Rev 20:1-15 KJV At the end of the 7 years after the tribulation
(1) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
(2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
(3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
(4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The "rest of the Dead" below are those since the 7th trumpet resurrection, which is called the first resurrection.

(5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
(7) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
(8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
(9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
(10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

JUDGEMENT DAY AFTER THE 1000 YEARS,

2nd resurrection, these are those that has died since the "7th trumpet resurrection" and since the beginning of time.

This does not include none of those who took part in the 1st resurrection!

Christians appeared already before the judgment seat of Christ, remember the (wheat & tares) or (good & bad servants) are separated!

Note: The ones who will have to stand before God are different then the ones that appeared before the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

These will have to stand before God and will be judged according to their works from the books OR if their name is not found in the book of life they will be cast into the lake of fire! This is the second death/resurrection.

(11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
(12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
(13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
(14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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My team at my chruch is going to be teaching this to K-5th graders what should we do to help them learn.
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hey I'm 17teen years old, and I am trying to find my talents b ut i don't know how to begain? can you give me some bible verse or some infomation on where to begain looking for those talents God has given me. do all people have talents or just some ? i'm not talking like spiritual gifts i'm talking like drawling , playing a music insterment or something like that to let you know.

thanks your sista in christ

sarah drury
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To this woman who wrote the reply above me, you use man's wisdom. Those who have ears to hear will hear what the parables mean. Other people are deaf.
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Go to the church where you received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and ask them to explain it further. Tongues is a devine language that God understands. A direct communication line to him that the Devil can not understand. Also, check out..
http://www.bible.com/answers/ahsbaptiz.html
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May I suggest http://www.familyradio.com There is a free booklet available there about the Wheat and Tares. May I also suggest "The End of the Church Age" also!
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I would say, mercy! That is all Lazarus desired in the crumbs!
The rich man now is experiencing the consiquences of his own
life decisions, in death. In life, the rich man had an opportunity,
which was a chance to give mercy to Lazarus or any one who was in need of mercy.He had in life, favorable conditions.We
must be very careful how we treat people. People belong to God.
So, now we see in the text the two extremes have traded places
substance wise. The rich man has become the begger, and the begger
has become rich!!!! Lazarus is so rich with the wealth of God that
he has Father Abraham as an AMBASSADOR! (smiles)
"Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus"

2nd
Hell is forever! once you are in hell there is no chance, no way, no how!
No,no,no, listen to the responce of Abraham to the rich mans plea.
Luke 16:26 And besides all this, there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us,that would come from thence. But, there is still to come judgement after a period of time. Not that this rich man is going to be in hell for a time and then go to heaven. Once we die, its too late to work the work of repentance. The time is now, while the blood is running warm in our vains. Now is the time of salvation! We all must repent of our sins before we pass away to an eternal state of existance. Then shall we forever be with the Lord Jesus having all things in common. Joy Peace Love Happiness that shall never cease. No more pain, no more suffering, no more sorrow,no more saddness. No more sickness, no more dying, no more crying, there be no more preaching no more teaching, for all secrets will be revealed, no more hate, no more no more no more! Joy! Love! God shall be with us and we shall be with Him forever! Give! and don"t hold back like the rich man. Give your life to Jesus and like He did for Lazarus he likewise do the same for all that believe and trust in Him.
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I wish I could express those words as you did ;
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"Talents," as I translate them, are the strengths that God gives us--intellect, health, wisdom, empathy. compassion, etc. It is about what you do with those strengths--do you feed the homeless, do you help your neighbor, do you vote for taxes that benefit fire departments and schools, do you help with man with AIDS who is your neighbor with a meal? It seems to me that our talents must go toward actions that benefit our communities. I found it very hypocritical that despite the fires that ran through these wealthy foothill communities, most of these folks will still refuse to pay taxes that fund those public services that saved their homes. Talent is wasted, in my opinion.
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Psalm 78 1-8, God commands all generations to teach the testimony of Jacob.

Did Jesus keep this commandment? We, who believe Jesus was the Son of God, knows he was perfect. Therefore, we know he kept the commandment of His Father.


Why has the Church not made the connection that when Jesus taught the Parable of the lost son, he was keeping God's commandment to teach the testimony of Jacob.

To truly understand the depth of the Parable of the lost son, we need to understand, in depth, the testimony of Jacob.

The parable of the lost son is not simply a "neat" story showing us God's saving Grace and unconditional love.

The testimony of Jacob is the key to us understanding what a true relationship with God, Jehovah Jireh, is all about. The Church has not yet made this connection, because they do not understand the testimony of Jacob. If they don't understand it, they definitely aren't teaching it and are not keeping God's commandment of Psalm 78.


