Your Time with The Lord

 

Your Time With the Lord

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 25

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ALLEGORIES

 ALLEGORIES

Does the Bible always say what it means or mean what it says? One of the difficulties with reading the Bible is that much of what it says is allegory. As one book puts it: “[One] reason for this is that Scripture is written allegorically, or as Clement say, (Clement of Alexandria) ‘in parables.’ The sacred text has more than one meaning.**

So it is with many words in the Bible. Take the word “woman” for example, it has been used as an allegory for the church and vice-versa. In Genesis 2:24, regarding man and woman, it is said that: “a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

In Revelation 19:7-8 states: “…for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Further along, while speaking of the New Jerusalem, Revelation goes on to say: “…The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light…” (21:23-24).

So the woman who is to marry the man in Genesis is replaced by the church which is to be the bride of the Lamb (Christ) in Revelation.

Now in Genesis, it says that: “…God caused a great sleep to fall on Adam…and He took one of his ribs…which the Lord God made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22)

In John, at the crucifixion of Christ, it is stated that: “…one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” (19:34) The blood and water that came from Jesus’ side indicated that He was truly dead but also, as stated in 1 John 5:6 “This is He who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.” It goes on to say in verse 8 that “…there are three who bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” This, in part, comes from Leviticus where it states that in order to cleanse (purify) a house that: “…he [a priest] shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird…” (14:52).

So the blood and water that came from the side of Christ not only gave proof of His death, but also signified His divinity. They also were evidence to the purification that these substances provided in the Old Testament.

And as the woman came from the side of Adam in Genesis, so started the church from the side of Christ, at His death, in the New Testament with the symbolism of purification by blood and water.

The meanings become clearer when you think about them.  

 

*Clement of Alexandria (150-215AD) was an early church father

**The Story of Christianity by Justo L. Gonzales pg. 73

Pastor Caroline - God Our Protector

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 24

Your Time With the Lord

 

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PROOF?

 PROOF?

It seems that one of the most difficult endeavours is that of trying to change the outlook of a person when that individual is determined not to accept any evidence which is contrary to his/her preconceived ideas. Even when the evidence is essentially irrefutable, such a person will often hold to the contrary view. For example, there are still those who maintain that the earth is flat in spite of the obvious evidence to the contrary. There are those who still deny the holocaust, denying the multiple graves that have been exposed and the many first-hand witnesses who have told their stories. And, of course, there are still many who believe vaccines cause autism or other similar side effects.

Such thinking is not new. Many, including the church, believed the earth was the centre of the universe and that the sun rotated around the earth, holding on to such beliefs long after Galileo and Copernicus showed otherwise. Mankind can be very stubborn to the acceptance of evidence and truth.

Today, most still accept that evolution is the truth in spite of the many holes in its theory. They refuse to consider what the Bible puts forward as an alternative - that the “…invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, ever His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20, KJV)

Similarly, many refuse to accept the divinity of Christ because, they say, He never declared Himself as such. But yet, is there not evidence in the Bible to the contrary? In the book of Mark, apparently the oldest Gospel, the following is recorded:

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, 

“Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 

(Mark 14:61, KJV)

Blessed was a title often used by the Jewish people to refer to God. And so God was often called “blessed for ever” and so as Blessed became a title of God it also applies to Christ. Thus, Jesus answered the question from Mark in a direct manner by using references to the Old Testament books. He replied “I am” using the name God used for Himself in Exodus 3:14 when He said to Moses : “I Am who I Am.” He then went on to say: “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power” (Mark 14:62).

This latter part of what Christ said refers to a portion from the book of Daniel: “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him” (7:13). As well, from a portion  of Psalm 110:1: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

 

Jesus answered the high priest in a way that utilized the scriptures to which the Jewish people were familiar to literally confirm that He was who He claimed to be.

Even though the evidence is there, many people still refuse to acknowledge and accept it; but it is something that we all should think carefully about. 

Pastor Caroline - The Lord's Words

Your Time With the Lord

 

This is my thought for today.

I am reminded that God knows the complete history of the world and all that is in it. He also knows the complete future of the world, which is so comforting.  I am at peace because I know God has incredible plans for our future, yours, mine and for the future of our world.

Psalm 139 Verse 16 (GNB) reads:
you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.

Now let’s focus on Jesus and this incredible day which the Lord has made.

Pastor Caroline.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Romans Part 23

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - AMAZED

 AMAZED

Sometimes a small difference in translation can make a larger difference in one’s perception in what has been said. For example, the word marvel in the NKJV is often substituted for the word amazed in the NIV. The latter seems to convey a more emotional response than does the former in many instances.

In most cases, it’s the response of the populace to the teachings or action of Christ which is reported through the Bible, whether it be marvelling or amazement at what is being said or done. But in at least two instances, it was Christ Himself who had the response.

On one occasion, after a day in which He was followed by large numbers of people and had done many wonders,

a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying  

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” 

And Jesus said to him “I will come and heal him.” 

The centurion answered and said, 

“Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. 

But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed…” 

When Jesus heard it, He marvelled [was amazed], and said to those who followed, 

“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

(Matthew 8:5-8,10)

On another occasion, Jesus went to teach in the synagogue and the people took offence at Him and apparently also at His teaching. As a result, He said

 

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, 

among his own relatives and in his own house.” 

Now he could do no mighty work there, 

except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 

And He marvelled (was amazed) because of their unbelief. 

(Mark 6:4-6)

So Jesus Himself was amazed: first at the faith of some people and then by the unbelief in others. The important thing to notice, however, was how the ones with faith had blessing and how the ones with unbelief were unable to receive any “mighty work”. For “…without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6) so let one “…ask in faith, with no doubting…” (James 1:6) if one expects to receive any “mighty work” (Mark 6:5). Faith in this context really refers to belief in God and His promises. In Deuteronomy 30, God is said to have set before people both good and evil with the request that we keep His commandments, statutes, and judgements and so receive blessing, prosperity, and life. But also a warning that if we fall away from what He requires then curses, misfortune, and death will await.

If God is amazed at you, is it at your faith or your unbelief?

It is something to think about.

Pastor Caroline: Be Patient - Not Powerful