Rev 4.4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”

In 1 Chron 24, David set up 24 head priests, descended from Aaron. This was just the random number that developed from the number of families descended from Aaron at that time. It may have been God's way of expressing a double witness to the significance of Israel's 12 tribes. Everything was confirmed, as legitimate testimony under the Law, when there was a minimum of 2 witnesses. Aaron had two surviving sons, from whom these 24 leading priests were taken.

So the 24 elders appear to serve as representatives of the priestly order of Christ, whose atonement opened the gate for our entry into Heaven. They were dressed in white to show that Christians, who have access to Heaven, are made pure in the blood of Christ. And they had gold crowns, indicating that Christians have the authority of Christ, their head, to judge the world.

The lightning and thunder indicate that the purification of the Church leads to judgment of this world. The 7 blazing lamps are representative of the 7 churches in John's time, among which the faithful live by the Spirit of God. This brings conviction and judgment to the world around them.

I would suggest that these agents, ie the 24 elders and the 7 spirits, are angels, who represent what Christ has done for and in the Church. And the same follows for the 4 living creatures. They are angels representing something with respect to Christians, whom Christ has redeemed by his sacrifice.

These 4 creatures have the face of a man, which hearkens back to the Creation, when God gave Man rulership over the earth and over its creatures. These particular creatures serve the purpose of Man, after his redemption, to bring judgment upon the earth.

This judgment has been ongoing, from the time of the Fall, and even after the redeeming work of Christ. And it will be consummated at the Return of Christ, when the world will be judged in the Battle of Armageddon, and in Eternity through Christ's final sentencing.

The 4 creatures include both a lion and a flying eagle, both signifying God's predatory judgments against sinners, whether nations or their rulers. The "flying" eagle signifies that the judgment is already in process.

The 4 creatures also include an ox, representative of the plowing up of hardened land. The hardened land indicates nations, including Israel, who have resisted the Gospel of Christ, and must be plowed up in order to fulfill God's purposes on earth.

All of these things, before God's throne, indicates what transpires from the time of Christ's death to the consummation of His purposes at the Return of Christ. Judgment is ongoing, but delayed, until final judgment falls at the Return of Christ.

I find that ambient and drone music help quiet the endless loops in my head (ADHD for you) and enables me to digest Scripture more easily.

Mexico thwarted an Iran-directed terror attack aimed at harming the Israeli ambassador to the country, the Foreign Ministry shared on Friday.

The announcement by the ministry came hours after N12 published that American and Israeli officials confirmed the IRGC planned an attack against Ambassador Einat Kranz-Neiger as part of a wider attack on Israeli and American interests in the region.

Planned throughout 2024, the IRGC planned to kill the ambassador in early 2025 in a now-thwarted plot. American officials assured N12 that there is no longer an active threat.

Israel's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, thanked the security and law enforcement services in Mexico for "thwarting a terrorist network directed by Iran that sought to attack Israel's ambassador in Mexico."

[Iranian ambassador denies the plot existed.]

There is a theory that before the Big bang, there were hot plasma, gasclouds with electricity. But what perhaps happened, was that there appeared a big sun in empty space. Because of it`s weight, it collapsed, and spread matter evenly througout space. It didn`t explode, but imploded because it collapsed. Some seconds before it collapsed, it made matter like iron at the core; like orbits around a nucleus in an atom, the different matter was made because of the different orbits.

Why I suspect the first sun was made by a god, is because it just suddenly appeared in empty space. There could have been plasma which just grew bigger and bigger, building up a sun until he laws of psychics made it collapse, but it kinda offers the same problem; where did the energy come from?

But there`s a problem with the plasma-theory: if there were electricty before the Big bang, there must have been matter to create it from friction. Electricity is probably just an result of matter rubbing against eachothers creating heat. So in my mind, there just popped up a sun suddenly in empty space from nowhere. Strange isn`t it?

I`m still not sure about black matter and black energy, it isn`t proved it exists. The extra gravity around galaxies could just be from old energy, like when you use your owen at home, the heat becomes old energy with less quality, but it still exerts gravity.

I don`t buy into the whole the universe will just be cold and empty ether. Since energy has been created once, I think it can be created again. I have a theory that since black holes sucks old energy into itself, it`ll eventually be so heavy at the bottom that it collapses and makes a new sun. Sort of it recirculate it.


What do you think, did a god create the first sun?

