Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Re: [www.keralites.net] Who is Jesus Christ?

 

As per the trailing mail of mine, i just wrote that this message i received from my friend which i would like to share with everybody what our living God would do with the present world, just as he did in the days of Noah in the present generation he (Almighy God) will put an end to all the wicked generation.
 
After reading the Holy bible,  (i am not scholar in the bible theory) as per my knowledge, the people you mentioned are earthly thinking people that's why they taught in an earthly way that means what we see that is life. If you go to see Abraham was spiritual thinking person, he (Abraham) was also called as a friend of Almighty God in the holy Bible, he believed what he didn't see and because of Abraham, lot was saved he (Abraham) pledged with Almighty God's angel to spare Lot's life and BECAUSE OF AHRAHAM LOT'S LIFE WAS SPARED.
 
AND YOU WROTE THE THING FATHER AND DAUGHTER RELATIONS THIS IS A DISGUSTING THINGS WHO EVER HAS DONE. THESE PEOPLE LOOKED AT THE EARTHLY SITUATION. THE GODLY MINDED PEOPLE WILL NEVER DO SUCH DETESTABLE THING … AFTER ALL IT IS GOD ALMIGHTY WHO WILL JUDGE  IN THE LAST DAY… LET US LEAVE UNTO HIM (ALMIGHTY GOD) TO DO HIS PART. We are mere mortal people, we have temporary life say 50yrs (now days)  60 or 70 yrs means bonus God almighty has given in this life if we do any kind of wicked that is foolish. Why to fight, end the crimes in the name of God. God is love and love never seek bad about any person (Jesus minimized 10 commandments to 2 which will cover all the 10 commandments i.e (i) Love your Almighty God with all your heart, mind, soul and (ii) Love thy neighbor as yourselves.) I BELIEVE IF YOU LOVE GOD YOU WILLNEVER DO ANY BAD THINGS IN LIFE SUCH AS LUST OF EYES, HEART, MIND ETC. ONE WILL LEAD A HOLY LIFE & IF YOU LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS YRSELVES THEN ONE WILL NOT HURT, KILL ANY PERSON OR WILL HAVE ANY KIND OF ADULTEROUS THINGS WHICH IS POLLUTING THE TEMPLE OF LIVING GOD THAT IS FIRST YOUR OWN BODY.
 
HENCE I FINALLY PRAY TO THE LIVING GOD TO REVEAL HIMSELF MANKIND & PRAY THAT HIS KINGDOM TO COME AND OPEN UP THE SECRET WHICH MORTAL MEN ARE LOOKING FOR… HOW HE (ALMIGHT GOD) IS EXALTED IN HEAVEN LIKEWISE BE ON EARTH TOO… SO THAT ALL LIVING BEINGS WILL PRAISE AND WORSHIP HIM (GOD ALMIGHTY) ALONE NOT ANY IDOL WORSHIP WHICH I ABHOR.
 
TILL THEN WALK IN THE WAY OF TRUTH…AMEN.
 
Regards
Sunita

From: HYDER ALI <haom69@yahoo.com>
To: sunita dsouza <sunita_9204@yahoo.com>; "Keralites@yahoogroups.com" <Keralites@yahoogroups.com>; "usephc@yahoo.co.in" <usephc@yahoo.co.in>; R. A.samuel <rarasamuel@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 28 November 2012 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: [www.keralites.net] Who is Jesus Christ?
Dear Sunita,
 
Please read this also from Bible.
 
"Lot was a just and righteous man. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)  Peter 2:7-8
 
"He was the only man that God saved from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. …the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. Genesis 19:15
 
 He got drunk and impregnated his virgin daughters.?
 
"Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night: and the first born went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. Genesis 19:32-36
 
So if the above quotes are from Bible, what is the MORAL OF THIS  STORY  IN THE BIBLE ? PROPHETS OF GOD SLEPT WITH THEIR OWN DAUGHTERS !!!!
Who needs Devil ? when the Bible itself is the most Dangerous Diabolical Book on the face of this Earth Which should be kept LOCKED in a SAFE( as Rightly Said By Sir George Bernad Shaw ) to Protect the Mind and Psychic of the Young Restless Minds of the Society.
 

From: sunita dsouza <sunita_9204@yahoo.com>
To: "Keralites@yahoogroups.com" <Keralites@yahoogroups.com>; "usephc@yahoo.co.in" <usephc@yahoo.co.in>; R. A.samuel <rarasamuel@gmail.com>; "haom69@yahoo.com" <haom69@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 28 November 2012, 8:01
Subject: Re: [www.keralites.net] Who is Jesus Christ?
Respected Brothers & Sisters in the Holy name of Almighty God/Allah/Jehovah Jirah,
 
i received this message from one of my close friend, i felt like sharing with all
 
Peace on Earth - How Will It Come?
Peace on earth will come, not by human efforts, but by means of God's Kingdom, a heavenly government ruled by Christ Jesus. Notice how the Bible teaches us about this wonderful hope.
  1. God will make "wars to cease to the extremity of the earth," fulfilling his promise to bring "peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!"—Psalm 46:9; Luke 2:14, Good News Translation.
  2. God's Kingdom will rule from heaven over the entire earth. (Daniel 7:14) As a world government, it will eliminate nationalism, which is at the root of many conflicts.
  3. Jesus, the Ruler of God's Kingdom, is called the "Prince of Peace," and he will ensure that "to peace there will be no end."—Isaiah 9:6, 7.
  4. People determined to keep fighting will not be allowed to live under the Kingdom, since "anyone loving violence [God's] soul certainly hates."—Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 2:22.
  5. God teaches his subjects how to live in peace. Describing the results of this instruction, the Bible says: "They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore."—Isaiah 2:3, 4.
Already, millions of Jehovah Jirah's Witnesses around the world are learning from God how to be peaceable. (Matthew 5:9) Although we belong to many different ethnic groups and live in over 230 different lands, we refuse to take up arms against our fellow man.
Jehovah Witnesses are learning the ways of peace today

