The Weekend Bible Study - with Ronald L. Dart: Recent Episodes
Ronald L. Dart
In the pages of your Bible, you may find something mildly surprising. You find holidays, quite prominently, and in both Testaments. Not only that, but they are found observed by the Church in the New Testament. These festivals are called the appointed times of Jehovah and around them flow the entire history of the people of God—from the Israelites, to the Jews, to the Christians of every race and nation. And not only the history of God’s people, but their future as well.
I first began celebrating the festivals of the Bible nearly 50 years ago, but I can’t say that I really understood them in the beginning. What I did was to follow the old rule: When all else fails, do as you’re told. So, since God said to do it, and all I had to do was take off work and go to church, I thought, Let’s do that. That was a simple first step. And because it was the custom to teach and study the meaning of the days in their seasons, year by year I learned the rich history of God’s dealings with his people, especially at those pivotal points in their history, like the original Passover.
To those of us who have been keeping the holy days for years—in some cases, for all of our lives—the practice seems so natural, so right. We all know what blessings we get from it, we all know how encouraging it is to us, we know what it means to us to spend that eight days together and how uplifted we can be when we go home from the Feast of Tabernacles. The scriptures supporting the practice seem so obvious. Why doesn’t everyone see it? Why, we wonder, doesn’t everyone observe the holy days?
The most obvious reason, frankly, is that most Christians know little or nothing about the holy days. They just have never heard of them. One person will say Feast of Tabernacles, and another will say, What? They just frankly have no idea. For many of them, the Old Testament is about as uncharted as the Atlantic was for Christopher Columbus. They really don’t know where anything is if they wanted to look for it.
For those that are maybe a little more familiar with the Bible, the holy days have been dismissed as being Jewish and irrelevant to Christians. That’s part of the Old Testament religion, and we have a New Testament religion; and they just make that simple demarcation and never really inquire any further along the line.
A few people, on the other hand, have studied the subject and arrived at a conscious decision not to observe the holy days. Why? What is the rational, philosophic, theological, or scriptural basis for people to make that decision?
I found to my surprise that studying the reasons that people advance as to why they do not keep the holy days has turned out to be a very useful study. A number of very interesting things have arisen from it—things that I guess I had taken for granted, had not really looked at as carefully as I might have done; and in the process of asking myself the question that I’ve asked you—Why is it everybody doesn’t keep the holy days?—and beginning to look carefully at the reasons advanced by those who don’t, I have found some things that have turned out to be rather interesting to me.
Note: The article Ron mentions in the conclusion of this message later became an appendix in his book on the holy days, The Thread, titled In Defense of the Holydays. That appendix can be read here.
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 18:1–4 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from mount Sinai, which brings forth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Galatians 4:22–26 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then are you Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:26–29 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 2:20–21 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
Paul's epistle to the Galatians may be the most controversial book in the New Testament. It's been studied, it's been talked about, it's been argued about for generations. In fact, there are indications in the New Testament itself that it became a focus of controversy in the first century.
Why? Why this confusion? Who were these Galatians, and what was the nature of the problem that arose in this area?
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father: To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:1–5 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deception of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:8–10 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them who are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, to the unknown god. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; And has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us[.]
Acts 17:22–27 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring what miracles and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the rest of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does all these things.
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from defilements of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Acts 15:12–21 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, being before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out[.]
Acts 14:11–14 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that call not common. This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Now while Peter wondered in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek you.
Acts 10:13–19 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the goads. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Acts 9:3–9 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him […] and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Acts 17–20 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord comes:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:17–21 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Who also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
Acts 1:9–12 KJ2000
[Paul_Study_Questions_Link]
The holy days in Israel were prophetic, illustrating God's plan through annual cycles that reflected his work and intentions. Although the people of Old Testament times might not have fully grasped their significance, these holy days carry profound meaning for Christians today.
One of these, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost and was a time to thank God for the bounty received. It required the firstfruits of the harvest to be offered to God before the harvest could be enjoyed. This act symbolized the beginning of a seven-week period of work, culminating in Pentecost. Although we may have distanced ourselves from these agricultural roots, Pentecost remains a festival of thanksgiving for the harvest.
The seven weeks leading up to Pentecost represent the Messiah's work—from his acceptance by God as the first of the firstfruits until his return and the establishment of his kingdom. This period was marked by labor, punctuated by rest, symbolized by the seven Sabbaths leading up to Pentecost.
In this prophetic scheme, these weeks highlight the long period of Christ's work gathering his firstfruits, culminating in his return. Join us as we delve deeper into these profound truths and explore their significance for Christians today.
One week from tomorrow is Pentecost, otherwise known as the Feast of Firstfruits. Traditionally, we have said that Pentecost pictures the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It's not hard to figure out why, because on that first Pentecost of the church (a day often called the birthday of the New Testament church) the Holy Spirit was poured out in incredible power.
The description of those events in Acts 2 is enough, even 2,000 years later, to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck and marvel at what that might have been like. There was a great noise like a tornado that filled the room, and fire descended—shimmering sheets of fire through the ceiling and across the top of the room, then a tongue that descended upon each of those present. That must have been incredible, and one can only imagine. I don't think they expected it; I can't imagine they did. There's not a hint that they had a clue as to what was going to take place on that day. We've talked a lot about that over the years, and of course, the natural presumption then is that Pentecost pictures the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
However, there's a scripture back in John 20 that I'm frequently asked about relative to this entire question. It poses a puzzler. In John 20:19, after Jesus had risen from the dead and presented himself to his disciples, we're told The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, Peace be unto you. When he had said it, he showed them his hands and his side, and his disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, Peace be unto you. As my Father has sent me, even so send I you. When he had said this, he breathed on them and said, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whosoever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them, and whosoever sins you retain, they are retained.
Now, there are myriad questions that arise from this—the questions about the remission of sin, the questions of the retention of sin, just how much authority did he grant to them, and what it meant is all of interest. But of special interest today is the question: If they received the Holy Spirit at this time (which was nearly 50 days prior to Pentecost) why do we look at the Feast of Pentecost and say that it pictures the receiving of the Holy Spirit? Was this event merely symbolic? Some people believe that it was—that nothing actually happened at this time, that it was a symbolic act, and that the actual receiving of the Holy Spirit would not take place until the day of Pentecost. Yet there's really nothing here to tell you that that's what happened. So, was it symbolic, or did something actually happen? Is there significance in the difference between Jesus in a room with his disciples, touching them and breathing on them, and saying, Receive ye the Holy Spirit, on the one hand, and this incredible outpouring of power that took place on the other?
The days between Passover and Pentecost were heady days for the first disciples. Jesus had been raised from the dead after they thought he was gone forever. They were joyful beyond belief. Down through the generations all sorts of people have tried to duplicate that excitement of the Pentecost. The problem is it's all been artificial, contrived, manipulated. But man-made excitement is temporary, and when the excitement is gone it may leave depression behind as a legacy. What the disciples were feeling during this period of time was certainly nothing like man-made excitement. They had a joy that I don't think we quite can understand. They also had a challenge before them of enormous proportions.
I want to come today to four ideas that we need to take a look at, instead of just looking for some sort of excitement. They form a neat acronym: C.O.P.E.. These ideas, frankly, can transform your life and can also turn your church around in its tracks, if you just understand what is meant by these four words.
(Apologies for the relatively poor audio of this message. Use the yellow bar at the top of this page & request a free emailed/printed transcript to help you follow along.)
