Breathingbook

So far, Hebrews 1:1-6 has been devoted to proving through the scriptures how Jesus Christ is higher than the angels. We now come to Heb 1:7 which is a quote from Psalm 104:4. Keep in mind that no matter how brief the quotation of just one verse of the 104th Psalm may be, the book of Hebrews is written to Jews and to their minds the mere mention of Psalms 104:4 would immediately connect the verse in complete context with the entire Psalm and how it is presented in the Old Testament. Notably, they would remember Psalms 104 is entirely devoted to praising the glorious works of God, His provision, purpose and absolute perfection in “creation.”

We can easily see that Heb 1:7 quotes Psa 104:4

Heb 1:7 And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

Psa 104:4 Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire.

And of the angels He saith Looking back at Heb 1:5,6 we see those verses all indicate it is the Father who is speaking.

Heb 1:5-6 For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? 6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotteninto the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.

Heb 1:7 continues speaking of the Father as it says, And of the angels He saith.

Heb 1:7 And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

Who maketh The Gk. word for “maketh” is poieo, which means to appoint, design, or bring forth. Thus, Heb 1:7, for the moment, is pointing to what God “said” about angels when He created them and describes the nature and service of angels to which the Father has created them. So to paraphrase, this is like God said, “My angels will be spirits; My angels will be My ministers a flaming fire.” Read the rest of this entry »

Hi. Greetings! I just wanted to cover something Brian Williams reported on NBC Nightly News last night. 

Speaking of the 8.8 Chile Earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010, Williams said, “…it moved so much mass on the planet that government scientists estimate it moved the earth off it axis by about three inches and as a result shortened the day by a few millionths of a second.”

I knew the 2004 9.1 earthquake that hit Indonesia had also shortened the day, so I began looking around for more information and found it on www.nydailynews.com  article written by Michael Sheridan entitled, Chilean earthquake may have shortened earth day by microsecond: NASA. Here’s a short excerpt:  

The Chile quake may have moved the Earth’s axis by about 3 inches, (NASA scientist Richard) Gross said.
The quake also shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds, the scientist determined, using a complex model he and others developed.
The Earth’s rotation was likely affected by the shift in the planet’s mass, which could cause it to spin faster.
Scientists believe other quakes, such as the 2004 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Sumatra (Indonesia), have also decreased the Earth’s day. That quake is believed to have shortened it by 6.8 microseconds, and altered the axis by nearly 7 inches.

I have not seen any reports about the Earthquake in Haiti’s effect on the spin or the axis of the earth, but I do know that together the Indonesia and Chile Earthquakes equate to…

the days being shortened by 8.06 microseconds and the axis of the earth altered by nearly 10 inches.

This most certainly brings Mat 24:22 to remembrance:

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

This scripture can be looked at in at least three different ways:

One, the Lord will actually shorten the length of a day. The day will be longer and the night longer. However, it’s unlikely this is what this means since it is for the sake of the elect the days are shortened and whether or not it is day or night, tribulation or persecution does not cease simply because the sun when down. On the contrary, evil often does much of its work under the concealment of darkness.

Two, the Lord will shorten the day and the night by increasing the speed of the earth’s rotation. This results both in time moving faster and shortens the day and night, proportionately. This is very interesting because this is exactly what’s scientifically happened from these earthquakes.

Now the Apostle Peter tells us in 2 Pet 3:8 that one day to the Lord is like a thousand to mankind.

2 Pet 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

And three, since the Lord is Sovereign and does what He pleases for whatever reasons He chooses – always rightly for He is good, Holy and true – that He will somehow shorten the expected interpretation of the days of the Tribulation period.

No matter what anyone tells you, no one knows how long the Tribulation period will be and any estimations as to what the correct interpretation of the number of days given in Daniel and the book of Revelation are pure conjecture.

My opinion of this is both the second and third is most likely. Two, because it is evident the days are being shortened and time sped up, and three, because since human nature likes to gamble on how much sin it can get away with before getting penalized, it’s unlikely the Lord would give any sort of exact timetable to those who might try to use such time estimates to their advantage.

The bottom line is no one really knows when the Lord Jesus will return – only the Father knows.

Mat 24:32-36 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Brethren, my prayer is that believers everywhere be ready and prepared so that Jesus Christ may work through us. Behold, there were ten virgins… Five were prepared and five were not. The five that were not prepared were not bad, they were virgins after all. They simply did not have enough oil to last throughout the time of waiting for the Lord to come.

Mat 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

A prayer for Haiti and Chili: Dear Haitians and Chileans, may God strengthen you, provide for you, encourage and comfort you. May those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ be drawn to Him in gentleness. Our prayers are with you. Be strong, take courage and hold on to your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is not slack concerning His promises. Though you and many others are going through enduring tribulation now, know the Lord Jesus loves you, has a plan for you, will help you if you call out to Him, and has an eternal home for you in His Kingdom.

God bless you all.

For those of you who are interested in knowing more of the Greek definitions for Chapter one of the Hebrews study, I’ve just made a pdf available which you can get to by clicking this link or going to the introduction page of the Hebrews Study up at the top. I’ll be putting up more definitions as I figure all these things out, and you’ll be able to find the additions there when I get them done. 

By the way, you’ll need the Adobe reader installed in order to read this and you can download that here.