November 8, 2025

1 Peter 2:24 KJV
[24] who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

My Interpetation:
To be set free from checks and balances scales through Jesus Sacrifice on cross death 3rd day rise again from grave.

Provided - Hand of God Taking Authority over our words and minds speaking faith , living your life like God, Christians. Giving abilities to perform and performance.
Mark 1:15 KJV
'“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” '

To believe I'm Jesus Christ to be the truth also healing God's spoken words

Interpetation Written and Spoken by Reginald Taylor Jr

Do you think, please, it's possible some people's minds could be such that they consider their sins or flaws so irrepressible that they consider them like their god, just because these flaws are stronger than they are.. A kind of devotion to the flaws, just because they feel unable to deal with their strength (the strength of flaws) ? (It would be like a kind of respect they develop for something just because this something is stronger than they are).

It is a good read, and he is not the only one believing Trump's decisions are leading the USA into a financial crisis.

#1. AS. // HOS. is an. ADVERB

# 2 ALSO. // KAI. is a CONJUNCATION

# 3. IN. // EN. is a PREPOSITION

# 4 ALL. // PAS. is. in the DATIVE CASE. an. in. the PLURAL

# 5. HIS EPISTLES. //. EPISTOIE. inch DATIVE CASE in the PLURAL

# 6. SPEAKING. // LALEO. in the PRESENT TENSE. , in. the ACTIVE VOICE. is a PARTICIPLE. in the NOMINATIVE CASE a SINGULAR

# 7 IN. // EN. is. a PREPOSTION

# 8 THEM // AUTOS. is a PRESONAL POSSESSETIVE PRONOUN. in. the DATIVE CASE. in. the PLURAL

# 9 OF. // PERI. is a PREPOSTION

# 10 THESE. THINGS. // LOUTON. is a DEMONSTRATIVE PROMOUN. in. the GENITE CASE in. the NEUTER in. the PLURAL

# 11. IN. //. EN. , is a PREPOSTION

#12 WHICH. // HOS. is a RELATIVE PRONOUN. in. the DATIVE CASE. in. the PLURAL

# 13 ARE. //. ESTI. in. the PRESENT TENSE in. the INDICATIVE MOOD. in. the SINGULAR

# 14 SOME THINGS // ESTI in the PRESENT TENSE in. the INDICATIVE MOOD in v the SIGNULAR

# 15. HARD TO BE UNDER STOOD. //. DYSNOSTOS. in. the NOMINATIVE CASE , in. the PLURAL in. the NEUTER

# 16 WHICH. //. HOSis a RELATIVE PRONOUN. in a NOMINATIVE CASE. in. the PLURAL. is a NEUTER

# 17. THEY. THAT. // HO. is a DEFINITE ARTICLE. is a NOMINATIVE CASE. in. the PLURAL

# 18. ARE UNLEARNED. // AMATHES. in. the NOMINATIVE CASE in. the PLURAL

# 19 AND. // KAI. is a CONJUNCATION.

# 20 UNSTABLE // ASTENKTOS

# 21. WREST. // STREBL. in. the PRESENT TENSE. in the ACTIVE VOICE in the INDICATIVE MOOD in. the PLURAL

# 22 AS. //. HOS is an ADVERB

# 23. ALSO. // KAI is a CONJUNCATION

# 24 THE //. HO. is a DEFINITE ARTICLE. in. the ACCUSATIVE CASE in. the PLURAL

# 25 OTHER // LOIPOS. in. the ACCUSATIVE CASE in. the PLURAL

# 26. SCRIPTURES. //. GRAPHE. in. the ACCUSATIVE CASE. in. the PLURAL

# 27. UNTO. //. PROSis a PREPOSTION

# 28 THEIR // AUTOS is a PERSONAL POSSESSEITIVE PRONOUN. in. the GENITIVE CASE in. th PLURAL

#29 OWN //. DIOS. is a ACCUSATIVE CASE in. the SINGULAR.

# 30 DESTRUCTION. // APOLEIA. in the ACCUSATIVE CASE in. the SINGULAR

as they. do also the rest of the SCRIPTURES

# A. This just shows that Peter was teaching THE LAW

# B And Peter did not a GRACE teacher as was Paul

# C And Peter was WARNING all that. there though that had the TRUTH and were also doing destruction to. the

rest of the. SCRIPTURES .and even. Peter sees the difference between LAW and GRACE !!
dan p

The story of Israel is not just the story of a modern nation in the Middle East. It is the story of a people chosen, scattered, and returned. It is the story of a promise that runs like a thread through the Bible, binding Christians and Jews to the same history and the same hope. For Christians, standing with Israel is not an optional gesture of goodwill. It is a response to Scripture, to conscience, and to covenant.

