Living Water

[johnchao]

The Spirit—the Word of God, the Word is God

2Co 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(Note: The Spirit is the Word of God)

The body of Jesus has resurrected and gone up to heaven; exalted by the right hand of God, and received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and poured out:
Ac 2:31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

The words Jesus has spoken are spirit, and the Word of God:
Jn 6:62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Eph 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Jn 12:47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.

The Word of God our Savior:
Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

Tit 2:10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching of God our Savior attractive.

Rev 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Inquire of Yahweh about what is written in the book:
Jn 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me[FONT=&#23435]。[/FONT]

Lk 24:25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

2Ch 34:21 "Go and inquire of Yahweh for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is Yahweh's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of Yahweh; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."

2Ki 22:13 "Go and inquire of Yahweh for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is Yahweh's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us."

God is good:
Mt 19:16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

Proclaim the Word of God to make all the believers share everything, and take as he needs:
Ac 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Ac 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

God is love:
1Jn 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

By the sincerity of love there will be equality:
2Co 8:7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

 

[JGL53]

That's a beautiful mythic narrative. Just don't take it too literally and all will work out just fine.

 

[johnchao]

I. How to search and read from the book of Yahweh Please look into the teaching of the Scriptures

1. The Scripture is the work of God

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed (or The scripture that is inspired by God) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

1Pe 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Note: about revelation, please see Paul:

Gal 1:11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any flesh,

2Co 13:3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

Ecc 3:14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account (or and God requires an account of what is past).

Ro 9:28 For the Lord will execute his words on earth thoroughly and quickly."
(Note: Execute thoroughly-- the words of the whole Bible.)

Ps 119:89 Your word, O Yahweh, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.



2. The teaching about the Old Testament Bible


Jn 10:35 the Scripture cannot be broken—
(Note: When Jesus spoke this word, there was no New Testament Bible)

Mt 24:34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(Note: The Bible is the words Christ spoke, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away)

Gal 3:15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.
Rev 10:7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
(Note: What God announced to his servants the prophets is the mystery of God)

Dt 4:1 Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that Yahweh, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of Yahweh your God that I give you.

 

[JGL53]

Again, just don't take all this literally, and everything will work out fine.

 

[theQuestionist]

Your copy+paste skills are through the roof.

 

[johnchao]

Again, just don't take all this literally, and everything will work out fine.

2Co 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(Note: The Spirit is the Word of God)

 

[johnchao]

Your copy+paste skills are through the roof.

Do you know the meaning of "being on the roof" in the Bible?

 

[johnchao]

3.The teaching about reading and searching from the scriptures



Isa 34:16 Look in the scroll of Yahweh and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together. 17 He has cast the lot for them; his hand distributes them by measuring line. They will possess it forever and dwell there from generation to generation.

2Pe 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by men’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
[Attention: The Bible is the word of God which the prophets spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, there is no private will or the things of men, then what do the things of men belong to?

Mt 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Why? Adam and Eve the human beings God first made, sinned, violated Yahweh’s command, and ate the fruit of that tree:

Ge 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
(Note: Gaining the wisdom of man lit up the eye of one’s heart, namely, one’s own self)

Then, why is one’s own self in the authority of Satan?
Ge 3:14 So Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.
(Note: Yahweh God said to the serpent, you will eat dust all the days of your life, and man was made from dust)

Isa 29:1 Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel, the city where David settled! Add year to year and let your cycle of festivals go on. 2 Yet I will besiege Ariel; she will mourn and lament, she will be to me like an altar hearth. 3 I will encamp against you all around; I will encircle you with towers and set up my siege works against you. 4 Brought low, you will speak from the ground; your speech will mumble out of the dust. Your voice will come ghostlike from the earth; out of the dust your speech will whisper.
(Note: Ariel:

2Sa 23:20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two sons of Ariel of Moab.
Moab—Ariel, Moab is Gentile:

Ru 1:22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Ru 2:10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me--a gentile?"
Gentile:

1Th 4:5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;

1Pe4:3 You have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.
(Note: The believers of Jesus following their own selves speak the words of their own, like a medium’s voice out of the earth)

Lk 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Note: Enemies will build an embankment]

Rev 22:10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.
(Note: Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, “seal up” refers to close up )

Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
(Note: This book of prophecy refers to the Bible)

Pr 30:5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
(Note: Adding to the Bible is the doctrine of men, and the word of men’s own is a lie, see:

Job 34:4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. 5 "Job says, `I am innocent, but God denies me justice. 6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.)

Rev 22:7 "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

Rev 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Rev 22:9 But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"
(Note: All who keep the words of this book are the servants of God)

1Co 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Lev 26:9 "`I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my tent among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

Isa 25:6 On this mountain Yahweh Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the veil that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Yahweh will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. Yahweh has spoken.
Note: The word of the mouth of the beloved is the wine, see:

SS 7:9 and your mouth like the best wine that goes down smoothly for my beloved, moving gently the lips of sleepers.

The veil refers to the letter of the Bible:
2Co 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2Co3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

 

[johnchao]

II. The differences between the Spiritof the Bible and its letter

2Co 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(Note: The letter: according to the diction and the sentences or phrases of an article, to explain the meaning out of one’s own will is the word of men:

2Pe 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by men's own interpretation.

The Spirit: the meaning selected out is the word of God:
2Co 4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to your conscience in the sight of God.)

1Th 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.


What’s the distinction between the Word of God and the word of men[FONT=&#23435]？[/FONT]


1.The word of men


(1) The doctrines of men are a lie in the sight of God:
Job 34:4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. 5 "Job says, `I am innocent, but God denies me justice. 6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar;
(Note: Adding to the Scriptures is a lie:

Pr 30:5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. )

Job 27:1 And Job continued his discourse: 2 "As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, 3 as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, 4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. 5 I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. 6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.

