The Nature of Knowing
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36 NASB
No one knows – oudeis oiden – not a single being has complete knowledge of. Except the Father. No one at all understands fully, intuitively when that day and hour will come. There is no debating the clarity of Yeshua’s statement. He even excludes Himself. His point is that there is no point in speculation. Leave it to the Father.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t ask why this is the case.
In other works I have argued that the West has adopted a Greek view of time. This view uses the metaphor of a river. It describes time as if all of the events of history were floating on the stream. We stand on the shore observing the passing of time. Those events that have already passed our vantage point are now in the past. Those events that remain upstream, floating toward our point on the shore, are in the future. From the Greek perspective, the events already exist as debris in the river. The only difference between an event in the future and an event in the past or present is our position on the riverbank. With this view of time, predictive prophecy becomes a matter of revealing events that now lie upstream, moving toward us.
But this isn’t the Hebrew view of time. I have argued that the Hebraic view of time is like a series of branches in the road. At each fork, a decision must be made. The real path is the path chosen. All other paths are hypothetically possible, but not real since they do not exist as real choices once I have determined which path to take. In this view, there are no already existing events in the future, waiting to float into view. There are only possibilities that may or may not become actualities. There is no river of events. There are only the present potential choices that will become realities once they are elected. These possible events do not exist until the choices are made.
If this view of time is correct (you can read the entire argument in detail in my book), then Yeshua’s statement makes prefect sense. The future isn’t fixed. Therefore, it is impossible to know it in advance. God alone has the sovereign power and authority to shape the ultimate end of human history because He has the power and authority to override all of the choices moral agents make, but until He exercises that sovereignty, the future is being shaped by every choice made today. The Butterfly Effect is real. You and I are shaping the future with every choice we make. While we might speak about probabilities based on human choices, all other decision-paths of every other kind of being must also fit into the equation and this means that the future is finally unknowable except to a totally sovereign being. That is precisely what Yeshua says.
What’s the bottom line here? Simple. You can’t know, but you can do something about it. Your not knowing is not paralyzing. You can choose to follow His instructions and in so doing, shape the world to come without needing to know what that world will become. You have a hand in God’s purpose and plan. A very big hand, as it turns out. Don’t blow it!
Topical Index: oudeis oiden, no one knows, know, future, time, Matthew 24:36
Don’t blow it!
Hmmm
Well I guess we can pray that our “brief candle” is not blown out by the one above 🙂
Makes me think of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth
Macbeth:
Tomorrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.
Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more.
It is a tale told by an idiot,
full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing
I think that’s what they call “the tragic view of life” 🙂
FOOLISHNESS & BEING AN IDIOT…
THE VOICE OF THE LION:
http://ellerslie.com/Eric_Ludy_Sermons/Entries/2011/11/20_The_Voice_of_the_Lion.html
Delivered by: Eric Ludy
In a time when God’s voice has been emptied of it’s lion-like roar and neutered of its thunderous majesty, this message is deeply significant, making a case for both the kingly-authority of Scripture as well as for the return of old-fashioned preaching in our day and age. This message is also an interesting peek into the fascinating journey Eric Ludy has gone on in gaining the forceful voice he now wields. At the close of this message there is a unique video bonus that demonstrates the “boisterous evolution” of Eric’s speaking voice over the past 17 years of ministry.
THE VOICE OF THE LION
Hi Jan,
Thanks for sharing, I liked the opening with the qoute from Hosea
But in my view, the speaker is a bit too “self-centered” in the bad sense
That is to say he is talking about his view of the world without any textual support
Although I could not listen to the whole lecture, I’m not very attracted to his “worldview”
To attack Mormons or anybody else, without even trying to explain why, is a very bad sign IMO
Michael, you are one to be talking; most every thing you share here is not Biblical & no one ignores your whole message – it would behoove you to know more about the scriptures than classical poety/books & the dead ungodly music you so adore – what an oxymoron are you?!?!?! LOL
…a very bad sign for sure… 😉
jan
i figured the mormon thing would trip your trigger but you have to get past that as you say & not judge since you are such a nonjudgmental person… ♥
what an oxymoron are you?!?!?! LOL
Hi Jan,
Like the girl in the song, partly truth and partly fiction, a walking contradiction 🙂
I did not ignore his message, but his message does not resonate with me
In my view, the songs and poems etc that I share all have a Biblical subtext
Others may disagree and maybe I’m mistaken at times
I thought the speaker was very likable, intelligent, articulate, and charming
In the corporate world he would probably be a VP of Sales and I envy his skillset 🙂
If he had said the Mormons believe A, B, and C and that is sinful
I might have agreed with him, but that is not what he said
And when I got to the point about the Mormons, I wanted meet your expectations
So I reacted accordingly 🙂
Michael,
let me see if i can respond to your comments:
what an oxymoron are you?!?!?! LOL
Hi Jan,
Like the girl in the song, partly truth and partly fiction, a walking contradiction [WHAT GIRL & WHAT SONG – YOU LOST ME ON THIS ONE???]
