel like I am in that world where Obama is destroying us while he tells us he is working for us and that it's really the other guy who is trying to destroy us, and the people nod and agree with him; "Yes, we can!" they chant.
I have always gotten comfort from 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The scripture doesn't say "all the people"; it says "MY people", so only God's people need turn from their wicked ways and seek His face, and He will forgive us and heal our land. Let the "heathens" chant for their hope and change and let God's people return to Him on their knees! If you believe you are a Christian and support Obama, I would suggest you search your heart and decide if you can really ignore the fact that he is the most pro-abortion president in our history. Can you really support a president who promotes and supports homosexuality, an abomination to your Lord? Can you ignore the fact that he seeks to erase our country's Christian heritage and purposely deletes mentions of God from his "quotes" of our founding documents?
It is time for people to get on their knees and pray to their Lord for forgiveness, and repent and change from their wicked ways. When we seek our Lord and His will, His Holy Spirit will lead us in truth. Truth is what we need in this time of deceitful politicians and media.
I cannot tolerate the mainstream media anymore. As a matter of fact, I almost missed this story, even though the reporter was from a local station to me:
The Outburst Heard 'Round the World
Nobody Interrupts POTUS
The Drudge Report was even touting this incident as the first time a reporter turned aggressive with Obama. Stories like this are very hard to come by, probably because reporters don't want to be punished, or often they are very liberal and want to prop up the prez.
Regarding Brad Watson's questions, of course the president and his administration punish those who don't go along with him or dare to question him. Just as he cannot be questioned in an interview, state governments had better not question him, either. Remember the news of federal funds being withheld from Arizona after their immigration law?
The current news is full of stories of an oppressive government that oversteps its bounds and a president who lies as easily as he talks. Don't believe for a moment that he is really for the middle class when the "bible" he uses, "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky, tells him the middle class is the enemy and instructs him on how to destroy the middle class while pretending to help it! Don't believe that his health care plan is about helping all Americans, when there are those on his staff who believe in population control through whatever means necessary, even writing about putting sterilants in the drinking water. "Death panels" are described as a natural option for these radicals. Obama reminds me of Nicholas Carpathia from the Left Behind series. There was a scene early on when he's meeting with world dignitaries and he kills two that refuse to go along with him. He then proceeds to tell the rest of the folks about what they just witnessed, the horrible tragedy of one guy killing the other and then turning the gun on himself. It's been awhile since I saw it, but it was something like that. Anyway, people start nodding and agreeing that is what they saw, at least the majority of the people led by the wrong spirit; the one man who had just accepted Christ as his savior and was being shown the truth by the Holy Spirit was not deceived. Sometimes I feel like I am in that world where Obama is destroying us while he tells us he is working for us and that it's really the other guy who is trying to destroy us, and the people nod and agree with him; "Yes, we can!" they chant.
I have always gotten comfort from 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The scripture doesn't say "all the people"; it says "MY people", so only God's people need turn from their wicked ways and seek His face, and He will forgive us and heal our land. Let the "heathens" chant for their hope and change and let God's people return to Him on their knees! If you believe you are a Christian and support Obama, I would suggest you search your heart and decide if you can really ignore the fact that he is the most pro-abortion president in our history. Can you really support a president who promotes and supports homosexuality, an abomination to your Lord? Can you ignore the fact that he seeks to erase our country's Christian heritage and purposely deletes mentions of God from his "quotes" of our founding documents?
It is time for people to get on their knees and pray to their Lord for forgiveness, and repent and change from their wicked ways. When we seek our Lord and His will, His Holy Spirit will lead us in truth. Truth is what we need in this time of deceitful politicians and media.
The Genealogy of Man Between Adam and Noah as Told in Genesis Chapter 5
(Genesis 5:1) This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. (2) He created them male and female, and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day they were created.
As God made Adam and Eve one by marriage, He called them both Adam. Adam is also the Hebrew name for mankind, and the name for red or ruddy, which some scholars speculate may be for the red earth from which man was created.
(3) And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image, and called his name Seth. (4) And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years; and he begat sons and daughters. (5) And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died. (6) And Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begat Enos. (7) And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters. (8) And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died. (9) And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan. (10) And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters. (11) And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years; and he died. (12) And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel. (13) And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters. (14) And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died. (15) And Mahalaleel lived sixty-five years, and begat Jared. (16) And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters. (17) And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died. (18) And Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begat Enoch. (19) And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (20) And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. (21) And Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begat Methuselah. (22) And after he begat Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. (24) And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
He was no longer there because God took him. In Hebrews 11:5, it is further explained that Enoch was translated by God that he should not see death. Some scholars say this was to "show that there was a better life prepared and to be a testimony of the immortality of souls and bodies".
(25) And Methuselah lived a hundred and eighty-seven years, and begat Lamech. (26) And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred and eighty-two years, and begat sons and daughters. (27) And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died. (28) And Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and begat a son. (29) And he called his name Noah, saying, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed."
This was a prophetic statement because even though the ground had been cursed, through Noah's toil humanity was saved. This is a lovely example of how when we work according to God's will, our toil will be a blessing and a comfort, even though the land may be cursed.