Peace on Earth at Last

SOME believe that only through violence will they attain political freedom and spiritual purity​—that only destructive force will eliminate unwanted rulers. Also, some governments use terror to maintain order and to keep subject peoples under control. But if it is true that terrorism is an effective tool of rulership and social reform, it should produce peace, prosperity, and stability. After a while, violence and fear should subside. Have we seen those results?
The truth is that terrorism breaks down respect for life and leads to bloodshed and cruelty. Because of their pain, victims often retaliate, which leads to further repression and, in turn, to more retaliation.
Violence Does Not Solve Our Problems
Humans have been trying to solve their political, religious, and social problems by themselves for thousands of years. But all their attempts have failed. It is as the Bible says: "I well know, O Jehovah Jirah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23) Jesus said: "Wisdom stands or falls by [its] results." (Matthew 11:19, The New Testament in Modern English, by J. B. Phillips) By extension, these Biblical principles imply that terrorism is a false hope. The fruits of terrorism have not been freedom and happiness but, instead, death, misery, and ruin. This bad fruitage has filled the 20th century and is starting to overwhelm the 21st. Many would say that rather than the solution, terrorism is one of the problems.
"Every day I hope that none of my family or my friends die . . . Perhaps we need a miracle." So wrote a young girl whose homeland had been set afire by terrorist violence. Her words point to a conclusion that many have drawn: The solution to man's problems lies beyond the human realm. Only man's Creator can solve earth's present difficulties, including terrorism. But why should we trust God? 
Why God Is Worthy of Our Trust
One reason is that as the Creator, Jehovah Jirah gave us life and wants us to enjoy it with peace and satisfaction. God's prophet Isaiah was moved to write: "Now, O Jehovah Jirah, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our Potter; and all of us are the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8) Jehovah Jirah is the Father of mankind, and people of all nations are precious to him. The injustice and hatred that lead to terrorism are not his fault. Wise King Solomon once declared: "The true God made mankind upright, but they themselves have sought out many plans." (Ecclesiastes 7:29) Human badness and demonic influence, not incompetence on the part of God, lie at the root of terrorism.​—Ephesians 6:11, 12.
Another reason why we can trust Jehovah Jirah is that since he created humans, he understands better than anyone the cause of mankind's problems and how to solve them. The Bible states this truth at Proverbs 3:19: "Jehovah Jirah himself in wisdom founded the earth. He solidly fixed the heavens in discernment." With full trust in God, a man from the  ancient past wrote: "From where will my help come? My help is from Jehovah Jirah, the Maker of heaven and earth."​—Psalm 121:1, 2.
There is a third reason why we should trust God: He has the power to halt violent bloodshed. In Noah's time "the earth became filled with violence." (Genesis 6:11) God's judgment was sudden and complete: "[God] did not hold back from punishing an ancient world . . . when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people."​—2 Peter 2:5.
The Bible states a lesson we should learn from the Flood of Noah's day: "Jehovah Jirah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off." (2 Peter 2:9) God can distinguish between those who sincerely want a better life and those who make life miserable for others. He has set the latter apart for the "destruction of the ungodly men." But for those desiring peace, he is preparing a new earth in which righteousness is to dwell.​—2 Peter 3:7, 13.
Lasting Peace on Earth
Bible writers often used the word "earth" to refer to humanity. Genesis 11:1 for example, states that "all the earth," the humans alive at that time, spoke the same language. The apostle Peter had that meaning in mind when he wrote of "a new earth." Jehovah Jirah God would renew human society in such a way that righteousness and justice would replace violence and hatred as permanent "dwellers" in the land. In a prophecy recorded at Micah 4:3, the Bible tells us: "He will certainly render judgment among many peoples, and set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore."
How will people live when that prophecy is fulfilled? Micah 4:4 states: "They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making  them tremble." In that earthly Paradise, no one will live in fear of the next terrorist attack. Can you trust that promise? Yes, "for the very mouth of Jehovah Jirah of armies has spoken it."​—Micah 4:4.
So, as terrorist threats proliferate and nations shudder because of violence, the solution for lovers of peace is to trust in Jehovah Jirah. No problem exists that he cannot solve. He will remove injury, suffering, and even death. The Bible states: "He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah Jirah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25:8) The precious lands of many peoples, now filled with pain and fear as a result of terrorism, will soon overflow with the fruitage of peace. That peace, promised by the God "who cannot lie," is what mankind desperately needs.​—Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17, 18
COVER SUBJECT: SHOULD YOU FEAR THE END OF THE WORLD?

The End of the World​—Fear, Fascination, and Frustration

How do you feel about December 21, 2012, the date on the Maya calendar that many have been saying would bring worldwide change? Depending on what you expected, you might be relieved, disappointed, or indifferent. Was it just another incorrect prediction for the end of the world?
What about "the end of the world" described in the Bible? (Matthew 24:3, King James Version) Some fear that the earth will be burned up. Others are fascinated by end-time scenarios. Many have simply grown tired of being told that the end is near. But could those be reactions to fiction rather than to fact?
You might be surprised to learn what the Bible really says about the end of the world. Not only does the Bible give reasons to look forward to the end but it also acknowledges the frustration that can set in if the end seems to be overdue. We invite you to consider the Bible's answers to some common questions about the end of the world.
 Will the earth be burned up?
THE BIBLE'S ANSWER: "[God] has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever."—PSALM 104:5.
The earth will not be destroyed, either by fire or by any other means. Instead, the Bible teaches that this planet is mankind's eternal home. Psalm 37:29 says: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."—Psalm 115:16; Isaiah 45:18.
After God created the earth, he said that it "was very good," and he still feels that way. (Genesis 1:31) Far from planning to destroy it, he promises to "bring to ruin those ruining the earth"—and to protect it from permanent damage.—Revelation 11:18.
You may wonder, though, about 2 Peter 3:7. That Bible verse says: "The heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire." Does this not show that the earth will be burned up? Actually, the Bible sometimes uses the terms "heavens," "earth," and "fire" figuratively, as symbols. For example, when Genesis 11:1 says: "All the earth continued to be of one language," it uses "earth" to mean human society.
The context of 2 Peter 3:7 shows that the heavens, earth, and fire mentioned there are also symbols. Verses 5 and 6 draw a parallel with the Flood of Noah's day. On that occasion, an ancient world was destroyed, yet our planet did not disappear. Instead, the Flood wiped out a violent society, or "earth." It also destroyed a kind of "heavens"—the people who ruled over that earthly society. (Genesis 6:11) In the same way, 2 Peter 3:7 foretells the permanent destruction of wicked society and its corrupt governments as if by fire.
What happens at the end of the world?
THE BIBLE'S ANSWER: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."—1 JOHN 2:17.
"The world" that is to pass away is, not the earth, but the world of mankind whose lives are not in harmony with God's will. Just as a surgeon might remove a cancerous tumor to save a patient's life, God will "cut off" the wicked so that good people can truly enjoy life on earth. (Psalm 37:9) In that sense, "the end of the world" is a good thing.
Such a positive view of "the end of the world" is implied by the Bible translations that render this expression "the conclusion of the system of things" or "the end of the age." (Matthew 24:3; New International Version) Since both humankind and the earth survive the end, does it not seem reasonable that a new age, a new system of things, would follow? The Bible answers yes, for it speaks of "the coming system of things."—Luke 18:30.
 