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I never see mustard tree (and seed) in my life. As a christian woman, its important for me to see this tree. Thankyou!
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You have made this homework so much easier! THANK YOU!!!
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The best sermon I ever heard was about "the other son". It is also why this parable to me is NOT the most easiest to understand. When is it ok to say "what about me???" Perhaps "the other son" was really "the lost son".
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My personal view on the parable is that our Lord Jesus would like to warn us of guarding ourselves against all kinds of greediness. This, i think is a one simple truth God wants us to consider. In addition, God calls for an immediate response of anybody that's warned as said in verse 20 which tells for the urgency of time.
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Remember the context of this story was "who is my neighbor?" A question Jesus answered with this parable. To say that a person will inherit eternal life simply by having a good heart, ignores too many passages, which require a person to "accept Jesus as their Lord and savior and accept that he dies on the cross for their sins". Passages like Acts 16:31, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10 within their contexts make this quite clear. To say that having a "good heart" is all a person needs to insure their eternal life, contradicts the Bible rather severely and I hold the view that the Bible is dispensationally correct.

Also remember, that the passage "Judge not lest you be judged" must also be viewed in its context. Jesus was saying in that passage of Matthew that you should not judge another if you too have the same sin or worse in your life (the idea of a beam in ones own eye...). However, as Christians we also read that to "restore an erring brother is to cover a multitude of sins". Therefore, to know that he is erring, we must judge him to know whether or not he needs restoring. Jesus was not saying that judgement in and of itself is bad, but rather he who judges others should judge his own self first for he, and every other man, will one day stand before the throne and answer to the Great High Judge Himself.

I hope this has clarified the importance of context and helped all whom read this parable to stay true to its context.
-myself your servant for Jesus' sake.


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I heard that the mustard trees bark is petrified and has a dew that keeps insects away from sheep. That when a goat gets under the mustard tree that same dew will drive them mad and they will ram the tree until they die. That there are only 2 things that grow under it, one the Rose of Sharon, and two a weeping willow (humility). Has any one else ever heard of this?
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Is it truly possible to be called in a spirtual way for something, I have had such vivid color dreams of christ, I had a feeling of some presence pulling me, I had such a increadible felling of such great love and happeness flow through me i just would have died if i stayed in that state. I seem to know a thing, not just knowing it but know it as an absalute, then ill see it or live it, but the knowing first. I fell im being pulled, i cant stop if i wanted to, i cant shut up eaither, im driving my family nuts on realigion Sheryl stewart
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Found in the postings below is a case that I’ve made for what I believe is the secret of the kingdom of God. Mark chapter four calls it Jesus’ doctrine.

Mark 4: 2And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his DOCTRINE…

The principle that Jesus talked about referred to a prayer or words being placed in a “secret” place. The context of the kingdom teachings support that this secret place is none other then the human spirit. However, it’s not just that. Jesus said that “the kingdom of God is within you”. Wherever this “secret” place is it’s where God abides. Jesus said “Our Father which art in HEAVEN, Hallowed be thy name”.

Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

I think it’s more proper to regard the spirit of a man as a crossroads-so to speak-that heaven (the realm of the spirit) converges upon or is routed through.

Jesus taught that everyman has a spirit that works like an inner candle resplending things upon the picture screen of our lives. Good and bad.

But there is an inherent dilemma that occurs when attempting to understand the application of kingdom principles. Being that it thrives off of “secret” things “spoken in darkness”-Jesus being the grand master “covered” his prayers to perfection. In other words, you’ll never know what he prayed and the words that he chose.

What’s a believer to do in terms of finding examples?

Well thank God there are some things that can be used as examples. God wouldn’t leave us blind to the application of these things when he taught that we are to live by them.

Look at this scripture: Matthew 6:19-21.

19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Consider the idea of “laying something up”. Can you see how that heaven is almost considered a plateau or a realm above our heads? It’s really not; it’s just another realm that is obviously distinct from the world around us. Apparently you can place things there. Might this be this proverbial plateau where things are “hidden” I.e., “there is nothing hid that will not be manifest”?

Now don’t scriptures like these take on new meaning?

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

I Peter 5
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM; for he careth for you.

I guess all that I’m saying is that when you pray for something, make sure that you commit it into the hands of God who dwells in heaven and see’s in secret. Then leave it with him refusing to exalt yourself by attempts to bring it to pass. In the long run it may take a little longer pursuing “Gods reward”. But look at Abraham and Sara in their stint of foolishness creating a son with a different woman. Can you see how that mans reward can get you into trouble?


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im about to take my GCSE in RE could someone please give me the basic meaning of this parable?Could someone get back to me ASAP via my email address cheridane@hotmail.com as my exam is only in a coupple of days! Thanx!!!
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Go to the church where you received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and ask them to explain it further. Tongues is a devine language that God understands. A direct communication line to him that the Devil can not understand. Also, check out..
http://www.bible.com/answers/ahsbaptiz.html
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Verses 27 -31 is not as it seems.

No good can come from hell.

This man was still selfish enough to protect himself against the ever lasting hatred of his brethran. He was not saving them to heaven, he was trying to avoid them coming to hell to add to his torment forever.