(30) And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred and ninety-five years, and begat sons and daughters. (31) And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years; and he died. (32) And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
As God made Adam and Eve one by marriage, He called them both Adam. Adam is also the Hebrew name for mankind, and the name for red or ruddy, which some scholars speculate may be for the red earth from which man was created.
(3) And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image, and called his name Seth. (4) And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years; and he begat sons and daughters. (5) And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died. (6) And Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begat Enos. (7) And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters. (8) And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died. (9) And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan. (10) And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters. (11) And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years; and he died. (12) And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel. (13) And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters. (14) And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died. (15) And Mahalaleel lived sixty-five years, and begat Jared. (16) And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters. (17) And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died. (18) And Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begat Enoch. (19) And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (20) And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. (21) And Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begat Methuselah. (22) And after he begat Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. (24) And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
He was no longer there because God took him. In Hebrews 11:5, it is further explained that Enoch was translated by God that he should not see death. Some scholars say this was to "show that there was a better life prepared and to be a testimony of the immortality of souls and bodies".
(25) And Methuselah lived a hundred and eighty-seven years, and begat Lamech. (26) And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred and eighty-two years, and begat sons and daughters. (27) And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died. (28) And Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and begat a son. (29) And he called his name Noah, saying, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed."
This was a prophetic statement because even though the ground had been cursed, through Noah's toil humanity was saved. This is a lovely example of how when we work according to God's will, our toil will be a blessing and a comfort, even though the land may be cursed.
(30) And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred and ninety-five years, and begat sons and daughters. (31) And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years; and he died. (32) And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Study on Cain and Abel
(Genesis 4:1) And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from the LORD."
Interesting to note here that the original word for Cain is qayin, the exact same word translated as "spear" in 2 Samuel 21:16.
(2) And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (3) And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. (4) And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, (5) But He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
It is hard to know exactly from these scriptures why the Lord respected Abel's offering, but not Cain's. Some speculate it's because Abel brought the first and of their fat, which may indicate the nicest. Cain merely brought some of his fruit. We know God always judges the heart of man, and it certainly becomes evident in later scriptures that Cain's heart was not pure.
(6) And the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (7) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And unto you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him."
Here God does more fully explain why Cain's offering was not respected; he does not do well. If he did, he certainly would be accepted by God. The latter part of the scripture is a bit difficult. KJV translates the pronouns as "his" and "him"; some have speculated they may actually be "its" and "it". If it's talking about "him", then perhaps its meaning is that Cain, you can do well, and your younger brother will look to you, but you are the older and will be the head. If the scripture is talking about "it", then it is continuing the thought about sin and it wants Cain, but Cain can (and should) rule over it.
(8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother, and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him. (9) And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (10) And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to Me from the ground."
We should take note that innocent blood has a voice that God can hear. Perhaps it is literal, perhaps it is figurative, but God knows of all the innocent blood in the land. How must we be judged for the millions of innocent babies' blood crying to the Lord from our land?!
(11) "And now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. (12) When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."
The very earth which received his brother's blood, will now be cursed and no longer fruitful for Cain.
(13) And Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! (14) Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from Your face; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it shall come to pass that everyone who finds me will kill me." (15) And the LORD said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
I wonder if God actually forced Cain to be a fugitive and a vagabond and drove him away, as Cain said, or was it that Cain would necessarily become a fugitive and a vagabond because the earth would refuse to yield for him and he would be forever looking for something else? In addition, note that vengeance is the Lord's. He punished Cain, but he would not tolerate someone else committing murder.
(16) And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. (17) And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. (18) And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begat Mehujael, and Mehujael begat Methushael, and Methushael begat Lamech. (19) And Lamech took to himself two wives; the name of one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah. (20) And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle. (21) And his brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the harp and organ. (22) And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in brass and iron; and the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. (23) And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, "Hear my voice, you wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have killed a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt."
Again we have a difficult verse to completely understand, as we don't have the original Hebrew words for the articles and prepositions of speech. He could be an old man bragging that he killed a young man that led to his being wounded. Perhaps it should read that he killed a young man because the young man hurt him first, and that may make more sense when you read his next line:
(24) "If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
Perhaps he is saying that if Cain will be avenged sevenfold when he killed an innocent man, that he himself should be avenged seventy-sevenfold for killing in what he might consider self-defense.
(25) And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, "For God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain killed." (26) And to Seth, to him also there was born a son, and he called his name Enos; then men began to call on the name of the LORD.
This passage may be meant to be in contrast to the scriptures about Cain's descendants, who seemed to continue the tradition of killing. With Seth's descendants, men began to call on the name of the Lord again.
Interesting to note here that the original word for Cain is qayin, the exact same word translated as "spear" in 2 Samuel 21:16.
(2) And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (3) And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. (4) And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, (5) But He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
It is hard to know exactly from these scriptures why the Lord respected Abel's offering, but not Cain's. Some speculate it's because Abel brought the first and of their fat, which may indicate the nicest. Cain merely brought some of his fruit. We know God always judges the heart of man, and it certainly becomes evident in later scriptures that Cain's heart was not pure.