We live in a time when the Jewish people once again find themselves under assault. Antisemitism is rising in ways unseen since the 1930s. From college campuses to city streets, from the rhetoric of political leaders to the talking points of late-night television, Jews are being singled out, and Israel is being delegitimized. The claim is often that this is about politics, but in reality, it is about people. It is about the right of the Jewish people to live in safety and dignity, in their land and across the globe.

Christians cannot look away. We cannot claim to love the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and remain silent when the children of Abraham are maligned. To do so would be a betrayal not only of our Jewish brothers and sisters but of our own deepest beliefs.

Standing with Israel is not about agreeing with every political decision of its government. Israel is a democracy, and like all democracies, it wrestles with division, debate, and imperfection. But its core identity — as a Jewish state, as a home for a people who have endured exile and persecution, and as a force for life in a region scarred by death — is not negotiable. For Christians, affirming that identity is part of affirming our own.

The contribution of Israel to the world is a story that deserves far more attention than the headlines of war. Israeli doctors have pioneered cancer treatments that save lives across the globe. Israeli scientists have developed water technologies that feed the hungry and bring clean drinking water to the thirsty. Israeli innovators have led in cybersecurity, agriculture, and renewable energy. And Israeli culture — from food to music to film — speaks a universal language that connects peoples far beyond its borders.

Continued below.

BROADVIEW – Federal authorities told demonstrators Friday that there would be “no more prayer” in front of or inside the Broadview ICE facility, in a move that mystified local leaders and raised legal questions.

During the call, which took place with a Block Club reporter present, the anonymous representative told a group of faith leaders and activists that “There is no more prayer in front of building or inside the building because this is the state and it’s not [of a] religious background.”

Protesters expressed concern that the direction from federal officials could be in violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees both freedom of religion and assembly. The move also comes days after the AP reported that Pope Leo XIV urged authorities to allow pastoral workers to be able to access detained migrants.

The call followed an 11:30 a.m. interfaith service in the free speech zone near the facility at 1930 Beach St., that called on federal immigration officials to let faith leaders into the building to provide interfaith services to detainees.

Roughly 100 demonstrators gathered in the free speech zone with colorful signs and costumes while being penned in by concrete barriers. The religious processions were entirely peaceful, with no arrests and minimal interaction between protesters and law enforcement.

Organizers weren’t allowed to deliver a letter requesting entry to the building between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday.

“Members of our religious delegation have served in a pastoral and ministerial capacity in jails, prisons and detention centers for many years, and are more than willing to provide pastoral care to those who desire it inside of the ICE facility in Broadview,” the letter read. “We are willing to meet with a member of your staff today to discuss the logistics of our visit … inside of the Broadview ICE facility.”

see also:

essentialsaltes said:

Faith leaders blocked by ICE from delivering Communion to immigrants speak out​

The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Catholic and Christian-rooted nonprofit, organized a Mass by the immigration processing center on All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.

Okińczyc-Cruz told ABC News the nonprofit plans to again ask for a meeting and submit another request to offer communion to people inside the Broadview facility. He stressed that without that opportunity, officials are "infringing upon people's religious freedom and religious liberty."

Click to expand...

Right-wing media escalate attacks on young women voters following Democratic election wins across the country​

A nice selection of pull-quotes following Tuesday's election.

Clay Travis: “They've all gone insane, young women are actually insane in this country”

Fox anchor Martha MacCallum on young women voting for Democrats: “I find that very frightening.”

Newsmax host Rob Schmitt: “Young women in this country have become a very scary demographic.”

Watters ranted: “You’re in a tiny apartment, and the apartment’s getting really expensive because all of these migrants are here now. And it's also expensive because of the Green New Deal, so your utilities are high, and you've got the wrong degree. You should have gotten a degree in, like, chemistry, biology, finance, computer science, something useful in this high-tech AI economy. No, but you got a degree in, like, Southeast Asian feminist literature.”

Fox host Will Cain: So, I've been asking this question for quite some time: What's wrong with white women?”