They would inflict more torment on him for him setting them on their path to hell, he was still thinking of self.

I repeat the first comment, "No good can come from hell."

Rob t
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I need full info according to explain about mustard seed on biological manner compareable to mustard seed at matthew 17:12
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Yes there is a case to be made about the elder son. In my Christain Fellowship we spent two weeks on this one parable; the first week we looked at how we can put ourselves in the shoes of the older son, and the sencond we talked about how, if we don't necesarily identify with the younger son, we probably do with the older one.
We talked about how sometimes as Christians we view that there are certain things we feel we have to do in order to recieve God's love. We have to go to church, not swear, follow the commandments, give to the poor....etc. And then we see/realize that there are other who are not doing all of the "required" things, and yet they still recieve God's love.
But the point that (I think) Jesus was trying to make is that there is no list of things you have to do to be loved by God. God loves all His children no matter what. And at the end of the parable Jesus never said whether or not the older son decides to go in and recieve his father's love, or stay out and get nothing.
Hope that helps!
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Dear Beloved Brother / Sister in Christ,

Greetings to you in Jesus Name Amen!

First of all I praise and thank Lord Jesus for giving an opportunity to have beautiful fellowship with your Blessed Ministry by sending this Email. This is pastor pravardhan varma from SOUTH-INDIA. Running a church named by Good Seed Church Ministry since the year 2000.

Good Seed Church Ministry is moving with a vision not only preaching Gospel, but also feeding the destitute street Children with Food, Cloth & Good Education. Most importantly, all of this work is carried out in the name of the Lord, with the result that many are finding Salvation, deliverance and personal healing through faith in Christ.

For this we are in need of your powerful prayers for my country Orphan Children’s. If you are having a vision to work with our Good Seed Church Ministry to spread Gospel for children and people here in INDIA in these End Days, we heartily welcome you to visit India and share gospel here for the people who are in darkness. And win souls for God. We need your ministry Branch here in India.

We are going on prayers to be fulfilled in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. Please pray for us and for my Ministry. Convey my Greets to your family & Staff.


We are waiting to hear favor from you soon as God leads you Amen!

Our Email Address: - info_goodseedchurchministry@yahoo.com

In His Service,
Pastor.Varma & Family.
GOOD SEED CHURCH MINISTRY.
Gospel On Wheels,
South India.


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Some of you "greatly err, not knowing the scriptures". It is not unlawful for a Jew to lend money for usury in all circumstances, it is only unlawful to lend money for usury to fellow Jews. Reference Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 23:20. These clearly spell out the Mosaic laws for usury. "Giving the money to the changers" would be a reference to the money changers in the Temple who would exchange foreign currency so that foreign worshippers could contribute to the Temple treasury. This was perfectly legal under Mosaic law. It started out as a legitimate enterprise but quickly became a get-rich-quick scam due to people's greed. These are the 'den or thieves' that Jesus chased out of the Temple, not because of their occupation, but because they used this occupation to rip off others.

How can some of you think this is a 'reverse parable' when it clearly starts out with the words "For the kingdom of heaven is as..." ? This describes the parable clearly as a comparison to the kingdom of heaven. Which part of that is backwards?

If you want the true meaning of the parable refer to James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ASK OF GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. " Prayer and meditation will be answered and you will find what the parable means TO YOU. True interpretation of Scripture will not be found in the commentaries of others. Each of us has a personal, individual, and unique spiritual walk. What this passage of Scripture means to you may be entirely different from the interpretation for me. Pray and meditate and get your personal interpretation directly from the one who will give you wisdom LIBERALLY.

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On the topic of the younger son hating his father. It is not said that he hates his father, and I don't believe that he does... but in asking for his inheritance... it is like wishing his father were dead. That had to hurt the father. Yet the father took him back unconditionally.

As for the older son, that has also been on my heart a lot. You see my sister ran away from home. When she returned I was glad and celebrated, but at the same time it was frustrating. Where was my reward for being the good daughter?? The father's response to the older's sons complaints is, "Everything I have is yours". God gives us everything! He gave us His Son and eternal life. At the same time, the father's plea to the older son to join in the celebration, is how God us to celebrate when others grow in relationship with him.
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In my church there was an example of this. Almost perfect.

A certain man came to my church one day. He had been there before as a child, some 30 or 40 years ago. His memories of the place were good in a life that was falling apart. He had lost his family a few years ago to divorce. Just a year or so earlier, he lost his job, his income, and then his home. He had been living on the street since then. He came to us in December, and it was unseasonably cold. Cold enough that I was worried he'd freeze to death. A couple from the church heard his story and saw that he was truly in need. They drove him to the nearest YMCA, and got him a room there for the year, paying for it all. They're in the process of finding him a job, too, where the husband of the couple works.
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In the parable of the sower Jesus lays down a scriptural truth that all fruit production in the kingdom of God comes as a result of a mans receiving Gods word and holding fast to it until God manifests it in our lives.