I did not ignore his message, but his message does not resonate with me [FINE & ACCEPTABLE]
In my view, the songs and poems etc that I share all have a Biblical subtext [I DISAGREE SOME OF IT IS ONLY WORLDLY BUT MAYBE IN YOUR MIND YOU SEE IT AS BIBLICAL SUBTEXT – NOT IN MINE/MIND]
Others may disagree and maybe I’m mistaken at times [VERY TRUE AS WELL ALL OF US]
I thought the speaker was very likable, intelligent, articulate, and charming [PLEEEZE]
In the corporate world he would probably be a VP of Sales and I envy his skillset [THIS IS VERY OFFENSIVE & I’M SURE IT WOULD BE TO HIM ALSO – WHERE IS ONE MIND ONE SPIRIT & BEARING WITNESS OF/WITH ONE ANOTHER??? SO MAYBE HE IS TRYING TO GIVE THE GOSPEL/TRUTH AWAY INSTEAD OF SELLING IT]
If he had said the Mormons believe A, B, and C and that is sinful
I might have agreed with him, but that is not what he said [LOOK – I DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN IN THIS WORLD BUT IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE HOW THE MORMONS BELIEVE & ARE DECEIVED – I’M SURE IF YOU LOOKED AT HIS ARCHIVES OR CONTACTED HIM HE WOULD DIRECT YOU TO A PREVIOUS SERMON OR ARTICLE ON THE THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MORMONS – THIS VIDEO WAS NOT TO BE FOCUSED ON THE STATEMENT ABOUT THE MORMONS & I’M GLAD IT WASN’T – I DON’T NEED TO HEAR ANY FURTHER EXPLANATION ABOUT THE MORMONS & THEIR BELIEFS & DECEPTION]
And when I got to the point about the Mormons, I wanted meet your expectations [WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WANTED TO MEET MY (YOUR) EXPECTATIONS – OH, ABOUT YOUR TRIGGER BEING TRIPPED – THAT IS NOT THE ONLY REASON I POSTED ERIC LUDY’S SERMON – I HAVE POSTED THEM BEFORE WHEN THE MORMONS WERE NOT MENTIONED BUT I THOUGHT IT APROPOS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING CARL IF HE WAS MORMON – SEEMS THE “MORMON” TOPIC/QUESTION IS RELEVANT AT THIS TIME – JUST FUNNY THAT ERIC LUDY MENTIONED THEM IN HIS LATEST SERMON – IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH I MAY SAY – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE MORMONS & THEIR DEEPEST MOST SECRET BELIEFS – NOT JUST THE SURFACE GOOD THEY DO BUT THEIR DECEPTION TOO???]
So I reacted accordingly [OH NOW IT’S MY FAULT THAT I SET YOU UP – NOT GOING TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THAT ONE MICHAEL – NOT GOIN’ DO IT – AS THE CHURCH LADY SAID]
jano 🙂 ♥
SO – YOU KNOW THAT YOU DON’T KNOW IN YOUR KNOWING – MAKES SENSE (SOMETHING KNEW TO KNOW)… NO DEBRIS ON THIS RIVER… ♥
AJS || âĵß || ✈ ✈ ✈ ♥ℒℴѵℯ♥
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Jan and Michael,
Why don’t you guys just exchange private email addresses with each other so you can take your petty bantering/teasing back and forth to a private arena. While you both seem to be getting an adrenal rush from it all, it’s annoying and offensive to others.
Most of us are on this blog site to do some serious spiritual soul searching and digging into Biblical truths and Today’s Word assists us in that journey. Unfortunately, all too often we have to suffer through your immature spats and games with each other that seem to trump your desire to truly know “What God demands of you.”