Newsmax’s Carl Higbie: “This is why I say liberal white women are the biggest threat to America — they will literally vote for their own destruction and take everyone down with them.”

Fortunately, they have a solution for this perfidy.

On Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade agreed with Fox Noticias host Rachel Campos-Duffy that the conservative movement should “encourage marriage early” to “get more conservative young women.”

I am not American, so there is something you need to explain to me.
Trump on Truthsocial


The Democrats will terminate the filibuster once they can . So it seems to be that the Democrats don't like the filibuster. Right.
Also Trump, on the same Truthsocial:




Do I understand this correctly that it is Republicans that are playing games and hinder the re-opening of the country by not giving Democrats what they want?
But also:

So Democrats want to terminate the filibuster, which would allow Republicans to pass legislation and sail to victory, yet the same Republicans block this?

I am confused.

but many of us probably would have...
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/us/politics/argentina-bailout-investors.html


That the reason billions were chucked at Argentina was to help american billionaire investments in Argentina far right government keep from going cheeks up.

Trump administration: protecting American Billionaires again!

Hey! Maybe American conservatives will look through Argentina's shopping cart and suddenly care where there tax dollars go!

I only stumbled across this by accident. This sounds pretty ominious. It seems some ancient volcanoes are awakening. Not just one but a chain of them from Alaska to California. Some of them ancient monsters that have been dormant for almost a million years.

Some engulfed in ice and potentially could cause massive flooding and mud slides. Many earthquakes and tremors are occurring and there could also be massive earthquakes.

Nevermind global warming this is happening now and soon and will poison the atmosphere more than any human made pollution in one week if it goes off. Let alone the potential devastation from all the natural disasters that come as a result.

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In the beginning was the Word

And the Word was with God

And the Word was God

He was in the beginning with God

All things came into being through Him

In Him was life

And the life was the Light of men

The Light shines in the darkness

Jesus, the Christ

Messiah of the Most High

Blessed be the Lord

Blessed be the Lord indeed

​

There is a strong sense of nationalism in Türkiye today, which regards being a Muslim as necessary to being a loyal Turk. This puts considerable social pressure on Turkish Christians.

Although Christianity has an extremely long history in the country, it is still seen as a negative Western influence, even by moderate Muslims and secular Turks who are proud of their national identity. It's not illegal to leave Islam and become a Christian, but most people who convert face strong pressure from their families to change their minds. They may be threatened with divorce, loss of inheritance and being disowned by their family.

Christians in Türkiye face everyday discrimination for their faith. Foreign Christians with Turkish spouses and children have been banned from entering or re-entering the country. Religion is recorded on the Turkish ID card, making it easy to discriminate against Christian job applicants. Even Greek and Armenian Christians who attend traditional churches aren't considered full members of Turkish society. Their churches struggle with legal obstacles and red tape intended to obstruct the practice of their faith.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?​

Historical Christian groups, such as the Armenian and Assyrian (Syriac) churches, face high pressure and hostility in the southeastern region of Türkiye. For decades, they have been caught between the rivalries of the Turkish army and Kurdish resistance groups. Most Christians from those churches no longer live in their ancestral regions but have moved to western areas of Türkiye.

Most Turkish Protestant communities are located in the western coastal cities, including Istanbul. Those cities tend to be more liberal and secular, while inland areas are more conservative, Islamic and socially hostile toward Christians. However, some urban areas within the bigger cities are conservative as well.

What has changed this year?​

More church buildings were targeted than in previous years, in addition to two reported killings. Overall societal attitudes toward the church and the Christian community have not significantly changed, and average pressure remains at the same very high level. Societal hatred continues to be of serious concern for all Christians, regardless of their church background.

In addition, the Protestant community continues to be targeted with entry bans, with several expatriate Christians again being forced to leave the country. Asylum seekers and Christian refugees in particular (including converts from Islam to Christianity) from such countries as Iran, Afghanistan and Syria faced significant discrimination and abuse.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Türkiye?​

Open Doors raises prayer support for persecuted believers in Türkiye. Through local partners, Open Doors supports Persian-speaking refugee believers with training, resources and practical support.

How can you pray for Türkiye?​

• There are some in Türkiye who seek to tie Turkish identity to Islam. Pray that there would be an openness to accepting people of all faiths as true Turks.
• Ask God to draw close to converts from Islam, particularly those who are rejected by their families.
• Praise God that many believers in Türkiye can worship Jesus openly and without fear.

