samaus123456789 said:

I didn't realise I posted something like this already

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Poland cannot be fully understood without Mary. Without her, one cannot grasp what Poland truly is, nor discern its divine calling and ultimate mission. The Virgin Mary stands at the very heart of Poland’s history — a history in which, the destiny of a nation has become intertwined with the mystery of faith.

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The Black Madonna on Pilgrimage - Catholic Journal

catholicjournal.us

didactics said:

For a big part of my life I have been confident in the young earth creation model but one thing that has sort of been a sticking point for me is the ancient near east (ANE) interpretation of creation. It was first pointed out to me in talking about day 2 of creation, the idea that the writer is making reference to a solid firmament. It is further reasoned that the people in those days only knew of a flat earth cosmology, so they were just speaking in terms that everyone would understand. Just because they got something wrong does not mean God’s word is not true. It’s not a science textbook after all. And I have thought about this and wondered if there is any validity to it. The other thing that has really captured my attention is ideas surrounding behemoth and leviathan found in the book of Job. I have been persuaded that these are references to dinosaurs until I saw this video of Ben Stanhope’s critique of Answers in Genesis. He makes a compelling argument that these are descriptions of a mythological creature that symbolizes a false god, such as the followers of the Canaanite deity Baal. The comparison may have been a way of showing people that the true God is omnipotent and has no fear of them. And while I may want to entertain the idea that humans lived alongside dinosaurs, it is a weak argument to suggest Job makes mention of it.





It leads me to ask, if I am wrong on these things, what else am I wrong about? Most people who espouse this view about creation week, saying that it was a polemic to the pagan nations who say their gods took part in creation, tend to also be theistic evolutionists. In a wikipedia article “Firmament” it reads,

But one thing I found interesting is that John Hancock believes the ancients did believe the earth was round.


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Maybe the way to reconcile this is to say that philosophers in those days were more split on the issue and many thought it was flat before the time of the Middle Ages.





But if I cede the argument and say it had an ANE context, wouldn’t I be inconsistent to still believe in young earth creationism (YEC)? I have argued before that the Bible is inerrant and infallible and that no contradictions exist, only apparent contradictions. And I do feel in some way it would be a compromise to say that the Bible was wrong about the firmament being a solid dome that separated the heavenly waters above. I understand that the Bible is not a science textbook, but I believe that it has to be right whenever it does talk about science.

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Tolkien isn’t being cute. He is revealing the structure of reality. A door that cannot be forced is opened by friendship. By communion. Not power, but relationship. Not command, but the posture of a friend.

The moment reads us because we, too, try everything but the one thing the gate requires. The one thing that is ever before us.

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Speak, Friend, and Enter: The Riddle at the Doorway of the Soul - Catholic Exchange

Tolkien’s riddle at the gate offers a pattern for the weary soul: surrender frenzy, embrace friendship with God, and walk forward in courage.

catholicexchange.com

2PhiloVoid said:

And you would be extremely wrong to think that philosophy is, in whole, mutually exclusive to Christian theology.

You might want to keep in mind that, actually, the undertaking of biblical systematic theology REQUIRES the application of some points of the wide (very, very wide) field of Philosophy.

You would be right to say that I don't hold to Sola Scriptura, and I'd go on record to in fact say that in order to be saved, no one needs to. God is bigger than the rag tag collection of letters and books we call the New Testament, after all, and I'll continue to take my measures for what constitutes 'good theology' from many Christian scholars (and ministers) rather than ................... only one local minister.

And in saying all of the above, I'll continue on in my viewpoint and do so with the same outlook and attitude of Copernicus who said, and I quote, "There may be babblers, wholly ignorant of mathematics, who dare to condemn my hypothesis, upon the authority of some part of the Bible twisted to suit their purpose. I value them not, and scorn their unfounded judgment.”


I beg to differ on this point. How can anyone have "sound theology" by believing in a social bubble, with little or no education in the area of Hermeneutics, Biblical Exegesis, and Church History??? ............ by special pleading about one's special, personal revelations or by the special abilities of one's singular local minister? I think not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously. I never said salvation is exactly congruent with "how well" we know the Scriptures. It's also not exactly congruent with a set of presuppositions attuned solely and only to, shall we say, a more Calvinistic leaning.


And neither is God impressed with anyone's SPIRITUAL ZEAL that persists without KNOWLEDGE.

Well then, with that, have a Merry Christmas!