Jesus called that future period "the renewal of all things." At that time, he will restore humanity to the conditions that God originally intended. (Matthew 19:28, NIV) We will then enjoy
If we do "the will of God," what he asks of us, we need not fear the end of the world. Instead, we can look forward to it.
Is the end of the world really near?
THE BIBLE'S ANSWER: "When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near."—LUKE 21:31.
In the book The Last Days Are Here Again, Professor Richard Kyle writes that "sudden change and social chaos create an atmosphere conducive to predictions of the end of the world." That is especially the case when the change and chaos seem hard to explain.
However, the Bible prophets who spoke about the end were not trying to explain baffling events of their day. Instead, they were inspired by God to describe conditions that would indicate an imminent end of the world. Consider some of those prophecies and decide for yourself whether they are being fulfilled in our time.
As Jesus said, seeing "all these things" lets us know that the end of the world is near. (Matthew 24:33) Jehovah Jirah's Witnesses believe that the evidence is convincing, and they share their faith with others by preaching in 236 lands.
Do mistaken expectations about the end mean that it will never come?
THE BIBLE'S ANSWER: "Whenever it is that they are saying: 'Peace and security!' then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape."—1 THESSALONIANS 5:3.
The Bible likens the world's destruction to the onset of labor—the mother's pain is inevitable and comes suddenly. The time leading up to the end is also like a pregnancy, for an expectant mother is aware of ever-increasing signs of the coming birth. Her doctor might estimate the birth date; yet, even if the event should delay, she would still be sure that her baby will soon be born. Similarly, any mistaken expectations about the end do not alter the unmistakable features identifying these as "the last days."—2 Timothy 3:1.
'If the sign that we are near the end is so obvious,' you might ask, 'why do so many people fail to recognize it?' The Bible shows that when the end is near, many will belittle the evidence. Rather than acknowledge the fundamental changes during the last days, they would scoff: "From the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly  as from creation's beginning." (2 Peter 3:3, 4) In other words, the sign of the last days is clear, but many will ignore it.—Matthew 24:38, 39.
 
This article has considered just some of the Scriptural evidence that the end is near. * Would you like to learn more? If so, why not contact Jehovah Jirah's Witnesses to accept their offer of a free Bible study? Study sessions can be held in your home, at another place convenient to you, or even over the phone. The only cost is your time, and the potential benefits are priceless.
^ par. 39 For more information, see chapter 9, "Are We Living in 'the Last Days'?," of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
HAVE JEHOVAH WITNESSES GIVEN INCORRECT DATES FOR THE END?
Jehovah Jirah's Witnesses have had wrong expectations about when the end would come. Like Jesus' first-century disciples, we have sometimes looked forward to the fulfillment of prophecy ahead of God's timetable. (Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2) We agree with the sentiment of longtime Witness A. H. Macmillan, who said: "I learned that we should admit our mistakes and continue searching God's Word for more enlightenment."
Why, then, do we continue to highlight the nearness of the end? Because we take seriously Jesus' words: "Keep looking, keep awake." The alternative, to be found "sleeping" by Jesus, would prevent us from gaining his favor. (Mark 13:33, 36) Why?
Consider this example: A lookout in a fire tower might see what he thinks is a wisp of smoke on the horizon and sound what proves to be a false alarm. Later, though, his alertness could save lives.
Likewise, we have had some wrong expectations about the end. But we are more concerned with obeying Jesus and saving lives than with avoiding criticism. Jesus' command to "give a thorough witness" compels us to warn others about the end.—Acts 10:42.
We believe that even more important than focusing on when the end will come, we must be confident that it will come, and we must act accordingly. We take seriously the words of Habakkuk 2:3, which says: "Even if [the end] should delay [compared to what you thought], keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late."
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD

"You Have . . . Revealed Them to Babes"