Garcia’s criminal record includes arrests and convictions for felony strangulation, domestic battery, disorderly conduct, battery causing bodily injury, aggravated battery against a handicapped or pregnant woman and unlawful use of a firearm.

Fortunately activists did not stop his arrest.

Today I am reading in the book of Joshua, chapter 24, taken from the Old Testament. Joshua was speaking here to the children of Israel, and he was giving them the words of the Lord. And much of this is a rendering of historical events, beginning with Abraham, all the way through to the Israelites entering into the land God had promised them. And, although this is Old Testament, there is still something we can learn from it, for it speaks, in character, some of the same truths as are in the New Testament.

God’s people Israel (Jew only at that time) were being held captive in slavery in Egypt for a very long time. So God sent his servants Moses and Aaron to rescue his people from slavery in Egypt. And God plagued Egypt by what he did in its midst, and afterward he brought his people out of Egypt. And they lived in the wilderness for a long time. But not all of the Israelites survived the wilderness, and got to go into the Promised Land, because of their rebellion against the Lord and their refusal to obey his commandments.

And Moses disobeyed one single command of God, so he did not get to go into the Promised Land. But he was not among those who deliberately and habitually sinned against God in open and deliberate rebellion against God’s commands, who God then killed in the wilderness and who did not get to enter into God’s eternal rest because of their unbelief, i.e. because of their disobedience. Moses died, but he did get to enter into God’s eternal rest, and then God replaced him with Joshua as the leader of his people Israel.

Then God gave the Israelites a land on which they had not labored, and cities which they had not built, and his people lived in them. And they were eating of vineyards and olive groves which they did not plant. All this was given to them by God. They did nothing in themselves to earn it or to deserve it. But they did have to obey God’s commands and follow his leading, and they did have to refrain from living in rebellion against the Lord and from immorality, idolatry, and wild living, so as to receive the promise.


And all of this parallels over to the gospel of Christ taught us in the New Testament. For we who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives are now God’s people Israel, Jew and Gentile by faith in the Lord Jesus. And the way we get to be God’s people is through faith in Jesus Christ which must result in us obeying our Lord’s commands, in practice, and in us putting sin to death in our lives, by the Spirit. For if we live in open rebellion against our Lord, as did the Israelites then, we will not get to enter into God’s eternal rest, either, because of our unbelief, i.e. disobedience.

And we did nothing to earn or deserve our “Promised Land,” either. Our salvation from sin and the faith to believe in Jesus Christ are gifted to us by God, and they are empowered by God, and they are persuaded of God. All we have to do is to surrender our lives over to God, to believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior, and by his grace and in his power now die to sin and obey our Lord and his commands, in practice. For if we refuse, as did most of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness some 40 years, we will meet with the same punishment. We will not have eternal life with God.

So, as those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, we are to honor, respect, and obey our Lord and his commandments. And we are to serve the Lord in sincerity (no fakery) and in truth (according to the teachings of Christ and of his New Testament apostles, taught in the correct context). We are to put away all idols of this world, and all sinful practices, and now obey our Lord in daily practice. And we are to serve him with our lives in surrender to his will in obedience to his calling upon our lives to live holy lives, pleasing to God. And then say with Joshua, in sincerity and in truth, “We will serve the Lord!”

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

As the Deer

By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

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We Will Serve The Lord
An Original Work / November 8, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Logos

By Him, the first light was shone forth

Through Him, constellations were set out

For Him, humans were made

The Word Is God, creator of all things


Melchizedek

Without father nor mother

He was like unto the Son of God

Being the King of Peace

To rule the realm of His kingdom sovereignly

Being the High Priest of God

To make intercession for His people perpetually

He Is the God's anointed, ruler of all realms


The Angel of the Lord

God's messenger equal to God Himself

To the wicked, He brought judgment

To the blessed, He brought good tidings

With Him, the Word of the Lord ruled

With Him, the oracles proclaimed

With Him, the promises fulfilled

He Is the Lord, the Sovereign One of all mankind

"Despite ICE law enforcement officers’ several attempts to deescalate the situation and repeated requests that the father take custody of the child, both parents stated they were willing to put the child into state custody," a DHS news release states. "Once Zapata Rivera realized he would be arrested for immigration violations if he did not agree to take custody of the child, he suddenly decided to be a good father and left with the child."
During the arrest of Ojeda-Montoya, she resisted arrest and a crowd of agitators formed, authorities said.

