The Preeminence of Christ
For the Christian, the first and primary rule of Biblical interpretation (“hermeneutics”) centers on the relationship of the “Word of God” (the Bible), to Jesus Christ, referred to as the preeminence (meaning: “above and beyond everything else in importance” – pre [“before”], eminent [“importance”]) of Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:10), in both the Old and New Testaments, as Creator (Col. 1:16) and Lord (Phil. 2:9-11); that He far and above fulfills the Will of the Father (Joh. 8:28); and deserves to be preeminent in our lives.
The preeminence of Jesus Christ is the purpose of the Gospel Books, as well as all of God’s Word.
What Jesus Said of Himself
Found in John 5:39,
“you search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and
they are they that speak of me.”
Hebrews 10:7, which quotes Psalms 40:7, which is a Messianic passage, states:
“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me.”
It is these, among many other Scriptures that instruct us that the Scripture centers on the person of Jesus Christ, as the only begotten Son of the Father (2 Pet. 1:17). It is in understanding His preeminence (Rom. 11:36) in fulfilling the Will of the Father, that allows the salvation of all of mankind (Acts 5:31), yet concerning salvation man is not the focus of attention, God is (1 Pet. 4:11; man is created for God’s glory ~ Isa. 43:7); and it is Jesus Christ in which God reveals Himself to man (Joh. 14:9), and Christ Jesus by whom God the Father is glorified (Col. 3:17).
Specifically Concerning Christ’s Preeminence
Colossians 1:16, states:
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him“
Ephesians 1:20-23, states:
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
Concerning Christ and the Law
Matthew 5:18, states:
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
Concerning Jesus’ Place in the Old Testament Scriptures (Please see Endnote #3, for a full list of the 365 Old Testament Scriptures fulfilled by Jesus)
Luke 24:27, Jesus states concerning Himself:
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
And Again, Luke 24:44-47, when it states:
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem“
Another example of this is seen in John 1:45, which states:
“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
As well as John 12:16, states:
“His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.”
And John 15:25, states:
“But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, `They hated Me without a cause.”
Acts 1:16, states:
“Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”
Acts 8:35, states:
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture [which was Isa. 53:7], and preached unto him Jesus.”
Acts 10:43, states:
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 13:27-37, states:
“For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. And we declare to you glad tidings that promise which was made to the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: `You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: `I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm: `You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.”
Acts 26:22-23, states:
“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
Acts 28:23, states:
“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening“
Romans 1:1-3, states:
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. “
Hebrews 1:1-3, states:
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 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.”
Other notable scriptures concerning Christ’s preeminence are: John 1:1, 14, 29; 5:46, 47; Acts 2:16-36; 3:18; John 14:6 with 17:7; and Hebrews 4:13.
Place Jesus in the Middle of It
It has been wisely said that if any passage appears to be mysterious or difficult to comprehend, simply place Jesus in the middle of the passage; and according to the blessing of the Holy Spirit, relevance will be unearthed leading to the understanding of the passage. God uses many different forms of object lessons to convey meaning, Such as: types (“the lamb of God,” “the lion of the tribe of Judah“), shadows (the Tabernacle, Feast Days), numbers (6 the number of man, 7 the number of completeness), and symbolism as seen in colors (blue, purple, red), raw building material (gold, bronze, wood, hay and stubble); “Figures of Speech,” which are readily employed, which are normal words used in an abnormal manner in order to render meaning and emphasis.
Therefore, there are passages in God’s Word that use these different forms of object lessons, yet always in some manner pointing to Jesus Christ as He is the center of all creation. Hence, God uses literally everything in His Word to display Jesus Christ (Joh. 5:39); even such as things as Jesus’ two appearances on Earth which are pictorials which display His role of Redeemer (Job 19:25), of Israel, who has two main functions:
2) The Goal, the “Revenger in Blood,” (Num. 35:2; Deut. 19:6) who would revenge when a kinsmen was murdered (such as when man was murdered by the scheme of the Devil, which is continued by his followers, which Christ referred to as his children ~ Joh. 8:44), seeking justice in delivering punishment (Jud. 1:15; Joh. 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31), as typified by Jesus’ second coming. It is in understanding that everything in the Bible is meant to symbolize and identify the Messiah, His mission, and destiny; which is seen in everything that God has communicated to man. From all the articles of the Tabernacle, to the 7 Feasts of Israel, to even the place names, and personal name of individuals who played out God’s message in the drama of their own lives.
NOTE: It should be noted that the Pharisees always drew attention to when Christ claimed to be divine, because they would pick up stones to stone Jesus for blasphemy, which was according to the law (Lev. 24:16); which included the blasphemy of claiming to be divine.
Jesus was symbolized as THE brazen serpent held up in the desert (Joh. 3:14), THE rock not made with hands (Dan. 2:45 ~ Rom. 9:33), THE rock that gave forth water (1 Cor. 10:4), THE Lamb of God to die for the sins of the world (Joh. 1:29, 36), and many more symbols and typologies (both addressed later). It is in understanding that Jesus Christ is the center of God’s creation (Rom. 11:36; Eph. 1:20-22; Col. 1:16); everything in God’s Word points to Him, holding Him preeminent in all things.
It has been mistakenly said that God’s Word is a book about salvation (Concerning man’s perspective as compared to God’ perspective, see Endnote #1), which implies that man is the main focus as the recipient of that salvation. And whereas salvation is an underlying theme, it is not what is to be preeminent, Jesus Christ is. It has also been taught that man’s purpose is to be fulfilled in his life, which is synonymous with man living to satisfy himself (Concerning man and him living for God or living for self, see Endnote #2), or even have a good life, or even to provide fellowship for God (which is a side benefit to both).
However, man’s purpose is to glorify God as recorded in Isaiah 43:7, which states:”Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”It is the preeminence of Jesus.
Christ is the theme and reason for God’s Word, as well as all of creation.
Endnote
1. God’s Perspective ~ Man is so limited by the sin nature that even the born-again believer is plagued with a sinful perception, wherein reality is beyond his comprehension. The following are a few examples of the difference between our perception and God’s perception.
1) When one reads the first three chapters of the book of Revelation, which is the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him to show to His servants (Revelation 1:1), beyond being amazed that Jesus truly did write (dictated to John, the same as most of the New Testament books were dictated by their writers) part of the New Testament; is that these seven letters to seven churches draw on the fact, that even within the church our perspectives are warped.
What you will find is that those churches that thought they were doing quite well, were actually doing miserably, and those churches that perceive themselves so negatively, Christ commands them as having done better than they expected. This displays the fact that we humans, even when filled with the Holy Spirit and submissive to God’s leading, are still so tainted by the sin in our flesh, that we can’t see clear enough to perceive reality many times.
2) Another example of warped perspective can be seen in the blessing of God’s provision for the Israelites as they crossed the desert to the Promised Land. Whenever God refers to the bread like material that He left for them day after day, God first calls it “bread from heaven,” (Exo. 16:4; Joh. 6:31) yet the Hebrews referred to it as “manna.” What we miss in our English translations is that the Hebrew word for manna actually means: “what is it,” in Hebrew (Exo. 16:15), and is a derogatory term. From God’s perspective this was a blessing that daily He provided for them, yet in the arrogance of their sinful perspective they saw it as something derogatory.
3) Yet another example can be seen in Daniel 2:1-45, where God gives Nebuchadnezzar a dream about four world empires. When God gives Nebuchadnezzar this dream according to his own perception, in an idiom that he would understand according to earthly values and a carnal perspective.
The dream centered on a man made out of precious metals descending in value from his head to his toe. Yet, in chapter 7 of Daniel, God gives Daniel, the man of God, a dream of the same world empires. However, now God features them as wild animals. God will speak to us in a language that we understand, and what we see in the first vision is an ungodly King seeing man in his greatness, yet in the second vision we see a godly man shown that these kingdoms are actually wild beast. The point is it’s the same God, the same future kingdoms; yet God displays the imagery differently according to who he gives the dream too. There’s a lesson in this for us, God’s perspective is always different than our own.