Well excuse me Ms. Judi Baldwin – i call what i do debate & most of mine is trying to get to the bottom of something spiritual. if that is the view/feeling of – let’s see how you put it: it’s annoying and offensive to *others.* perhaps we should take a vote & see who wants to vote us out of here – or me at least i can’t speak for Michael.
i have always been aware of & thought/perceived this was a place of dialog/debate for all of us but now that you are being the bully monitor here – maybe we should see what Skip says… ♥
i am not getting an adrenal rush from anything on here – you are assuming way to much & i doubt that most feel the same way; if you don’t want to read then when you see it “skip” over it – duh…
🙁
this was uncalled for & mean spirited: “Unfortunately, all too often we have to suffer through your immature spats and games with each other that seem to trump your desire to truly know “What God demands of you.”
i think it matters to much to you what we say to one another – perhaps you need to desire what God/Jesus demands of you – longsuffering, love, patience, mercy, compassion – of which this post has none… 🙁
Judi, do you want me to follow you around & ask you questions & debate you – but i don’t have any questions to what you comment/post because they are not quite as different or worldly than Michael – has anyone else bothered to question his remarks/posts/comments – i guess not – just me – maybe i am his thorn in the flesh & maybe i am his blessing – sorry i make you stumble though & get so angry… 🙁
jan
Hi all,
Can I ask that communication between individuals on the blog site follow Judi’s suggestion. I often get personal emails from people on the blog site who really want to just talk to me. The material on the site really needs to be the kind of thing that is for the group, even if it is addressed to someone’s comment. The web site is intended to be a public forum where we struggle with the material from Today’s Word in an environment that allows everyone to participate.
Thanks Skip for modeling the biblical way. I too should have said what I said in kinder way. Guess I let my impatience get the better of me. Mea culpa.
My apologies to Jan, Michael and everyone for my abrupt tone and words.
Skip & Judi,
i am not sure that Michael would prefer my email address – he may be comfortable with only responding or commenting on this *public* forum – the decision is his & i will render my email address if wanted – i don’t have his email address.
As far as the statement goes Skip: “The web site is intended to be a public forum where we struggle with the material from Today’s Word in an environment that allows everyone to participate.” exactly – it is “public” not “private” – so what is the problem, if it were private i could understand the issue but since it is public – doesn’t that mean everyone??? not just those you want or like on here or that say/type what you want or like???
if this is “supposed” to be an environment that allows everyone to participate – what is the problem – i truly don’t get it??? i am struggling with the comments/responses that Michael makes to what you write/teach – i try to understand & get to the bottom of said/typed comments because i can’t figure out how they correspond sometimes & i would like to know – is that so bad of me??? my question is who is preventing whom from participating??? i do not always respond to Michael’s comments & i make comments of my own that don’t pertain to him but the teaching/article – so what again is the fuss??? i would say this is more a private forum now than a public one – public forums are public – allowing all to participate not excluding those who don’t suit your fancy.
i also see most of the other people that regularly comment/respond doing so & new ones coming on – so really, what is the problem???
if Michael wants my email address he can have it but he might not want it nor want to give me his – so then what would you have me/us do – got any suggestions after that – since this is a public forum???
jan 🙁 ♥
Not to confuse, but today is tomorrow’s yesterday and it is yet also another day that ends in “y.” We (the humans/creatures) are today, the sum total of all the choices we have made. We are also the sum total of unforseen, unchosen Sovereignty and placement. I did not choose my parents- but did they ‘choose’ me? Whether a ‘planned’ pregnancy or not- here am I. I am today- what I am, by the grace of G-d.
I believe in the Sovereignty of G-d. Yeshua (the) Messiah. G-d incarnated in human flesh is LORD. LORD of all. Long before I chose Him- He chose me. Before the foundation of the world- He knew me. Before I was formed in my mother’s womb- He knew me. But of course- I did not know Him.
Do I know Him now? Have I entered into a relationship with the ONE who is my Maker? “Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its Master’s care–but Israel doesn’t know its Master. My people don’t recognize my care for them.” Thy tender care what tongue can recite? It breaths in the air- it shines in the light. Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end! Our Maker-Defender-Redeemer and Friend.