It's important to get past the initial major media stories and reveal the truth.

Mytho-history is a theory that claims Genesis should not be understood literallt (or at least not literally in the modern sense.) instead, it is largely a figurative account that expresses important theological truths and to establish Yahweh as the one true God vs the pagan religions of the Ancient World.

One argument for this view is that the Israelites would not have shared the same worldview that we modern 21st Century Westeners do. The fantastical and so-called scientific inaccuracies are accommodations rather than errors. That is, God met primeval humans at their level, and used language they would understand. Also, since the Israelites were an Ancient Near Eastern Semitic people, they were likely influenced by their surrounding neighbors such as the Caananites, Egyptians and Babylonians, and thus their texts all share similar themes and genre conventions.

God was not concerned with presenting an accurate view of cosmology or science so much as he was with correcting the theology of the Israelites. That is, he wanted to show that sun is a creation and not a god to be worshiped, and therefore more powerful than any pagan deity.

Genesis contains a lot of figurative language. For instance, the account Creation week draws parallels with the ancient world practice of seven days of ceremony when constructing a new temple. This is because the cosmos is God's temple.

I have only recently switched to this view from Old Earth Creationism, so there are many things I am still unsure about, but I do think this view best accounts for both a high regard for Scripture and compatibility with modern science.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been working on a video series called Jesus & Social Justice — exploring how the call to follow Christ connects with caring for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.

In Part 4, I dig into what it really means to follow Jesus — not just in words, but in how we live out His compassion and justice in today’s world.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How do you personally see the balance between preaching the Gospel and addressing injustice?

Here’s the link if you’d like to watch:
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Grace and peace,
✝️

Jesus’ Treatment of Women

As far as I know, from what I read in the New Testament, Jesus always treated women with high honor and respect. He never talked down to a woman or treated any woman as though she was less valuable than a man, with maybe one exception.

As recorded in Matthew 15:21-28, it appears that Jesus’ seemingly harsh words to a Gentile woman were not meant in unkindness, but that they were meant to test her faith, and to lead her to stand up for what she believed, too. And then he honored her for her faith, which he said was “great faith.”

And when other men took advantage of women, for evil purposes, or when they mocked or criticized them, Jesus stood up for the women, and he protected them. And he cared about their needs, and he ministered to them, and he honored their faith. And, if he did rebuke them, he was loving and gentle in his rebuke. He was always tender with them, compassionate and loving. And he used women to share the gospel with men, too.

[John 8:1-11; Luke 7:36-50; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 10:38-42; John 2:1-11; John 4:1-42; John 20:11-18.]

In fact, In Luke 7 we read that a Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him at his house. When a woman who had a reputation heard he was there, she came there and she anointed his feet with ointment, and wet them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair, and caressed them with her kisses.

When the Pharisee disapproved of the woman, Jesus rebuked him. But what he said to the Pharisee was for the encouragement of the woman, as well. For, what Jesus said to the Pharisee is that everything that he should have done for Jesus, but did not do, the woman did do. For, he said, “she loved much.” And, he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

And we read in Luke 8:1-3 that some women even traveled with Jesus and the disciples, too, and that they helped provide for Jesus’ and the disciples’ needs out of their own means.

I am assuming that the women made things which they sold for money, and that out of their earnings that they helped provide for Jesus and his disciples in the work of the ministry. So, they were co-laborers with Jesus and with his twelve male disciples in the ministry.

Your Daughters Shall Prophesy

And, when the Scriptures teach on the gifts of the Spirit, they do not differentiate between men and women, i.e. that some gifts are not for women. In fact, in Acts 2:17-18 we read:


So, why is it then that we have these teachings in the New Testament that sound as though women are to always remain silent, that they are not to speak in the gatherings of the church, without exception? (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12). Doesn’t that seem contradictory to how Jesus treated women? And isn’t it contradictory to the passage in Acts 2, and to other New Testament scriptures that speak of women prophesying?

And why is it that so many church congregations, at least here in America, do not allow their women to prophecy (preach) in their gatherings? And some pastors treat women as though they are dirt under their feet for them to walk on? For, Jesus never treated a woman like that. He valued women, and he used women in ministry, and he even sent women out to share the gospel with men. And the Holy Spirit of God gifted women to prophesy. So, why would God then turn around and put the smack down on women?