Before I get too involved in the study, there’s something I want us all to think about. The technical discussions about the Passover will never have an end. What’s important is that we do not let them distract from what is important. When we come to partake of the symbols of Jesus’ shed blood and broken body, it’s important that our hearts and minds are focused—not on some novelty or argument—but on Jesus Christ and what he has done for us.
With that said, grab a glass of milk and a cookie, open your Bible, and let’s take a look at what John has to say about the Passover.
5 After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
6 Then came he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord, do you wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter.
8 Peter said unto him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash you not, you have no part with me.
9 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus said to him, He that is washed needs not except to wash his feet, but is clean completely: and you are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was seated again, he said unto them, Know you what I have done to you?
13 You call me Teacher and Lord: and you say rightly; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.John 13:5–14 KJ2000
And he said unto them, Behold, when you are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in. And you shall say unto the owner of the house, The Master says unto you, Where is the guest room, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And when the hour came, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luke 22:10–14 KJ2000
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. We are glad to be with you and thank you for allowing us to make this weekly service possible.
We continue with Ronald L. Dart’s timely series on one of the most sacred and widely-observed religious holidays—the Passover. Tonight, the Passover according the Luke.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, You know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Matthew 26:1–5 KJ2000
This is important as to intent and circumstances, because there is a theory that Jesus was indeed killed on the 15th, which was the Feast day. They wanted it out of the way before the Feast. But above all, this speaks to the decay of the religion of the Temple elite, that they would contemplate murder. Here is a question for discussion: They knew the commandment, Thou shalt not kill. How do you think they justified killing Jesus?
And the Lord spoke unto Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the Passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month at evening ye shall keep it in his appointed season. According to all the rites of it and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it. And Moses spoke unto the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover. And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at evening in the Wilderness of Sinai. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.
Numbers 9:1-5
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we continue our timely presentation by Ronald L. Dart on the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, and one of the most sacred and widely observed religious holidays, the Passover.
And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them: Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation. Ye shall do no work therein; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. On the fourteenth day of the first month at evening is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the Lord; seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. On the first day ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work therein.
Leviticus 23:1–8
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Join us tonight as we continue our special and timely presentation by Ronald L. Dart on the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, and one of the most sacred and widely observed religious holidays, the Passover.
In studying the Passover, I am reminded there is an illusion that people have a hard time shedding. It is that all questions of faith and practice are covered in detail in Scripture. It should be obvious that is not true. Why aren’t they? Because there isn’t enough paper in the world to print the law books that would require. And God is not a nit picker. He is the shepherd of our souls. Life is too complicated to run with a set of rules.
So what are we supposed to do? How can we know what is right? One approach is legalism. Everything is governed by the letter of the law. It doesn’t work and leads to all manner of misery. Another approach is authoritarianism. It keeps people together, but it destroys freedom, which is a fundamental biblical value. So how did God design things so we would know what to do?
God established, in Israel and in the church an authority structure to decide doubtful matters. It is the only way we can be held together on these things. What was the authority in the Old Testament?
If there arise a matter too hard for you in judgment, between bloodsheds, between legal rights, and between assaults, being matters of controversy within your gates: then shall you arise, and get you up into the place which the Lord your God shall choose; And you shall come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show you the sentence of judgment: And you shall do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall show you; and you shall observe to do according to all that they inform you: According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do: you shall not decline from the sentence which they shall show you, to the right hand, nor to the left. And the man that will act presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and you shall put away the evil from Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:8–12 KJ2000
And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in unto your houses to slay you. And you shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
As Spring approaches, and the season of Christ’s last days before his death & resurrection draws near, we reprise Ronald L. Dart’s series of studies on the Passover—in both the Old Testament and New.
And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in unto your houses to slay you. And you shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.
Exodus 12:22–24 KJ2000
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was necessary for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into licentiousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:3–4 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:19–21 ESV
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:1–4 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
And for this reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge self control; and to self control patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5–8 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously: Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.
For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21–25 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 1:24–25 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
Come now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is rusted; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as if it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days. […]
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain. Be also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near.
James 4:1–3,7–8 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
James 1:1–2 KJ2000
[GE_Study_Questions_Link]
In Romans, Paul speaks of our inexorable duty toward God, as well as duty toward the church. But he also develops a concept of duty towards civil government. The 13th chapter of Romans is fairly familiar to most of us, and today I’d like us to take a look at this particular concept. It is very important, and to really understand it—to really grasp what Paul is saying—we have to understand the historical background in which these words were written.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’s sake.
6 For, for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.Romans 13:1–7 KJ2000
That is a fascinating scripture even taken in our modern context. What should this mean to us? What obligations goes this lay upon us today? What is our relationship to the civil government in our time? Even before asking these questions, however, I’d like to take us back to the time when Paul wrote this…
(This message is a direct continuation of Romans: The Heart of the Gospel.)
My perspective has changed on the Book of Romans. It’s not that I didn’t understand it before, but there are a lot of different ways of looking at this book. There are a lot of historical concepts that one might not be aware of, leaving some things left unseen.
In the process of studying it, I began to ask myself a lot of questions about this book. One thing has become very clear to me: It is easily the most important of all the New Testament epistles. I am sometimes hesitant to say the most or the greatest or the best, as superlatives are sometimes a little hard to support. But in the case of the Book of Romans, it is easy to support—and for a deceptively simple reason…
As we work our way through these last chapters of Romans, it’s a good thing to remember what a different world those disciples lived in compared to ours. The recipients of this letter lived and worked in the Eternal City—Rome. And this Rome was the center of empire—a very powerful place. Morally, the place was bankrupt. Being the one great power in the world had the obvious effects of power—it corrupted. The pagan religions were, at one level, a very big deal, but I often find myself wondering just how seriously they took it all.
Having left these previous religious backgrounds, there was quite a variety of belief among the disciples in Rome. They must have come from every corner of the empire, bringing with them every kind of religion. Paul wants them to be understanding and tolerant of one another’s peculiarities. They didn’t have to be tolerant of sin, but there was a wide range of custom to be tolerated. He begins chapter 14:
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:1–4 ESV
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
At this point in Romans, Paul seems to be moving away from his preoccupation with the Jewish Christians, and starts talking like a pastor. That said, we still need to remember who the first readers of this letter were and how it would impact them. What does it mean, for example, to offer your body as a living sacrifice?
Well, normally, a sacrifice was slain. We are to be a living sacrifice. And it is our bodies—not merely our hearts and minds. We are to act with our feet, our hands, our bodies, as a sacrifice to God. Now, to be sure, their bodies were in danger in that world, but they had to throw themselves into the fight, anyhow.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV ’84
Paul’s word choices here for what some translations render spiritual service of worship deserve a closer look. So let’s get started this evening in Romans, chapter 12.
I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. Romans 9–11 shows us that Paul had not expected the lack of response (or even hostile response) he received in synagogues all over his mission field. Here, he shares with us the thought process he went through trying to understand their reaction.
He begins with the emphatic assertion it would not necessarily be the natural children of Abraham who are God’s children, but the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. Why is this important? Remember, Paul is thinking of his readers in mostly Jewish terms. Why? Well, because at this time most of the Christians in the world were Jews. Those who weren’t were often "God-fearers"—associated with Judaism and synagogue before they ever became Christians. To them he says:
[…] I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Not as though the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel, who are of Israel: Neither, because they are the descendants of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your descendants be called. That is, They who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the descendants.