4) One last example which displays the diversity between our human perspective and God’s perspective can be seen in the last hour of a man’s life. According to our perspective, what you do in your life, those 60 or 70 years; will tell the most about who you are, and what your priorities were.
Yet Jesus gave a parable (Matt. 20:1-16) about workers that started work at different times in the day, with them all receiving the same pay. Many misunderstand the point of the story. The point was no matter how many years you serve the Lord, or even if you’ve only known Him a short time before your death, we all get the same reward of eternal salvation. With God there are no greater or lesser amounts of salvation. God in His Word displays time and time again that His priorities are different than our own. That if a man pushes a broom diligently for God, according to God’s Will for that man, he will not receive a smaller reward than Billy Graham received if Billy followed God’s Will as well.
It is we humans that live with inflated egos and perceptions clouded by pride; that Judge un-righteously and ungodly, according to our sensual pleasures, and carnal perceptions.
Perhaps one of the individuals that will be most shocked by their contribution to God’s kingdom is the thief on the cross. (Luk. 23:39-43) In the last hour of his life he gained salvation. His act of faith was calling Jesus Lord and verbally defending Jesus, and for this Jesus told him that he would be with Him that day. Yet, how many untold thousands of people in their last drawing breaths, having lived a life of debauchery and sin, yet in the last few moments of their life surrendered all to Jesus, having understood that they could follow the example of the thief on the cross. What we see when we look upon the thief is the 30 or so years of criminality, what God see’ is one hour of submission, surrender and faith.
2. Concerning commitment in our Christian walk as compared to our words. The following is an inscription on a cathedral in Lubeck (15th century), Germany, which states:
Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:
Ye call Me Master and obey Me not.
Ye call Me Light and see Me not.
Ye call Me Way and walk Me not.
Ye call Me Life and choose Me not.
Ye call Me Wise and follow Me not.
Ye call Me Fair and love Me not.
Ye call Me Rich and ask Me not.
Ye call Me Eternal and seek Me not.
Ye call Me Noble and serve Me not.
Ye call Me Gracious and trust Me not.
Ye call Me Might and honor Me not.
Ye call Me Just and fear Me not.
If I condemn you, blame Me not.
3. The 365 Prophecies in the Jewish Scriptures Fulfilled by Jesus
1.Genesis 3:15…..Seed of a woman (virgin birth)…..Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18-20
2. Genesis 3:15…..He will bruise Satan’s head…..Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8
3. Genesis 5:24….The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated….Mark 6:19
4. Genesis 9:26-27…The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem…Luke 3:36
5. Genesis 12:3…As Abraham’s seed, will bless all nations…Acts 3:25,26
6. Genesis 12:7…The The Promise made made to Abraham’s Seed…Galatians 3:16
7. Genesis 14:18…A priest after Melchizedek…Hebrews 6:20
8. Genesis 14:18……..A King also……..Hebrews 7:2
9. Genesis 14:18…The Last Supper foreshadowed…Matthew 26:26-29
10. Genesis 17:19…….The Seed of Isaac…….Romans. 9:7
11. Genesis 21:12 …Seed of Isaac…Romans 9:7, Hebrews 11:18
12. Genesis 22:8…The Lamb of God promised…John 1:29
13. Genesis 22:18…As Isaac’s seed, will bless all nations…Galatians 3:16
14. Genesis26:2-5..The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer..Hebrews11:18
15. Genesis 49:10…The time of His coming…Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4
16. Genesis 49:10…….The Seed of Judah…….Luke 3:33
17. Genesis 49:10……Called Shiloh or One Sent……John 17:3
18. Genesis 49:10…To come before Judah lost identity…John 11:47-52
19. Genesis 49:10…To Him shall the obedience of the people be…John 10:16
20. Exodus 3:13,14……..The Great “I Am”…….John 4:26
21. Exodus 12:5…A Lamb without blemish…1 Pet. 1:19
22. Exodus 12:13…The blood of the Lamb saves Romans wrath…Romans. 5:8
23. Exodus 12:21-27…Christ is our Passover…1 Corinthians 5;7
24. Exodus 12:46…Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken…John 19:31-36
25. Exodus 13:2…Blessing to first born son…Luke 2:23
26. Exodus 15:2…His exaltation predicted as Yeshua…Acts 7:55,56
27. Exodus 15:11…His Character-Holiness…Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27
28. Exodus 17:6…The Spiritual Rock of Israel…1 Corinthians 10;4
29. Exodus 33:19…His Character-Merciful…Luke 1:72
30. Leviticus14:11…The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood..Luke5:12-14; Acts 6:7
31. Leviticus16:15-17…Prefigures Christ’s once-for-all death…Hebrews 9:7-14
32. Leviticus16:27…Suffering outside the Camp…Matthew 27:33; Hebrews 13:11, 12
33. Leviticus17:11…The Blood-the life of the flesh…Matthew 26;28; Mark 10:45
34. Leviticus17:11…It is the blood that makes atonement…1 John 3:14-18
35. Leviticus23:36-37…The Drink-offering: “If any man thirst.” ..John 19:31-36
36. Numbers 9:12…Not a bone of Him broken…John 19:31-36
37. Numbers 21:9…The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up…John 3:14-18
38. Numbers 24:8… Flight to Egypt…Matthew 2:14
39. Numbers 24:17…Time: “I shall see him, but not now.”…Galatians 4:4
40. Numbers 24:17-19…A star out of Jacob…Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:33,78, Revelation 22:16
41. Deuteronomy 18:15…”This is of a truth that prophet.”…John 6:14
42. Deuteronomy 18:15-16…”Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me.”…John 5:45-47
43. Deuteronomy 18:18…Sent by the Father to speak His word…John 8:28, 29
44. Deuteronomy 18:19…Whoever will not hear must bear his sin…John 12:15
45. Deuteronomy 21:13-23…As a prophet…John 6:14; 7:40, Acts 3:22,23
46. Deuteronomy 21:23…Cursed is he that hangs on a tree…Galatians 3:10-13
47. Ruth 4:4-9…Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us…Ephesians 1:3-7
48. 1 Samuel 2:10…Shall be an anointed King to the Lord…Matthew 28:18; John 12:15
49. 2 Samuel 7:12…David’s Seed…Matthew 1:1
50. 2 Samuel 7:14a…The Son of God… Luke 1:32
51. 2 Samuel 7:16…David’s house established forever…Luke 3:31; Rev. 22:16
52. 2 Samuel 23:2-4…would be the “Rock”…1 Corinthians 10:4
53. 2 Samuel 23:2-4…would be as the “light of the morning”…Revelation 22:16
54. 2 Kings 2:11…The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated…Luke 24:51
55. 1 Chronicles 17:11…David’s Seed…Matthew 1:1; 9:27
56. 1 Chronicles 17:12, 13a…To reign on David’s throne forever…Luke 1:32, 33
57. 1 Chronicles 17:13a…”I will be His Father, He…my Son.”…Hebrews 1:5
58. Job 19:23-27…The Resurrection predicted…John 5:24-29
59. Psalms 2:1-3…The enmity of kings foreordained…Acts 4:25-28
60. Psalms 2:2…To own the title, Anointed (Christ)…Acts 2:36
61. Psalms 2:6…His Character-Holiness…John 8:46; Rev. 3:7
62. Psalms 2:6…To own the title King…Matthew 2:2
63. Psalms 2:7…Declared the Beloved Son…Matthew 3:17
64. Psalms 2:7, 8…The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimated…Acts 13:29-33
65. Psalms 2:12…Life comes through faith in Him…John 20:31
66. Psalms 8:2…The mouths of babes perfect His praise…Matthew 21:16
67. Psalms 8:5, 6…His humiliation and exaltation…Luke 24:50-53; 1 Corinthians 15:27
68. Psalms 16:10…Was not to see corruption…Acts 2:31
69. Psalms 16:9-11…Was to arise from the dead…John 20:9
70. Psalms 17;15…The resurrection predicted…Luke 24:6
Psalms 22:1 ~ “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”
Matthew 27:46 ~ “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Many people have misunderstood Jesus remarks thinking it was a question, a sign of doubt, it was not. Of the seven things that Jesus said from the cross this was stated in chronological order after Jesus had asked the father to forgive them for they know not what to do, and the centurion said truly this was a righteous man. The Jews at his feet, who had memorized the Psalms in their youth would recognize this as Jesus speaking in the first person, yet 500 years before as a prophecy. Jesus was living out at that very moment Psalm 22. Realizing that at that time that it was spoken they never pierced hands or feet but as the Torah said would stone people for capital punishment. Another mystery stated to disapprove his divinity, which God uses to prove his preexistent existence. No less than 17 times in Psalms 22 we find prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in his death on the cross. What are the chances?