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samaus123456789 said:

⭐ 1. Obeying God does not guarantee visible results​

This is one of the deepest truths in Scripture.


God told Isaiah:




God literally commanded a ministry He already knew would look unsuccessful from the outside.


Jeremiah preached for 40 years with almost zero visible fruit.


Ezekiel taught for years with people who “hear your words but will not do them” (Ezek. 33:32).


Paul said:




Meaning:


✔ You control obedience
✔ You do not control outcomes


This is not failure.
It’s the normal biblical pattern.

---

⭐ 2. Teaching truth does not automatically change hearts​

Even Jesus said:




If Jesus Himself was ignored, misunderstood, or rejected…


…it is guaranteed to happen to you.


You can speak the truth perfectly, but:

• people may not be ready
• hearts may be resistant
• minds may be closed
• the Spirit may not be moving in them yet

That does not mean your work is pointless.

---

⭐ 3. Ministry often feels like nothing is happening while everything is happening​

Think of this:


A seed underground looks dead for a long time.


But growth is real even when invisible.


Jesus compared teaching to:




Meaning:


You are not supposed to see the results immediately.


God does hidden work.

---

⭐ 4. Sometimes the work is actually for YOU, not the listener​

When you teach Scripture, God is shaping:

• your patience
• your humility
• your endurance
• your understanding
• your heart

Teaching others is one of the fastest ways God deepens your own faith.


It may feel like “they’re not growing,”
but God is growing you.

---

⭐ 5. Your obedience is success — not the outcome​

Biblical success = faithfulness, not results.




God measures:


✔ obedience
✔ faithfulness
✔ truth
✔ endurance


Not numbers, reactions, applause, or visible impact.

---

⭐ 6. You may be sowing for a harvest you will never see​

Jesus told His disciples:




Meaning:


Some people plant seeds they will never witness grow.


Some people water seeds they didn’t plant.


Some harvest seeds others sowed.


Your work may bloom long after you're gone.

---

⭐ 7. Spiritual warfare resists the teaching of truth​

Whenever Scripture is taught:

• the enemy distracts
• blinds minds
• stirs confusion
• creates discouragement

Paul says:




The discouragement you feel is part of the battle.


It means your teaching matters more than you realize.

---

⭐ 8. God might be redirecting you, not abandoning you​

Sometimes your effort in one area is preparation for a different calling.


Many biblical figures served in long, difficult, “unfruitful” seasons before God opened a new door.


This doesn’t mean you failed.
It means God is moving you.

---

⭐ FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT​

You’re not failing.
You’re not wasting your time.
You’re not unseen.


God sees:

• your effort
• your obedience
• your desire for truth
• your willingness to speak
• your frustration
• your fatigue
• your heart

And He is not silent about it.




You may not see the impact now.
But God promises: everything done in truth WILL bear fruit — even if the fruit grows in ways you never expected.

The Bible actually teaches a rich, multi-layered system of rewards for Christians in the age to come — not just “going to heaven.”
Here is the complete biblical picture, organized clearly and without adding traditions not found in Scripture.

---

⭐ 1. Eternal Life (immortality, resurrection body)​

This is the foundational gift.

Key verses​

• John 3:16 – whoever believes has eternal life
• 1 Cor 15:52–54 – immortality at the resurrection
• Phil 3:21 – glorified bodies like Christ’s
• John 11:25 – “whoever believes in Me will live even if he dies”

Meaning​

✔ No sickness
✔ No pain
✔ No aging
✔ No death
✔ Perfect physical and spiritual existence

This is the baseline reward for all believers.

---

⭐ 2. Seeing God face to face​

The greatest reward in Scripture.

Key verse​

• Revelation 22:4 – “They shall see His face.”

This is the fulfillment of every promise of intimacy with God.

---

⭐ 3. Fullness of joy and eternal pleasure​

Key verse​

• Psalm 16:11 – “In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Heaven is not boring — it is joy beyond anything imaginable.

---

⭐ 4. Inheritance of the New Creation​

Believers inherit everything God will make new.

Key verses​

• Romans 8:17 – “Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
• Revelation 21:7 – “He who overcomes shall inherit all things.”

This means:

✔ the New Earth
✔ the New Heavens
✔ the New Jerusalem
✔ everything Christ rules, believers share in

---

⭐ 5. Ruling with Christ (levels of authority)​

There are differences in rewards.
Some believers will be given authority based on faithfulness.