Romans 9:2–8 KJ2000
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:1–7
All of us go through stages of learning in our Bible study. Each time we read something like Paul’s letter to the Romans, we see it with new eyes. Unless, of course, we feel as though we have been given approved explanations and put them in a box, put a ribbon on it, stick it on a shelf, and lay it aside. If you don’t do that—if you keep if open to where you can see it—you’ll learn some things.
The problem with dogma is it tends to prevent growth. A given doctrine or dogmatic reading of a passage leads us to think we have arrived. And in this life, folks, we never arrive at our final destination. And what I’ve found is that cultivating an open mind is an important element of continuing to grow.
Now, I’ve done Romans before. I taught it in college for about seven years; I’ve done it in The Life and Teachings of Paul; I’ve done in on radio in the Christian Origins series; and yet every time I come back in here the idea develops further. Peter understood this about Paul’s letters, writing:
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:15–18
I don’t want to suggest that there aren’t places where we know exactly where we are, and the 3rd chapter of Romans closed with a mile marker—it’s unmistakable—as we begin today’s study in Romans, chapter 4.
The second chapter of Romans begins with a Therefore. Any time you see that in Paul’s letters, you need to pay attention, because it means what follows depends on what has just been said. Paul does that a lot, and the people who put in the chapter breaks seem to miss it a lot. (Nevertheless, we won’t quibble on that.)
It comes on the heels of paragraph that began in chapter 1, verse 28. We’ll go back there briefly.
Furthermore, since they [Gentile philosophers] did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1:28–32 NIV ’84
Back in the good, old days in the heyday of Biblical scholarship (especially those German schools of scholarship) lots and lots of people were doing computer analyses on Paul’s epistles and said, Well, we don’t think Paul wrote all of his epistles. We think he may have written Galatians and a couple of others. Actually, there are fewer scholars these days who do that. They’re beginning to understand the fallacy of it. In fact, I knew it right from the get-go. When you understand that a man dictated these letters to a scribe, and the scribe was scribbling all this stuff down, it’s easy to see how his style might vary from letter to letter. Not only that, but when you have been writing as long as I’ve been writing, and you go back and read some of the junk that I wrote in previous years…Somebody, one of these years, if they ever cared enough, would run mine through a computer and say, No, no, no, no. Ron wrote that early stuff, but there was some better writer doing this later stuff.
Now, you should know this about all that: scholars have to publish or perish, and they have to somehow establish their alleged objectivity. That means they can’t take the approach of a believer and get published in scholarly journals. They not only have to do their master’s theses and please a professor, their doctoral dissertations and impress a committee, they have to publish more than that in journals and in books. And they can’t just say the same thing over and over again. Remember, scholars are like city buses downtown: if you don’t like where this one is going, just wait—there’ll be another one along shortly going somewhere else. Fortunately for us, though, that system has worked remarkably well in some aspects, because if a scholar gets way out on a limb somewhere and says, Oh, no, Paul didn’t write Romans or didn’t write this or didn’t write that, another scholar will come along and hold his feet to the fire, and he can make his bones by showing how the other scholar was wrong. And over time they have done a credit-worthy job of putting the original documents into our hands in a language we can understand. And we ought to salute and say, Thank you, guys, but we should not elevate them or put them on a pedestal.
Now, not long ago I was watching a biography of Thomas Jefferson, and the narration of the story was being done by a lineup of historians and scholars—one after another. It was actually seamlessly put together and was a pretty good job. But as I listened, I slowly came to wonder, Why am I listening to these fellows tell me what Jefferson thought when I could have Jefferson tell me himself. So I turned the thing off, got up on the internet, and ordered Jefferson’s autobiography. I was kind of shocked when I got it. It is easily the shortest autobiography I have ever read, and from a man I really would like to know a lot about—a truly remarkable man. So I could spend a lot of time telling you what scholars have said about Paul. But, hey, we have his letters right here in our hands. Just like we can get a hold of Jefferson’s letters, maybe we should go right to the source. At the Feast [in the sermon Romans 9–11], I thought I recalled that Paul had written Romans from Ephesus. As it happens, the best information we have suggests it was written from Corinth. Although I don’t think that’s certain at all. He may have written it on the boat, going from one place to another. I tend to be a little impatient with lectures on the background of New Testament books, but let’s take just a moment to acquaint ourselves with the likely time and place. Acts 18, verse 1…
Links to the articles quoted by Ron are below:
- Peggy Noonan - My Brothers and Sisters
- Thomas Friedman - The Source of Muslim Rage
Allow us to extend apologies in advance, for today we are enlisting all of you as active participants in a real estate case. You are being empaneled as a jury to deliberate a significant matter concerning a vast piece of land. Picture this expanse: it stretches from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq. Yes, it's a colossal piece of land. The pivotal question before you today is: Who owns Palestine?
As the saying goes, possession is nine points of the law, but that doesn’t deter us from bringing this matter into the courtroom and delving into the fundamental inquiries of moral and legal rights to the land. Whose land is it by rightful ownership? The Palestinians have raised grievances, asserting that the Israelis arrived later and usurped their land. Conversely, the Israelis claim historical precedence, contending they occupied the land long before the Palestinians did. Yet, there were inhabitants even before the ancestors of the Israelis, the Israelites, laid claim to it.
To illustrate the complexity of establishing ancient land titles, allow us to share an analogous situation. Some time ago, our endeavor involved attempting to purchase a piece of property near Lake Palestine. We sought lakefront property, contemplating the possibility of relocating our offices there at one point. This property, however, was held as an undivided interest by several families, all descendants of a slave to whom the land had been originally granted after the Civil War. The property, a mere 40 acres, had never been willed to anyone. It continued to pass by right to his children, their children, and so forth. It seemed nearly impossible to buy the property as unanimous consent from all the descendants was required.
Interestingly, many properties in this region trace their ownership back to Spanish land grants. These grants were bestowed by the King of Spain to settlers in this part of the world, and they were based on the divine right of kings, where kings, as representatives of God on Earth, could deed God’s property to the people. Similar historical patterns are discernible in various regions, such as the Louisiana Purchase from the King of France and the land grants from the King of Spain in Texas. Examining these historical documents reveals that the deeds trace back to the rights granted by a king or a governing body that acted in the role of a king.
Similarly, the original titles to Palestine, and even more, were granted by a king. This narrative begins in Genesis, Chapter 12. The Lord spoke to Abraham, instructing him to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house and venture into a land that God would reveal. This land was promised as an inheritance: I will make you a great nation… and I will give this land to your descendants.
Abraham, accompanied by his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot, embarked on this journey. However, the Canaanites already occupied the land, possessing it, though without any established ownership. The Lord appeared to Abraham, reaffirming that the land would belong to his descendants. Abraham marked his presence by building altars, a religious act, yet perhaps akin to planting surveyor's stakes, signifying the promised inheritance. These altars symbolized benchmarks as Abraham surveyed the land, claiming it as the land promised to him and his descendants.
Later, in the 13th chapter of Genesis, God reiterated this promise, extending the boundaries of Abraham’s future inheritance: For all the land that you see, will I give it to you.
In our quest to understand the ownership of Palestine, we must explore these historical intricacies, acknowledging the divine promises, human possession, and the delicate balance between moral and legal rights. The ancient deeds, though rooted in time, continue to shape the narratives and disputes of our contemporary world.
So, as we venture deeper into this historical inquiry, we invite you, our esteemed jury, to unravel the layers of the ancient deed, exploring the nuances that define the rightful ownership of this land. Welcome to the journey through history, faith, and the intricate tapestry of human existence.