One thing the study of the Hebrew language has taught me, – there are no “compartmentalized” commas, only “-” dashes. His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor-Mighty G-d-Everlasting Father -Prince of Peace. And the child shall be called … “Pele-yoez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom” Amen!- But wait!- there is more..- (always more..)
Yeshua said of Himself- “I and the Father are ONE.” He was human. Fully human. The most fully human being ever to have lived and yet.. He was more than “just a man,”- He was/is a just man, the only perfect Man, the son of man, the Second Adam- ever to have lived and yet.. -He still lives today, for we serve a Living resurrected Savior.
Ah..- the controversial Christ! He is a mystery indeed! So what is it then? Is He the Lamb of G-d or is He the Lion of the tribe of Judah? He, dear friends- is both! So what is it then- is He LORD of the dead or LORD of the living? He is both. Is He LORD of today or is He LORD of tomorrow? He is both. Is He LORD of the macro or LORD of the micro? He is both! Is He LORD of the Hebrew or LORD of the Gentile?- He is both! LORD of time? or LORD of eternity? Yes, He is. He is the “I AM.”
Confusion? or clarity? Is is LORD of the darkness and LORD of all light? Yes- He is. Has the Father given unto Him a Name which is above every Name? Yes, He has.
There is a Lamb seated upon His throne in Heaven. Behold the Lamb. What is His Name? His ‘full’ Name? His ‘given’ Name? Can we know Him? -Have you seen this Man?
~And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for G-d from every tribe and language and people and nation~ (Revelation 5:9) (Who might this be?) -Who is this King of glory?
Skip,
I wonder if there are two issues here that need to be separated so that they do not get confused. One is the question of time. The second issue is the one of knowing the future. The two are related, but they are not the same thing.
It seems the question of time is going to be the same for both Greek and Hebrew. You use the analogy of the river – past, present and future. If both a Greek and a Hebrew stand at the same point on the riverbank with a stop watch that runs for 100 seconds, their view of time will be identical.
However, the other issue, knowing the future, may well be the difference between Greek and Hebrew thought — not of time, but of knowledge of the future.
But I keep wondering about the text you used above: no one knows . . . but the Father alone. So someone knows. It’s just that not everyone knows. And if the Father knows the future, he knows it with certainty and its occurrence is secure. Most certainly the Father’s knowledge will be a whole lot more than Greek cognitive activity. It more than implies there are events upstream somewhere – heading in our direction.
The statement “that the Father knows” does not imply that the future is fixed or that He knows the exact time of the event in question. As I demonstrated in my doctoral work, omniscience is perfectly compatible with an undetermined future. In fact, to suggest that God knows the exact chronological moment of the end creates enormous problems, some of which entail contradictions (see the extended argument in the book about temporal location).
Another point. While the two men on the riverbank will still count the same 100 seconds, you have already set up the analogy in a Greek framework by suggesting that time is merely counting. That succession of discrete intervals is chronos, one of the constituent elements of the Greek idea of time. Better to ask two men to recall their experience of the riverbank. The Greek man tells you that 100 seconds elapsed. The Hebrew tells you about the wonder and awe of the flow, the smell in the air, the colors of the water, the debris floating by. The fact that 100 seconds pass (from a Greek perspective) is irrelevant and unnoticed.
Finally, God the Father is also the only omnipotent being. Therefore, He acts without restraining conditions except those He places on Himself. This implies that He brings the age to a close whenever He determines to do so, and that determination is a choice made on the basis of His knowledge of the conditions of the cosmos. The event is a kairos event. It interrupts the chronology of existence, but it is not determined ahead of time. It simply occurs whenever He decides. God doesn’t have a DayPlanner which has one day and one hour in particular already marked “the End”.
Skip, it seems from these words tht the primary difference you’re offering in the Greek/Hebrew distinction is not the definition of time itself (series of moments) but how time is used and how a series of events or observations might be explained that occurred over that period of time. Have I understood you correctly?
“These possible events do not exist until the choices are made.”
This statement causes me to pause and consider it more thoughtfully. It almost implies that human choice is “holy” (for lack of a more appropriate word). Truthfully, I have come to believe that it is much more important to respect the FREE WILL of others, than I ever realized before I began to study TORAH.
It sounds as if human action is more powerful than we might ordinarily think of it being.