71. Psalms 22:1…Forsaken because of sins of others…2 Corinthians 5:21
72. Psalms 22:1…Words spoken from Calvary, “My God…” Mark 15:34
73. Psalms 22:2…Darkness upon Calvary…Matthew 27:45
74. Psalms 22:7…They shoot out the lip and shake the head…Matthew 27:39
75. Psalms 22:8..” He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him “…Matthew 27:43
76. Psalms 22:9……Born the Savior……Luke 2:7
77. Psalms 22:14…Died of a broken (ruptured) heart…John 19:34
78. Psalms 22:14,15…Suffered agony on Calvary…Mark 15:34-37
79. Psalms 22:15……..He thirsted……..John 19:28
80. Psalms 22:16…They pierced His hands and His feet….John 19:34,37;20:27
81. Psalms 22:17,18…Stripped Him before the stares of men…Luke 23:34,35
82. Psalms 22:18…..They parted His garments…..John 19:23,24
83. Psalms 22:20,21…He committed Himself to God…Luke23:46
84. Psalms 22:20,21..Satanic power bruising the Redeemer’s heel.. Hebrews 2:14
85. Psalms 22:22…..His Resurrection declared…..John 20:17
86. Psalms 22:27…He shall be the governor of the nations…Col 1:16
87. Psalms 22:31……”It is finished”……John 19:30
88. Psalms 23:1….”I am the Good Shepherd”….John 10:11
89. Psalms 24:3……His exaltation predicted……Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:9
90. Psalms 27:12…Accused by false witnesses…Matthew 26:60,61, Mark 14:57,58
91. Psalms 30:3……His resurrection predicted……Acts 2:32
92. Psalms 31:5…”Into thy hands I commit my spirit”…Luke 23:46
93. Psalms 31:11…His acquaintances fled from Him…Mark 14:50
94. Psalms 31:13…They took counsel to put Him to death…John 11:53
95. Psalms 31:14,15…” He trusted in God, let Him deliver him”…Matthew 27:43
96. Psalms 34:20…..Not a bone of Him broken…..John 19:31-36
97. Psalms 35:11….False witnesses rose up against Him….Matthew 26:59
98. Psalms 35:19…He was hated without a cause…John 15:25
99. Psalms 38:11…..His friends stood afar off…..Luke 23:49
100. Psalms 40:2-5…The joy of His resurrection predicted…John 20:20
101. Psalms 40:6-8….His delight-the will of the Father….John 4:34
102. Psalms 40:9….He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel….Matthew 4:17
103. Psalms 40:14…Confronted by adversaries in the Garden…John
104. Psalms 41:9…..Betrayed by a familiar friend…..John 13:18
105. Psalms 45:2…Words of Grace come from His lips.. Luke 4:22
106. Psalms 45:6…To own the title, God or Elohim…Hebrews 1:8
107. Psalms 45:7…A special anointing by the Holy Spirit…Matthew3:16; Hebrews1:9
108. Psalms 45:7,8…Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)…Luke 2:11
109. Psalms 49-15…His Resurrection…Acts 2:27; 13:35, Mark 16:6
110. Psalms 55:12-14…Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy…John 13:18
111. Psalms 55:15…Unrepentant death of the Betrayer…Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
112. Psalms 68:18…To give gifts to men…Ephesians 4:7-16
113. Psalms 68:18…Ascended into Heaven…Luke 24:51
114. Psalms 69:4…Hated without a cause…John 15:25
115. Psalms 69:8…A stranger to own brethren…Luke 8;20,21
116. Psalms 69:9…Zealous for the Lord’s House…John 2:17
117. Psalms 69:14-20…Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixion…Matthew 26:36-45
118. Psalms 69:20…”My soul is exceeding sorrowful.”…Matthew 26:38
119. Psalms 69:21…Given vinegar in thirst…Matthew 27:34
120. Psalms 69:26…The Savior given and smitten by God…John 17:4; 18:11
121. Psalms 72:10,11…Great persons were to visit Him…Matthew 2:1-11
122. Psalms 72:16…The corn of wheat to fall into the Ground…John 12:24
123. Psalms 72:17…His name, Yinon, will produce offspring…John 1:12,13
124. Psalms 72:17…All nations shall be blessed by Him…Acts 2:11,12,41
125. Psalms 78:1.2…He would teach in parables…Matthew 13:34-35
126. Psalms 78:2b…To speak the Wisdom of God with authority…Matthew 7:29
127. Psalms 88:8…They stood afar off and watched…Luke 23:49
128. Psalms 89:26…Messiah will call God His Father…Matthew 11:27
129. Psalms 89:27…Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kings…Luke 1:32,33
130. Psalms 89:35-37…David’s Seed, throne, kingdom endure forever…Luke 1:32,33
131. Psalms 89:36-37…His character-Faithfulness…Rev. 1:5
132. Psalms 90:2…He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)…John 1:1
133. Psalms 91:11,12…Identified as Messianic; used to tempt Christ…Luke 4;10,11
134. Psalms 97:9…His exaltation predicted…Acts 1:11;Ephesians 1:20
135. Psalms 100:5…His character-Goodness…Matthew 19:16,17
136. Psalms 102:1-11…The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary…John 21:16-30
137. Psalms 102:16…Son of Man comes in Glory…Luke 21:24; Revelation 12:5-10
138. Psalms 102:25-27…Messiah is the Preexistent Son…Hebrews 1:10-12
139. Psalms 109:4…Prays for His enemies…Luke 23:34
140. Psalms 109:7,8…Another to succeed Judas…Acts 1:16-20
141. Psalms 109:25…Ridiculed…Matthew 27:39
142. Psalms 110:1…Son of David…Matthew 22:43
143. Psalms 110:1…To ascend to the right-hand of the Father…Mark16:19
144. Psalms 110:1…David’s son called Lord…Matthew 22:44,45
145. Psalms 110:4…A priest after Melchizedek’s order…Hebrews 6:20
146. Psalms 112:4…His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et al… Matthew 9;36
147. Psalms 118:17,18…Messiah’s Resurrection assured…Luke 24:5-7;1 Corinthians 15:20
148. Psalms 118:22,23…The rejected stone is Head of the corner…Matthew 21:42,43
149. Psalms 118:26a…The Blessed One presented to Israel…Matthew 21:9
150. Psalms 118:26b…To come while Temple standing…Matthew 21;12-15
151. Psalms 132:11…The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body)…Luke 1:32
152. Psalms 138:1-6…The supremacy of David’s Seed amazes kings… Matthew 2:2-6
153. Psalms 147:3,6…The earthly ministry of Christ described…Luke 4:18
154. Psalms 1:23…He will send the Spirit of God… John 16;7
155. Proverbs 8:22-23…The Messiah would be from everlasting…John 17:5
156. Proverbs 30:4…Declared to be the Son of God…John 3:13, Romans 1:2-4, 10:6-9, 2 Peter 1:17
157. Song of Solomon 5:16…The altogether lovely One…John 1:17
158. Isaiah 2:2-4…Repentance for the nations…Luke 24:47
159. Isaiah 4:2…Messiah reigning
160. Isaiah 5:1-6…Son of God’s vineyard: a parable of judgment
161. Isaiah 6:1…When Isaiah saw His glory… John 12:40-41
162. Isaiah 6:9-10…Parables fall on deaf ears…Matthew 13:13-15
163. Isaiah 6:9-12…Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words…Acts 28:23-29
164. Isaiah 7:14…To be born of a virgin…Luke 1:35
165. Isaiah 7:14…To be Emmanuel-God with us… Matthew 1:18-23
166. Isaiah 8:8…Called Emmanuel…Matthew 28:20
167. Isaiah 8:14…A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense… 1 Pet. 2:8