Find out more by listening to Palestine #1, and thank you for joining us on this insightful exploration.
NavigationPalestine #2 >>
A crisis is an unstable time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending. It’s that moment when something will happen which will change everything that comes after it in a crucial way.
After leaving the bondage of Egypt, Israel had come to a place in the desert just south of Palestine—the land they were instructed to go into, conquer, occupy, and in which they were to flourish. Before they left Sinai, God had told them:
You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the children of Israel.
Exodus 19:4–6 KJ2000
Encamped in that desert—in Camp Crisis—Israel faced a decision.
All too often, Bible prophecy is misconstrued or misappropriated.
The Apostle Paul told us in 1 Corinthians that prophecies can fail:
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV
Prophecies often don’t pan out for two simple reasons. First of all, we need to realize that prophecies are conditional. One need only to look at what happened in Nineveh to know that prophecies aren’t written in stone. And secondly, prophecy is often misinterpreted.
Because prophecy is often dual and most of Bible prophecy involved ancient Israel, it behooves us to know as much about Israel’s history as possible in order to determine whether or not a particular prophecy might be applicable to these latter days.
Now, Ronald L. Dart with part 7 in this study on History and Prophecy.
Many prophecies in the Bible are dual. There can be a type and an anti-type of prophetic events. The type is the first occurrence of any given prophecy and it foreshadows the anti-type, which is a similar prophecy that would come later.
If we’re unaware of the first fulfillment of a prophecy in ancient Israel and why it was given, how would we know about the anti-type, or second fulfillment of the prophecy or why it was given?
God sternly warned, through the Prophet Hosea:
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
Hosea 4:6
It’s appears as though ignorance of the law is no excuse for not keeping it.
Now, Ronald L. Dart with part 6 in our study on History and Prophecy.
In the process of relating the events of history to prophecies, let’s ask if we can come to deeper understanding of prophecy and prophets. We need to understand more clearly the historical situation in which the prophets fit: Where is he, when was it, what was going on at the time?
We now have an opportunity to put that concept to the test. We come to one of the earliest of the prophets and one that you are very familiar with.
First of all let's set the time. We're about 150 years, at this point in time, after the division of the kingdoms between Jeroboam and Rehoboam—when Jeroboam split off the ten northern tribes, and changed the timing of the Holy Days of God. He also changed the worship—the outward form of worship—and he even changed the priesthood. All of these things are pointed out as Jeroboam's sin which he did which caused all Israel to sin.
So the time is about 150 years after the division of the kingdoms; and if you took, let's say, the American Revolution in 1776 and moved 150 years forward (just to give the perspective), you would be looking at the year 1926. That would be the length of time that has passed.
A king now comes to the throne, another one named Jeroboam; and we will call him Jeroboam II, who will reign for 41 years. That would bring us from 1926 up to the date of 1967. So you’re dealing with a rather lengthy period of time in Israel's history.
During this period of time, there are three significant prophets in this man's lifetime who come on the scene in the ten northern tribes. Let’s take a look.
There have been many interpretations regarding the time of Christ’s return. How could there be so many different opinions? Could it be that all too often people make their assumptions by looking at the future instead of investigating the past?
We would be wise to heed the words of King Solomon:
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, Look! This is something new? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Now, he may not have been talking specifically about prophecies in this passage, but what he stated can certainly apply to what we are learning in this series of Bible studies.
I’m Ronald Dart. Thank you for joining us for part 4 in our study of History and Prophecy.
As we progress in this study of History and Prophecy, we’re beginning to see a difference in the conduct of the kings in the Northern Ten Tribes of Israel compared with the kings of Judah.
God had a message for Jeroboam:
Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus says the Lord God of Israel, Since I exalted you from among the people, and made you ruler over my people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it you: and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes[.]
1 Kings 14:7–8 KJ2000
The history of Israel and how God dealt with them throughout the centuries is imperative for us to know as we examine the ancient prophecies. If history repeats itself, it’s very probable that prophecies repeat themselves as well.
I’m Ronald Dart. Now let’s listen to part 3 of this important study of History and Prophecy.
So many people jump right into the middle of a study of the prophets, without an adequate understanding of history and find themselves totally at sea in some cases, not understanding what at all the prophet was talking about and jumping to the wrong conclusions in other cases. One of the more interesting cases in point can be found over in the book of Hosea if you would like to turn over there with me momentarily before we go back to First Kings.
In Hosea, an interesting statement is made very early in his prophecy. God is speaking through Hosea to Israel and He says in Hosea 2:11 "I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts."
Now the implication of this, some people look at this and I have actually seen this Scripture quoted as a proof text to show that the Holy Days would one day be done away with and superficially reading across the top of it, you might very well arrive at that conclusion. The problem is that the people who would make that decision and you yourself as a matter of fact, reading through this area without necessarily having the understanding of the history behind this might arrive at a conclusion like that. You might try to say "When will it be". The context doesn't allow a post-millennial cessation of these festivals. This seems to be a time of Israel's trouble at the very end time.
Well, if you had understood that Hosea was not a prophet writing to Judah, but was a prophet writing to Israel, very late in their history, actually at the time of King Jeroboam the second, not Jeroboam the first that we have been reading about. If you understood that Jeroboam had changed the Holy Days of God and that the ten northern tribes never observed the Holy Days that you and I are acquainted with from Leviticus 23, you would never arrive at such a conclusion.
For indeed, the instant they divided the kingdom, as soon as Jeroboam had settled himself in the North, he established a different feast on the 15th day of the eighth month, changed the Feast of Tabernacles and implication is, he changed far more than that.
Some have said that prophecy is history written in advance. Well, that may not be altogether accurate, but it is accurate to say that your knowledge of history plays a very important role in your understanding of prophecy.
The Lord God of Israel mocked the false gods by saying this:
Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods[.]
Isaiah 41:22–23 NIV
In other words, we need to have a good grasp of history if we want to have a good grasp of prophecy.
I’m Ronald Dart, and I hope you enjoy this study on History and Prophecy as much as I did putting it together.
Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.Proverbs 1:20–23 ESV
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: [...] Before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12:1–2,6–8 KJ2000
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Ecclesiastes 9:14–16 KJ2000
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. For what has the wise more than the fool? what has the poor, who knows to walk before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and grasping after the wind.
Whatever has been is named already, and it is known that this is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. Since there are many things that increase vanity, how is man the better? For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 6:7–12 KJ2000
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 KJ2000
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man's heart.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:8–11 NIV
In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
And Solomon said, You have shown unto your servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1 Kings 3:5–10 KJ2000
There were three major periods in the preparation of the apostles for the work that laid ahead of them: first, they had three-and-a-half years of watching Jesus work; hearing him teach; asking him questions; and, finally, watching him die. This was their first huge preparation period—the three days that Jesus was in the tomb would have been the worst days of their lives. But that all ended with the resurrection.
Then began 40 days of visits by Jesus. They were to be able to ask questions, get answers, and get things clarified that they had not quite had straight before. Here is where they were able to make sense of so many things that Jesus had said and done.
Now, after Jesus' ascension, they had to somehow attach meaning to everything that had happened. Ten days were not very long, but they could begin to get the bricks into place.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. It is good to be with you and we thank you for being there and allowing us to make this weekly service possible.
Over the past few weeks, we've followed Ron Dart in taking a closer look at the Passover, the resurrection of Christ, and the beginning of the countdown to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. As we find commanded in Leviticus 23:
From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain...a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:15–17 NIV
This weekend concludes those seven weeks, so tonight we'll join Mr. Dart in examining this time of year and its accompanying harvest—both of grain and of men.