Do you want to know the truth about God—who he is, what he stands for, and what his will is? In his Word, the Bible, Jehovah Jirah God reveals the whole truth about himself. But not just anyone can read the Bible and fully grasp that truth. Why? Because grasping such spiritual truth is a matter of privilege; not everyone receives it. Let us consider what Jesus said in this regard.—Read Matthew 11:25.
That verse begins with the words: "At that time Jesus said in response." So, what Jesus is about to say is perhaps in response to what has just occurred. He has just rebuked the unresponsive people of three Galilean cities where he had performed powerful works. (Matthew 11:20-24) You might wonder, 'How could anyone see Jesus' miraculous works and not respond to the truths he taught?' The unresponsiveness of the people had to do with their stubborn attitude of heart.—Matthew 13:10-15.
Jesus knew that to unlock the spiritual truth found in the Bible, we need two things: God's help and the right heart attitude. Jesus explains: "I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes." Do you see why it is that grasping the spiritual truth found in the Bible may be considered a matter of privilege? Jehovah Jirah, the "Lord of heaven and earth," may hide or reveal the truth according to his sovereign will. But God is not arbitrary in this matter of revelation. On what basis does he reveal Bible truth to some and not to others?
Jehovah Jirah favors the humble, not the haughty. (James 4:6) He hides the truth from "wise and intellectual ones"—worldly-wise and learned ones who in their pride and self-reliance feel no need for his help. (1 Corinthians 1:19-21) But he reveals the truth to "babes"—those who come to him with sincere hearts, showing childlike humility. (Matthew 18:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:26-28) God's Son, Jesus, saw such responses firsthand. Many proud, highly educated religious leaders did not get the sense of Jesus' message, but humble fishermen did. (Matthew 4:18-22; 23:1-5; Acts 4:13) At the same time, some wealthy and educated ones who showed genuine humility became Jesus' followers.—Luke 19:1, 2, 8; Acts 22:1-3.
We come back to the question raised at the outset: Do you want to know the truth about God? If so, you may find comfort in knowing that God does not favor those who consider themselves worldly-wise. On the contrary, he favors those whom the worldly-wise may look down on. If you study God's Word with the right attitude of mind and heart, you may be among those to whom Jehovah Jirah gives a precious gift—an understanding of the truth about him. Grasping that truth will add meaning to your life now and can lead to "the real life"—endless life in God's promised new world of righteousness soon to come. *—1 Timothy 6:12, 19; 2 Peter 3:13.
THE BIBLE CHANGES LIVES

 "He, Although He Died, Yet Speaks"