It’s very clear that Jesus is playing this out as he’s speaking (a sower going forth to sow). He’s talking about a sower and yet he IS that sower. The question arises then, if Jesus has left the earth and we aren’t privileged to hear him speak, how do we do what he said and receive the seed of his word into our hearts thereby utilizing the idea of seeds being planted in soil?

Thank God that this isn’t all that he said. He also spoke of a man who cast seed into his own garden. Why would it be necessary to sow seeds in our own gardens? Well, why is it necessary for farmer to plant seeds in their fields? How about that they might want a harvest? Do you want a harvest in your life? Then plant the seed.

Mathew 13:31. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Jesus said that the ones who produced fruit are those who “received” the seed.

Isn’t it interesting that the one scripture in which Jesus tells his disciples how to get their prayers answered-Mark 11:24, also has the word “receive” in it.

Mark 11:24 (King James Version)
24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Could the underlying principle that makes prayer work be none other then the idea of the “sower sows the word”?

Jesus said “what things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you “receive” them, and you shall have them”.

Is it me or is there a similarity in idea between the two contexts? In the sower parable a person received the word of God, and with patience produced fruit.

Notice with patience.

Do you know what that indicates to me? It means that the guy had absolutely nothing-except Gods word on the matter (he had it by faith). It wasn’t manifest at that time.

In Mark 11:24 Jesus again invokes this idea of believing or receiving Gods word on a matter, that matter being, if you’ll accept Gods word that he gave you the very thing that you asked for, you shall have it-eventually. But because it’s not manifest at the time, it’s very clear that you received it “by faith” (“I have it by faith”).

But it’s very clear that there is a time in which we do not have the thing that we prayed for, or in the case of the parable of the sower, planted the seed for.

Personally I believe the jest of the matter is this: No matter what you do in your spiritual walk, you will never reap any fruit that the kingdom of God has to offer until you:

1. Accept Gods word by faith-in prayer, believing that he heard you, and that he granted it to you upon your requesting it.
2. And holding fast to it for a period of time until this plant so to speak of faith becomes strong enough to manifest.
3. Also, I think it’s good to bring up the resoluteness of the person who is successful at fruit production. Because the only thing that kept a person from producing was his not having any “root in himself”. All this means is that your going to have to grit you teeth and be patient giving your seed that you planted time to grow strong enough to sustain itself. IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. The waiting is indeed the hardest part.

As you can see there is a part that the believer plays in the receiving of Gods word i.e., planting the seed. And it’s done through prayer, speaking Gods word out loud in private. I.e. “HEAVENLY FATHER I RECEIVE BY FAITH NOW YOUR PRECIOUS HOLY SPIRIT…” Or “HEAVENLY FATHER, I BELIEVE THAT I RECEIVE IT NOW, YOUR PRECIOUS HOLY SPIRIT…” Or whatever it is that you are requesting.

Until you’ve done these things you really haven’t appropriated faith for anything. Just be resolved to “hold fast that thou hast…” and if diligent God will reward you with a manifestation of that very thing.

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Foster and Adoptive Parents are the embodiment of the Good Samaritian. They take in the injured and the hurting and give them love, compassion, and grace. Jesus said,"That that you do unto the least of My children, you do unto Me."
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Sounds like a very interesting view but I don't know how to make a connection to the original story. Are you saying all 100 sheep were actually "lost" but only 1 was willing to admit ?
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(Selective Grace or Selective Disgrace)
The Parable is the greatness in what can be from what is little. The least is best, and sometimes in life the greater is less. We seldom look to what is and what we are in his will and not ours. Many say I am a good Christian, and many say I am a great person and know I am saved. I do not believe in "Skateboard Salvation" Yes we are saved by Grace through Faith, but let those who do not live by any standard read the book of James. James speaks of works in saying: "Faith with out Works is Dead"It is better to have done ,than to say I have done much and yet have done nothing. We miss the boat in our Marketing of Religion like it is a part of a cereal isle, get the numbers up and tell them what they need to hear, not hard & firm or they may go elsewhere! The word can grow as the Mustard seed, and the message is "Let it grow" and the height is limitless" The Parable is The word of God in all our lives,"Listen with our eyes".
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At this page I believe that you will find the most excellent explanation of Parable of the Ten Virgins: http://www.egwestate.andrews.edu/col/col29.html

Claudia
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What does Pharisee mean? What was a Publican?

Pharisee: The word itself comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to set apart" or "to separate". The Pharisees were a sect of the Jews. They believed in God, but they also believed that he operated according to their actions. (Your rewards/punishments were based on your works) They added their own traditions to the law, and seemed to think themselves holier because of it. They seemed to pride themselves on following what they said to be law to the letter, and to think this made them better than those they disagreed with.

Publican: These were the tax collectors. Just like today, they weren't the most popular people in town! Often they were said to cheat the people, overcharging or extorting money from them. Thus they were regarded with disgust and contempt. They interacted with the "heathen Romans", which made them even more distasteful in the eyes of the Pharisees.