I think the disciples had spent the last five weeks in a state of shock. They were running high before Jesus was arrested and crucified, and it's hard to imagine their thoughts after he was dead and buried. Jesus had told them this would happen, but they still did not anticipate it. So it makes some sense that Jesus would spend a lot of time with them in these days after the resurrection—talking with them, teaching them, and helping them understand the meaning of all he had said before.
Over the past few weeks, we've followed Ron Dart in taking a closer look at the Passover, the resurrection of Christ, and the beginning of the countdown to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. As we find commanded in Leviticus 23:
From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain...a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:15–17 NIV
This weekend concludes the fifth of those seven weeks, so tonight we'll join Mr. Dart in examining this time of year and its accompanying harvest—both of grain and of men.
Sheep, grain, bread, salt, seeds. In the gospels, Jesus uses many metaphors when describing both the harvest that is before us and our own roles as workers, bringing in that harvest.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. It is good to be with you and we thank you for being there and allowing us to make this weekly service possible.
Over the past few weeks, we've followed Ron Dart in taking a closer look at the Passover, the resurrection of Christ, and the beginning of the countdown to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. As we find commanded in Leviticus 23:
From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain...a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:15–17 NIV
This weekend concludes the third of those seven weeks, so tonight we'll join Mr. Dart in examining this time of year and its accompanying harvest—both of grain and of men.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve followed Ron Dart in taking a closer look at the Passover, the resurrection of Christ, and the beginning of the countdown to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. As we find commanded in Leviticus 23:
From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain…a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:15–17 NIV
This weekend concludes the second of those seven weeks, so tonight we’ll join Ron in examining this time of year and its accompanying harvest—both of grain and of men.
Some nineteen-hundred-and-seventy or so years ago today, the disciples of Jesus were still reeling from the events of the last week and a half. I imagine they were walking into things when they were paying attention because they were so stunned. When you consider all their hopes that had been dashed on the day of the crucifixion, and what had happened to them on the day of the resurrection of Jesus and their encounters with him on that day, they must have all been walking around in a fog for quite some time after that.
It would have been just a few days ago that they were all together. The doors were shut where they were assembled out of fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared and stood in the middle of them. He said:
[...] Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive you the Holy Spirit: Whosoever's sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever's sins you retain, they are retained.
John 19:20–23 KJ2000
That is a heavy commission and an enormous responsibility, to say the least. To understand it, we must begin by first looking at two other scriptures—the first in Matthew, chapter 16.
Simon Peter said unto them, I am going fishing. They said unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth and entered into a boat immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have ye any meat? And they answered Him, No. And He said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it in for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, It is the Lord!
John 21:3–7
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. It is good to be with you and we thank you for being there, which allows us to make this weekly service possible.
Tonight (after we conclude his series on the Passover, we'll join Ronald L. Dart as he chronicles the events that took place in the seven weeks after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus with a presentation from the CEM Vault titled, From Passover to Pentecost.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which you also have received, and wherein ye stand, by which ye also are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you—unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He arose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve, and that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. And last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all—yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinthians 15:1–10
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. We are glad to be with you and thank you for allowing us to make this weekly service possible.
Tonight Ronald L. Dart follows up his in-depth series on the Passover with a special presentation titled, The Resurrection Story.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Weekend Bible Study. It’s good that we can get together during these weekly sessions to study the precious Word of God.
In John 6:35 Jesus declared:
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
In Matthew 5:6 He said:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
I’m Ronald Dart. Pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee and settle in as we turn the pages of The Resurrection Story. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting and spiritually filling.
And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? And some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed and gave it to Him to drink, saying, Let him alone. Let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down. And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion who stood opposite Him saw that He so cried out and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly, this Man was the Son of God!
Mark 15:33–39
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart concludes his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And in the evening He came with the twelve. And as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, one of you who eateth with Me shall betray Me.” And they began to be sorrowful and to say unto Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” And He answered and said unto them, “It is one of the twelve that dippeth with Me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goeth, as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born.” And as they ate, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, “This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.
Mark 14:17–26
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And when they were come, they said unto him, Teacher, we know that you are true...Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he said unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.
Mark 12:14–17
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And when they came near to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sent forth two of his disciples, And said unto them, Go your way into the village opposite you: and as soon as you are entered into it, you shall find a colt tied, on which never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do you this? say that the Lord has need of him; and immediately he will send him here. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside in a place where two ways met; and they loosed him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What are you doing, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and spread them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that came in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Mark 11:1–10 KJ2000
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Mark 10:1–9
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Mark 9:1–7
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And he came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Mark 8:22–26 KJ2000
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
He said unto them, How many loaves have you? go and see. And when they knew, they said, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by groups upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
Mark 6:38–44 KJ2000
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Mark 5:25–29
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as Mr. Dart continues his thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
(Ron’s original email text is below.)
February 29, 2008
Hi gang, and welcome back. For your information, in the last month we have averaged 401 downloads each week. That probably averages at least 500 who listen. Thanks for joining in. Remember, if you have questions, you can email them to me at [eeb_email email="ron@borntowin.net" display="ron@borntowin.net"].
Or go to the contact link on the front page of our website.
We will be moving our offices in three weeks, so we will be in some confusion around that date. I hope we will be able to continue uninterrupted, but we may have to ask you to go to the web page for the download instead of getting the email newsletter.
Also, in a few weeks, the radio studio will be moving, and I won’t be able to record as I normally do until they are back up and operating.
Otherwise, all is well here at CEM and we appreciate the encouragement we get from all of you.
We have three questions today on the material we have covered so far…
Listen; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And others fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred. And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:3–9 KJ2000
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now for Mr. Dart’s thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
(Ron’s original email text is below.)
February 22, 2008
Welcome to the Weekend Bible Study, which, if you need it, can go on all week.
Someone asked if we had considered live streaming, and the answer is yes, we considered it.
The problem is that not everyone is available at the same time.
And effectively, there is no difference from where you sit.
One thing, I don’t know if I mentioned is that we have provided a forum for this group in case you would like to discuss it with one another. To join the forum, go to the front page at borntowin.net, click on the link to the forum and follow instructions.
Be advised, we don’t use assumed names, screen names or pseudonyms on the forum. You have to register with your real name.
If you have trouble, drop me an email and I’ll help.
Also address your questions for this study to me at [eeb_email email="ron@borntowin.net" display="ron@borntowin.net"].
You can also use the contact us link on the front page of the web site.
Looks like we are going to settle in for now at around 4-500 listening to the study each week.
Some really encouraging emails this week, many from people with no like minded group to meet with.
Ron
And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark 2:23–28
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now for Mr. Dart’s thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
(Ron’s original email text is below.)
February 15, 2008
A warm howdy to all you Bible students, and welcome to this experimental online Bible study.
All is well here in Tyler as we work our way through the various frustrations of moving. Our new offices should be finished in a couple of weeks and we have already got boxes out putting stuff in them for the move. I am trying to figure a way to be out of town when all this comes down.
But, we are getting more room and more efficiency. I’m just glad I don’t have to move my home.
We are getting some really nice emails these days and hardly any that are critical. I got a condemnation this week for using the NIV. It is odd, but most of the rare critical emails come from King James only advocates. I need those folks though, because it is not a good thing to have everyone speak well of you.
We have had some 575 now who have downloaded the first Bible Study. We will never know for certain how many are listening in, but it is obviously worth doing for all the saints.