(6) And the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (7) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And unto you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him."
Here God does more fully explain why Cain's offering was not respected; he does not do well. If he did, he certainly would be accepted by God. The latter part of the scripture is a bit difficult. KJV translates the pronouns as "his" and "him"; some have speculated they may actually be "its" and "it". If it's talking about "him", then perhaps its meaning is that Cain, you can do well, and your younger brother will look to you, but you are the older and will be the head. If the scripture is talking about "it", then it is continuing the thought about sin and it wants Cain, but Cain can (and should) rule over it.
(8) And Cain talked with Abel his brother, and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him. (9) And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (10) And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to Me from the ground."
We should take note that innocent blood has a voice that God can hear. Perhaps it is literal, perhaps it is figurative, but God knows of all the innocent blood in the land. How must we be judged for the millions of innocent babies' blood crying to the Lord from our land?!
(11) "And now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. (12) When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."
The very earth which received his brother's blood, will now be cursed and no longer fruitful for Cain.
(13) And Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! (14) Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from Your face; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it shall come to pass that everyone who finds me will kill me." (15) And the LORD said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
I wonder if God actually forced Cain to be a fugitive and a vagabond and drove him away, as Cain said, or was it that Cain would necessarily become a fugitive and a vagabond because the earth would refuse to yield for him and he would be forever looking for something else? In addition, note that vengeance is the Lord's. He punished Cain, but he would not tolerate someone else committing murder.
(16) And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. (17) And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. (18) And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begat Mehujael, and Mehujael begat Methushael, and Methushael begat Lamech. (19) And Lamech took to himself two wives; the name of one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah. (20) And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle. (21) And his brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the harp and organ. (22) And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in brass and iron; and the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. (23) And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, "Hear my voice, you wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have killed a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt."
Again we have a difficult verse to completely understand, as we don't have the original Hebrew words for the articles and prepositions of speech. He could be an old man bragging that he killed a young man that led to his being wounded. Perhaps it should read that he killed a young man because the young man hurt him first, and that may make more sense when you read his next line:
(24) "If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
Perhaps he is saying that if Cain will be avenged sevenfold when he killed an innocent man, that he himself should be avenged seventy-sevenfold for killing in what he might consider self-defense.
(25) And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, "For God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain killed." (26) And to Seth, to him also there was born a son, and he called his name Enos; then men began to call on the name of the LORD.
This passage may be meant to be in contrast to the scriptures about Cain's descendants, who seemed to continue the tradition of killing. With Seth's descendants, men began to call on the name of the Lord again.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Satan Still Tempts in the Same Way Today as in the Garden of Eden
A study of Genesis Chapter 3 shows that things haven't changed in 6000+ years. Satan works in the exact same way he did back in the Garden of Eden, and people still fall for it.
Because my Bible study is following a chronological order based on "A Chronological Bible Reading Schedule" by Skip Andrews, I will begin with a genealogical preface:
(1 Chronicles 1:1) Adam, Sheth, Enosh, (2) Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, (3) Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, (4) Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
(Genesis 3:1) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
Scheme #1 of Satan is to question God's Word. "Did He really say that?" No book in the history of mankind has been questioned more than the Bible!
(2) And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; (3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat of it; neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" (4) And the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die."
Satan's big lie: "You won't die." Is that not the real reason people don't come to Christ for salvation, because they don't really believe they will die an eternal death without Him? If people truly believed the Bible, everyone would be saved!
(5) "For God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Is this line not straight out of New Age doctrine? Your eyes will be opened; you can be as God; you will have knowledge!
(6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Although it began with Satan's temptation and lie, the ego and human pleasure plays a huge part. As it is now, Eve wanted pleasant things, and she wanted to feel wise, and she wanted someone to go along with her. That always makes us feel better about doing something wrong, knowing that everyone else does it!
(7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" (10) And he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." (11) And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" (12) And the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
This part always amuses me. We always want to blame someone else; it's not MY fault. But in this case, Adam even insinuates that it's GOD's fault: "It's that woman YOU gave me!" That excuse is used even now, like the argument that God made homosexuals the way they are. "Homosexual" is an adjective describing an ACT; it is not a person!
(13) And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Eve passes the blame, too, as people still want to today. When we can't pass it back any further, then it's because of how we were raised or that Satan made us do it. But we each have a responsibility for our own actions. Sure, it may be more difficult because of how we were raised. Sure, homosexual tendencies may be stronger in some, but just as a kleptomaniac has a stronger desire to steal, we all have temptations to overcome and do not have to act on them.
(14) And the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. (15) And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
And certainly the snake is no longer a friendly familiar being to people, but slithering on the ground, striking at the heels of man, and one of the most hated creatures being frequently struck on the head to kill it. This scripture is also a prophetic reference to Christ: The woman's seed, a descendant, would ultimately trample Satan, although Satan would bruise His human form to the point of death.
(16) To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you."