Key verses​

• 2 Tim 2:12 – “We shall reign with Him.”
• Revelation 5:10 – “They shall reign on the earth.”
• Luke 19:17–19 – Jesus gives authority “over 5 or 10 cities.”

Meaning:

✔ Your faithfulness in this life determines your responsibilities in the next
✔ Some believers will have greater ruling roles

This is not salvation — it is reward.

---

⭐ 6. Crowns (symbolic rewards of honor)​

The NT describes several “crowns,” which represent honor, status, responsibility, and recognition before God.

A. Crown of Life​

For those who endure trials.
(James 1:12; Rev 2:10)

B. Crown of Righteousness​

For those who long for Jesus’ appearing.
(2 Tim 4:8)

C. Crown of Glory​

For faithful shepherds / teachers.
(1 Peter 5:4)

D. Incorruptible Crown​

For mastering the flesh and living disciplined lives.
(1 Cor 9:25)

E. Crown of Rejoicing​

Reward for bringing others to Christ.
(1 Thess 2:19)

These are marks of status and honor in the kingdom.

---

⭐ 7. Treasures in Heaven (eternal reputation and reward)​

Jesus explicitly teaches that believers build treasure through works.

Key verses​

• Matthew 6:20 – store treasures in heaven
• Matthew 19:21 – treasures follow obedience
• 1 Tim 6:18–19 – good works store up “a firm foundation”

Meaning:

✔ Everything done in Christ’s name echoes eternally
✔ Every sacrifice becomes treasure
✔ Every act of love is preserved

Nothing is wasted.

---

⭐ 8. Recognition from God Himself​

This is one of the most powerful rewards.

Key verse​

• Matthew 25:21 – “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

This is direct approval from God.
The Creator of the universe praises your life.

There is no higher honor.

---

⭐ 9. Eternal rest and peace​

This is not inactivity but total absence of fear, burden, and stress.

Key verses​

• Hebrews 4:9–11 – a Sabbath rest for the people of God
• Revelation 14:13 – they rest from their labors

This is the end of:

✔ sin
✔ worry
✔ shame
✔ guilt
✔ fear
✔ spiritual warfare

---

⭐ 10. Unity with all believers forever​

Every fracture, conflict, and separation healed.

Key verse​

• Revelation 7:9–10 – a great multitude from every nation in perfect worship.

---

⭐ 11. Being made fully like Christ​

Your character will be perfect.

Key verses​

• 1 John 3:2 – “We shall be like Him.”
• Romans 8:29 – conformed to the image of Christ.

This means:

✔ perfect love
✔ perfect joy
✔ perfect holiness
✔ perfect wisdom

---

⭐ 12. A permanent, unshakeable place in God’s family​

Not just forgiven — adopted.

Key verses​

• Revelation 21:7 – “I will be his God, and he will be My son.”
• Galatians 4:7 – no longer a slave, but a son and heir.

This is the deepest relational reward.

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Advent is often described simply as the season leading to Christmas—a time of wreaths, candles, carols, and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity. Yet the Church teaches that Advent is far richer than a countdown to a historical event.

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The Two Advents—and the Third - Catholic Exchange

Advent unveils Christ’s first, final, and daily comings, urging self-examination, hope, and a deeper openness to His quiet work in the soul.

catholicexchange.com

Delvianna said:

It's still biased. You might not be getting Catholic Church, but I have twice. Which means, whatever answers you're getting isn't proof of anything.

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Tom8907 said:

Thankyou, yes I am Anglican but this is the part where I say I'm from the Reformed camp and because of my denomination's poor state I attend a 'particular Baptist church'

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⭐ 1. Peter rebukes Jesus for predicting His death​

Matthew 16:21–22​

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
But Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”

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⭐ 2. The disciples are “filled with grief” and do not accept it​

Matthew 17:22–23​

“The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.”
And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

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⭐ 3. The disciples “did not understand” what Jesus meant​

Mark 9:31–32​

He was teaching His disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

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⭐ 4. Luke says it was “hidden” from them because they could not accept it​

Luke 9:44–45​

“The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they might not perceive it… and they were afraid to ask Him.

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⭐ 5. They again fail to understand His prediction​

Luke 18:31–34​

He took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Everything written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be fulfilled… they will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise.”
But they understood none of these things.
This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

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⭐ 6. After Jesus rises, they STILL don’t believe the prediction​

Luke 24:25–26 (Jesus rebukes them)​

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things…?”