Ron
And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mark 1:6-11
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now for Mr. Dart’s thoughtfully detailed study on the Gospel of Mark.
(Ron’s original email text is below.)
February 8, 2008
Howdy everyone, and welcome to the second of our Weekend Bible Studies.
You will be interested to know that by Thursday, we had over 375 downloads of the Bible study. We have no way of knowing how many are listening, but in many cases it is a family. So we could have 500, as many as 700 Folks participating.
Welcome, and welcome to all newcomers. If you missed last week, be sure and visit our website to listen to last week’s study.
We have a slight format change. Remember, this is experimental. There will be three sections of the study. First are questions arising from last week’s study. Second, we’ll start through the Gospel of Mark, third, we’ll answer unrelated questions.
So I will kick off tonight with three questions that arose from last week’s study…
The link is below, so click in and be in touch.
Ron
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mark 1:1–3 KJ2000
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we are pleased to present another timeless study from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart. Join us now as we return to February 1, 2008 and Mr. Dart’s introduction of the Gospel of Mark—the very first Weekend Bible Study.
(Ron’s original email text is below.)
February 1, 2008
Hi,
Beginning tonight, we are trying something new: The Weekend Bible Study. With the Internet age, so many things are possible, even easy, that we could never do before. Now, I can conduct something like our old Friday night Bible study and do it for hundreds, maybe even thousands of people at the same time.
Here’s how it will work. Every Friday afternoon, we will mail out a link to our email newsletter list with a link to the file where you can listen to the study. (It will be audio, in MP3 format. We will also link the study from the What’s New section of borntowin.net.) I will talk about the news, answer questions, and then start teaching through a book of the Bible. There will be an email address where you can mail your questions during the week and we can answer them the next weekend. Approximate time for the study will be 45 minutes.
The beauty of this is that you can save the email and listen at your convenience. You can load it up on your ipod and listen as you drive to work if you wish. (But I hope you will be somewhere with your Bible open in front of you.)
The link is below, so click in and be in touch.
Ron
Then he said unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters of the sea shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, that everything that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come there: for they shall be healed; and everything shall live where the river comes.And it shall come to pass, that the fishermen shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; there shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be the same kinds as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.
Ezekiel 47:8–10 KJ2000
Here is a link to a diagram of the way Israel is divided.
The future division of the land.
Here is one person's visualization. But the odd thing about this is the straight line borders from west to east. This seems doubtful given the geography.
You son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.
And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, show them the form of the house, and its plan, and its exits, and its entrances, and all its design, and all its ordinances, and all its forms, and all its laws: and write it in their sight, that they may keep its whole design, and all its ordinances, and do them.
This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole area round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
Ezekiel 43:10–12 KJ2000
First, I asked for suggestions on a Bible that translates the dimensions of the Temple for helping the reader visualize things. One suggestion is The Good News Bible. Another is the New Living Translation. There are probably more you can find at Bible Gateway.com.
Here is a site that has a visual rendition of what the Temple might look like. It is down the page.
In the visions of God he brought me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was a structure like a city on the south. And he brought me there, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring rod; and he stood in the gate.
And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you; for to the intent that I might show them unto you are you brought here: declare all that you see to the house of Israel.
Ezekiel 40:2–4 KJ2000
There is a wealth of material on the Internet about Ezekiel's temple, and it remains something of an Enigma.
R.J. Anderson lists four main questions which we can think about as we make our way through these passages, and they are as good a place to start as any:
Is the temple and its worship literal, or figurative?- Do these things take place at a time now past, or at some point in the future? - If the time is future, does it involve the millenial kingdom of Christ on earth, or the heavenly state? - In any case, what is the purpose of the sacrifices described?
And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;
So that the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
Ezekiel 38:18–20 KJ2000
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, you know. Again he said unto me, Prophesy to these bones, and say unto them, O you dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:1–4 KJ2000
Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man from their territory, and set him for their watchman:
If when he sees the sword come upon the land, he blows the trumpet, and warns the people; Then whosoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and takes not warning; if the sword comes, and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul.
Ezekiel 33:2–5 KJ2000
[...] Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.
Ezekiel 30:22–24 KJ2000
You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you.
By the multitude of your trade 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.
Ezekiel 28:14–16 KJ2000
Referenced Links:
- Simon Jacobson - Beyond Paradox: Are You a Square or a Circle?
Therefore thus says the Lord God; Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, says the Lord God: and it shall become a plunder to the nations. And her daughters who are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 26:3–6 KJ2000
Suggested links:* Ezekiel 25 map from OpenBible.info, as a partial replacement for the referenced (and now defunct) biblemap.org. This can be supplemented with the site below. * Tyre - ISBE Online
Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: yet neither shall you mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down. Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the turban of your head upon you, and put on your shoes upon your feet, and cover not your lips, and eat not man’s bread of sorrow.
So I spoke unto the people in the morning: and at evening my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
Ezekiel 24:16–18 KJ2000
[…] Behold, I am against you, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.
Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: That all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath: it shall not return any more.
Ezekiel 21:3–5 KJ2000
[...] What is your mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her cubs among young lions.
And she brought up one of her cubs: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men. The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel 19:2–4 KJ2000
Ron's links:
- If you would like an example of an Allegory, see Pilgrim's Progress.
- Recommended reading: Journaling, by Steve Pavlina.
Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; And say, Thus says the Lord God; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had various colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: He cropped off the top of its young twigs, and carried it into a land of trade; he set it in a city of merchants. He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree. And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and its roots were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.Ezekiel 17:2–6 KJ2000
Note: The programs on Biblical history that Ron refers to are his series on the Books of Samuel and Kings.
And when I passed by you, and saw you polluted in your own blood, I said unto you when you were in your blood, Live; yea, I said unto you when you were in your blood, Live. […] And I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall know that I am the Lord: That you may remember, and be ashamed, and never open your mouth any more because of your shame, when I provide toward you an atonement for all that you have done, says the Lord God.
Ezekiel 16:6,62–63 KJ2000
So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation shall be uncovered, and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in its midst: and you shall know that I am the Lord.
Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; That is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord God.
Ezekiel 13:14–16 KJ2000
Therefore, you son of man, prepare you belongings for moving, and move by day in their sight; and you shall move from your place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they are a rebellious house. Then shall you bring forth your belongings by day in their sight, as belongings for moving: and you shall go forth at evening in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry out your belongings through it. In their sight shall you bear it upon your shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: you shall cover your face, that you see not the ground: for I have set you for a sign unto the house of Israel.
Ezekiel 12:3–6 KJ2000
And there appeared in the cherubim the form of a man’s hand under their wings. And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubim, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the color of a beryl stone. And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went. And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that the four had.
Ezekiel 10:8–12 KJ2000
Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, And say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus said the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places. And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols.
And I will lay the dead carcasses of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars. In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. And the slain shall fall in the middle of you, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 6:2–7 KJ2000
And you, son of man, take a sharp knife, take a barber’s razor, and cause it to pass upon your head and upon your beard: then take balances to weigh and divide the hair. You shall burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and you shall take a third part, and strike about it with a sword: and a third part you shall scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them. You shall also take some of them, and bind them in your garments. Then take some of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for from there shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel. […]
Therefore thus says the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, am against you, and will execute judgments in the midst of you in the sight of the nations. And I will do in you that which I have not done, and the like of which I will not do any more, because of all your abominations.
Ezekiel 5:1–4,8–9 KJ2000
Is it possible to hate someone you love? We may be born to win, but are we born to defeat? What separates the proud from the humble, the angry from the peacemaker, the hater from the giver?