John Wesley explained the woman's "sentence", as he called it, succinctly: "she is condemned to a state of sorrow and a state of subjection". The pain she experiences is not only in childbirth, but in sorrow and worry, she raises her children. Now rather than an equal helper to Adam, she is now put in subjection to him. "Your desire shall be to your husband". I have wondered if that meant your natural desire is to serve him, or whether you desire what your husband has, but he rules over you. Either way, it is subjection, and I suppose both could be true. The woman traditionally serves her husband, but the modern culture has made the woman very dissatisfied with that role, as she seeks to be "equal" to men.
(17) And unto Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it', cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. (18) Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. (19) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return."
Man is sentenced to a life of toil and trouble. As I read this again, I am reminded of how we used to say as kids (and maybe as adults, too), "It's not fair!". Our parents told us life isn't fair. I've even heard, "Life's not fair, and then you die". Is that not the exact lot of mankind after Adam's sin: You WILL have toil and trouble all your life and then you'll return to the ground.
(20) And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. (21) Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (22) And the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever; (23) Therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. (24) So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
I believe rather than interpreting that Adam had become as God, which is what a New Age religion would have us believe that we can be God, this is better interpreted that only in the knowledge of both good and evil, has man become like God. First he knew only good, all the good things God gave to him freely in the garden. Then when he was tempted and sinned by disobeying God, he came to know evil. Then, because he sinned, he lost eternal life, and was forever separated from the tree of life, and sent to his life of toil.
These are the decisions with consequences we make in daily life. Will we accept God's way and obey Him and enjoy His blessings, or will we believe the lie of Satan that we can be as God and in the end die forever separated from God?
Because my Bible study is following a chronological order based on "A Chronological Bible Reading Schedule" by Skip Andrews, I will begin with a genealogical preface:
(1 Chronicles 1:1) Adam, Sheth, Enosh, (2) Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, (3) Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, (4) Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
(Genesis 3:1) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
Scheme #1 of Satan is to question God's Word. "Did He really say that?" No book in the history of mankind has been questioned more than the Bible!
(2) And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; (3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat of it; neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" (4) And the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die."
Satan's big lie: "You won't die." Is that not the real reason people don't come to Christ for salvation, because they don't really believe they will die an eternal death without Him? If people truly believed the Bible, everyone would be saved!
(5) "For God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Is this line not straight out of New Age doctrine? Your eyes will be opened; you can be as God; you will have knowledge!
(6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Although it began with Satan's temptation and lie, the ego and human pleasure plays a huge part. As it is now, Eve wanted pleasant things, and she wanted to feel wise, and she wanted someone to go along with her. That always makes us feel better about doing something wrong, knowing that everyone else does it!
(7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" (10) And he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." (11) And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" (12) And the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
This part always amuses me. We always want to blame someone else; it's not MY fault. But in this case, Adam even insinuates that it's GOD's fault: "It's that woman YOU gave me!" That excuse is used even now, like the argument that God made homosexuals the way they are. "Homosexual" is an adjective describing an ACT; it is not a person!
(13) And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Eve passes the blame, too, as people still want to today. When we can't pass it back any further, then it's because of how we were raised or that Satan made us do it. But we each have a responsibility for our own actions. Sure, it may be more difficult because of how we were raised. Sure, homosexual tendencies may be stronger in some, but just as a kleptomaniac has a stronger desire to steal, we all have temptations to overcome and do not have to act on them.
(14) And the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. (15) And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
And certainly the snake is no longer a friendly familiar being to people, but slithering on the ground, striking at the heels of man, and one of the most hated creatures being frequently struck on the head to kill it. This scripture is also a prophetic reference to Christ: The woman's seed, a descendant, would ultimately trample Satan, although Satan would bruise His human form to the point of death.
(16) To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you."
John Wesley explained the woman's "sentence", as he called it, succinctly: "she is condemned to a state of sorrow and a state of subjection". The pain she experiences is not only in childbirth, but in sorrow and worry, she raises her children. Now rather than an equal helper to Adam, she is now put in subjection to him. "Your desire shall be to your husband". I have wondered if that meant your natural desire is to serve him, or whether you desire what your husband has, but he rules over you. Either way, it is subjection, and I suppose both could be true. The woman traditionally serves her husband, but the modern culture has made the woman very dissatisfied with that role, as she seeks to be "equal" to men.
(17) And unto Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it', cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. (18) Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. (19) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return."
Man is sentenced to a life of toil and trouble. As I read this again, I am reminded of how we used to say as kids (and maybe as adults, too), "It's not fair!". Our parents told us life isn't fair. I've even heard, "Life's not fair, and then you die". Is that not the exact lot of mankind after Adam's sin: You WILL have toil and trouble all your life and then you'll return to the ground.
(20) And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. (21) Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (22) And the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever; (23) Therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. (24) So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
I believe rather than interpreting that Adam had become as God, which is what a New Age religion would have us believe that we can be God, this is better interpreted that only in the knowledge of both good and evil, has man become like God. First he knew only good, all the good things God gave to him freely in the garden. Then when he was tempted and sinned by disobeying God, he came to know evil. Then, because he sinned, he lost eternal life, and was forever separated from the tree of life, and sent to his life of toil.