168. Isaiah 9:1,2…His ministry to begin in Galilee…Matthew 4:12-17
169. Isaiah 9:6…A child born-Humanity…Luke 1:31
170. Isaiah 9:6…A Son given-Deity…Luke 1:32; John 1;14; 1 Tim. 3:16
171. Isaiah 9:6…Declared to be the Son of God with power… Romans. 1:3,4
172. Isaiah 9:6…The Wonderful One, Peleh…Luke 4:22
173. Isaiah 9:6…The Counselor, Yaatz…Matthew 13:54
174. Isaiah 9:6…The Mighty God, El Gibor…Matthew 11:20
175. Isaiah 9:6…The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth…John 8:58
176. Isaiah 9:6…The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom…John . 16:33
177. Isaiah 9:7…To establish an everlasting kingdom…Luke 1:32-33
178. Isaiah 9:7…His Character-Just…John 5:30
179. Isaiah 9:7…No end to his Government, Throne, and Peace…Luke 1:32-33
180. Isaiah 11:1…Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer…Matthew 2:23
181. Isaiah 11:1…A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse…Luke 3:23,32
182. Isaiah 11:2…The anointed One by the Spirit…Matthew 3;16,17
183. Isaiah 11:2…His Character-Wisdom, Understanding, et al….John 4:4-26
184. Isaiah 11:4…His Character-Truth…John 14:6
185. Isaiah 11:10…The Gentiles seek Him…John 12:18-21
186. Isaiah 12:2…Called Jesus-Yeshua (salvation)…Matthew 1:21
187. Isaiah 16:4,5…Reigning in mercy…Luke 1:31-33
188. Isaiah 22:21-25…Peg in a sure place…Revelation 3:7
189. Isaiah 25:8…The Resurrection predicted…I Corinthians 15:54
190. Isaiah 26:19…His power of Resurrection predicted…John 11:43,44
191. Isaiah 28:16…The Messiah is the precious corner stone…Acts 4:11,12
192. Isaiah 29:13…He indicated hypocritical obedience to His Word…Matthew 15:7-9
193. Isaiah 29:14…The wise are confounded by the Word…I Corinthians 1:18-31
194. Isaiah 32:2…A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place…Matthew 23:37
195. Isaiah 33:22…Son of the Highest…Luke 1:32; 1 Timothy 1:17 6:15
196. Isaiah 35:4…He will come and save you…Matthew 1:21
197. Isaiah 35:5…To have a ministry of miracles…Matthew 11:4-6
198. Isaiah 40:3,4…Preceded by forerunner…John 1:23
199. Isaiah 40:9…”Behold your God.”…John 1:36;19:14
200. Isaiah 40:11…A shepherd-compassionate life-giver…John 10:10-18
201. Isaiah 42:1-4…The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemer… Matthew12:18-21
202. Isaiah 42:2…Meek and lowly… Matthew 11:28-30
203. Isaiah 42:3…He brings hope for the hopeless… John 4
204. Isaiah 42:4…The nations shall wait on His teachings… John 12:20-26
205. Isaiah 42:6…The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles…Luke 2:32
206. Isaiah 42:1,6…His is a Worldwide compassion… Matthew 28:19,20
207. Isaiah 42:7…Blind eyes opened… John 9:25-38
208. Isaiah 42:13-25…Messiah’s actions at His second coming…Revelation
209. Isaiah 43:11…He is the only Savior… Acts 4:12
210. Isaiah 44:3…He will send the Spirit of God… John 16:7,13
211. Isaiah 45:23…He will be the Judge… John 5:22;Romans. 14:11
212. Isaiah 48:12…The First and the Last…John 1:30;Rev. 1:8,17
213. Isaiah 48:17…He came as a Teacher…John 3:2
214. Isaiah 49:1…Called from the womb-His humanity…Matthew 1:18
215. Isaiah 49:5…A Servant from the womb…Luke 1:31;Phil. 2:7
216. Isaiah 49:6…He is Salvation for Israel…Luke 2:29-32
217. Isaiah 49:6…He is the Light of the Gentiles…Acts 13:47
218. Isaiah 49:6…He is Salvation unto the ends of the earth… Acts 15:7-18
219. Isaiah 49:7…He is despised of the Nation… John 8:48-49
220. Isaiah 50:3…Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliation… Luke 23:44,45
221. Isaiah 50:4…He is a learned counselor for the weary… Matthew 11:28,29
222. Isaiah 50:5…The Servant bound willingly to obedience… Matthew 26:39
223. Isaiah 50:6a…”I gave my back to the smiters.”… Matthew 27:26
224. Isaiah 50:6b…He was smitten on the cheeks… Matthew 26:67
225. Isaiah 50:6c…He was spat upon… Matthew 27:30
226. Isaiah 52:4-5…Suffered vicariously…Mark 15:3,4,27,28; Luke 23:1-25,32-34
227. Isaiah 52:7…To publish good tidings of peace… Luke 4:14,15
228. Isaiah 52:13…The Servant exalted…Acts 1:8-11; Ephesians 1:19-22
229. Isaiah 52:13…Behold, My Servant… Matthew 17:5; Phil. 2:5-8
230. Isaiah 52:14…The Servant shockingly abused… Luke 18:31-34; Matthew 26:67,68
231. Isaiah 52:15…Nations startled by message of the Servant… Romans. 15:18-21
232. Isaiah 52:15…His blood shed to make atonement for all… Rev. 1:5
233. Isaiah 53:1…His people would not believe Him… John 12:37-38
234. Isaiah 53:2a…He would grow up in a poor family…. Luke 2:7
235. Isaiah 53:2b…Appearance of an ordinary man… Phil. 2:7-8
236. Isaiah 53:3a…Despised…. Luke 4:28-29
237. Isaiah 53:3b…Rejected… Matthew 27:21-23
238. Isaiah 53:3c…Great sorrow and grief… Luke 19:41-42
239. Isaiah 53:3d…Men hide from being associated with Him… Mark 14:50-52
240. Isaiah 53:4a…He would have a healing ministry… Luke 6:17-19
241. Isaiah 53:4b…He would bear the sins of the world… 1 Pet. 2:24
242. Isaiah 53:4c…Thought to be cursed by God… Matthew 27:41-43
243. Isaiah 53:5a…Bears penalty for mankind’s transgressions… Luke 23:33
244. Isaiah 53:5b…His sacrifice would provide peace between man and God… Col. 1:20
245. Isaiah 53:5c…His back would be whipped… Matthew 27:26
246. Isaiah 53:6a…He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind…Galatians 1:4
247. Isaiah 53:6b…God’s will that He bear sin for all mankind… 1 John 4:10
248. Isaiah 53:7a…Oppressed and afflicted… Matthew 27:27-31
249. Isaiah 53:7b…Silent before his accusers… Matthew 27:12-14
250. Isaiah 53:7c…Sacrificial lamb… John 1:29
251. Isaiah 53:8a…Confined and persecuted… Matthew 26:47-27:31
252. Isaiah 53:8b…He would be judged… John 18:13-22
253. Isaiah 53:8c…Killed…. Matthew 27:35
254. Isaiah 53:8d…Dies for the sins of the world… 1 John 2:2
255. Isaiah 53:9a…Buried in a rich man’s grave… Matthew 27:57
256. Isaiah 53:9b…Innocent and had done no violence… Mark 15:3
257. Isaiah 53:9c…No deceit in his mouth… John 18:38
258. Isaiah 53:10a…God’s will that He die for mankind… John 18:11
259. Isaiah 53:10b…An offering for sin… Matthew 20:28
260. Isaiah 53:10c…Resurrected and live forever…. Mark 16:16
261. Isaiah 53:10d…He would prosper… John 17:1-5
262. Isaiah 53:11a…God fully satisfied with His suffering… John 12:27
263. Isaiah 53:11b…God’s servant… Romans. 5:18-19
264. Isaiah 53:11c…He would justify man before God… Romans. 5:8-9
265. Isaiah 53:11d…The sin-bearer for all mankind… Hebrews 9:28
266. Isaiah 53:12a…Exalted by God because of his sacrifice… Matthew 28:18
267. Isaiah 53:12b…He would give up his life to save mankind… Luke 23:46
268. Isaiah 53:12c…Grouped with criminals… Luke 23:32
269. Isaiah 53:12d…Sin-bearer for all mankind… 2 Corinthians 5:21