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Luke 24:6–8​

“He is not here, but has risen… Remember how He told you…”
And they remembered His words.

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⭐ 7. Even the women’s report of the empty tomb is not believed​

Luke 24:10–11​

But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

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⭐ 8. Cleopas confirms that the disciples did not believe Jesus’ predictions​

Luke 24:21​

“We had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”

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⭐ SUMMARY​

• Peter rejected it
• The disciples could not understand it
• It was hidden from them because of their wrong expectations
• They were afraid to ask
• Even after the resurrection they still doubted
  
  
  

  ⭐ 1. All passion predictions are addressed to “the disciples” or “the Twelve,” not Mary​

  
  

  ✔ Matthew 16:21–23​

  
  Audience: The disciples, especially Peter.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Matthew 17:22–23​

  
  Audience: The disciples gathered in Galilee.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Matthew 20:17–19​

  
  Audience: The Twelve alone, privately on the road.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Mark 8:31–33​

  
  Audience: The disciples, with Peter rebuking Him.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Mark 9:30–32​

  
  Audience: His disciples, in secret.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Mark 10:32–34​

  
  Audience: The Twelve, walking ahead of the crowds.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Luke 9:22​

  
  Audience: The disciples.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Luke 9:44–45​

  
  Audience: His disciples, again in private.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ Luke 18:31–34​

  
  Audience: The Twelve, explicitly named.
  Mary is not present.
  
  
  

  ✔ John 12:23–33​

  
  Jesus speaks of His coming death indirectly to a crowd, but not with explicit details like in the Synoptics.
  Mary is not mentioned as present.
  
  
  

  ---

  
  

  ⭐ 2. The only “Mary” who appears near these moments is Mary of Bethany — not Jesus’ mother​

  
  In John 12:7, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus for burial.
  This is not Mary His mother.
  
  
  

  ---

  
  

  ⭐ 3. Mary the mother of Jesus appears rarely during Jesus’ public ministry​

  
  These are the only major appearances:
  
  
  • Luke 2 (childhood)
  • Luke 8:19–21 – Jesus’ family tries to see Him
  • John 2 – Wedding at Cana
  • John 19:25–27 – At the cross
    
  After Jesus begins His adult ministry, Mary is not mentioned in teaching scenes except indirectly.
  
  
  She is never mentioned in:
  
  
  • Passion predictions
  • Discussions about His mission
  • Private teachings to the Twelve
  • Explanations of His suffering
    

  ---

  
  

  ⭐ 4. Mary did not travel with the Twelve​

  
  Jesus’ core traveling ministry circle included:
  
  
  • The Twelve
  • Some women who supported the ministry financially (Luke 8:2–3), including “Mary called Magdalene,” Joanna, Susanna
    
  Notice: Mary the mother of Jesus is not listed among His traveling companions.
  
  
  She lived in Nazareth, not traveling continually with Him.
  
  
  

  ---

  
  

  ⭐ 5. Therefore Mary likely did NOT hear the passion predictions first-hand​

  
  She may have later learned them secondhand, after the resurrection, when the disciples finally understood what Jesus had been saying.
  
  
  But Scripture does not place her:
  
  
  • At Caesarea Philippi
  • On the Galilean roads
  • On the way up to Jerusalem with the Twelve
  • In private apostolic teaching moments
    ⭐ 1. Why Jesus only told the Twelve about His death: Jesus restricted His passion predictions to the Twelve because they were His covenant witnesses, the foundation stones of the church, the ones entrusted with the mysteries of the kingdom, and the only group responsible for preaching His death and resurrection after He ascended. Jesus said in Matthew 13:11, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom,” which means He purposely withheld deeper truths from the crowds and even from His own extended family. He also wanted to prepare the apostles for leadership by giving them privileged knowledge that would make sense only after the resurrection. Jesus often taught them privately (Mark 4:34; Mark 9:30; Mark 10:32), and the passion predictions occur only within these private instruction moments. Therefore Jesus intentionally spoke of His death only to the Twelve because they were the inner circle chosen to interpret and proclaim His sacrifice to the world.
    
    
    ⭐ 2. What Mary actually understood about Jesus’ mission: Mary understood that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and the fulfillment of the promises given in the Law and the Prophets, but she did not understand the details of His death and resurrection. Luke 2:19 and Luke 2:51 both say Mary “treasured all these things in her heart,” which means she reflected deeply but did not fully grasp the prophetic meaning. Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:34–35 told her that a “sword would pierce her own soul,” pointing to Jesus’ suffering, but Mary still did not have the clear theological picture the apostles received. Nothing in the Gospels indicates that Mary knew Jesus had to be crucified for sin. Instead she believed He was the promised King who would save Israel, but the mechanism (atonement through suffering and resurrection) was not yet revealed to her.
    