ABEL looked at his flock of sheep grazing peacefully on the hillside. Then, perhaps he looked far beyond his sheep to a spot in the distance where he could just make out a faint glow. He knew that right there a flaming blade was turning, ever turning, blocking the way into the garden of Eden. His parents once lived there, but neither they nor their children could enter now. Picture the late afternoon breeze ruffling Abel's hair as he turned his gaze upward and thought about his Creator. Would the breach between man and God ever be healed? Abel wanted nothing more than that.
Abel speaks to you today. Can you hear him? You might say that such a thing is impossible. After all, this second son of Adam died a long time ago. His remains are long lost, mingled with the dust of nearly 60 centuries. Regarding the dead, the Bible teaches us: "They are conscious of nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) Further, Abel never uttered a single word that is recorded in the Bible. So how can he speak to us?
The apostle Paul was inspired to say this about Abel: "Through it he, although he died, yet speaks." (Hebrews 11:4) Through what does Abel speak? Through faith. Abel was the first human ever to develop that sterling quality. So powerfully did he demonstrate faith that his example is alive, a vibrant standard that we can apply today. If we learn from his faith and seek to imitate it, then the record of Abel is speaking to us in a very real and effective way.
What, though, can we learn of Abel and his faith when so little is said of him in the Bible? Let us see.
GROWING UP WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG
Abel was born near the dawn of human history. Jesus later associated Abel with "the founding of the world." (Luke 11:50, 51) Jesus evidently meant the world of people who have the hope of being redeemed from sin. While Abel was the fourth human to exist, it seems that he was the first one whom God saw as redeemable. * Clearly, Abel did not grow up among the best of influences.
Though the world was young, a pall of sadness hung over the human family. Abel's parents, Adam and Eve, were likely beautiful, dynamic people. But they had fallen far in life, and they knew it. They were once perfect, with the prospect of eternal life before them. Then they rebelled against Jehovah Jirah God and were banished from their Paradise home in the garden of Eden. By putting their own desires ahead of all else—even the needs of their offspring—they lost perfection and eternal life.—Genesis 2:15–3:24.
 Exiled to life outside the garden, Adam and Eve found their existence hard. Yet, when their first child was born, they named him Cain, or "Something Produced," and Eve proclaimed: "I have produced a man with the aid of Jehovah Jirah." Her words suggest that she may have had in mind the promise Jehovah Jirah made in the garden, foretelling that a certain woman would produce a "seed" that would one day destroy the wicked one who had led Adam and Eve astray. (Genesis 3:15; 4:1) Did Eve imagine that she was the woman in the prophecy and that Cain was the promised "seed"?
If so, she was sadly mistaken. What is more, if she and Adam fed Cain such ideas as he grew up, they surely did his imperfect human pride no good. In time, Eve bore a second son, but we find no such high-flown statements about him. They named him Abel, which may mean "Exhalation," or "Vanity." (Genesis 4:2) Did the choice of that name reflect lower expectations, as if they put less hope in Abel than in Cain? We can only guess.
In any case, parents today may learn much from those first parents. By your words and actions, will you feed your children's pride, ambition, and selfish tendencies? Or will you teach them to love Jehovah Jirah God and seek friendship with him? Sadly, the first parents failed in their responsibility. Yet, there was hope for their offspring.
ABEL DEVELOPED FAITH—HOW?
As the two boys grew up, Adam likely trained them in work that had to be done to provide for the family. Cain took up farming; Abel took up shepherding.
However, Abel did something far more important. Over the years, he developed faith—that beautiful quality of which Paul later wrote. Think of it. Abel had no human example to whom he could look. How, then, did he develop faith in Jehovah Jirah God? Consider three solid bases upon which his faith likely rested.
Jehovah Jirah's creation.
True, Jehovah Jirah had placed a curse upon the ground, causing it to produce thorns and thistles that impeded agriculture. Still, the earth generously produced the food that kept Abel's family alive. And there was no curse on the animals, including birds and fish; nor on the mountains, lakes, rivers, and seas; nor on the skies, clouds, sun, moon, and stars. Everywhere Abel looked, he saw evidence of the profound love, wisdom, and goodness of Jehovah Jirah God, the one who created all things. (Romans 1:20) Meditating appreciatively on such things strengthened his faith.
Abel surely took time to ponder spiritual matters. Picture him tending his flock. A shepherd's life required a great deal of walking. He led the gentle creatures over hills, through valleys, across rivers—ever seeking the greenest grass, the  best watering holes, the most sheltered resting-places. Of all of God's creatures, sheep seemed the most helpless, as if they were designed to need man to guide and protect them. Did Abel see that he too needed guidance, protection, and care from Someone far wiser and more powerful than any human? No doubt he expressed many such thoughts in prayer, and his faith continued to grow as a result.
In creation, Abel found a solid basis for faith in a loving Creator
Jehovah Jirah's promises.
Adam and Eve must have related to their sons the events in the garden of Eden that led to their expulsion. Thus, Abel had rich food for meditation.
Jehovah Jirah said that the ground would be cursed. Abel could clearly see the thorns and thistles that fulfilled those words. Jehovah Jirah also foretold that Eve would suffer pain in pregnancy and childbirth. As Abel's siblings were born, he no doubt learned that those words came true as well. Jehovah Jirah foresaw that Eve would feel an unbalanced need for her husband's love and attention and that Adam would, in turn, dominate her. Abel saw that sad reality playing out before his eyes. In every case, Abel saw that Jehovah Jirah's word is completely reliable. Thus, Abel had solid reasons for putting faith in God's promise about a "seed" who would one day right the wrongs that had begun in Eden.—Genesis 3:15-19.
Jehovah Jirah's servants.
Abel did not find any good examples in the human family, but humans were not the only intelligent creatures on the earth at that time. When Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden, Jehovah Jirah made sure that neither they nor their offspring would gain access to that earthly Paradise. To guard the entrance, Jehovah Jirah posted cherubs—very high-ranking angels—along with the flaming blade of a sword that turned continually.—Genesis 3:24.
Imagine Abel seeing those cherubs when he was a boy. In their materialized form, their appearance surely bespoke immense power. And that "sword," ever flaming, ever turning, inspired awe as well. As Abel grew up, did he ever find that those cherubs got bored and left their post? No. Day and night, year after year, decade after decade, those intelligent, powerful creatures stayed right in that spot. Abel thus learned that Jehovah Jirah God had righteous, steadfast servants. In those cherubs, Abel saw a kind of loyalty and obedience to Jehovah Jirah that he could not find in his own family. Surely that angelic example strengthened his faith.
All his life, Abel could see that the cherubs were faithful and obedient servants of Jehovah Jirah
Meditating on all that Jehovah Jirah revealed about himself through creation, divine promises, and the examples of His servants, Abel found that his faith grew ever stronger. His example speaks to us, does it not? Young people in particular may find it reassuring to know that they can develop genuine faith in Jehovah Jirah God, no matter what their family members do. With the wonders of creation all around us and the entire Bible at our disposal, as well as many human examples of faith, we have ample basis for building faith today.
ABEL'S SACRIFICE—WHY IT EXCELLED
As Abel's faith in Jehovah Jirah grew, he wanted to find a way to express that faith in action. Yet, what could a mere man give to the Creator of the universe? God surely did not need any gift or help from humans. In time, Abel came to grasp a profound truth: If—with the right motive—he simply offered Jehovah Jirah the best of what he had, his loving heavenly Father would be pleased.
So Abel prepared to offer up some sheep from his flock. He selected the best, the firstlings, and offered up what seemed to be the choicest pieces. Meanwhile, Cain too sought God's blessing and favor, preparing an offering from his crops. But his motives were not like those of Abel. The difference became apparent when the brothers presented their offerings.
Abel offered his sacrifice in faith; Cain did not
 Both sons of Adam may have used altars and fire for their offerings, perhaps within sight of the cherubs, who were the only living representatives of Jehovah Jirah on earth at that time. Jehovah Jirah responded! We read: "Jehovah Jirah was looking with favor upon Abel and his offering." (Genesis 4:4) How God made his favor evident, the account does not say. But why did he favor Abel?
Was it the offering itself? Abel did offer a living, breathing creature, shedding its precious lifeblood. Did Abel realize how valuable such a sacrifice would be? Many centuries after Abel's time, God used the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb to picture the sacrifice of His own perfect Son, "the Lamb of God," whose innocent blood would be shed. (John 1:29; Exodus 12:5-7) However, much of that surely lay well beyond Abel's knowledge or understanding.
What we know for certain is this: Abel offered up the very best of what he had. Jehovah Jirah looked with favor not only on the offering but on the man himself. Motivated by love for Jehovah Jirah and by genuine faith in him, Abel acted.
It was different with Cain. Jehovah Jirah "did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his offering." (Genesis 4:5) It was not that Cain's offering was faulty in itself; God's Law later allowed the offering of the produce of the ground. (Leviticus 6:14, 15) But the Bible says of Cain that "his own works were wicked." (1 John 3:12) Like so many to this day, Cain evidently thought that the mere outward show of devotion to God was enough. His lack of real faith in or love for Jehovah Jirah quickly became apparent through his actions.
When Cain saw that he had not won Jehovah Jirah's favor, did he seek to learn from Abel's example? No. He seethed with hatred for his brother. Jehovah Jirah saw what was happening in Cain's heart and patiently reasoned with him. He warned Cain that his course was leading toward serious sin, and He offered hope of "an exaltation" if Cain would only change his ways.—Genesis 4:6, 7.
Cain ignored God's warning. Instead, he invited his trusting younger brother to walk with him in the field. There Cain assaulted Abel and murdered him. (Genesis 4:8) In a sense, Abel thus became the first victim of religious persecution, the first martyr. He was dead, but his story was far from finished.
Figuratively, Abel's blood cried out to Jehovah Jirah God for vengeance, or justice. And God saw justice done, punishing wicked Cain for his crime. (Genesis 4:9-12) More important, the record of Abel's faith speaks to us today. His life span—perhaps about a century long—was short for humans of that era, but Abel made his years on this earth count. He died knowing that he had the love and approval of his heavenly Father, Jehovah Jirah. (Hebrews 11:4) We can be confident, then, that he is safe in Jehovah Jirah's limitless memory, awaiting a resurrection to life in an earthly paradise. (John 5:28, 29) Will you meet him there? You may if you are determined to listen as Abel speaks and to imitate his outstanding faith.
 