270. Isaiah 53:12e…Intercede to God in behalf of mankind… Luke 23:34
271. Isaiah 55:1…Every one come who is thirsty…New Testament
272. Isaiah 55:3…Resurrected by God… Acts 13:34
273. Isaiah 55:4…A witness… John 18:37
274. Isaiah 55:5…Foreign nations come to God…Acts
275. Isaiah 59:15-16a…He would come to provide salvation… John 6:40
276. Isaiah 59:15-16b…Intercessor between man and God… Matthew 10:32
277. Isaiah 59:20…He would come to Zion as their Redeemer… Luke 2:38
278. Isaiah 60:1-3…Nations walk in the light…Luke 2:32
279. Isaiah 61:1-2a…The Spirit of God upon him… Matthew 3:16-17
280. Isaiah 61:1-2b…The Messiah would preach the good news… Luke 4:17-21
281. Isaiah 61:1-2c…Provide freedom from the bondage of sin and death… John 8:31-32
282. Isaiah 61:1-2…Proclaim a period of grace… John 5:24
283. Isaiah 62:1-2…Called by an new name…Luke 2:32, Revelation 3:12
284. Isaiah 62:11…Thy King Cometh, Entered Jerusalem on Colt…Matthew 21:7
285. Isaiah 63:1-3…A vesture dipped in blood…Revelation 19:13
286. Isaiah 63:8,9…Afflicted with the afflicted…Matthew 25:34-40
287. Isaiah 65:9…The elect shall inherit…Romans 11 5-7, Hebrews 7:14, Revelation 5:5
288. Isaiah 65:17-25…New heaven/New Earth…2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1
289. Isaiah 66:18-19…All nations come to God…New Testament
290. Jeremiah23:5-6a…Descendant of David…Luke 3:23-31
291. Jeremiah 23:5-6b…The Messiah would be God… John 13:13
292. Jeremiah 23:5-6c…The Messiah would be both God and Man… 1 Tim. 3:16
293. Jeremiah 30:9…Born a King…John 18:37, Revelation 1:5
294. Jeremiah 31:15…Massacre of infants…Matthew 2:16-18
295. Jeremiah 31:22…Born of a virgin… Matthew 1:18-20
296. Jeremiah 31:31…The Messiah would be the new covenant… Matthew 26:28
297. Jeremiah 33:14-15…Descendant of David… Luke 3:23-31
298. Ezekiel17:22-24…Descendant of David… Luke 3:23-31
299. Ezekiel 21:26,27…The humble exalted…Luke 1:52
300. Ezekiel34:23-24…Descendant of David… Matthew 1:1
301. Daniel 2:34-35…Stone cut without hands…Acts 4:10-12
302. Daniel 2:44,45…His Kingdom Triumphant…Luke 1:33, 1 Corinthians 15:24, Revelation 11:15
303. Dan. 7:13-14a…He would ascend into heaven… Acts 1:9-11
304. Dan. 7:13-14b…Highly exalted… Ephesians 1:20-22
305. Dan. 7:13-14c…His dominion would be everlasting… Luke 1:31-33
306. Daniel 7:27…Kingdom for the Saints…Luke 1:33, 1 Corinthians 15:24, Revelation 11:15
307. Dan. 9:24a…To make an end to sins… Galatians 1:3-5
308. Dan. 9:24b…He would be holy… Luke 1:35
309. Dan. 9:25…Announced to people that 483 yrs. after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, exact day of Mess., … Joh. 12:12-13
310. Dan. 9:26a…Killed… Matthew 27:35
311. Dan. 9:26b…Die for the sins of the world… Hebrews 2:9
312. Dan. 9:26c…Killed before the destruction of the temple… Matthew 27:50-51
313. Dan. 10:5-6…Messiah in a glorified state… Rev. 1:13-16
314. Hosea 3:5…Israel restored…John 18:37, Romans 11:25-27
315. Hosea 11:1, Numbers 24:8…Flight to Egypt…Matthew 2:14
316. Hosea 13:14…He would defeat death… 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
317. Joel 2:28-32…Promise of the Spirit…Acts 2:17-21, Romans 10:13
318. Joel 2:32…Offer salvation to all mankind… Romans. 10:12-13
319. Micah 2:12-13…Israel Regathered…John 10:14,26
320. Micah 4:1-8…The Kingdom established – place of Birth Bethlehem…Luke 1:33, Matt. 2:1, Luke 2:4,10,11
321. Micah 5:2a…Born in Bethlehem… Matthew 2:1-2
322. Micah 5:2b…God’s servant… John 15:10
323. Micah 5:2c…from everlasting… John 8:58
324. Haggai 2:6-9…He would visit the second Temple… Luke 2:27-32
325. Haggai 2:23…Descendant of Zerubbabel… Luke 3:23-27
326. Joel 2:28-32…Promise of the Spirit…Acts 2:17-21, Romans 10:13
327. Amos 8:9…The Sun Darkened…Matthew 24:29, Acts 2:20, Revelation 6:12
328. Amos 9:11-12…Restoration of tabernacle…Acts 14:16-18
329. Habakkuk 2:14…Earth filled with knowledge of the glory of the Lord…Romans 11:26, Revelation 21:23-26
330. Zechariah 2:10-13…The Lamb on the Throne…Revelation 5:13, 6:9, 21:24
331. Zechariah 3:8…God’s servant… John 17:4
332. Zechariah 6:12-13…Priest and King… Hebrews 8:1
333. Zechariah 9:9a…Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem… Matthew 21:8-10
334. Zechariah 9:9b…Beheld as King… John 12:12-13
335. Zechariah 9:9c…The Messiah would be just… John 5:30
336. Zechariah 9:9d…The Messiah would bring salvation… Luke 19:10
337. Zechariah 9:9e…The Messiah would be humble… Matthew 11:29
338. Zechariah 9:9f…Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey… Matthew 21:6-9
339. Zechariah 10:4…The cornerstone… Ephesians 2:20
340. Zechariah 11:4-6a…At His coming, Israel to have unfit leaders… Matthew 23:1-4
341. Zechariah 11:4-6b…Rejection causes God to remove His protection.. Luke 19:41-44
342. Zechariah 11:4-6c…Rejected in favor of another king… John 19:13-15
343. Zechariah 11:7…Ministry to “poor,” the believing remnant… Matthew 9:35-36
344. Zechariah 11:8a…Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them… Matthew 23:33
345. Zechariah 11:8b…Despised… Matthew 27:20
346. Zechariah 11:9…Stops ministering to the those who rejected Him… Matthew 13:10-11
347. Zechariah 11:10-11a…Rejection causes God to remove protection… Luke 19:41-44
348. Zechariah 11:10-11b…The Messiah would be God… John 14:7
349. Zechariah 11:12-13a…Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver… Matthew 26:14-15
350. Zechariah 11:12-13b…Rejected… Matthew 26:14-15
351. Zechariah 11:12-13c…Thirty pieces of silver thrown into the house of the Lord… Matthew 27:3-5
352. Zechariah 11:12-13d…The Messiah would be God… John 12:45
353. Zechariah 12:10a…The Messiah’s body would be pierced… John 19:34-37
354. Zechariah 12:10b…The Messiah would be both God and man… John 10:30
355. Zechariah 12:10c…The Messiah would be rejected… John 1:11
356. Zechariah 13:7a…God’s will He die for mankind… John 18:11
357. Zechariah 13:7b…A violent death… Matthew 27:35
358. Zechariah 13:7c…Both God and man.. John 14:9
359. Zechariah 13:7d…Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him… Matthew 26:31-56
360. Malachi 3:1a…Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah… Matthew 11:10
361. Malachi 3:1b…Sudden appearance at the temple… Mark 11:15-16
362. Malachi 3:1c…Messenger of the new covenant… Luke 4:43
363. Malachi 3:3…Our Sins Are Purged…Luke 1:78, John 1:9; 12:46, 2 Peter 1:19, Rev. 2:28; 19:11-16; 22:16
364. Malachi 4:5…Forerunner in the spirit of Elijah… Matthew 3:1-2
365. Malachi 4:6…Forerunner would turn many to righteousness… Luke 1:16-17
To make the 365, you could throw in Psalm 21 as a Masonic hymn, and David’s praise for leap year.