These are the decisions with consequences we make in daily life. Will we accept God's way and obey Him and enjoy His blessings, or will we believe the lie of Satan that we can be as God and in the end die forever separated from God?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
How Evil Began
The perilous times continue. Another earthquake in Japan. It is heartbreaking to me to hear that 25,000 people lost their lives in the last one and that news seemed to be overshadowed by nuclear fears for US on the other side of the world and for what it might do to OUR economy!
While Americans were watching and wondering if the government would shut down, there began an ominous meeting of liberal "economists" who very well may be remaking the world's economy as they see fit:
Will Bretton Woods Shock U.S. Economy?
Possibly missed among congressional votes, was this one:
House Votes to Undo Net Neutrality Rules
Who wouldn't want net neutrality? "The FCC’s net neutrality rules prohibit cable, fiber and DSL broadband companies from blocking websites, allow users to use the software and devices of their choice, and require companies to be transparent if they use traffic-management software." Oh, they make it sound so good and TRANSPARENT (there's that word again that's supposed to make us feel that it is true), but in reality it means much more government control over the internet. Obama promises to veto the bill to undo net neutrality rules, so judge for yourself if that is because he wants more transparency or more control. The Word of God says we judge that by the man's fruits. What has Obama shown us so far?
Along those lines, there is interesting news that former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs may become a senior executive at Facebook managing its communications.
Will Obama Machine Take Over Facebook?
I truly believe there are no accidents in the coming and going of Obama's administrative picks, so I have to wonder what this might mean for his re-election bid. I fear we may not be able to get rid of Obama. Even though the people are sick of his out-of-control spending and his wimpy spine when it comes to making any real decisions (although I believe that is part of his plan to bring down America), just as they were able to push through Obamacare against the will of the people, I fear there are things in motion about which we haven't a clue, and the Obama machine will force its way through this time. Be careful what you wish for, as we have been told. You just might get it! All you voters of hope and change have surely gotten your wish. Now will we be stuck with four more years of it? I certainly hope not. But we must not fear, as we know Who is really in control. Obama's schemes do not take our Father by surprise. While that doesn't mean that He won't let Obama succeed for now, we know Who it is Who really provides all our needs and we must stay focused on Him.
So with that, I want to get back to a study of God's Word. Continuing with a chronologically ordered schedule of reading the Bible by Skip Andrews, I begin in Isaiah 14:4, which describes Satan's fall prior to his temptation of Eve in Genesis 3.
(Isaiah 14:4) That you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, "How the oppressor has ceased, the golden city ceased! (5) The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, and the scepter of the rulers. (6) He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he who ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted and no one hinders. (7) The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing. (8) Yea, the fir trees rejoice at you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, 'Since you were cut down, no woodsman has come up against us.' (9) Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. (10) They all shall speak and say to you, 'Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? (11) Your pomp is brought down to Hell, and the sound of your stringed instruments; the maggot is spread under you, and the worms cover you.' (12) How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! (13) For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the sides of the north; (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' (15) Yet you shall be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit."
While the passages begin talking about the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, the king is compared to Lucifer, who is the real ruler of the world.
(Ezekiel 28:11) Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (12) "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) You have been in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the garnet, and the emerald, and gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. (14) You are the anointed cherub who covers, and I have set you so; you were on the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (15) You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (16) By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned; therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God; and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (17) Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness; I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you. (18) You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trade; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of you, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them who behold you. (19) All they who knew you among the people shall be astonished at you; you shall be a terror, and never shall you be any more."'"
Once again a king is compared to Lucifer. The same pride and arrogance of Lucifer can be found in men. Next time, I'll begin in the third chapter of Genesis which shows just how Satan tempts men.
A note about the Bible version used above: For the most part, it is KJV, with a little NKJV to replace the "thee's" and "thou's". Occasionally, if the Old English word from the KJV doesn't make sense, and the NKJV seems to change the meaning too much, I have gone to Strong's for the original word and its meaning, and I may use that. This is not meant to be a new translation, but simply my transcribed study notes in a form I will best understand.
While Americans were watching and wondering if the government would shut down, there began an ominous meeting of liberal "economists" who very well may be remaking the world's economy as they see fit:
Will Bretton Woods Shock U.S. Economy?
Possibly missed among congressional votes, was this one:
House Votes to Undo Net Neutrality Rules
Who wouldn't want net neutrality? "The FCC’s net neutrality rules prohibit cable, fiber and DSL broadband companies from blocking websites, allow users to use the software and devices of their choice, and require companies to be transparent if they use traffic-management software." Oh, they make it sound so good and TRANSPARENT (there's that word again that's supposed to make us feel that it is true), but in reality it means much more government control over the internet. Obama promises to veto the bill to undo net neutrality rules, so judge for yourself if that is because he wants more transparency or more control. The Word of God says we judge that by the man's fruits. What has Obama shown us so far?
Along those lines, there is interesting news that former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs may become a senior executive at Facebook managing its communications.