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study.
Tonight we follow up on the Epistle of James studies by Mardy Cobb with a sermon from the CEM Vault by Ronald L. Dart titled, A Lesson from James.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:1–4
And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon your feet, and I will speak unto you. And the Spirit entered into me when he spoke unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spoke unto me.
And he said unto me, Son of man, I send you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stubborn. I do send you unto them; and you shall say unto them, Thus says the Lord god.
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they refuse, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
Ezekiel 2:1–5 KJ2000
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. [...] And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire engulfing itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of its midst as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
Also out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four had their faces and their wings.
Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went each one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, the four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and the four had the face of an ox on the left side; the four also had the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 1:1,4–10 KJ2000
Helpful Links:* Outline of the Book of Ezekiel from the Holman Bible Dictionary. * Information on ancient Mesopotamia.
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus[.]
This last clause can almost be taken as the theme of the Book of Hebrews—Consider Christ. Because that is what we are asked to do nearly from the get-go in this epistle. From chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, and beyond, we are asked to think about Jesus Christ—to consider him.
In this sense, the Book of Hebrews is probably one of the most important books in the Bible for establishing our Christology—that is, our theology of Christ: who he is, what he is, where he fits in the overall picture of God’s plan. Between the Gospel of John and Hebrews you can form a very highly-developed Christology and understanding of Jesus.
Paul (who I believe to be the writer of Hebrews) tackles this from a variety of angles. Let’s take a look at some of them, beginning in chapter three.
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Therefore seeing we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1–2 KJ2000
So begins the 12th and penultimate chapter of Hebrews. But in view of what this 12th chapter is going to say, I think it's worth digressing to take a look at Jesus' commission to his 12 apostles. It's in Matthew 10, verse 5...
The reply about Hebrews 11 mentioned in the introduction can be found here.
Today we come to that wonderful 11th chapter of Hebrews—the faith chapter. If you review back over what we’ve covered so far, there’s an interesting question that arises: Why does Paul embark on this discussion of faith at this point in this letter—when we consider who he is, who he’s writing to, the motivations that caused him to start the letter in the first place? But it does seem as though chapter 11 is a digression on the theme he raises at the end of chapter 10. Remember?
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 10:38–11:1 KJ2000
It does not seem as though Paul wrote most of his letters by hand. He wrote standing up, and had this poor scribe over in the corner trying to keep up as Paul strung his thoughts together. After stating that the just shall live by faith, he moves to address a logical next question: What is faith? Faith is another one of those words that has been overused to the point of abuse; or, rather, overused to the point of losing meaning, and this chapter presents a chance to rediscover it. So grab another cup of coffee, and let’s dive in to Hebrews, chapter 11.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the ones approaching perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers once purged should have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and offering you desired not, but a body have you prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you desired not, neither had pleasure in them; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:1–10 KJ2000
(The explanations of the ceremony of Atonement recommended in this study’s introduction can be found below.)
- Atonement: Why Fast? (~33:00)
- Atonement and Community (~30:00)
- Being There (~7:00)
The Temple was a stage upon which the plan of God was played out and, metaphorically, the ministry of Jesus played for all to learn of and look forward to complete forgiveness in Christ.
Then truly the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread; which is called the sanctuary. […] The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure […]
That’s really interesting all by itself. What he’s saying here is that the physical tabernacle (which was a constructed tent laid out with very particular instructions) was a metaphor. In this place were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience. They also were a metaphor; they were external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
What do these metaphors represent? What new order is spoken of? For a little insight, let’s continue in this week’s study of Hebrews, chapter 9
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum... That's the way Paul begins chapter eight. And I thought, how kind of Paul to give us a summary. This is a complicated letter, and we want to be sure we understand. In fact, this may be most theological of all Paul's letters, yet it addresses a situation in life.
Now, I want to introduce you a term that crops up in a lot of biblical scholarship. If you read very far into this stuff, you're going to run into it. So much of scholarship (19th-century Protestant scholarship, especially) originated in the German language, that the scholars who read it tend to use terms that have specialized meanings, and they borrow them from the German (they are constructs). In biblical criticism, the term is Sitz im Leben. It's a German phrase that roughly translates to setting in life. At its simplest, it describes what occasions certain passages of the Bible were written for. Taken out of its original context, the original meaning of a passage is often lost.
When you read the Bible, you want to look for the situation in life. Why did he write it? What did he have in mind? What was he addressing? What questions was he answering? And a lot of times, the books open up to us a little bit when we begin to understand that.
With this in mind, let's look at the words (and context) of chapter eight of Paul's letter to the Hebrews.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. So God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in that it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:13–20 KJ2000
Last week, we stumbled over a reference that will dominate the next chapter. Paul recalls God saying:
Therefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.
Hebrews 3:10–11 KJ2000
What Paul has introduced here is a term that will be developed thoroughly in chapter 4. The Greek word is katapausis, and is translated as rest. It is derived from a verb literally meaning to settle down or to colonize. The chapter went on and ended this way:
While it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: yet not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Hebrews 3:15–16 KJ2000
What is he talking about here? Well, let me interrupt to provide a little context. First, we have to go back to the book of Numbers and an event that occurred at a place I like to call Camp Crisis.
For unto the angels has he not put in subjection the world to come, of which we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that you are mindful of him? or the son of man, that you visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews 2:5–9 KJ2000
Hello, and welcome to The Weekend Bible Study. Tonight, we join Ronald Dart as he continues his verse-by-verse look at the sometimes-enigmatic Epistle to the Hebrews.
A lot of what we hear in discussion on the Epistle to the Hebrews is conjecture—including authorship of the book—but some of that conjecture is based on sound analysis. Many scholars these days conclude that Paul did not write Hebrews. I numbered myself among them for a while, but I've come to see that those arguments are really rather thin and fairly easily explained.
The dating of the epistle is another issue. Some think the book appears about the same time as when Paul's letters were collected and went into general circulation—perhaps about AD 90—but they all originate much earlier than that. Some, like John A.T. Robinson argue that the New Testament authors had no knowledge of the destruction of the second temple by the Romans in AD 70. The use of tabernacle terminology in Hebrews has been used to date the epistle before that event; the idea being that knowing of the destruction of both Jerusalem and the temple would have influenced the development of his overall argument to include such evidence. No fraud, writing way down in the second or third century, could possibly match that worldview. So what we have in hand is a document written by an early Christian theologian who chose, for whatever reason, not to sign the work. (And we're fully justified in asking ourselves why he didn't.)
Now, all this is highly subjective. What is not subjective is the book itself. It's there. We have it. So the way we can approach this book is simply to read it. And as we read, we can ask ourselves about the author's theology, his Christology, his view of the Law, and his relationship to Judaism. Why did he write the book? Where was he coming from and where was he going. So let's forget the scholars for a moment, be our own judge of the value of this ancient document, and open our Bibles to Hebrews, chapter 1.
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that, while they discussed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were held that they should not know him.
Luke 24:13–16 KJ2000
Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil has he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were urgent with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they demanded. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Luke 23:20–25 KJ2000
And when the hour came, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Luke 22:14–23 KJ2000
If you could have lived during the time of Christ, would you have wanted to be close to him? Would you have wanted to be with him? I think it's fair to say that, by the time of the 40 days between Christ's resurrection and ascension, his disciples were close to Jesus. After all they had been through, and the experiences they had shared, they had come to the point were they were quite close. Those three-and-a-half years of Jesus' ministry probably were not particularly easy times. Would you have wanted to be one of those people? If so, why?
