God has all sorts of precious living stones that make up his Temple and you can’t ever judge their worth by looking at the outside. Only God knows what his purpose is for each one and when he shall use them.
That being said, would anyone ever dare to use the Bible as a weapon? Naw…no one would dare do that, would they?
Umm, maybe Satan and his illuminated minions would? Which bring us to the biggest tool the devils use against God’s people is the Word itself. Minions love to twist it and mangle it up and tell us it says things it does not say then he sits back and laughs at God’s children arguing with one another.
He also loves to show people how to artfully, and so scholarly use his Word to beat up and mind control people with private interpretations that are not of truth. Sadly, that is one of his oldest deceptions because it works so well. All you have to do is translate a word here and a word there- a bit slyly and or leave out a word, or a line or paragraph or two? Or merely just twist it a bit and or a lot!
And since the devil found that worked so well against those who don’t read it for themselves, and those who cower to the scholarly, theologian taught authorities, (like pastors, prophets, and priests) he continues to use it. Good people don’t desire to disrespect their pastor, etc., even when they know what they are being told is not a truth, or sounds twisted a bit, so they just politely shut up and let it go. The devil knows how to shame the little person who are without a list of credentials, and he loves to do it. So, that is one reason why we have over 40 thousand protestant denominations and even more different translations. All because the devil loves to have his thinking scholars give it a few twists and teach it. Twist it, twist it, twist it, turn it around and around and around!
That being said, let’s pause for a moment and do the twist!
Do the twist with the modern-day church! Live your best life now!!!! Twist it baby…just like this!
Think of how many times someone tried to beat you up with a scripture? Like if you do this or you do that, you are bound for hell? If you don’t do this or do that you aren’t a Christian? Fill in the blank of the words that were used on you ________________. Ponder it and write how it worked until you were led by the Holy Spirit to see it was not so. ____________.
Using the words, “The Bible says “with their own interpretation as a fiery darted weapon is generally always done by someone who is well meaning and was taught the same… that is why it works so darn good.
Those who point out a scripture in it’s full context and show what it truly means are mostly not appreciated by the pastor and the elders. They are scolded and belittled, so if you plan to do that… be prepared for it is not for the faint of heart.
In the past, I have pointed out many times to family and friends that Jesus made a whip from cords and drove the merchants out of the Temple even overturning their money tables and if anyone had the zeal for their Fathers house like that today, they would be arrested. But, then again… they did arrest Jesus, shortly after he did that. They just had to make up lies to do it. We are not directed to do any such retaliation, but we are told not to be unequally yoked and to read the scriptures for ourselves so we are not deceived.
That is not to say that many people are not well meaning, nor that they don’t love the Lord or are not well versed in understanding. Some have just been misguided, as I, myself have often been. We are not to judge the person, but we are to follow what we know is truth and when wrong adjust it.
The Lord God judges our hearts and we do not know what he has planned for each person for His purpose. This point is proven in our own lives as we learn in part and know in part and some things we each are just now learning. It does not mean if we had an interpretation wrong we are damned and will be punished, not at all. It means we have all been searching for the truth and the devil has been working overtime to hide it and keep it all hidden so we fall for lies, of which I have fallen for many lies in the past and in the present. God and God alone judges our hearts and for that I am forever thankful that man has no power over any of that.
When we look at the teachings of Jesus, he came to correct the mountain of manmade laws and dogma that had been instilled into the minds of the people. The Pharisees and Sadducees hated him for that. But they couldn’t dispute any of the words he spoke. So they kept plotting against him to find fault. Why? Perhaps because Jesus boldly spoke the truth and called them out.
Matthew 23:2 Context
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
That sure sounds like Jesus was calling out manmade dogma and interpretations. What do you think? Using their authority to add things to God’s Word as a weapon to control others. What does that sound like to you?
Which made me wonder when the Lord said “whatsoever they bid you observe”, what did he mean by that? So I went to the Greek Lexicon and looked up the translation for the word observe.
That word means to guard. “To watch over and or to guard.” Versus the idea of all that they tell you do observe as in to do. Which the word guard does make it more plainly understood when he continues to say, “but do not do according to their deeds for they say things and do not do them“.