Will Obama Machine Take Over Facebook?
I truly believe there are no accidents in the coming and going of Obama's administrative picks, so I have to wonder what this might mean for his re-election bid. I fear we may not be able to get rid of Obama. Even though the people are sick of his out-of-control spending and his wimpy spine when it comes to making any real decisions (although I believe that is part of his plan to bring down America), just as they were able to push through Obamacare against the will of the people, I fear there are things in motion about which we haven't a clue, and the Obama machine will force its way through this time. Be careful what you wish for, as we have been told. You just might get it! All you voters of hope and change have surely gotten your wish. Now will we be stuck with four more years of it? I certainly hope not. But we must not fear, as we know Who is really in control. Obama's schemes do not take our Father by surprise. While that doesn't mean that He won't let Obama succeed for now, we know Who it is Who really provides all our needs and we must stay focused on Him.
So with that, I want to get back to a study of God's Word. Continuing with a chronologically ordered schedule of reading the Bible by Skip Andrews, I begin in Isaiah 14:4, which describes Satan's fall prior to his temptation of Eve in Genesis 3.
(Isaiah 14:4) That you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, "How the oppressor has ceased, the golden city ceased! (5) The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, and the scepter of the rulers. (6) He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he who ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted and no one hinders. (7) The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing. (8) Yea, the fir trees rejoice at you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, 'Since you were cut down, no woodsman has come up against us.' (9) Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. (10) They all shall speak and say to you, 'Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? (11) Your pomp is brought down to Hell, and the sound of your stringed instruments; the maggot is spread under you, and the worms cover you.' (12) How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! (13) For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the sides of the north; (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' (15) Yet you shall be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit."
While the passages begin talking about the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, the king is compared to Lucifer, who is the real ruler of the world.
(Ezekiel 28:11) Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (12) "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) You have been in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the garnet, and the emerald, and gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. (14) You are the anointed cherub who covers, and I have set you so; you were on the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (15) You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (16) By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned; therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God; and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (17) Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness; I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you. (18) You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trade; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of you, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them who behold you. (19) All they who knew you among the people shall be astonished at you; you shall be a terror, and never shall you be any more."'"
Once again a king is compared to Lucifer. The same pride and arrogance of Lucifer can be found in men. Next time, I'll begin in the third chapter of Genesis which shows just how Satan tempts men.
A note about the Bible version used above: For the most part, it is KJV, with a little NKJV to replace the "thee's" and "thou's". Occasionally, if the Old English word from the KJV doesn't make sense, and the NKJV seems to change the meaning too much, I have gone to Strong's for the original word and its meaning, and I may use that. This is not meant to be a new translation, but simply my transcribed study notes in a form I will best understand.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Creation of Man
First, the fine print: this transcription of Bible scriptures is from my personal study where I rewrite scriptures in a language I will understand best. In most cases, it is KJV, with a little NKJV sprinkled in to replace the "thee's" and the "thou's". Occasionally, when an old English word from KJV did not make sense to me, but the NKJV word seemed to change the meaning, I used Strong's to find the original meaning of the original word and used that. Please understand I do not mean for this to be another translation; these are only my study notes. Additionally, I use a chronological study guide by Skip Andrews in my study. I welcome any discussion on this or anything about which I write.
A synopsis of the first chapter of Genesis is found in Exodus 20:11:
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Beginning in Genesis 2:4, there is a more detailed retelling of the creation of man than that in Genesis, Chapter 1:
(Genesis 2:4) These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, (5) Before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown; for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; (6) But a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. (7) 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. (8) And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. (9) And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (10) And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it parted and became four riverheads. (11) The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which surrounds the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. (12) And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. (13) The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that surrounds the whole land of Ethiopia. (14) And the name of the third river is Tigris; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. (15) Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (16) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (18) And the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper for him." (19) And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its name. (20) And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper for him. (21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, He made into a woman, and brought her to the man. (23) And Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (24) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be one flesh. (25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Jesus later referred back to this incident and quoted scripture to the Pharisees. On more than one occasion, Jesus refers to Adam and creation. I believe His reference to a historical fact negates the argument that the story of Adam is a myth or just a Biblical "story".
(Matthew 19:4) And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, (5) And said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall become one flesh'? (6) Therefore, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
(Genesis 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. (2) And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because in it He had rested from all His work which God had created and made.
A synopsis of the first chapter of Genesis is found in Exodus 20:11:
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Beginning in Genesis 2:4, there is a more detailed retelling of the creation of man than that in Genesis, Chapter 1:
(Genesis 2:4) These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, (5) Before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown; for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; (6) But a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. (7) 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. (8) And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. (9) And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (10) And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it parted and became four riverheads. (11) The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which surrounds the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. (12) And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. (13) The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that surrounds the whole land of Ethiopia. (14) And the name of the third river is Tigris; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. (15) Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (16) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (18) And the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper for him." (19) And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its name. (20) And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper for him. (21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, He made into a woman, and brought her to the man. (23) And Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (24) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be one flesh. (25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Jesus later referred back to this incident and quoted scripture to the Pharisees. On more than one occasion, Jesus refers to Adam and creation. I believe His reference to a historical fact negates the argument that the story of Adam is a myth or just a Biblical "story".