Regards
Sunita
 

From: HYDER ALI <haom69@yahoo.com>
To: "Keralites@yahoogroups.com" <Keralites@yahoogroups.com>; "usephc@yahoo.co.in" <usephc@yahoo.co.in>; R. A.samuel <rarasamuel@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 28 November 2012 12:13 AM
Subject: Re: [www.keralites.net] Who is Jesus Christ?
 
Dear All,
 
 
Though Jesus is mentioned by name in twenty-five places in the Holy Quran, he is also addressed with respect as: Ibn Maryam, meaning "The son of Mary"; and as the Maseeh (in Hebrew it is the Messiah), which is translated as "Christ". He is also known as Abdullah, "The servant of Allah"; and as Rasul u Allah, the messenger of Allah. He is spoken of as "The Word of God", as "The Spirit of God", as a "Sign of God", and numerous other epithets of honor spread over fifteen different chapters.
 
The Holy Quran honors this mighty messenger of God, and the Muslims have not fallen short over the past fourteen hundred years in doing the same. 
 
" 'Behold!' the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word
from him: his name will be Jesus, the son of Mary; held in honor in this world
and the hereafter; and (of the company of) those nearest to Allah." (Holy Quran 3:45)
 
"Nearest to God," not physically nor geographically, but spiritually. Compare this with
               "And (Jesus) sat on the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19).
The bulk of Christendom has misunderstood this verse as well as many others in the Bible. They imagine the Father (God) sitting on a throne, a glorified chair, and His Son, Jesus, sitting on His right hand side. Can you conjure up the picture? If you do, you have strayed from the true knowledge of God. He is no old Father Christmas. He is beyond the imagination of the mind of man. He exists. He is real, but He is not like anything we can think of, or imagine.
 
In eastern languages "right hand" meant a place of honor, which the Holy Quran more fittingly describes as "In the company of those nearest to Allah." The above verse confirms that Jesus is the Christ and that he is the Word which God bestowed upon Mary. Again, the Christian reads into these words, a meaning which they do not carry. They equate the word "Christ" with the idea of a god-incarnate; and the "Word" of God to
be God.
 
Muhammad (pbuh)
 the Messenger of God, is made to absolve Jesus from the false charges and calumnies of his enemies.
 
"And He (God Almighty) hath made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or unblest" (Holy Quran 19:31).
 
On receiving the good news of the birth of a righteous son Mary responds:
 
"She said: 'O My Lord! how shall I have a son, when no man hath touched me?"
 
The angel says in reply:
 
"He said: 'Even so: Allah (God) createth what He willeth: when He hath
decreed a matter He but sayth o it 'Be,' and it is! And Allah (God) will teach
him the Book and Wisdom, the Torah (Law) and the Gospel," (Holy Quran 3:47-48).
 
Now compare the miraculous conception as announced in verse 47 of the Holy Quran with what the Holy Bible says:
 
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together, (as husband and wife) she was found with child of the holy ghost."(Matthew 1:18)
 
The eminent Billy Graham from the United States of America dramatized this verse in
front of 40,000 people in King Park, Durban, with his index finger sticking out and
swinging his outstretched arm from right to left, he said:
 
 "And the Holy Ghost came and impregnated Mary!"
 
On the other hand St. Luke tells us the very same thing but less crudely. He says, that when the annunciation was made, Mary was perturbed.Her natural reaction was :
 
"How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (Luke 1:34) meaning sexually.
 
The Quranic narrative is:
 
"She said: O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?"
(3:47)
meaning sexually.
 
In essence there is no difference between these two statements "seeing I know not a man" and "when no man hath touched me". Both the quotations have an identical meaning. It is simply a choice of different words meaning the same thing. But the respective replies to Mary's plea in the two Books (the Quran and the Bible) are revealing.
 
Says the Bible:
"And the angel answered and said into her : 'The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and
the power of the Highest shall
overshadow thee" (Luke 1:35)
 
Can't you see that you are giving the atheist, the skeptic, the agnostic a stick to beat you
with? They may well ask "How did the Holy Ghost come upon Mary?" "How did the
Highest overshadow her?" We know that literally it does not mean that: that it was an
immaculate conception, but the language used here, is distasteful.
 
Now contrast this with the language of the Quran:
 
"He said (the angel says in reply): 'Even so: Allah (God) createth what He
willeth: when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is!' "
(3:47)
 
This is the Muslim concept of the birth of Jesus. For God to create a Jesus, without a
human father, He merely has to will it. If He wants to create a million Jesus' without
fathers or mothers, He merely wills them into existence. He does not have to take seeds and transfer them, like men or animals by contact or artificial insemination . He wills everything into being by His word of command "Be" and "It is".
 
Between these two versions of the birth of Jesus, the Quranic version and the Biblical version, which would you prefer to give your daughter? 
 
Regards
 
Hyder
From: R. A.samuel <rarasamuel@gmail.com>
To: usephc@yahoo.co.in; Keralites <Keralites@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 27 November 2012, 11:56
Subject: [www.keralites.net] Who is Jesus Christ?
 
We Christian believe bible is word of God, Bible says :
 
Who is Jesus Christ?
When this question is personalized, it becomes the most important question one will ever be asked or answer. Who is Jesus Christ to YOU? Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10, NKJV). In 1 John 5:11-13 we are told that if we have the son in our life we can KNOW that we have eternal life. Jesus is the only way for us to live an abundant life here on earth, or receive eternal life in fellowship with God. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so that we could be sinless in the eyes of God. If we do not receive the free gift of eternal life by experiencing the forgiveness achieved by Jesus, then we will receive the punishment we so justly deserve. Jesus must become the Lord of our lives. Imagine your life as an automobile—Jesus must be behind the wheel of your life. The verses below show the attributes of Jesus, but if he has not forgiven your sins, been invited into your life and involved in a personal relationship with you, there is little purpose in reading on. You can change your life at this very moment. Admit your sin, repent of it before God. Believe in the atonement of Jesus on the cross and receive the gift of eternal life which Jesus died to freely give you. Invite Jesus into your life to live through you and thank him for doing so.
 