Taken from http://www.faithbibleministries.com/; “Something to Think About.”
bb
“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
the chicken was ‘involved’ – the pig was ‘committed’.”
Faith Bible Ministries Blog ~ An Online Study of the Bible 
Enjoying this series. I was always fascinated by the preementice. It is something beyond my understanding but yet somehow makes perfect sense.
The part about our limited understanding really spoke to me. I was thinking about how we know so little, thus relying and trusting God who sees all, and is outside of time.
Keep up the good work!
Your sister in Christ B
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Thank you. Good insight.
In thinking about your comment I found myself praising God because he has managed to do what we would never be able to do,; being a highly intelligent being who makes something less than itself and yet finds a way to bridge the gap of communication as far as language, he does sense the emotions based upon the volume and cadence of our speech, but really it’s a guessing game for them. They learn from repetition that certain sounds which we call words mean certain things but only after repeatedly being trained. They have no ability to actually communicate with us. Now think of God, who is so vastly superior to anything human and yet he finds a way to do that very thing of communicating tests in a way that we not just here but we understand and therefore we comprehend his meaning in addressing us. Taking this into consideration I have often made the statement that biblical faith has nothing to do with blind faith. We are told that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. What this means is that we first developed faith based upon God establishing a track record of fidelity, he is consistent with what he says and therefore we can trust him. Perhaps it is the three hundred and sixty-five prophecies about the Messiah written in God’s word, or the two thousand other prophecies which are documented many by social historians and proven to be fulfilled; to the extent that many say that the Bible is a fraud and was written after the fact of these prophecies because it is impossible to know the future.
Which to the logical and rational believing mine, bringing us to the conclusion that only God knows the future and therefore this book is trustworthy. There are also many other aspects in the Bible which convinces that this was not written by mere man. Authors never make themselves look their worst but yet the Bible constantly presents all the worst qualities of the people that it speaks about and the authors that write under inspiration of the Holy Spirit within its pages. There is wisdom and insight which to the world makes no sense, but when played out in the human experience shows a wisdom far greater than man’s limited thinking. Man says survival of the fittest, God says the greatest value people can experience his love. It only takes a random assessment of those that live by the worldly principle of getting ahead at any cost, survival of the fittest to see how miserable these people are and how miserable their families and friends are because of this self-centered, self-destructive lifestyle and worldview. It is this track record that is built by examining and studying God’s word that leads us to the conclusion that only a superior being, God, could see the ending from the beginning and have orchestrated to communicate using men in their own language a book that we call the Bible wherein the Holy Spirit communicates exactly what God wants said.
It is an understanding that based upon this track record after he run into things that are too complicated and seem paradoxical to understand like what you referred to, that we can trust in these things that are above our pay grade. It reminds me of a loving parent who has always put their child first, and displayed their lovingkindness; and that when the child becomes teenager trust them; so far that when the parent warns the teenager about something they can understand, in spite of their inability to fully comprehend the parent, they trust the parent and therefore obey. This is a display of building a track record of trust in a relationship so that when the time comes that the trust is stretched even to the breaking point with the less superior being can hold onto this faith.
Over the years God has always been there for me and explained and taught me things I could never even imagine so than as an aftereffect when I consider things that are a paradox, based upon my lifelong relationship with him I can trust him concerning that paradox. Such as, the Trinity, the incarnation where God becomes fully managed and yet is fully God,; how predestination and free will works together, and many other things that go against my own human logic. God’s ways are not our ways but I’ve seen that his way is always perfect so I will trust him even when it goes against the logic of this age or my own understanding of reason. Because his track record will demolish all that stands against his word.
This is why faith is not a one time thing of becoming a Christian but it is a long lifelong pursuit of growing to the extent that at the end of our life if God wants us to kill the son of promise, like Abraham we would raise the knife knowing that it would violate God’s prediction that this son would bless the nations. Think about it, is given a prophecy that takes twenty-five years to come to pass, and violates all of our known laws of physics concerning childbirth, and is told specifically that the blessed son would come through Sarah despite the fact he tries to get it done his way with the little Egyptian hottie, just guessing; and then is told by God to commit murder, which God hates. Any trust God so much that he will do whatever God says no matter how ridiculous it seems are at what expense it might appear to cost him.
As for me, if I lose my sight and could never read God’s word again it doesn’t matter because the track record he has established is so strong that I will die in faith, not because of who I am, but because of who he is.
Brent
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I too have become exhausted from church hoping. I have found little that is new or it comes off as a self help just add “God” to the mix. As well as centering on “Self” just didn’t fit, like I can save myself etc. I need to maintain my salvation (The most popular one I see) I never learn about Him. I mean yes we should be good but self should not be the focus.
I dug into the themes you mentioned and at times found myself going down mental rabbit holes to get it just right with Trinity (GodHead) predestination and free will to name a few, and came to the same conclusions you mention and have come to peace with that. It is not up to me, I am not God. In the end it doesn’t matter what I think about the Godhead, free will etc. It is what He did, does and will do for us. (Jesus) I also notice those topics are hot for debates and often times causes strife and division as a result not better understanding (Not always proper Biblical division) People are also coming to faith at different rates and time will only tell if they are sound. So I try not to be too harsh in mental judgment unless it is obviously blasphemous.
The more I read the OT in recent times esp Psalms I am blown away by how it is restated by Jesus in the Gospels and many Christians like to act the the OT is no longer important. I read that too in your articles and was like YES finally. It is not just me that sees this. It makes it so much more meaningful and clear and I thank God for that. It is a book about God doing what He does for mankind. Not a self help book (as modern people see self help) for us to become a god. It is what He did, does and will do as well as our relationship to Him.
I recently learned about the ancient Hebrew wedding customs and how that is reflecting on Jesus and the Bride with the cup of wine, only the father knows the time, the preparing a place for the Bride. It is so fascinating and I wonder why this is not advertised more in churches?. I had to dig to find this, and I feel it should be on the forefront and not something we have to dig to find. People in that era would have understood it better for sure. With our modern culture we are far removed.
With the faith thing I give Abraham and Sarah so much credit I could not have done that. I think, correct me if I am wrong Sarah suggested Hagar to Abraham? Which is interesting all in itself.