And, why, then would the Scriptures talk about how we are all one body in Christ, and that we are all necessary, and that one part should not say to another, “We have no need of you!”? And why would it teach that the body grows and builds itself up in love and in the faith as “each part” does its work? And then tell our women that their part, which God gave to them, and for which he gifted them, is not permitted? Is the church then not suppressing the gifts of women?

How can we resolve these seeming contradictions? Is it possible that these passages on the silence of women in the church can have another plausible explanation other than the complete and total suppression of the gift of prophecy among the women in the church? And, if so, what might that be?

For, women obviously prophesied in New Testament times (See: Luke 2:36; Acts 2:17; Acts 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5). So, how are we to understand this restriction of the silence of women in the church if God poured out his Spirit on both men and women so that they could prophesy, and we have recorded in the New Testament that there were indeed women who did prophesy? What is the context? What is the purpose of the restriction?

The Context Reveals

Well, the context of 1 Corinthians 14 is that of teaching on spiritual gifts, teaching on love, and instructions regarding the misuse of the gifts and the right way in which the gifts are to be used, and regarding their purpose, too. So, this is in the context of 1 Corinthians 12 and 13, also.

And it is in 1 Corinthians 12 where we are taught that each body part is necessary, and that we are not to say to another part of the body that we have no need of him or of her. And it is God who decides who gets what part, too. And it is the Holy Spirit who assigns the gifts.

And, here in 1 Corinthians 14 we are told first off to pursue love, and to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that we would prophesy. And the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, consolation and encouragement. The one who prophesies edifies other believers, for the spiritual growth and advancement of them in the faith. He or she inspires, cheers, urges, nurtures, promotes and fosters spiritual maturity and holy walks in the Spirit of God, too, which is consistent with Ephesians 4:15-16.

So, if both women and men are gifted with the gift of prophecy, and we women are to use the gifts of the Spirit given to us for the upbuilding and the encouragement of the body of Christ, his church; and if not one of us is to say to another “We have no need of you,” and if all the parts are necessary, and women did prophesy in the New Testament, and the body of Christ is built up in the faith as “each part” does its work, then we have to conclude that these instructions on the silencing of women have a meaning other than the absolute silence of women in the church.

Order and Submission

So, again, let’s look at the context. The context has to do with how gifts are used, and it has to do with the order in which they are used. And, then let’s look at the wording of the passage, too. For, it all comes down to submission. It says that a woman, if she has questions regarding something she wants to learn, that she should ask her husband at home. So, apparently women were interrupting the order of service to ask questions. And some of this is definitely cultural to that day and time.

It also appears, by the context, that these women were usurping authority over the men, for it clearly instructs them that they are to be in submission to their husbands, and to the leadership of the church, and it indicates that they were stepping out of that order by speaking in the church gatherings in a disruptive way. So, these women were out of order in what they were doing.

And the passage in 1 Timothy 2 supports this, that women are not to usurp authority over the men, and that they are not to instruct men in an authoritative manner which would require men to obey them.

So, in conclusion, I believe God has gifted both men and women in various ways, and that Scripturally both men and women are gifted with the gift of prophecy (preaching), which is for the edification and encouragement of the body of Christ and for their strengthening and nurturing of them in the faith, that they may all reach maturity in Christ Jesus, their Lord.

I believe Jesus values women highly, that he gifts them in ministry, and that he calls them to prophesy (preach) the truths of Scriptures so that the body of Christ might be drawn closer to their Lord in walks of faith, and so that they may not wander off from the faith to go after what is false. I also believe that our Lord uses women sometimes in areas usually assigned to men, but that he does so when so many men are spiritually AWOL, and they are neglecting their callings (See Luke 7:36-50 as illustrative of this).

Lastly, I believe it all comes down to submission to the authorities within the church. If women are given permission to speak, and it is done in proper order, and if it is done in the right way, for the upbuilding of the body of Christ, then they should be allowed to speak. But they are not to usurp authority over the men nor to cause a disturbance in the congregation, and they are not to instruct men in the sense of being over men in authority. But they are to remain in submission and in proper order, and then they can speak as they are called upon to speak, as God gifts them to speak.

[Acts 2:14-18,42-47; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20]

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Words by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907
Music by George C. Stebbins, 1907

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

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Women in Ministry
An Original Work / August 4, 2019
Reposted on November 7, 2025
(with slight editing)
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love