    
    ⭐ 3. Whether Mary understood the resurrection before it happened: There is no textual evidence that Mary the mother of Jesus understood the resurrection beforehand. Jesus told the Twelve repeatedly, “He will be killed and on the third day rise,” but Mary was never present for those teachings. Even the apostles did not believe until after the empty tomb, as shown in Luke 24:25–26 and John 20:9. If the Twelve—who heard the predictions directly—did not understand the resurrection until after it happened, then Mary, who never heard those predictions, almost certainly did not understand it either. Mary Magdalene and the other women came to the tomb with burial spices (Luke 24:1), which proves they were not expecting resurrection that morning; and the Gospels never describe Mary the mother of Jesus having any foreknowledge. She believed Jesus was the Messiah but not that He must suffer and rise again.
    
    
    ⭐ 4. Why all the disciples rejected the idea of a suffering Messiah: The disciples rejected Jesus’ predictions of His death because Jewish expectation at the time was for a conquering military Messiah who would overthrow Rome, restore David’s kingdom, and bring national liberation. A crucified Messiah made no sense to them and contradicted everything they assumed about God’s plan. Peter’s rebuke (“This shall never happen to You,” Matt 16:22) shows how deeply ingrained this expectation was. They had no theological category for a dying Messiah until after the resurrection opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 were not interpreted as Messianic by most Jews at the time. Therefore the disciples rejected Jesus’ passion predictions because they believed Messiah meant victory, not suffering; kingdom power, not humiliation; immediate glory, not atonement through death.
    
    
    
    
    

• Matthew 24:11 — “Many false prophets will arise and deceive many.”
• 2 Peter 2:1 — “There will be false teachers among you.”
• 1 Timothy 4:1 — “In later times some will depart from the faith.”
• 1 John 4:1 — “Many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

• false versions
• distortions
• opportunists
• cults
  inevitably appear.

• sincere seekers
• confused people
• manipulators
• power-hungry leaders

• 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 — Satan “masquerades as an angel of light,” and so do his servants.
• Genesis 3 — The first sin entered through false teaching.
• Revelation 12 — Satan “deceives the whole world.”

• 2 Timothy 4:3 — “People will gather teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

• dislike conviction
• prefer comfort to obedience
• want blessings without repentance
• like teachers who promise prosperity, miracles, and shortcuts

• money (1 Tim 6:5)
• power (3 John 9–10)
• sexual immorality (Jude 4; 2 Pet 2:14)
• fame (Gal 6:12–13)

• financial gain
• social status
• blind loyalty from followers
• power over people's lives

• quote Scripture
• use spiritual vocabulary
• preach emotionally
• claim revelation
• claim miracles
• call themselves “prophet,” “apostle,” or “anointed”

• 1 Thess 5:21 — “Test everything.”
• 1 John 4:1 — “Test the spirits.”
• Acts 17:11 — Bereans examined Scripture daily.

• do not study the Bible
• rely on feelings
• follow personalities over Scripture
• neglect discernment

• Matthew 24:24 — false Christs, false prophets, great signs
• 2 Thess 2:9–11 — deception among those who “refuse to love the truth”
• 1 Timothy 4:1 — “deceitful spirits and teachings of demons”

• a real Christ → false christs
• a real gospel → false gospels
• real apostles → false apostles
• real miracles → counterfeit miracles

• Deuteronomy 13:3 — God allows false prophets “to test you, to know if you love the LORD your God.”
• 1 Corinthians 11:19 — “There must be factions among you so that those who are approved may be recognized.”

• who loves truth
• who seeks holiness
• who follows Christ vs. who follows personalities

RabbiJames said:

PARASHAH: “B’reisheet” (In the Beginning) GENESIS 1:1-6:8

Just got back from 3 weeks in Miami, FL, visiting family and ministering in our Messianic congregation, Beth Hesed. Have to catch up on articles.


During Simchat Torah (The Joy of the Torah) or (Happiness in having God's WORD in our midst), we begin in Genesis…But…Some have the tradition of reading the last few verses of Deuteronomy (34:10-12) “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moshe……..and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moshe shewed in the sight of all Israel.”