He is God Almighty
Isaiah 9:6 -- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 7:14 -- Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Prophecy).
Matthew 1:23-- "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-- which means, "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14 prophecy fulfilled).
Comment:
Jesus was declared to be the Mighty God and Everlasting Father long before he was ever conceived in the womb of Mary. The Everlasting Father became the child and son born in the manger. Therefore Jesus truly is Immanuel, God with us. Jesus is Almighty God become a man.
Isaiah 40:3 -- A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God (Prophecy).
John 1:23--John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord'" (Isaiah 40:3 prophecy fulfilled).
Comment:
The word LORD, spelled with all capital letters is the name of God, Jehovah. For more information about God's name go to the article titled "LORD, Hebrew Tetragrammaton." In prophecy, John the baptist was to prepare the world to receive God Almighty. In reality, John prepared the world for Jesus, preaching the message of repentance. John did not make a mistake, he knew that Jesus was Jehovah God joining the human race.
Isaiah 45:23 -- Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear (Prophecy).
Philippians 2:9-11 -- Prophecy fulfilled: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Isaiah 45:23 prophecy referring to Jesus).
Comment:
Isaiah 45:23 quotes God to say that "every knee will bow...every tongue will swear." In the previous verses God stated: "...there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me...there is no other." In Philippians, Paul, a Pharisee, uses this same language to refer to Jesus. He understood scripture's description of God as a solitary spirit, a lone sovereign. He also knew that applying this scripture to Jesus was the same as calling him the only true God. In essence, Paul was saying that Jesus was the only God and Savior, become a man.
Isaiah 44:6--Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.Isaiah 48:12--Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Revelation 22:13, 16-- I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Comment:
God declared through Isaiah that he was the "first and the last," but Jesus went further with his declaration by claiming to be the "Alpha and Omega, first and last, beginning and end." How many "firsts and lasts" are there? The only accurate explanation is found in the fact that Jesus is Almighty God incarnate.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God
Hebrews 1:3 -- The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:4 -- The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Colossians 1:15 -- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Comment:
According to John 4:24, "God is spirit." Luke 24:39 tells us "a spirit has no flesh or bone." All scripture confirms that God, in the Old Testament, was invisible. "No man has seen God" (John 1:18); but Jesus is described as the "exact representation of God, the image of God, and the image of the invisible God." The spirit of God that never permanently occupied a body or form before, took on the form of a man by becoming the person of Jesus Christ. He was no longer invisible, untouchable, without form, now he dwelt among us. Both God Almighty and man: born in Bethlehem as Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to save us from our sin
Matthew 1:21 -- "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
John 1:29 -- The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 3:17 -- For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Hebrews 7:27 -- ...He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
I John 1:7 -- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
I John 3:5 -- But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
Comment:
The name of Jesus in New Testament Greek is "Iesous" (e-ay-soos'). The origin of Jesus' name is found in the Old Testament names "Joshua, Jehoshuah, or Jehoshua," pronounced Yehowshuwa` (yeh-ho-shoo'-ah); or Yehowshua. These names mean Jehovah-saved, Jehovah saves, Jehovah saviour. The name of Jesus was not decided upon in an arbitrary fashion as most children's names are. Jesus' name was decided based upon his mission in life, and his mission was determined from the foundation of the world—He was to save us from our sins (Revelation 13:8) with one sacrifice for all time. The significance of the name of Jesus does not end with his mission in life. It is also found in the fact that Jesus is Jehovah. The one true God, who "stretched out the heavens alone, and spread out the earth by himself" (Isaiah 44:24), came to earth to save us by living as Jesus Christ. "God did not send someone else to save the world...he came himself."
Jesus is the Son of God
Psalm 2:7 -- I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father (Also Hebrews 1:5).
Matthew 1:18 -- This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:28--...If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Matthew 3:17 -- And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matt 26:63-64 -- But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
Romans 1:4 -- ...and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Comment:
The sonship of Jesus was predetermined in the mind and plan of God from eternity, but he did not really exist until he was born in Bethlehem. As my mentor Robert Sabin described, when a homebuilder looks at blueprints of his future home, they see the plans for the bathroom and say, "There's the bathroom." They can see it in their mind's eye, but it doesn't exist yet. The plan of Jesus' birth, life, sacrifice, and death was similar. You might say, God had a blueprint of salvation that was so real to him he could see it as though it already existed. Romans 4:17 tells us "God...calls things that are not as though they were." Psalm 2:7 (quoted above) in the KJV states "this day have I begotten thee." Jesus was God's son, his only son—he had a birthday which means there was a time when he did not exist. The spirit of God is eternal, without beginning or end. Man is not eternal. As a man, Jesus had a beginning. The humanity of Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins at Calvary. The spirit of the risen Christ, humanity and divinity together will never end. Since the first Christmas day, Jesus will always be God, and God will always be man. 1 Corinthians 15:28 describes a time when "God will be all, and in all." The sonship of Jesus as mediator to the human race will no longer be necessary when there is no more sin, no more death, no more sorrow. Jesus will always be God's only begotten son.
Jesus is both the creator and descendant of David
Isaiah 11:1--A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
Matthew 1:2-26--See this text for the lineage of Abraham to David, and David to Jesus.
Matthew 22:41-46--While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42"What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" 42 "The son of David," they replied. 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him `Lord'? For he says, 44"`The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." ' 45If then David calls him `Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.Romans 1:3 -- ...regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David....
Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."Revelation 22:16 -- "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
Comment:
When Jesus declares he is the "Root and Offspring of David," he is exposing two facts: 1) David is descended from Jesus and 2) Jesus is descended from David. How can this be? Jesus, the human, did not exist actually before David, but the spirit of God did. The "Root" is the Spirit of God. The Spirit that spoke the worlds into existence out of nothing. The same Spirit that selected David as king and then blessed his kingdom. It was that Spirit which overshadowed Mary to become the father of Jesus. The Spirit of God then took on the identity of Jesus, by living in him. Jesus' human ancestry is traced back to David and Abraham. His bloodline comes directly from God. Jesus is the Spirit of God from the Old Testament who became a man in the New Testament, thereby the "Root and Offspring of David."