Now, for the parable. We see both, a pharisee and a publican, entering the temple grounds to pray. The pharisee sees the publican, and starts his prayer thanking God, which in itself is a good thing, but look at what he's thanking him for. He's looking at his fellow man, pointing out his faults, and thanking God that he's not like him! Typical human nature, to think that we're better than others because of our actions, instead of recognizing that we've all been sinners just as unworthy of God's grace as the next person. He goes on to mention his own good works...that he fasted twice in the week (which was in ADDITION to the requirements of the law, another case of the Pharisees adding to the law and thinking it made them better people) and that he gave his tithes.

The publican's interaction with God is vastly different. Instead of seeing the sins of others and feeling himself to be better because he wasn't committing the same ones, he came to God acknowledging that he was a sinner. He didn't even dare to lift his eyes, but kept them lowered and smote himself, which was a common expression of sorrow. This action is telling, in that he was feeling remorse for his sins. Lastly, he doesn't offer any excuses, but begs God for mercy and acknowledges his sinful state.

The last verse in this parable tells us that the publican left justified.

The moral of the story? Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

God wants us to acknowledge our sins, and to place our full trust in HIM for our forgiveness and to recognize that it is only through him that we can obtain it, not through works of our own. He will bring down the proud, but those who come to him humbly and with pure intentions will be exalted by Him. We are not to look at others as a barometer of whether we're serving God properly, but only at what God has decreed for us.

Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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Peter,
I am a father who for 20 years trusted in and raised 2 children. My oldest stayed faithful to the Lord as you are. My youngest has turned to the same place your brother has returned from.

I can only speak as a father here, but work “real hard” to find peace in your brother’s homecoming. It was because of the Lord’s love for you and your family that He restored your brother. It does sound like your brother needs to still learn lessons. Pray for him because if this is true than the dealings in all of your lives may continue for a little longer.

Stay close to His Spirit and He will show you both peace and rest in this. Family can cause use the most pain, but also the most growth. Jesus is closer to you in this trial than you know. Keep your faith. Pray that your heart not become harden because of this trial.

As a father I pray that God will do the miracle in my life that He has done in yours.

God Bless,
Dan

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Keep it up! The more you talk, the more your expose your evil heart! The only one Who can bring Judgment upon me, is The Living God!
When you think you can place your Judgment on me for speaking Truths to you, Be Careful what you say, that His Judgment doesn't fall upon your own head!
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I don't have a picture right here of a mustard seed but if you go into your local grocery store to the spice/food rack section you can locate them there. They are tiny little almost circular shape things. I am doing a presentation about them in my youth group. So, there ya go! Good luck!
Amanda
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Vs 17 states "When he came to himself". It's important to stay with God.

When do not know how long God's mercy is going to last. You may not be

as fortunate as the Prodigal son coming to himself. You may not come to

your senses (NIV). "Stay with God"
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Hey Sue,
Good guess. Actually pretty well thought out. If not for the surrounding texts I might be convinced to agree.
In Mat 13, Jesus is trying to warn us of the dangers coming in the church age. The leaven parable must be taken in context with the rest of what He is talking about here. He explains two of the parables. Let's not jump around with interpretation. Although it is an interesting concept that the leaven represents the Holy Spirit, I think that puts Him in pretty shotty company with the way leaven is represented in EVERY OTHER mention in the Bible.
Remember, we must keep the teachings of Jesus in context. See my post above for the meaning of leaven, 3 measures, etc.

Jeffrey
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Just a Question:

Is there a case that can be made for the elder brother who stayed home?

Not a lot of sermons on him.

Thanks.
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I too am teaching a class and would very much like to have a picture of the grown mustard tree.

Thanks if you can help!
Sherre
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First, to fully understand what was happening, let's look at why the events in this parable happened the way they did.

It was common practice in these times that if a person owed somebody else, the person they owed was allowed to sell him, and his family, as servants until the debt was paid off. Here's another example of where it happened, this one in the old testament. 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. A more detailed description of this practice is found in Leviticus:

LEV 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

LEV 25:40 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee.

LEV 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

LEV 25:42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

LEV 25:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor; but shalt fear thy God.

LEV 25:44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

LEV 25:45 Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.

LEV 25:46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor.

So this is what we see happening at the beginning of this parable. There was the servant of a man who owed his master a debt, and he was unable to pay it. The master did what was common in that time....prepared to sell him, his family, and his possessions in return for the payment owed. The servant begged for more time, and his master had compa/s/sion. He could have just had *some* but and gave him more time to come up with what he owed, but instead he had TOTAL compa/s/sion, and forgave the amount owed.

The amount forgiven was approximately $16,180,000.

After he was forgiven, this servant then went to one of his fellow workers who owed him (approximately $14). He choked him and demanded his payment. His fellow worker requested the same thing the servant had requested.....more time to pay what he owed.