(Matthew 19:4) And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, (5) And said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall become one flesh'? (6) Therefore, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
(Genesis 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. (2) And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because in it He had rested from all His work which God had created and made.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
In the Last Days Perilous Times Shall Come
This week was full of news that shows we are in very perilous and very shaky unstable times, times when good is called evil and evil good:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. - 2 Timothy 3:1
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20
The news surrounding the Libya ordeal is astounding and not as is being reported by the mainstream media. There has been no bigger murderer of the Jewish people since Hitler than Gadhafi, yet our president dragged his feet when it came to speaking out against him. He had no trouble calling for Murbarak to step down, who had been an ally of the US. It seemed perhaps he had been shamed into doing something when France and England began to act. Then came the U.N. no-fly zone resolution. It was after that when Obama put Gadhafi on notice! I'm sure Gadhafi was shaking in his boots! Obama was so quick to turn over the reins to someone else that you had to wonder if it was just a wink to Gadhafi, especially given some of the investigations that have shown ties between Gadhafi and Obama, or at least those close to him. Now come reports that Obama's handling of the Libyan conflict may be part of a bigger plot to finally bring about a one-world government through a military doctrine called "Responsibility to Protect", which promotes global governance while allowing the international community to penetrate a nation's borders under certain conditions. Libya is a testing ground for the doctrine. The following World Net Daily articles more fully explain the implications of the doctrine and name some of the far-left radicals behind it.
Soros Fingerprints on Libya Bombing
Another Stunner Behind Obama's Libya Doctrine
Libya Bombing an Attempt to Create 'New World Order'?
Imagine the possibilities! Especially when you consider the hostility toward the U.S. Add to the mix a president who is actively trying to destroy our country. When our economy and sovereignty are ultimately destroyed, we are just one of many equal countries, one among countries that hate us and that for which we stand. Obama is busy trying to destroy all that we originally stood for, as well. He is very deliberately trying to erase our Christian heritage and to erase God from our founding documents. See the following article with its many links to other articles for examples:
Is Obama Purging God from America 'By Design'?
Huge government control and bureaucracy removes freedoms and will be used to force us into a one-world system. Necessarily, the right to bear arms will have to be revoked so that the American people cannot revolt. You can see that in the works, but this week came news that may bring it about more quickly. Michelle Malkin has done tremendous investigative reporting on a huge Obama scandal that is being hushed by the mainstream media, Project Gunrunner. Tens of thousands have died in the Mexican drug wars, many killed with semi-automatic firearms our U.S. government provided! Now Americans are dying by the same firearms. When I read about all the anti-gun types involved in this scandal, I shudder to think our government may be sacrificing lives, some who are border patrol agents armed with beanbag guns, to further their attempts to get control of our guns.
Project Gunrunner: Obama’s Stimulus-Funded Border Nightmare
Speaking of sacrificing lives, we've long been sacrificing innocent babies for convenience. So some human lives are apparently dispensable, but daily I was hearing the news this week about the high school boys who sacrificed two baby chicks. PETA was outraged and they were talking about it in Australia, even! I'm not saying what they did was right, but does it rise to the importance of human lives sacrificed for convenience or political gain?
This week also came the news that Israel has released a map detailing almost 1,000 Hezbollah rocket and missile sites across southern Lebanon, many of which are situated near hospitals, homes and schools. It's a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, but where is the UN and where is the outrage?
Map Shows Almost 1,000 Hezbollah Rocket and Missile Sites Across Southern Lebanon
A study was just released that shows there are 8 times as many attacks on Jews in the United States as there are attacks on Muslims, but we are holding Islamophobia hearings in the Senate!