Interesting that the very last word in Deuteronomy is “Israel”. We read verses 10 through 12, and in the same breath, continue with Genesis 1:1. This means that the Torah is a continuous book, like a circle.

The very first line in Genesis, the very first line in the Torah has so much meaning; “B’reisheet bara Elohim ET haShamayim v’et haAretz”(the first 7 words) (In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth). One thing to point out, in many English Bibles, the word “heaven” is singular and should be “heavens” (plural), because in Hebrew, “HaShamayim” is “heavens”. Also, in the words, “B’reisheet Bara Elohim” (In the beginning, Elohim created), we find the mixed letters that spell out “Israel” also. So, the Torah begins with “Israel” and ends with “Israel”. If we look at the Hebrew letters that spell out “B’reisheet Bara Elohim,” we find “Israel” how? Well, let’s see;… Beit, Resh, Aleph, Shin, Yod, Tav……Beit, Resh, Aleph…..Aleph, Lamed, Hey, Yod, Mem sofit. Then we pick out the letters that form “Israel”: Yod, Shin, Resh, Aleph, Lamed. What can this tell us? That from the “Beginning,” Elohim had Israel in mind! This is just one way one could look at this.

Another aspect we can look at is the letter “Alef,” which in Hebrew has no sound by itself, yet takes the sound of whatever vowel that is placed below it. Within the first 7 words, there are 6 Alefs. When one spells out “Alef” in Hebrew, we get “Alef, Lamed, and Peh” (A L P). These three letters together also mean “One Thousand” (pronounced “elef”). Many rabbis believe that the symbolism of these 6 Alefs in the first 7 words, is “6 thousand years for mankind living on the earth” followed by another “thousand” (7 thousand years) which would be the Millennial reign of Messiah, then the number “8” (the eighth day of Sukkot) which could be the beginning of the “New Heavens and the New Earth ” (of course, this is just a possibility). Here's another interesting thing;

Within the first 7 words, we find the word “Emet” (Truth), “Alef, Mem, and Tav”, and this is one of the titles of Yeshua, who is the “Way”, the “TRUTH”, and the “Life”. He is also the “Living Word” (See John 1:1), so we see Yeshua even in Genesis 1:1

“7” is the perfect number of YHVH. If we take the seven words, and take the middle word “ET”, and take this word “ET and draw a vertical line from it, we can make a “Menorah” with three lines from the middle line connected to “ET” to the other words in this first verse. The word “ET” does not have a literal translation, yet it points to a specific object that is very important. “ET” in the ancient Hebrew letters is the “Alef and the Tav” or in Greek, the “Alpha and Omega” Or…. the “God of the Covenant”. So, every time we see “ET” in the original Hebrew, we are reminded of “YHVH, the God of the Covenant”

Why does the Bible start with the letter “Beit” or “B”? Why not with “Alef” or “A”? Isn’t the “Alef” the symbol for “God”? There is a story about the letters “Alef” and “Beit” who are arguing as to who would be first. They both came to Elohim and presented their case. Elohim-YHVH said, “Alef”, you are very important as you represent who I AM. You will be the third letter in the Bible because “3” symbolizes “Elohim” because we are united as Father, Son, and Spirit, three entities in one “Echad” being.

“As for you, letter “Beit” you will be first because you symbolize the “house” which I will make for mankind, for the plants, trees, and flowers, and for all the beasts which I will create. This house will be called “earth”. This perfect planet will be a “B’rakhah” a “Blessing” to my creation, therefore, the Torah must start with “B”

Also, the letter “Beit” is closed on three sides, yet open on one, the left side. This means that before the “beginning,” there was nothing, only Elohim, and revelation starts with “B” going towards the “left” as the Hebrew is written.”

So, therefore, the Alef and the Beit left, both satisfied with the verdict from Elohim-YHVH. We also see in the first line the creation of the three basic elements of the universe: “space” (the heavens), “time” (in the beginning), and “matter” (the earth). We have an infinite God that comes out of infinity past and speaks and creates a finite earth. Creates matter. The first law of Thermodynamics states that “All matter has been created and that there is no more matter being created.” What we do see is that “matter changes states” (from liquid to solid, = water to ice) or from liquid to gas = water vapor.