You'd think that a man who'd just been forgiven an amount that nobody at that time would have been capable of paying off would understand and be compa/s/sionate towards another in the same position...and this wasn't even CLOSE to the same amount! Yet he didn't...he was angry and unforgiving, and had the man imprisoned.

When his master found out what he had done, he reminded him of his previous debt, and wondered that the servant didn't have the same compa/s/sion on his fellow worker.

The master then reinstated the debt. I'm not sure what the tormenters were...I'd guess it was worse than being sold, unless it means the same thing. Someone else can jump in and explain this part.

Anyhow, the moral of the story? Do unto others as you'd have done to you! Christians, you have been forgiven a debt you could have never paid. In comparison to that, how hard can it be to forgive your fellow men offenses against you?

Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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I believe that the rich fool is meaning that anyone who is blessed with goods that he/she needs to thank God and his workings that he made before we just think we can sit back and be lazy. I also believe that this passage means that sometimes we take things that we have for granted and we always expect these things but we never kno when we will lose these things and/or waste these things.
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Dear Friends,
Ecxuse me please, let me attract your attention
my interesting observation about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, when
Jesus Christ baptized.
There is in the Luke 3:22 we see the next:
"And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him" (Luke 3:22).
There is the Holy Scripture said, that the Holy Spirit descended in a
bodily shape like a dove, not in a dove shape. Everywhere in the Holy
Scripture we see only "like a dove", and nowhere "in a dove shape".
(Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, John 1:32).
It is possible to descend in any shape like a dove, but there is in a dove
shape is only in a dove shape. And the phrase “like a dove” is meaning,
that it is not a dove. For example, “ like a man” is meaning, that it
is not a man.
Why two thousands years all artists in the episode of baptism of
Jesus Christ are drawing the dove, and there are
in the many theologize works we see the words "in a dove shape"?
Please see the pictures of well-known artist, and you will see the
dove. And there is in all temple you will see the dove.
"And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him"
(Luke 3:22), not "in a dove shape".
(Please see the attached file Image_6).
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men,
but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men"
(Matthew 12;31).
Excuse me please my mistakes in English, I am sorry, I don't speak
English.
Thank you.