Sorry for typos and the many run on sentences I am not the best at grammar. Enjoying the series as I read them Thank you!
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B,
I really feel impressed to encourage you in the Lord and to point out the fact that you being willing to be uncomfortable, not necessitating a human understanding of the more difficult things in the Bible which are actually beyond our ability to do so, such as the Trinity, incarnation and many more, I say that because as I get older ice find more things that are above my pay grade.
You see in a world where self is on the throne, this mandates that it must feel like it is in control, that self understands all things and can be the judge of all things.
It is a sign of faith to be willing to be content with the limitations of our own understanding and simply to say, Lord, I trust you.
I find so many people trying to deal with this discontentment based upon their own selfishness, going to and throw finding the newest fix to try to make them feel better about themselves.
Never realizing that this ability to feel okay with yourself may be the enemy.
It displays a trust in self as opposed to the uncomfortableness of living in the physical world trusting in God we can’t see.
I am so excited that finally, and I must say Lord willing because it’s been a year since the last time I said this, that the video productions will be out with a lot of new material. Or at least stuff that I have presented over the last decade, that I have dig in deeper.
One of these is the aspect that faith, while in the present tense, is something that’s done daily, many people misunderstand what we refer to as the voice in the Greek grammar. The voice tells us who does the action, there is the active voice and the passive voice. So what does this mean?
In the active voice the subject is doing the action to the object, and the passive voice the object is doing the action itself.
We find faith displayed in bold both voices. May give an example. Everyone knows Ephesians 2:8, for by grace are ye saved through faith and that is not of yourself.
Yet many people who are pre-suppositional, which is what is the common teaching style (meaning that the teacher or individual brings their own belief system to the Bible then tries to prove it with their own presupposition based upon what somebody else told them. It’s very hard to fight this and I know because if you don’t admit it that you don’t address it and I address it and it is one of those things that makes me very uncomfortable sometimes, but I’ll get back to that later.
Because of this whenever they attempt to define the grammar of Ephesians 2:8 the point out the fact that the word “that,” used right after the word faith must be referring that the faith is what it speaking up, necessitating that faith is a gift and therefore there is no need for us to take any action.
Many people such as myself that believe in eternal security are very comfortable with this but it is incorrect.
Then comes those that believe in conditional salvation (Armenian), and they point out that the word “that”, is in the feminine and the word faith is in the masculine (this gets a little deep and I’ll address it some coming teachings, when dealing with proper pronouns), so therefore faith is something that is not a gift and that we must do therefore we must maintain our own salvation.
It is amazing to watch people in their sense of pride and arrogance to think that passing on this grammatical insight is astonishing and should convince everyone that we can lose our salvation and that we must keep working. Yet again this is wrong.
You see there are three words in this verse that are addressed, grace, faith, salvation, and that even though the word “that” is feminine, the other three words are a mixture of feminine and masculine. And according to Greek grammar, beyond the simple insight that the gender must match for two words to be speaking about the same thing (such as masculine and masculine, or feminine and feminine), there is also a rule that if you’re talking about a list of things, and they are of different gender, combining both masculine and feminine, that the pronoun, in this case, that, actually refers to all three.
Now you can tell that this gets a little bit deep in the masses don’t want to get deep so it’s easier to go and simply trust the first two wrong interpretations.
But the Greek is the Greek and the grammar is the grammar and there is no third choice.
It is a fact that all three of these things, grace faith and salvation are a gift from God, and what stupid is at the verse goes on to attempt to make that point because a gift is something that you cannot give yourself in this context.
But again people start where their own presuppositions.
So here we see that faith is something that we receive, that if God is the subject, and we are the object, and it’s in the passive action that it is something that God gives to us.
Now, what is the context of this verse, all three of these things are not to be separated as three different understandings, one of grace, to a faith, three of salvation.
The context of this passage is salvation.
So now we know that concerning salvation, faith is actually a gift from God. So where is the boasting as Paul says?
Yet there are other passages where the central theme is not salvation, where it is the Christian walk wherein faith is used in a voice where God is the subject, man is the object, and it’s in the passive voice meaning that man must exercise it.
But yet the church doesn’t divide the different contextual subjects because it demands too much studying and time to dig into something that is meaty, necessitating more time, something exhaustive, which is where my mind goes.
This is why you understand what I’m talking about. Yes, I do have hundreds, if not a thousand of others, but you respond to me giving your valuable time in communicating, being a blessing to me, wherein the Holy Spirit pats me on the back and tells me to keep on going.
Thank you for this because you are being obedient to the Holy Spirit so this is the first place I will admonish you in the positive.
Going on.
But if we do what God tells us to do, to search the Scriptures, to dig deep into his word we discover that we have to understand that when we’re talking about the noun in the verb forms of the Greek word for faith that there are times that the context tells us that it deals with salvation and other times that is talking about our daily walk.
The simpletons think that you do a one time exercise of faith and you’re saved and that’s it, they are the ones that will say did we not…
You see faith is what we started in, faith is what we continue in, and faith is what we end in.
Now because the first form of faith is given of God we should not fret over this insight thinking it’s something we must continue to do or we might lose.
Yet what it does mean is that our daily walk uses faith in almost everything we do, now let me restate that our faith is something we do use every day, not almost.
Let me give you a worldly example.
od made faith to be the foundation of every relationship you will ever have with any human being that you ever come in contact with.
As you know for my writings, faith is the foundation of every relationship. Walking through the door with someone holding it for me wind carrying something is an exercise of faith that he won’t slam it. When I’m driving I have to exercise faith concerning that the car will work properly, that those driving around me will do what’s logical and not go berserk, or else I would just stay home every day, frozen in fear because the world is a scary place.
So rather the atheists know it or not he exercises faith multiple times during the day in his interactions with people as well as things.
We don’t cross rope bridges that we truly believe can’t hold our weight, you know what I mean.
Well as Christians every day we have opportunities where the action of faith is in the passive and it is something that we must exercise.
Sometimes just getting out of bed is an exercise of faith.
You see everything I think and do is done through the glasses of my worldview, my perspective, my mindset.
So as a believer in Jesus Christ I interpret everything based upon what I’ve learned about God’s word, so for those Christians that don’t spend more than thirty minutes a week hearing somebody else regurgitate God’s word, how developed is there worldview biblically speaking?
But the point is that faith is something in regards to God that we do every day, or at least we have a choice.
The greatest example I’ve seen of this kind of faith that we must exercise is that faith is a muscle.
If you never exercise it, it will atrophy, it will die, it will wither away. We see this all the time and people that are bedridden for years, wherein their muscles because they are not being exercised keep them bedridden. This is the underpinnings of what we’ve referred to as physical therapy.
So how biblically speaking does the grammar display faith as a muscle. If somebody works out developing their muscles, we call them weightlifters or workout fanatics. This is because they invest the time that is needed to develop their muscles.
So if you watch somebody as they start to develop muscles, one day they will stretch their muscles so far that it actually tears. And if they have studied and they understand that the next day they need to take it easy and not tear it again because they could end up dammit Jean muscle (this part doesn’t fit into faith but let me go on), then after that the next time they have the opportunity to stretch the muscle, because they have given time for the muscle to heal it actually expands. The muscle grows because they tear it, it heals a little, and then they tear it again. This is why weightlifters have such bulky muscles.
Now, this is an exaggerated way of building muscles and it’s actually not good because you need less tarrying and more protein buildup between the tears.
But if you see somebody who loves to run marathons, or just takes care of their body and fitness, you see that their muscles are not as bulky, but they are long and dense, and actually much healthier because consistently day after day they tear the muscle, less than the weightlifter but enough that when they feed the protein, the muscle becomes much more developed.
I have friends that in the armies bulked up but within a year or two of getting of the military, all that muscle turned to fat. This is the problem with doing it hard and fast and not pacing yourself in building up bulk muscles, is that you have to keep up this horrendous training.