We can also see today the effects of the “2nd law of thermodynamics, which shows that everything in the material world is on a downward spiral, from order to disorder, from composition to decomposition, from perfection to imperfection. Because of sin! The wages of sin is death, and therefore, not only in the world of the living but also in the material world, everything is “dying”

Elohim looked upon the earth he was forming, which was then, a lot of water and earth elements, and then spoke in verse 3 saying, “Haya haOr” (let there be light) “V’yahi or” (and there was light). And Elohim saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness” (vs 4) There are 4 levels of Torah understanding which are “Peshat” (literal), “Derash” (moral and spiritual), “Remez” (Symbolic), and “Sod” (hidden), (this is when we use gematria, or numbers with math to come to different revelations, mind you this is NOT numerology!)

There was the physical light, the light we can see, and also, the WORD of God which is looked upon as “light” YESHUA also is referred to the “Light of the World” light is also “sinless perfection” and the “darkness” is also the physical darkness, which is needed, for us to rest at night, so that the flowers can close up and sleep. I can also refer to the “spiritual darkness” which is “evil” or “sin”. SO… there is a separation between what is holy and what is not holy, between sin and perfection, between evil and good. Between our “daylight” and our “nighttime” (taking it literally).

Now, if I were going to study every verse, this first parashah would be perhaps ten pages long, so we are going to jump a bit. Elohim created all that this earth contains in 6 literal days, of 24-hour periods. Now, there are some SSs (silly scientists) that say, “the six days are considered a period of four billion years!” Really? Really? Well, if we look at verse 12, it says that Elohim created the plants, trees, grass, etc, then in verse 14, it says that Elohim created the lights in the heavens, which include the sun, moon, and the stars. Well, if each “day” consisted of, let’s say, 600,000,000 years, then how would the plants and trees, and life itself, survive without sunlight for this amount of time?

Many times, we just have to take God’s word literally. “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness…and Elohim created the man and the woman in His own image” (vs 26-27). What does this mean, in HIS own image? What is the IMAGE of ELOHIM? One could say that the image of Elohim is complete holiness and perfection! Sinlessness! That was how the first couple was made. The earth was “created” without any previously existing matter, yet man and woman were “created” using “already existing matter,” namely,” the dust of the earth (adamah).

The name “Elohim” shows the “plural unity (Echad)” of God, and just as Elohim consists of the Father, the Son, and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) so man and woman were also joined “Echad” with Elohim in mind, soul, and spirit. What is man? What is a woman? But a soul and spirit inhabiting a flesh and bone body. Bodies that will one day (because of sin) deteriorate and cease to function, and return to the earth.

Elohim loved his creation of man and woman. He placed them in a perfect paradise home, a garden full of trees that produced fruit, nuts, flowers, clean water, and animals that were friendly. The only prohibition was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. But…as we know the story, HaSatan tricked them into eating the forbidden fruit. As soon as Adam and Eve ate the fruit (and nowhere does it say that it was an apple), the Word says that they “realized that they were naked” (3:7), but weren’t they already naked? I mean, they weren’t created wearing Levi's! However...remember that the word “light” the words “light” and “skin” are written almost the same way in Hebrew, the only difference is the first letter, “skin” is “OR” written with the letter “ayin” which symbolizes “eye” and OR (light) is written with an “Aleph”

It is possible, and probable that Adam and Eve were created with a covering of “light” When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai after being with God for 40 days, he was “glowing” with light, the Shekinah light, and Moses was a sinner, imagine Adam and Eve who were sinless, their light covering would have been permanent had they not sinned (and would still be alive today). When they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit, the light covering must have vanished, THEN…they saw that they were NAKED, without the light, which served, one could say as, “a skin of light over the skin of flesh”

The sin of eating the forbidden fruit shows the following: the LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE. Eve was hungry, she “saw” that it looked really delicious, and she “thought” it would make her “wise” as the serpent lied to her, saying the same. Sin today is the same; it is a mix of all three things: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life

“And YHVH Elohim made coats of skins for the man and for the woman and dressed them” (3:21). This is the very first blood sacrifice in the Bible. YHVH had to sacrifice one or two innocent animals, perhaps two lambs or goats, to “cover” Adam and Eve. This is a reminder of Yom Kippur, where the blood of animals covered the sins of Israel for one year. This would be a reminder to Adam and Eve of their sin. Their sin caused an innocent, blameless animal to lose its life.

The Word of God does not say, but we can imagine that YHVH told Adam and Eve that they would have to sacrifice a lamb, or a goat, or another kosher animal every day, to remind them of their sin. We look towards the cross of Calvary and we see YESHUA the LAMB of God who offered himself up as a blood sacrifice for our sins, once and forever, not just to cover, but to erase.