God bless you,

Vladimir Rumyantsev
St. Petersburg, Russia,
E-mail: bigroad@olvex.ru

Son of God – King of the Old Testament

Many assert, that Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but that He is not the God, completely ignoring that
fact, that under law of Moses the Son of God means only one – “equal to the God” and “the God, as well as His
Father”. Verses of the Holy Scripture where Jews condemn Jesus Christ that He names himself Son of God testify to
it:
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that
God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John. 5:18);
“The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being
a Man, make Yourself God” (John. 10:33).
Therefore any person who declares itself, that he is the Son of God, under law Moses makes itself equal to the
God, makes itself by the God, naming the Father of the God, that under law Moses is classified as blasphemy, and
adequately death what of Jews and have declared Pontius Pilate, condemning Jesus Christ on death:
“The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the
Son of God” (John. 19:7).
From what follows, that if Lord Jesus Christ is not the God as well as His Father Jews have acted fairly, having
condemned Jesus Christ on death. Who today will dare to make the similar application?
Law of Moses speaks that Lord Jesus Christ is the true Son God, equal to the God and the God, as well as His
Father.
Words “sons of God” in relation to the man in the Holy Scripture specify that it sons of God on good fortune,
instead of by the nature as Jesus Christ, and to confuse these two concepts is inadmissible:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14);
“nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the Angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection”
(Luke 20:36).
And only Jesus Christ is Son God by the nature, is equal to the God and the God, as well as His Father:
“For to which of the Angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You?” (Hebrews 1:5).
“I have made the earth, and created man on it” (Isaiah 45:12)
Sons of God are creature of God, but only Jesus Christ is begotten Son, not created.
God the Father and the Son of God Jesus Christ are the two separate Persons having the nature of the God, and to
mix the Father and the Son in one Person is inadmissible.
The God is one, but the Persons having the nature of the God, not one.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4);
“I will announce the definition: God has told to Me: You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Psalm 2:7).
Set of these two verses gives the full basis to name Lord Jesus Christ “one more Person”, having the nature of
the God. To name Jesus Christ “one more God” in aggregate with told in Deuteronomy 6:4 “the Lord is one” - means
to contradict to definition of God, what Jesus Christ announced in Psalm 2:7.
From what follows, that the “God is one” is definition of God, which the Son of God in 7-th verse of 2-nd Psalm
has solemnly declared.
“I will announce the definition’ - the words of 7-th verse of 2-nd Psalm to which today it is not given any
value, as if these words in the Holy Scripture is not present. But these words in the Holy Scripture are, and
they are told by somebody, but Lord Jesus Christ, and they have the most direct attitude to the nature of the
God.
At reading the Holy Scripture at the person the impression is created, that on behalf of the God in the Old
Testament is submitted speaking only one Person, God the Father, but at close examination it is simple to define,
that it is far from being so.
“God said to Moses, “I am Who I am (Jehovah)”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I am has
sent me to you. » (Exodus 3:14).
Who is submitted speaking in the Exodus 3:14 Father, the Son or Holy Spirit? Today practically everyone, not
reflecting will answer, that it is the God the Father while except for the Father speaking can be submitted both
the Son and Holy Spirit.
Let's result a verse of the Old Testament in which Father is submitted speaking only:
“Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its
offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it,” (Isaiah 42:5).
Verses of the Old Testament in which the Son is submitted speaking only:
“Surely My hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens;
when I call to them, they stand together” (Isaiah 48:13);
“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me” (Isaiah 43:10,11);
Verse of the Old Testament in which it is submitted speaking only Holy Spirit:
“The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me” (Numbers 14:11).
About a verse in which it is submitted speaking Holy Spirit, prophet Isaiah has mentioned:
“But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit;” (Isaiah 63:10).
The special attention should be turned on verses of the Old Testament in which the word “King” in relation to
the God because in all these verses King is only the Son of God Lord Jesus Christ about what the God the Father
has told to us in 6-th verse of 2-nd psalm is mentioned:
“Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2:6).
Therefore further in all verses in the Old Testament in the Holy Scripture where the word “King” in relation to
the God is mentioned the Son, not Father and not Holy Spirit is submitted, and to confuse these concepts besides
is inadmissible:
“I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King” (Isaiah 43:15);
Speaking only about the Father, we speak about the one God, speaking only about the Son, we speak about the one
God, speaking only about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the one God, speaking about the Father, the Son, the
Holy Spirit, we speak about the one God, but not about one Person. That is why King is only one Person, the Son,
and to name King of the Father or Holy Spirit, it means to suppose mixture of Persons that to make it is
impossible. The Son of God is the one God, eternal King:
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon the throne, high and lifted up, and His
train filled the temple.
Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1,5).
“These things said Isaiah, when he saw His glory, and spoke of Him” (John 12:41), about Son of God, Lord Jesus
Christ, King, Lord of hosts.
“And about the Son: You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work
of Your hands” (Hebrews. 1:8,10);
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is
just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9);
“And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be. “The Lord is one,” And His name one”
(Zechariah 14:9);
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34);
“Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the
Jews” (John 19:19);
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings;
and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14);
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).
“Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; the peoples fall under You” (Psalm 45:5);
“For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2);
“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding” (Psalm 47:6,7);
“For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3);
“Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off» (Isaiah 33:17);
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:7-10).
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the
Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1 Timothy
3:16).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Vladimir Rumyantsev
E-mail: bigroad@olvex.ru
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The section of the wise and foolish builders is basically the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Therefore, in order to understand this final section we must have in perspective the complete Sermon on the Mount that covers chapters 5-7 in the gospel of Matthew. The Sermon of the Mount is a brief summary of the whole message of the gospel preached by Jesus. We can say that it is the gospel in a "nutshell." The wise-foolish builders is an analogy about obedience and disobedience. Jesus uses this analogy to explain who are those that are OBEDIENT and who are those DISOBEDIENT to his teachings. The wise people HEAR the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. The foolish people only LISTEN but not hear the words of Jesus and disobeys them. So, the analogy of the Wise and Foolish builders is about obedience and disobedience. The Wise people obey Jesus and build their house on the rock and the Foolish people disobey Jesus and build their house on the sand. Where is your house build? Are you obedient?
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thankyou for this well thought out extension of the parable of the good samaritan. It certainly left me with a lot to think about.

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Please send me via e-mail or inform me as to where I can obtain a picture of a mustard tree. Thank you!
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Okay, I think I understand your take on this parable. Do these points accurately represent your view?
(1) Jesus's message is to literally make friends of rich people.
(2) These rich people will take care of us if we lose our jobs and homes as a result of persecution.
(3) This is God's explicit will through which he intends to provide for his people and his work through this recruitement of rich people.
(4) These rich people are unbelievers, particularly.
(5) Anyone who does not teach that this is the meaning of this parable is leading the body of Christ astray through false teaching.
(6) These false teachers need to be exposed publicly.
(7) Only congregations who are truly doing the will of God are actively recruiting unsaved rich people to pay the expenses of out of work members and the general expenses of the ministry
(8) This is a supremely important message that you are in danger of damnation to not fulfill it.

Please correct any statement above that does not represent your views.

I have rarely found any value in breaking out and examining Greek words, phrases and usage to support a position. These Greek examinations are almost always used to defend an argument, not establish one. What I mean is, rarely, if ever, do people go to the Greek words to find out what a passage means. They go to the Greek words to defend an interpretation they've already come up with. Don't get me wrong, at first glance I would say there is merit to what you say about the corruption of the original Greek, but I don't think it alters the meaning of the parable. The truth is, most people cannot grasp a wordy, complicated Greek word study designed to change their minds about the meaning of a passage.