But now someone who studies and understands will train less severe but do so every day and there muscle is not easily lost.
Such is active faith in the Christian’s life.
Without going any further because I’m on page 5. This explains when we have Greek words mean un-faith are the opposite of faith such as Apistis (pistis), or oligopistos (…pistos), with pistis being the Greek word for faith. We know in Greek that whenever a is placed in front of the word it means that the word is made in the opposite sense. Sort of like antichrist. The problem is we use the word anti- as being the direct opposite where it can also be the substitute. The word antichrist could refer to an individual that is a Christian teacher who misteaches concerning the Bible doctrines of salvation, they’re not an atheist, but they are a fraud.
So.
Every day that you do anything with the thought that this is what God wants me to do and it’s a bit on convenient that is an act of faith.
You can walk into a store and do what everybody else does and look at the floor, or immerse yourself in your cell phone or act like you are, all an attempt not to make eye contact and therefore interact with people. Live in your own self-centered little world.
Or you can look people in the eyes and find reasons to give them joy. You don’t need to witness because that more about you and is intrusive.
This is why Jesus says to even give a cup of cold water in his name. And know that doesn’t mean that every time you do something good you say I’m doing this for Jesus because that again becomes manipulative.
What it means is that you have no idea of the behaviors that you do that put others first which we call loving behaviors that must happen before what Peter talks about when he says to live in such a way that people ask you the reason for your hope.
You see the people will see you acting differently and the Holy Spirit will use that to get their attention so that you are the track that they read concerning God. So I talked to everyone rather I think I will ever see them or not and I find something to cheer them up.
I’m not trying to manipulate them I don’t make up stuff. But they are made in the image of Adam was made in God’s image and even though they may be doing for Helen are evil they are still part of God’s creation, and I am told to love them. This means to put them first.
You know the greatest way to show that you have faith, is that you stop doing things for today, do things today which cost you something because you believe you get paid back tomorrow.
Give up immediate gratification for long-term ratification.
So many people think that Jesus and his parables was talking about the first kind of faith, especially about the talents being buried, or increased a hundred or two hundredfold.
So they try to do works of faith, wrong that’s not the subject matter.
In a majority of Jesus teaching such as this is talking about what the born-again believer does on a daily basis discerning displaying that he believes it tomorrow so much that he gives up today.
There are two ways of proving to God that you have mature faith, one is be willing to give up your life for him, and the other is being willing to give up your life on a daily basis because he says he will reward you in heaven.
The Bible has five crowns. And for those that don’t want to talk about it they point out how the twenty-four elders through their crowns down, that is not the same thing.
Your crowns are simply an acknowledgment of an active faith you did on earth showing that you believe what Jesus said giving up immediate gratification and that he will reward you.
Yes, Jesus wants us to look for rewards when we are saved, or I should say after we are saved. We are not saved by good works but were saved to do good works, which is what Ephesians 2:8…. Goes on saying after it talks about salvation faith, we are to walk in faith which is our reasonable service, our reasonable worship. Yes, acts of faith are acts of worship.
It sounds so self-centered to talk about Jesus teaching on future rewards, yet it is people that are talking about current rewards and motivating people putting that down without understanding teaching about the other.
He even went so far as to admonish an evil steward who knew he was being terminated and patting the book so that in the future he would be set up.
This is referred to as the blessed hope. There are so many people that say all I want to do is get him by the skin of their teeth and this displays selfishness of a child.
A grown child says what can I do for you father, knowing that the father will love them and take care of them and yes there will be rewards in seeking him, remember Hebrews 11:6.
So, in conclusion let me admonish you, that I truly believe that by being willing to be uncomfortable with your own sin understanding there is no quick fix, giving up comfort for today and the most simplest ways of acknowledging people, or doing good without a hook (many Christian use hooks with others, for a love gift of five dollars, will send you something, or they’ll make a condition on something that God had no condition. It’s a form of manipulation. You see when believers say to people that once saved, they are always saved them, it is wrong because they will go out and live in sin because they can – what an immature Outlook, what an evil Outlook.)
God does not use hooks in our lives, he does use faith. So, sister, you are doing great as far as I can tell. Be willing to feel uncomfortable because certain things cannot be proven as a fact and necessitate an ongoing faith, a faith that was based upon years and years of God proving himself to be with you even in the valley of the shadow of death. And notice that it doesn’t say he’ll take you out of it but he’ll be with you.
The great thing is we keep walking through the valley so that someday we are with him in heaven, and that’s where the rewards come into play. Who do you think is going to live closest to Jesus, the ones that got him by the skin of their teeth, or that gave their life a single act, or on a daily basis for him. Who’s going to get the best jobs that’s what I’m looking for. You see here’s the reality.
My closest friend is backslidden and has been for years now, thinking that getting in by the skin of his teeth is good enough. What he doesn’t realize is that he will have an eternity to regret that.
People misuse of Scripture about no tears in the afterlife. First Corinthians 5 talks about tears because of believers works being wood hair stubble. If we concentrate on our eternal rewards this is the greatest act of faith we can do on a daily basis exercising that muscle so that when the days come that that muscle really needs to be strong, it will be.
You are doing great if you need to change something or feel guilt that is just more proof that you are a child of the father and he does not hold anything against you, so repent and walk on in faith. Do not trust your eyes, or even your heart, trust his word. Please forgive any typos and sound-alike words (don’t be afraid to ask me about something that doesn’t sound right because it may be a sound-alike, I put a lot of energy into these emails and am not bothered by clarifying anything that I misspeak. You see what I have just spent time doing with you is sacrificially putting you first and loving you as an act of faith, go out and do the same with others). Your brother in Christ Brent
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I see what you mean by the presuppositions of people. It is something I recently looked into and many Christian teacher regurgitate the same ones and I caught on. There are bits and pieces of truth but it is mixed in with other stuff.
I have become more ok with being uncomfortable with certain ideas as you mentioned and just known God is in control not me. Like I said it seems more of a debate topic to argue over than to really dig into those concepts.
I too am a Eternal Security believer and found the pronouns interesting. There is so much to Greek vs English I see why things are easily misunderstood or misapplied in teachings.
I agree with the God doesn’t have a hook. I realize we loose or gain rewards and the presence of crowns, but I don’t make that my motivation. I want the love of God to be the motivation not fear of hell or punishment. I used to be more fearful, and I have changed my perspective on what is motivating me to God. Love and relationship is what now motivates me. The best reward to me will be being able to be in His presence and with Him for eternity. I am exited for that! There are so many greater than I Christian wise that is I am ok with whatever God thinks I should do in Heaven, He knows best.
The thing is as many people think regarding this, Eternal Security never made me think oh cool I can go do horrible things and still be saved. I thought wow He is able to keep me and I will fail due to human nature as I am not “God” and perfect in my ways. He is stronger than sin. To say my sins are too much and can overcome God seems very very wrong.
I am working on the faith more I tend to go into fret mode at times but I need to be led back into a sound mind.
Sometimes I am afraid to have too much knowledge lest I became arrogant so I pray to God to not let that overcome me. I did that in the past where I thought this teaching or view I had was right and it was coming off too arrogant.
Thank you for all your replies they have greatly helped me. I really appreciate the time you put in. I will do my best as I do to do the same. One of my closest friends is a Pagan, she loves that new ages stuff, budda, trusts psychics even though I said DON’T. I can only do that so long and I gave it to God. I am there for her when she needs it, but it is exhausting. She is needy and is selfish and never considers me. All she does is take from me emotionally. Pray for me. I hope your friend gets with it soon concerning his backsliding.
No worries about typos I could figure out what you were saying.
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Sorry my grammar is horriable
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I will look into the crowns more and rewards too. I haven’t really dug deep into those topics.
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Thanks, I need all the prays for me that I can get, and I will do the same with you. Your brother in Christ, bb
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