You decide what Jesus was saying by taking it to the Holy Spirit. To me, He was saying to guard against what you are being told and not to do what is not in the commandment of God.
In another place Jesus said to the Pharisees-
John 8:44-46
44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Which bring us to the word “devil”, which was translated from the word diaballo, which is a word that describes our accuser who is the devil, “diaballó”: to bring charges (usually with hostile intent).
Original Word: διαβάλλω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diaballó
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ab-al’-lo)
Definition: to bring charges (usually with hostile intent)
Usage: I thrust through, slander, complain of, accuse.
Today we see the devil doing his wickedness in all the evil taking place in “Lawfare”, where false charges with hostile intent are being brought upon good and innocent people. Many who don’t have the money to fight such charges in Satan’s own den of thieves have made plea deals in order to have less of a charge, even though the charges are still false and lies.
There truly is nothing new under the sun. We are watching the devil our accuser throw every lie, and every form of deceit he has at us full throttle and all at once. His wicked schemes are surrounding and devouring us like ravenous wolves from every direction.
Colossians 2:6-23 Alive in Christ
6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Which bring us to very important scriptures that proclaim the last days began at the time of the Apostles!
In Acts: 2:5-13 it states that there were devout Jews out of every nation under heaven dwelling in Jerusalem and when they came together to listen to the disciples every man heard them speak in their own language. They were amazed that they all heard the message in their own tongue. Acts 2:7-11, “And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”
They couldn’t understand this and some mocked them saying the disciples were drunk of wine. But Peter stood with the other eleven apostles and spoke out and let the people know that this was in fulfillment of the scriptures and quoted Joel the prophet.
Acts 2:14-24 Peter Preaches to the Crowd
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
This shows that the last days began with the first followers of the way and the day of Pentecost! It also shows that other parts of the prophecy of Joel were fulfilled!
The words of the prophet Joel were a testimony to all of what had taken place at the time of Jesus and upon His resurrection and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. The sun turned into darkness at Calvary and the moon into blood…which is what took place during the eclipse. There was a blood moon. When the Lord yielded up the ghost, it states in Matthew 27:50-54 that there was a great earthquake and many of the graves were opened and the saints went about testifying to the people in the city.
Stay with me here for this is right smack in our face and few are even proclaiming it. Let us first look at Matthew 27 to recount what happened at the cross.
Matthew 27:50-54
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Joel’s Prophecy predicted that just BEFORE the climactic event of Messiah’s Manifestation in Glory, there would be two Signs in the Heavens (one in the Sun and the other in the Moon), and then AFTER this event, He would pour His Spirit out on all flesh, and salvation would be given to all who call upon Him as Lord and God. (This defines the day of Pentecost and the beginning of the NEW COVENANT to all nations, and the beginning of the last days as stated in Joel. The last days began at the time of the Apostles. They have been taking place for almost 2,000 years!
This is why Peter said it in Acts 2:16-21: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh… I will pour out My Spirit in those days...I will show wonders in Heaven above… The SUN shall be turned into DARKNESS, and the MOON into BLOOD, BEFORE the coming of the Great and Awesome (Glorious) Day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass, that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
According to the Oxford Bible Church, “Some say that although Peter quoted Joel 2:28-32 in full, only the part about the Spirit being poured out was actually fulfilled at that time. However, if that were so, it would have made more sense for Peter to have just quoted the part that was fulfilled, rather than adding in all the verses that were not fulfilled, which would be self-defeating. In quoting the Prophecy in full (rather than just a selection), Peter was surely pointing out that it all had a fulfilment at the First Coming: (1) in the Signs in the Heavens that had to happen beforehand, then (2) in the Day of the Lord’s glorious Resurrection, as well as (3) in the Outpouring of the Spirit afterwards. Therefore, in Acts 2:20, in proving the Messiahship of Jesus, Peter was pointing to the fact that in connection with His Death and Resurrection, the SUN had recently turned to DARKNESS, and the MOON to BLOOD, in fulfilment of Joel’s Prophecy.
Of which we now know that during a sun eclipse, a blood moon occurs. However, for doubters, let us look at further research and ancient documents that record this event. Even the records of Pontius Pilate to Rome.