I also just want to take a moment to write a special thank you to all who’ve dropped by to read this blog – especially those of you who’ve come back again and again. I want you to know I’m dedicated to continuing with doing postings on a regular basis. If I don’t get a post up on a regular basis within a few days, I apologize. Please know I’m doing my best to do just that… working to maintain the site, write and prepare things for the blog, and deal with daily life matters, which I’m sure you all know plenty about in your own lives.

I sure do hope you’ll keep keep coming back. You are all such a blessing to me.

God bless you!

Loris

I just want to note that I’m trying some pop ups for the scriptures and there is a mouse hover feature on the links that hopefully helps those who just want the gist of it before going in deeper study. I hope it’s helpful.

Having established the preeminence of Jesus Christ, let’s move forward with the study.

Heb 1:6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.

the first begotten into the world Speaks of Jesus being the firstborn of God.The Gk. word used for first begotten is prototokos which is translated both firstbegotten and firstborn in the NT.

G4416.prototokos, pro-tot-ok’-os; from G4413 and the alternate of G5088; first-born (usually as noun, literal or figurative):–firstbegotten (-born).

Under the Law of Moses the firstborn according to the flesh was given certain privileges (such as it was forbidden to disinherit the firstborn and they received a double-portion (Deu 21:15-17) of the inheritance). Howbeit, this firstbegotton is actually NOT referring to the fleshly institution of inheritance, but to the Spirit.

Many times in scripture, the firstborn according to the flesh is actually passed over in by God for certain blessings.

Whether it be Esau being passed over in favor of Jacob (Gen 27:1-41), Issac over Ishmael (Gen 25:5,6; Heb 11:17-18; Gal 4:28-29), or Joseph over Reuben (Gen 48:21-49:4), when God doesn’t want to bless the firstborn according to the flesh, He does not.

Howbeit, He DOES bless the firstborn of the Spirit, which is Jesus Christ and this is what this scripture is referring to.

If we look at how Jesus is the seed of Abraham’s covenant of promise (Gal 3:16) and God’s promise to David to set David’s heir upon the throne for eternity (2 Sam 7:11b,12 ), we also see that God’s firstborn receives His blessings NOT according to the flesh, but the Spirit. Read the rest of this entry »

God’s church is tempted in many ways, none the least than when they are given gifts from a supernatural God, but are not given understanding.

The obvious place any Christian should look for any explanation is in God’s Word, but if someone is unskilled as to how to find that information, it can be a challenge. No more challenging than when an unskilled believer sees scriptures pointing to the gifts in the bible, but then someone tells them it’s not good to ask such questions or God doesn’t use those gifts anymore, because they’ve become obsolete. It is true that a new believer asking questions about spiritual gifts is not what’s most important for them to learn first – basic doctrine is far more important – but every believer needs to know the scriptures about spiritual gifts and understand them. Unfortunately, if they don’t, they’re very likely to go looking where they ought not go for some kind of answer.

We need to love all the brethren with compassion and gentleness.

Knowing scripture is vitally important, but let’s reign in all the scriptures together to a full knowledge of them and include what the Bible says about spiritual gifts. As we stand upon the infallibility of Scripture, let’s look at all of it as current for today and not allow fear about past abuses of the gifts to thwart us in our cause. God is a good God and He will supply what we need according to His will (Phil 4:19).

Let us not turn from the challenge of teaching proper doctrine about Spiritual gifts, but instead embrace it. Let us not retire to traditions of the past, as the Jews did in their day, and missed the coming of their Messiah, but boldly approach the throne and lay this issue at Jesus’ feet and follow through faithfully.

Not only is inquiring about gifts not a bad thing, but it’s very important for believers to approach God for answers. Howbeit, His answer might sometimes be “No” but we learn none the less.

Due to the fact that spiritual gifts can be counterfeited by fallen angels, (evil angels can give special powers and authority to mankind Lk 4:5-7, Gen 6:2-4; Job 1:6,2:1; Psa 97:6-9, or Demons, Fallen angels, Little gods), it is imperative that those who have been given gifts or currently operate in the gifts know God’s Word for themselves so they cannot and will not be deceived. For whenever a believer doesn’t understand or know the scriptures about the gifts they operate in, they become more at risk for pure deception from darkness.

Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday I wrote about Spiritual Warfare on our Minds, where the enemy tries to pervade your thoughts or reasoning with his own pervasive ideas to draw you away from the truth of God’s Word.

2 Cor 10:4,5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Going hand in hand with Spiritual Warfare on the Mind is the subject of repentance, for if we allow ourselves to agree with the thoughts the devil sends us contrary to God’s Word, we must repent and change the way we think about those things. If we do not, then the devil has us right where he wants us: separated from the truth of God.

Repentance aligns very closely with forgiveness. Though most Christians know they must forgive others or not be forgiven (Mat 6:14-15), not many understand repentance. This is puzzling, is it not? After all, repentance is foundational to the Christian life. For example,

John the Baptist first came preaching repentance,

Mat 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.

The apostles preached repentance:

Mk 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Acts 5:31-32 Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

Jesus, Himself, preached repentance and said He had not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance,

Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Lk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Repentance is actually changing the way we think about something around to align with how God thinks. It is what one is supposed to do before seeking forgiveness.

Though oddly misunderstood, repentance is not something we can do all by ourselves, but is actually something God has to give to us. Read the rest of this entry »