Study Shows 'Islamophobia' in U.S. a Myth
'Islamophobia' Hearings Shaped by Radical Palestinian
Then on top of all the news last week, I received an email from Olive Tree Ministries telling me about a new book by a former member of a New Age church who "tells all" and who believes the antichrist "is already in the world awaiting mankind's call." The article that was emailed to me can be found here:
Waiting in the Wings
I love Olive Tree Ministries, but I do have to say, they are obviously believers in a pre-tribulation rapture, and I do not find substantial Biblical evidence for that. I have tried to get people to honestly debate that one with me, as I would really love to see what they see, but for now, I have to say that I see quite the opposite:
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." - Matthew 24:29-30
As a direct answer to the question about the end of the world and the sign of Jesus's return, Jesus tells his disciples about the many tribulations to come and then specifically says that AFTER the tribulation, He will return. How does it get any clearer than that? How are these passages from Jesus Christ Himself reconciled by believers in a pre-trib rapture? I have not heard. Anyway, this is one of those doctrinal issues about which I can agree to disagree. I believe it can be a dangerous one for those who will be expecting Christ and may fall for a false one, but then again, those who know the Word of God well should not be deceived. After all, none of us see scripture 100% correctly at this stage of the game:
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12
As my husband always reminds me regarding this issue, we all must be ready right now, because our lives can be snuffed out today in any number of ways. If you are ready for your Lord today, you will be ready for Him when He returns, if you do not falter, and endure till the end:
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." - Matthew 24:13
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. - 2 Timothy 3:1
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20
The news surrounding the Libya ordeal is astounding and not as is being reported by the mainstream media. There has been no bigger murderer of the Jewish people since Hitler than Gadhafi, yet our president dragged his feet when it came to speaking out against him. He had no trouble calling for Murbarak to step down, who had been an ally of the US. It seemed perhaps he had been shamed into doing something when France and England began to act. Then came the U.N. no-fly zone resolution. It was after that when Obama put Gadhafi on notice! I'm sure Gadhafi was shaking in his boots! Obama was so quick to turn over the reins to someone else that you had to wonder if it was just a wink to Gadhafi, especially given some of the investigations that have shown ties between Gadhafi and Obama, or at least those close to him. Now come reports that Obama's handling of the Libyan conflict may be part of a bigger plot to finally bring about a one-world government through a military doctrine called "Responsibility to Protect", which promotes global governance while allowing the international community to penetrate a nation's borders under certain conditions. Libya is a testing ground for the doctrine. The following World Net Daily articles more fully explain the implications of the doctrine and name some of the far-left radicals behind it.
Soros Fingerprints on Libya Bombing
Another Stunner Behind Obama's Libya Doctrine
Libya Bombing an Attempt to Create 'New World Order'?
Imagine the possibilities! Especially when you consider the hostility toward the U.S. Add to the mix a president who is actively trying to destroy our country. When our economy and sovereignty are ultimately destroyed, we are just one of many equal countries, one among countries that hate us and that for which we stand. Obama is busy trying to destroy all that we originally stood for, as well. He is very deliberately trying to erase our Christian heritage and to erase God from our founding documents. See the following article with its many links to other articles for examples:
Is Obama Purging God from America 'By Design'?
Huge government control and bureaucracy removes freedoms and will be used to force us into a one-world system. Necessarily, the right to bear arms will have to be revoked so that the American people cannot revolt. You can see that in the works, but this week came news that may bring it about more quickly. Michelle Malkin has done tremendous investigative reporting on a huge Obama scandal that is being hushed by the mainstream media, Project Gunrunner. Tens of thousands have died in the Mexican drug wars, many killed with semi-automatic firearms our U.S. government provided! Now Americans are dying by the same firearms. When I read about all the anti-gun types involved in this scandal, I shudder to think our government may be sacrificing lives, some who are border patrol agents armed with beanbag guns, to further their attempts to get control of our guns.
Project Gunrunner: Obama’s Stimulus-Funded Border Nightmare
Speaking of sacrificing lives, we've long been sacrificing innocent babies for convenience. So some human lives are apparently dispensable, but daily I was hearing the news this week about the high school boys who sacrificed two baby chicks. PETA was outraged and they were talking about it in Australia, even! I'm not saying what they did was right, but does it rise to the importance of human lives sacrificed for convenience or political gain?
This week also came the news that Israel has released a map detailing almost 1,000 Hezbollah rocket and missile sites across southern Lebanon, many of which are situated near hospitals, homes and schools. It's a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, but where is the UN and where is the outrage?
Map Shows Almost 1,000 Hezbollah Rocket and Missile Sites Across Southern Lebanon
A study was just released that shows there are 8 times as many attacks on Jews in the United States as there are attacks on Muslims, but we are holding Islamophobia hearings in the Senate!
Study Shows 'Islamophobia' in U.S. a Myth
'Islamophobia' Hearings Shaped by Radical Palestinian
Then on top of all the news last week, I received an email from Olive Tree Ministries telling me about a new book by a former member of a New Age church who "tells all" and who believes the antichrist "is already in the world awaiting mankind's call." The article that was emailed to me can be found here:
Waiting in the Wings
I love Olive Tree Ministries, but I do have to say, they are obviously believers in a pre-tribulation rapture, and I do not find substantial Biblical evidence for that. I have tried to get people to honestly debate that one with me, as I would really love to see what they see, but for now, I have to say that I see quite the opposite:
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." - Matthew 24:29-30
As a direct answer to the question about the end of the world and the sign of Jesus's return, Jesus tells his disciples about the many tribulations to come and then specifically says that AFTER the tribulation, He will return. How does it get any clearer than that? How are these passages from Jesus Christ Himself reconciled by believers in a pre-trib rapture? I have not heard. Anyway, this is one of those doctrinal issues about which I can agree to disagree. I believe it can be a dangerous one for those who will be expecting Christ and may fall for a false one, but then again, those who know the Word of God well should not be deceived. After all, none of us see scripture 100% correctly at this stage of the game:
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12
As my husband always reminds me regarding this issue, we all must be ready right now, because our lives can be snuffed out today in any number of ways. If you are ready for your Lord today, you will be ready for Him when He returns, if you do not falter, and endure till the end:
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." - Matthew 24:13
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)