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study. It is good to be with you and we thank you for being there and allowing us to make this weekly service possible.
Over the past few weeks, we've followed Ron Dart in taking a closer look at the Passover, the resurrection of Christ, and the beginning of the countdown to the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. As we find commanded in Leviticus 23:
From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain...a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:15–17 NIV
This weekend concludes the fourth of those seven weeks, so tonight we'll join Mr. Dart in examining this time of year and its accompanying harvest—both of grain and of men.
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in there two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her poverty has cast in all the living that she had.
And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which you behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And they asked him, saying, Teacher, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
Luke 21:1–7 KJ2000
A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it out to tenants, and went into a far country for a long time.
And at the harvest season he sent a servant to the tenants, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the tenants beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will respect him when they see him. But when the tenants saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
Luke 20:9–15 KJ2000
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was the chief among the tax collectors, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at your house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:2–10 KJ2000
[…] There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she wearies me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bears long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:2–8 KJ2000
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Teacher, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There was not found one that returned to give glory to God, except this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.
Luke 17:12-19 KJ2000
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.
Then he said, I pray you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house: For I have five brothers; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Luke 16:20–31 KJ2000
[…] But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet: And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. […]
Luke 15:20–24 KJ2000
[…] A certain man gave a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it: I pray you have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them: I pray you have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the Master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the maimed, and the lame, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, That none of those men who were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Luke 14:16–24 KJ2000
And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room to store my crops? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have prepared? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:16–21 KJ2000
Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give to him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
What an interesting request. One would think prayer is simple and one would not need to be taught. But it seems obvious that these were not praying men when Jesus called them. It wasn’t that prayer was unknown, because the Pharisees prayed, often in public. And the disciples knew that prayer was important to Jesus.
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 11:2–4
What is most remarkable about this prayer is its brevity. In almost any reading, it lasts less than 30 seconds. It calls to mind something that Solomon said. We’ll find it in Ecclesiastes, the third chapter…
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the next day when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the innkeeper, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again, I will repay you. Which now of these three, think you, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do you likewise.
Luke 10:29–37
Note: An old National Geographic feature on the Samaritan Passover (likely the one mentioned by Ron in this study) can be found here.
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor bag, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house you enter into, there abide, and from there depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
Luke 9:1–6 KJ2000
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven demons, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto him of their substance. And when many people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spoke by a parable[.]
Luke 8:1–4 KJ2000
Let’s do a little experiment here. I’m going to read this parable to you without comment. I want you to try to imagine yourself as a person who has never heard it before, had no frame of reference for it, and didn’t have a clue what Jesus was talking about here. The closest you’ve come to this is sowing a few seeds in the ground one time as a kid.
Listen to the parable; you have never heard it before. What do you conclude that Jesus was driving at? Let’s begin, then, in Luke chapter 8.
Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and many people of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the coffin: and they that bore him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto you, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is risen up among us; and, God has visited his people.
Luke 7:12–16 KJ2000
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and asked him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Luke 5:1–3 KJ2000
I have had occasion to speak across water in less important situations, and it is true: Sound carries better over water. Well, when Jesus had finished his sermon, he said to Simon:
[…] Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answering said unto him, Teacher, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their net broke.
Luke 5:4–6 KJ2000
I guess Jesus felt he should pay something for the use of the ship. He could have given them money, I suppose, but he didn’t. He blessed them another way—in their business. It emphasized, I suppose, that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights—even if he doesn’t hand it to us himself, but asks us to let down our nets and pull it up.
And they beckoned unto their partners, who were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of the fish which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from now on you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Luke 5:7–11 KJ2000
Peter recognized a miracle when he saw it. And his view of himself was unobstructed; he knew what he was. And here’s the interesting thing to think about—so did Jesus.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, […] the word of God came unto John the son of Zachariah in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Luke 3:1–6 KJ2000
Now on to one of my favorite stories in all the Bible.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
I love this passage, because it underlines for me the reality of Jesus coming in the flesh. It underlines his utter dependence on Joseph and Mary. It underlines his complete vulnerability in the world. This is a really big event.
By the reckoning of some historians, when it comes to the gospel accounts, we have two eyewitnesses, a scribe, and one contemporary historian who was able to collect the stories and put them in order. It makes a very comprehensive set of documents. They make our job a little more difficult, but why should it be easy?
Now, I have made this point before, but I have to make it again right here. Some people (whose elevator doesn’t go to the top floor) think that contradictions in the gospel accounts invalidate them. Ironically, rather than invalidate them, they confirm them. Let me explain. For the testimony of witnesses to be valid, that testimony must be independent of the testimony of others. The existence of inconsistencies between witness accounts are important because they establish the independence of the sources.
There are also differences that arise from the purpose of the author. Luke says up front that his purpose is to set these things in order—seemingly, chronological order. Matthew and Mark, however, may have no such intent, and they may group messages and events to make a greater point. So don’t play the fool by nitpicking. Try rather to understand what the witnesses want us to get about Jesus and his work and his message. Now, instead of consulting the scholars first, let’s consult Luke himself…
Hello everyone and welcome to the Christian Educational Ministries Weekend Bible Study and a special program from the CEM Vault.
Tonight, we present Ronald L. Dart with an interactive study and discussion on the subject of Does Crime Pay?
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.Psalm 37:1–6
Next week we will be begin covering the Epistle of James with Mardy Cobb. To get a head start, read chapter one and send any questions or comments via [eeb_email email="mardy@borntowin.net" display="email"].
What actually happens at the moment you receive a spiritual gift? Do you get a little buzz when it comes? Perhaps a rush? On the day of Pentecost, there was a sound like a rushing mighty wind and the appearance of fire from the ceiling descending on each of them. Obviously, it can’t always be like that, but should we expect a physical sign of the receiving of something that is not physical? Or is it possible that the moment God bestows a gift of the Spirit it goes entirely unnoticed? Is it possible that the gift only becomes apparent when it is at work?
There is a lot of conversation these days about spiritual gifts. Books have been published explaining how a person can discover his gifts and how a church can take inventory of the gifts of its people. But I can’t help wondering if something spiritual can be so easily quantified.
What I will have to say in this essay will be based strictly on the Bible and my own 40 years of experience in the ministry. The Bible has some very important and revealing things to say on the subject. There were spiritual gifts in abundance in the early church and there is no reason to doubt that these gifts would be with God’s people in all ages. So where are they? Who has them? And how can you tell? Maybe you have to know what to look for. And maybe the gifts are not in evidence at all times.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–25 KJ2000
Referenced articles:
- Why Do We Use the Hebrew Calendar?
- The Hebrew Calendar (chapter from The Thread)
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:3–5 KJ2000
Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the members of God’s family who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:1–7 NRSV
(Canon in D link mentioned in Ron's introduction.)
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
Acts 15:3–6 KJ2000
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
Acts 15:3–6 KJ2000
Love is a word we toss around so freely. With the realization that Jesus laid down everything he was going to be as a human being, and in the process suffered incredible shame, torment, torture, isolation—so that we might live—we see that God has not merely a love, but a passion for us. It's in the process of coming to know Jesus Christ, to know the Father, by means of reading the Bible and prayer, that we have any chance to come to grips with this.
The ninth chapter of John contains an incident that is astonishing, to say the least. If is difficult for me to imagine why it happened, and why people ask some of the questions that they ask. Maybe a little historical perspective will help us to understand these events...