In chapter 4, we see the birth of Kayin and Hevel (Cain and Abel). They were born with the sin nature, and we see in both boys, the direction of the world that they would follow; some would choose holiness and all that is good, and others would choose the unholy and all that is evil. There came a time when they both had to offer sacrifices (that is why I said that Adam and Eve must have taught them to do the same). Hebel chose to obey, and Kayin chose to disobey. Kayin offered a sacrifice, but it was not a blood sacrifice; rather, it was a “grain offering. nothing wrong with a grain offering, but a blood sacrifice was needed. Therefore, it was rejected.

Hebel, however, offered the correct sacrifice, a blood sacrifice, and it was accepted. This caused anger and jealousy in Kayin, and we know the story: Kayin rose up and murdered his brother, Hebel. Yet YHVH Elohim still offers him an opportunity to repent and confess his sin, but Kayin does not. Then YHVH Elohim says;

“The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (4:10). The Hebrew word is “damei” or “bloods”; it is written in the plural. But why is this? This alludes to the idea (which is written in the Talmud) that “he who saves the life of one person is as if he has saved a whole nation, and he who takes a life of another, is as if he has murdered a whole nation.” It is as if the souls of all the “would have been” descendants of Hebel were crying out for vengeance because they would not be permitted to be born. “The voice of thy brother’s bloods cries out…” the many “bloods” cry out in “one voice” so it seems.

Hebel is slain, his blood is sacrificed, and Kayin goes away, runs away to the land of wandering (Nod) and becomes a vagabond, just wandering, living off the fruit of trees and whatever grows of itself, since now, his farming days are over. YHVH curses the land he farmed as punishment.

We can see here again a shadow of Yom Kippur. In Yom Kippur, two goats were selected, one was sacrificed, and the other was “sent away.” Here, Innocent and righteous Hebel is sacrificed, and Kayin “goes away” yet this “going away” is in the negative light, he “goes away” from the presence of Adonai, while Hebel goes “into the presence of Adonai”

There is a saying that goes like this; “you can mix good apples with bad apples, and the good apples will never correct the bad, rather the bad-rotten apples will corrupt the good ones. Well, that is the way the “world turned” way back then, as the years pass, the descendants of Kayin mixed with the descendants of Seth, (who was born after the death of Hebel.

“And it came to be that when men began to increase on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And YHVH said, ‘My Ruach will not strive with mankind forever in his going astray. He is flesh, and his days shall be 120. The Nephilim (in some translations, the giants) were on the earth in those days, and when the sons of Elohim came into the daughters of men, they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men of old, men of name (fame). 6:1-4

There are two schools of thought when the issue of “B’nei Elohim” comes up. Some believe that it refers to the godly line of Seth mixing with the ungodly line of Kayin. The other school of thought, which is more probable, is that the “sons of God” refer to the fallen angels that were kicked out of heaven together with HaSatan. These “b’nei Elohim” somehow and someway transformed themselves into flesh and blood, and the offspring of those “demon-human” relationships were born “giants”. The word “Nephilim” means “fallen ones”. It does not mean “giants” …however…those “mighty men of old” many were “giants”; we have examples; Goliath of Gath, Og, king of Bashan. The pre-diluvian giants were destroyed during the flood of Genesis; however, their DNA still survived and was passed along through Ham's wife. The descendant of Ham was Canaan, and among the Canaanites, there were giants.

YHVH has decided to destroy and cleanse the earth by a universal flood, and Noah and his family were found to be the only righteous people around. Noah will receive instructions to build an ark, and it will take him 120 years, so the people will have 120 years to repent, which they did not. This was a very short time considering that thousands of years ago, people lived 800 or 900 years. 120 years would be like a week in our times. Noah was a “Tzadik,” a “righteous person”. He went “against the flow”. Imagine a school of fish going in one direction, and you are going in the opposite direction.

How about you? If the world is going down the tubes, headed for destruction, will you follow the world? Or will you remain with Yeshua and go HIS way? The choice is yours. The only way we can be a true “Tzadik Ben Elohim” (a righteous child of God) is through faith in Yeshua HaMashiach/ Jesus the Christ, through faith in HIM, trusting in HIS one-time atonement for sin.

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High Fidelity said:

So it's been a few months now. What progress have you made? Have you found investors?

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