Gayle, you wrote, “It almost implies that human choice is “holy” (for lack of a more appropriate word).”
Indeed it is. I recently (in the last week) watched a video by Dr Frank Seekins which brought a new clarity to the idea of choice from a Hebrew perspective. Here is some more to think about. Disclaimer – this is my understanding of what Dr Seekins was saying – I may not have this completely correct yet, so do some digging yourself.
Many of us have struggled with the statement in Malachi 1:2-3, “…Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.” How is it that God can be so harsh? What we don’t understand is the idea of choice and rejection, because in our culture love and hate describe emotions, not necessarily actions.
When I married my wife, I vowed (as did most of us) to “cleave only to her, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live.” That bit about forsaking all others is, in the Hebrew culture, the same as hating all other women because I love my wife. To say that in a western culture is considered misogynistic, sexist, chauvinistic (and many other unsavoury adjectives). In Hebrew it simply means that I choose my wife over all others. I attach great value (honour) to her and no-one else can take her place.
In our culture, we think we choose what we love i.e. the emotion of loving comes before the choosing. In Hebrew culture, I love what I choose – my love is the act of choosing. For God to say, “Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated” is to say “I have chosen Jacob and rejected Esau.” It’s just a pity that our English translations are so loaded with emotional connotations rather than a description of the actions of God. [As Dr Danny ben Gigi would say, is this a simple misunderstanding or a “value-loaded departure” from the text?]
Now, think about what Yeshua said; “If you love me, keep my commandments”. Or John; “By this we know that we love him, if we keep his commandments”. In other words, we have choices. God’s grace gives us the freedom to choose. In reality, there are only two choices – God’s way, or the way that seems right in my own eyes. If I choose His way, I love Him. If I choose my way, I love me. One way achieves God’s purpose, the other way is idolatry – loving something else instead of God. I can’t love something more than God – I love one and hate the other. Whichever one I choose is the one I love.
Hmmm, what was that thing that Yeshua said about “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (Luk 14:26 ESV)”? That suddenly makes a whole lot more sense.
Rodney,
It seems that you and I have been learning from the same sites. I have recently seen the teachings of the guest speakers, Seekins and ben Gigi, at El Shaddai Ministries. It makes me so grateful for the internet, that we can have this available to us.
Were you at our Bible study last night? LOL! It sounds like you were. It came up in our discussion last night, and I missed the reference in Malachi (Jacob and Esau), but only found the one in Romans 9. Thanks for that help.
One of the major things (to me) that has been brought out through Skip’s teaching is the truth of actions having more value than emotion, in God’s economy. It has made a big difference in my life to embrace that understanding. Is it a stretch to say, “Love is obedience.”?
I don’t think it is a stretch at all. I think we learn that, as we make the right choices, the emotion follows the choice. On the other hand, if the choice follows the emotions, it will often be wrong.
Emotions are not bad – after all, God created them as an integral part of us. Without them we could not feel pleasure, pain, sadness, sorrow, joy, love etc. We have to remember though that our emotions should follow our choices, not be the reason for making them. Oh, how easy that is to say – much harder to do, especially with our cultural conditioning.
A possibly better question is, “Why did God (love/choose) Jacob, and (hate/reject/not-choose) Esau?” Jacob was seemingly the deceptive one, but God does not look on the outside as man does. Who yearned for the father’s blessing? Who was ruled by their stomach (instincts)?
How serious does God take the offense of selling your birthright for what can be put on a plate??
When God seems heavy-handed – it is our moral compass that is off.
Instead of reinterpreting the text in Numbers 15:32-36 (man stoned for Sabbath breaking) because we imagine the scenario a certain way. Why don’t we look at what the scenario must have been, for God to have acted justly. WHY DID MOSES PLACE THIS STORY WHERE HE DID??!! Is there significance to the fact that we find this story between the rebellion of Korah, and the laws for inadvertent and DEFIANT/PURPOSEFUL sins. This man was poking his finger in God’s chest. I don’t believe this is a contrived point-of-view,… based on the textual clues God gives us in His Word.