He is the King of Kings and Lord of lords
Daniel 2:47--The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery." 1 Timothy 6:13-15--I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time-God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 17:14 -- They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Revelation 19:16--On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Comment:
Misunderstanding these scriptures leads to an inaccurate perception of God. In any kingdom, there can only be one "King of kings." You may say, "That is true in a human kingdom, but it could work in a divine Kingdom." God Himself leaves no room for plurality within His sovereignty. He declares "I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself "(Isaiah 44:24). To create a doctrine to solve problems of scriptural interpretation only creates problems, not solutions. The question raised from these texts is: How can the King of kings of the Old Testament be alone as God, and yet Jesus rightfully claims the same title in the New Testament? The answer is found in the fact that the King of the Old Testament is also King in the New Testament. There is no division of power, no delegation of authority, no savior dispatched from heaven. God did not send someone else to save the world, He came Himself. God did not send a prince into the kingdom, the king put on the robe of a prince and came into the kingdom. You may ask, how can this be? Read on below.
Jesus' Father, the Spirit of God, was living within him.
John 10:30 -- Jesus said, "I and the Father are one."
John 10:38 -- But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
John 14:8-10 -- Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
John 14:20 -- On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
2 Corinthians 5:19 -- ...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation (NKJ).
Colossians 1:19 -- For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him
Comment:
Have you ever asked yourself the question: When Jesus prayed, who was he praying to? Why did Jesus seem to have such a subordinate role if he was God Almighty? (After reading this, I encourage you to visit the Sir Isaac Watt's article "A Solemn Address to the Deity." He had very similar questions.) Jesus was born a male child of the human race. He required food, water, warmth, and nurturing to survive and flourish. Jesus became tired; he slept; he wept. He was tempted in every aspect possible. The humanity of Jesus was as fragile and susceptible to failure as any other human being. The difference between Jesus and us, is Jesus had total access to the Spirit of God living in him. John the baptist described Jesus by saying: "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit" (John 3:34). It was the Spirit of God living in Jesus that gave him the power to do miracles, to know the thoughts of men, to be "God with us." The humanity of Jesus prayed to the Spirit of God in him for strength, insight, wisdom, knowledge, direction, and power. The Spirit in Jesus was no longer just a temporary manifestation of deity on earth (See Theophanies). God became a man, or "The Creator became part of creation" (Robert A. Sabin). The humanity of Jesus was the mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). The flesh and blood was necessary for the propitiation of our sins (Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10); for without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). The importance of Jesus being a man does not end there. Jesus is also our advocate, defending us when we stand before God in judgment when the accuser attempts to steal us away from God (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25,1 John 2:1). The humanity of Jesus should encourage every downtrodden, brokenhearted, defeated individual because in Jesus, we have someone who understands what we are going through. Jesus will always be a man, but he won't always need to be a mediator, an atonement for sin, an intercessor. See above reference to 1 Corinthians 15:28 under "Jesus is the Son of God." God will always reside in Jesus, therefore Jesus will always be God.
Jesus is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter
Isaiah 44:3--For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
Isaiah 59:20-21--"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD. 21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD. Joel 2:28-29--I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Matt 3:11 -- "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Mark 1:7-8 -- And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Luke 3:16--John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Luke 24:49--I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
John 1:33 -- I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
Acts 2:1-18--When the day of Pentecost came...All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd...this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Comment:
In the Old Testament, God was speaking when he promised the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 59 uses the Hebrew Tetragrammaton for the proper name of God--LORD. Yet in the New Testament, there can be no controversy that Jesus will be the one who pours out the Holy Spirit. Jesus even refers to the promise of the Father in Luke 24:49 that he will pour out. When considered in perspective of Jesus being Jehovah God in the flesh, there is no conflict between the Old and New Testaments. Any other interpretation, requires the formulation of a doctrine to reconcile the Bible with itself.
Jesus is the Holy Ghost/Comforter
Matthew 28:20--And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
John 14:16-18 -- And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Romans 8:9-11--You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you
Comments:
One must be exercise caution to remember that the Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, not a separate entity. The words "Holy Spirit" are "pneuma hagion" in the Greek. Translated it means "holy breath." It was the holy breath of God that hovered over the waters in creation (Genesis 1:2). That same holy breath of God overshadowed Mary, the mother of Jesus, and then lived in his son. The holy breath of God raised Jesus from the dead. The spirit of the risen Christ referred to in these verses is the same holy breath of God. Only now, the spirit has taken up permanent residence in a man. Jesus told his followers in John 14: "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you" (KJV). He identifies himself as the comforter, which is one and the same as the Holy Spirit. In Romans, Paul refers to the Spirit of God living in you, and in the next phrase emphasizes the importance of having the Spirit of Christ in you. The connection should be simple.
Jesus will be on the throne when we arrive in heaven.
Matthew 19:28--Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne...Revelation 3:21--To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.Revelation 4:2-3--...there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.Revelation 7:17--For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.Revelation 19:4--The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. Revelation 22:3-4--The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Comments: According to the Bible, how many thrones are there in heaven? It is clear by the constant use of the singular word throne, that there is only one throne. How many will be seated on the throne. Matthew refers to the Son of Man. Is that one? When Jesus speaks in Revelation 3:21, he tells us the he will be seated with his Father. Is that two? It must be understood that the Father and Jesus are one (John 10:30) because the Father lives in Jesus. There is one God, one savior, one Father, one LORD, one throne, one King of Kings and Lord of lords...Jesus.
Jesus is everything to us: He is God, savior, mediator, propitiation for sin, advocate, and comforter. Soon, he will be our rescuer, King and ruler.
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