“Jesus was delivered to him by Herod, Archelaus, Philip, Annas, Caiphas, and all the people. At His Crucifixion, the SUN was DARKENED; the Stars appeared, and in all the world people lighted lamps from the 6th hour till evening; the MOON appeared like BLOOD.”
This describes a strange Darkness occurring during the Crucifixion, followed by a Lunar Eclipse, graphically described by the Moon turning to Blood, in perfect agreement with the Scriptures. In addition to the words of Peter at Pentecost, and the Report of Pilate which added that it was at the Crucifixion that the Moon turned to Blood, we have further evidence from Cyril, the orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria in AD 412. After describing the darkness at the Crucifixion he says: “Something unusual occurred about the circular rotation of the MOON, so that it even seemed to be turned into BLOOD”, and notes that Joel foretold these Signs. This confirms that the Moon appeared like Blood on the evening of the Crucifixion. When the Apostle Peter, the ‘Report of Pilate’, and Cyril of Alexandria refer to the Moon turning to Blood on the evening of the Crucifixion, they were surely describing a lunar eclipse, with especially strong reddening, due to dust from the seismic activity.
In Appendix 4, we demonstrated from the historical records that the Sun turned to Darkness on Passover AD 33, when Jesus was crucified (Friday, April 1st, Gregorian). Now we can reveal the amazing fact that astronomical calculations establish that also the Moon turned to Blood on that very same day – April 1st, AD 33 – in agreement with the historical record! This fixes the date of the Cross!
Moreover, it has been established that this eclipse was visible from Jerusalem at moonrise, and therefore it would have been witnessed by most of the population of Israel, since the Jews would be looking for both sunset and moonrise in order to commence their high holy day, which was both a Sabbath and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread when they would eat their Passover Meal. Instead of seeing the expected full moon rising, they would have initially seen a moon with a red ‘bite’ removed. The effect would be dramatic. The moon would appear to grow to full in the next hour. The moon’s reddening would be enhanced greatly by all the dust in the atmosphere from the great earthquakes that took place at the Crucifixion.
Read: Oxford Bible Church – Appendix 5: When the Moon turned to Blood – Part 2
This also marks the fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel to the end of the weeks of years. For in the middle of the week he was cut off, but not for himself. And the next 3.5 years the disciples continued his ministry to the Jews until the stoning of Stephen and Rome was surrounded by armies. The persecution began. Great Tribulation was now rearing its awful head.
Acts 8:1-4
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
This was the completion of final week of the 490 weeks of years. And the disciples fled the city and Judea and the end of the 70th week of years. There is no pause in Daniel’s prophecy to cause a floating 7 years, nor as some call it “a cancelled week” thrown into some future time of “a last days 7 years of tribulation”.
Great Tribulation had begun! The second half of the week was complete at the stoning of Stephen. It wasn’t floating out there waiting until the last generation, and it was not frozen in time.
Prior to that, the gospel had been preached for 3.5 years throughout Judea to the Jews and began after the Lord ascended into heaven and the receiving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and thereafter when the people received the Holy Spirit and Peter proclaimed the words of Joel to all who had ears to hear it.
Acts 2:16-21: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: .‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh… I will pour out My Spirit in those days…I will show wonders in Heaven above… The SUN shall be turned into DARKNESS, and the MOON into BLOOD, BEFORE the coming of the Great and Awesome (Glorious) Day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass, that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The abomination that left them desolate was the refusal of their Messiah, and putting Him to death, there was a great earthquake and the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the stones were rent. Hebrews tells us the temple was a shadow of things to come and now as the Lord did tell us that we who have faith in Him are living stones and each one make up the temple of God. Paul states that all who believe on the Lord are the temple and the Holy Spirit and God dwell in us and us in him.
Matthew 21:42-46
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. (more on this in part 2!)
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
You are God’s Temple – 1 Corinthians 3:16-18
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Hebrews 9:23-28, 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
1 Peter 2:4-9, “4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
The truth is in the Word of God. Seek and you shall find it.
To be continued: In part 2 we will uncover another mystery that has already been fulfilled that has been written about by both Josephus the Jewish Historian and John in Revelation. It is in plain sight, written and has been ignored.
KEEP ON PRESSING INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! PRESS, PRESS, PRESS!
DIANNE