You have reminded us that the text is not written in our paradigms. In the paradigm of the ancient near east, what the gods do IS what is good. Therefore, men are not equipped (or expected) to put God’s actions before the bar of rational explanation. We need to change OUR definitions, not His. Furthermore, Rodney is correct about the misunderstanding of the Hebrew concepts of Love-Hate. Also we should note that we read the text from our perspective. The verse in context actually confirms God grace poured out on everyone. The context is that God is NOT like a man who determines reactions of the failure and disobedience of another as the guide for response. Rather, God determines His intention to offer grace based solely on HIS predisposition. Take the verse out of context and you get an intolerant God. Leave the text alone and you get a powerful statement of overwhelming grace.
So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and he hardens whomever He wills. (Romans 9.18)
~The LORD isn’t slow to do what He promised, as some people think. Rather, He is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to Him and change the way they think and act~ (2 Peter 3.9)
Michael, Jan, Judy, Skip and “whosoever”- please notice after each of these statements (facts)-there is a scriptural reference. Michael, Jan, Judy, Skip and “whosoever”-~what do the scriptures say?~
This is not my opinion. This is not any man’s opinion- Jew or Greek, Male or female, “saved” or not saved. This is the word of the LORD- straight from G-d’s Book of Instructions- the Lamb’s Book of Life, our Bible.
G-d is compassionate. True or False? How do I know this? How does anyone, Jew or Greek, male or female, know this? Friends, “it is written.” Where is it written? In G-d’s Book. Yes, “just the facts.. m’am, sir.. – “it is written.” Shall we return to “Today’s Word” and listen to Him? G-d speaks to us through His word. Through our Bible- no ordinary book indeed.
I am not going to tell of any movie I have seen, or any celebrity I have heard speaking. I am hungry for the word of G-d, G-d’s word. I want to hear these very words fall from the lips of a man (or woman): “Thus saith the LORD.”
Listen (again for the first time) to these words: “and the word of the LORD came unto……”
What just “happened?”- Friends, G-d spoke. “For the mouth of the LORD has spoken it..” For out of HIs mouth comes what? Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of G-d Almighty.
A sharp sword? Tell us more concerning this “sword.” It is the word of G-d. How does “any man” know this? Once again.. (for the first time) – “it is written.” – ~What do the scriptures say?~ Shall we?
~For the word of G-d is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.~ (Hebrews 4.12) Is this my opinion? Or did this come straight from the source- the word of G-d? Back to the Book.
Why? ~What do the scriptures say?~ “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G-d.” (Ephesians 6:17)
May I? ~the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G-d~ Shall we proceed? Do we need more? (Apparently so..) We are still stuck somewhere in “opinion land..” So- what’s your spin? How shall we spin the word of G-d? What is my opinion? G-d spoke this world into existence. How did He do it? ~And G-d said…~ By speaking. When G-d speaks: “life occurs”
~Every word of G-d is pure~ Huh? How does “any man” know this? “It is written” Can it be anymore clear? Would repetition help here? Three times our Advocate said to our Adversary- “it is written.”
Why did He do this?
Yeshua, the very Son of G-d (and G-d the Son!) defeated hasatan as the son of man. He did this for our sakes, us, me and you and you and you,- in order that we also would say, could say, “it is written.”-
Listen again (for the first time)- “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by?.. (need a hint?)- the word(s) of G-d. (Romans 10.17) Whatever He says- we do. We “shema” the Savior. -Savvy?
Why? ~But Yeshua answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of G-d.~ Yeshua, the son of man, (and son of G-d) said.. “it is written.” He was quoting from Deuteronomy 8.3. He spoke as a man, but ~never a man spoke like this Man.~ (John 7.46)
i gottcha Carl, IT IS WRITTEN:
So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and he hardens whomever He wills. (Romans 9.18)
~The LORD isn’t slow to do what He promised, as some people think. Rather, He is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to Him and change the way they think and act~ (2 Peter 3.9)
Michael, Jan, Judy, Skip and “whosoever”- please notice after each of these statements (facts)-there is a scriptural reference. Michael, Jan, Judy, Skip and “whosoever”-~what do the scriptures say?~
This is not my opinion. This is not any man’s opinion- Jew or Greek, Male or female, “saved” or not saved. This is the word of the LORD- straight from G-d’s Book of Instructions- the Lamb’s Book of Life, our Bible.
SO IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT Michael, Jan, Judy, Skip OR WHOSOEVER SAYS/TYPED BUT WHAT THE WORD OF GOD/JESUS SAYS… ♥
JAN