Paul was not blowing hot air when he told Timothy to "warn then before God against quarreling about words; IT IS OF NO VALUE, and ONLY RUINS THOSE WHO LISTEN" (2 Timothy 2:14). I can testify that these futile exercises often motivated by the 'pride of knowledge' only serve to further confound and confuse ANY useful understanding of scripture that we might have otherwise received. You have to agree it's a tool of the Devil to confuse and confound, and--worse yet--to divide brethren through strife and envy and the pride of knowledge. If that isn't the Devil's work then I don't know what is.

My wife is one of those people who was 'ruined' by this kind of contentiousness. Instead word studies bringing her deeper into Christ and whetting her appetite for more, it has repelled her away from Bible studies and sharing. I'm ashamed to say many of us truly are 'unaware of his schemes'--meaning the devil--and has swayed us into grudges, strife and quarreling. Why do we think this is a Godly, righteous pursuit?

May I submit my understanding of this parable? I won't agrue with you, I won't condemn you for disagreeing. My sincere hope is that you and others will see some truth, be transformed and grow up into the image and character of our Lord and Savior, filled to overflowing with His joy.

In as few words as possible.
(1) Even unsaved people know how to use wealth to gain friends and influence people.
(2) They do it to insure their future security.
(3) Even an unsaved boss can't help but to admire the shrewdness of his dishonest servant's wisdom--think how the master benefits, too.
(4) Jesus asks why we as the people of light don't consider how we might win the praise our Master in heaven, and gain influence with the people around us for the Kingdom's sake, by being generous with our Master's possesions (worldly possesions--money, and spiritual--forgiveness, mercy...)
(5) Why don't the people of the light do the things that will insure their future security, the things God says we should do?
(6) The Bible interprets/ defends itself: 2 Corinthians 9:11-13 is really what this parable is all about.
(7) As you well know from Jesus's other teaching, it's our actions, our obedience that secures and confirms the promise of the bright future we have in Christ. No action, no promise--no future.

I have questions that one can ask him/herself that bring your interpretation into suspicion. If you'd like I can share those. Let me know.
Can I get an 'amen' from anybody on this?




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does not matter if p-son hated father, dont let hate scare ya it's normal
part of existence in material plane...from some angles we all hate that
we were thrown onto this plane thru no reckoning of our own, and
mostly coerced to accept or deal with it...if we're truly awake/aware
we're being the prodigal son/daugher/entity incessantly in each
here-now moment and so shaping our next moments - even the
luxury of having a little bit of clarity/real-consiousness doesn't
guarantee that we will be comfortably accepted, embraced, cared-for
by some (god, father, mamma) entity...but ownership of how this
parable can really work for you is reeeallly something!

it's neither good nor bad,only thinking tends to make it so.
all men wanna be better and aren't but for lack of knowing how.
this one can only suggest how you might: we get to being parts of
each other this way
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The virgins are the church ofcourse. The wise ones are the church or the body of believers who live wisely in this wicked world and work out their salvation with fear and trembling. They walk by the spirit (oil). They love the bridegroom (Jesus) and stay in wait for him. They live as citizens of heaven.
The foolish ones in contrast although christians, yet fail to live up to the calling. They forget the binding they will have with the bridegroom (Christ), they lack a love realtionship with the bridegroom instead they love the world and the cares and things of the world (sleep). They walk according to their flesh rather than the Holy Spirit indwelling in their hearts. Lukewarmness, worldliness,Shallowness and Immaturity is the characteristics of the foolish ones. They are unprepared for the marriage with the bridegroom. Hence they are left behind and only the wise ones are joined to the bridegroom.
The Bible says the Lord is preparing the bride (Eph 5:27 KJV) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

If the believer is unprepared he will not be raptured but go through the process of refining in the tribulation. These two points must be kept clearly in mind: 1) the kingdom is a reward to the overcoming believers, and 2) rapture requires the maturity of the overcomers.

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There are a few major representations of the "oil". One, in the Old Testaments, it was instructed of Moses, by God, the use of the oil to anoint Aaron, the priest, for service for God. This was a great representation of separation and consecrating unto God to the priesthood. The anointing of God being represented on and in the presents of Aaron, which was also the same as the Holy Spirit in dwelling. Psalms 133:2 describes it as following: "It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body].

It also was the representation the Priests, Kings and Prophets that were anointed. Oil was poured on the head of the person being anointed. Kings were set apart through the ritual of anointing, which was performed by a prophet who acted in God's power and authority.

In the New Testament, anointing was represented with healing. The Holy Spirit's activities in a believer's life are picture in terms associated with anointing. The disciples anointed the sick in Mark 6:13 and James even instructed the elders to anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14).

Also in the New Testament, it represents the HOLY SPIRIT, which brings understanding to the believer (1 John 2:20, 27). The Holy Spirit anoints a person's heart and mind with the love and truth of God's word.
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