Isa 49:3 He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor." 4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in Yahweh's hand, and my reward is with my God."
(Note: The doctrines of men are for nothing and vanity)

(2) Do not be spoiled and plundered by the letter:
Isa 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen (or in common characters): Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (which means “the Spoil Speeds, the Booty Hastens&#8221.
Isa 8:9 Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! 10 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. 11 Yahweh spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: 12 "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 Yahweh Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,
(Note: Writing in common characters with an ordinary pen is--- the Spoil Speeds, the Booty Hastens. Then, taken captive by what? See:

Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. )

Jer 17:1 "Judah's sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. 2 Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles beside the green trees and on the high hills.
(Note: The green trees refer to the wicked men, see:

Ps 37:35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

The wicked men:
1Sa 2:12 Eli's sons were wicked men; they had not known Yahweh.

Ps 9:17 The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. )

Jer 17:3 Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your sin throughout all your territory. 4 Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have kindled my anger, and it will burn forever." 5 This is what Yahweh says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from Yahweh. 6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 "I Yahweh search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." 11 Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.
(Note: Like the doctrines of men and the letter philosophy which do not belong to God, but you hatch them stubbornly.)

Jer 17:12 A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is Yahweh, see:

Isa 8:13 Yahweh Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, 14 and he will be a sanctuary;

Jer 17:13 O Yahweh, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken Yahweh, the spring of living water.
[Note: the spring of living water is the truth of Yahweh, see:

2Co 4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to your conscience in the sight of God.
(Jesus is the truth, and the word of God, see:

Jn 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jn 4:14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jer 8:8 "`How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of Yahweh," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? 9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of Yahweh, what kind of wisdom do they have? 10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 11 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. 12 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says Yahweh.
( Attention: the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely. Since they have rejected the word of Yahweh, what kind of wisdom do they have? Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace.)

(to be continued)

 

[JGL53]

Again, as mythic narrative, quite inspiring stuff - poetic, even.

Taken literally? - Not so much.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

Boy, that's....

Hmm....

 

[johnchao]

(3) What is falsely called knowledge strays from the faith:

1Ti 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
(Note: The doctrines of men are usually contradictory)

The faith is made known through the prophetic writings:
Ro 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey the faith-- 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Mt 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."


4) Jesus’ clothes and tunic:

Jn 19:23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes , dividing it into four shares, one for each of them, with the tunic remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my tunic." Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Attention: Jesus’ clothes was divided into four shares, one for each of them; the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, cast by lot to see who will get it. What is the meaning of this?


5) The difference between the words of Yahweh from his mouth and reading the words of Yahweh from the scroll:

1Pe 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
(Note: All the prophets were revealed by the Spirit of Christ in them)

Jer 36:1 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh: 2 "Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now. 3 Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin." 4 So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words Yahweh had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them on the scroll. 5 Then Jeremiah told Baruch, "I am restricted; I cannot go to Yahweh's temple. 6 So you go to the house of Yahweh on a day of fasting and read to the people from the scroll the words of Yahweh that you wrote as I dictated. Read them to all the people of Judah who come in from their towns. 7 Perhaps they will bring their petition before Yahweh, and each will turn from his wicked ways, for the anger and wrath pronounced against this people by Yahweh are great." 8 Baruch son of Neriah did everything Jeremiah the prophet told him to do; at Yahweh's temple he read the words of Yahweh from the scroll.

Jer 36:17 Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you come to write all this? Did Jeremiah dictate it?" 18 "Yes," Baruch replied, "he dictated all these words to me, and I wrote them in ink on the scroll."

Jer 36:20 After they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him. 21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and Jehudi brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary and read it to the king and all the officials standing beside him. 22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him. 23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire.
(The entire scroll was burned in the fire)

Jer 36:27 After the king burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah: 28 "Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up.

Jer 36:32 So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah had burned in the fire; And many similar words were added to them.
(All the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah’s dictation on the first scroll were burned up in the fire; Yahweh again told Jeremiah to take a scroll and give it to the scribe Baruch, who again wrote on it all the words of the first scroll as Jeremiah dictated.)

 

[johnchao]

deleted

 

[JGL53]

Well I'll give one thing, johnchao boy, you are a persistent bugger.

Win many converts with your particular style of just posting scripture?

Instead of just pasting up the poetry of others all the time, why not give thinking a try. It's actually sort of a pleasant pastime.

I recommend you start off slow - maybe a couple of minutes a week at first - then work your way up.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

Well I'll give one thing, johnchao boy, you are a persistent bugger.

Win many converts with your particular style of just posting scripture?

Instead of just pasting up the poetry of others all the time, why not give thinking a try. It's actually sort of a pleasant pastime.

I recommend you start off slow - maybe a couple of minutes a week at first - then work your way up.

You know, I never did find Buddhism philosophically tenable...

...but boy oh boy do I understand how threads like this make people say "huh?"

 

[JGL53]

You know, I never did find Buddhism philosophically tenable...

I never did like butter pecan ice cream. Go figure.

Actually, I am a westernized secular Buddhist. We're the good kind.

...but boy oh boy do I understand how threads like this make people say "huh?"...

You got that right. If a particular Christian's weird modus operanti puts people off of Jesus, then what use the comments of atheists - that would just be piling on.

 

[johnchao]

Shall we listen to men or to God?

 

[JGL53]

I vote me. PLEASE GO - with god.

 

[johnchao]

Please see the letter philosophy
Isa 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen (or “in common characters&#8221: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (which means “the Spoil Speeds, the Booty Hastens&#8221.

Isa 8:11 Yahweh spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people.
(Note: The letter philosophy that men use is the way of the people)

Da 1:4 young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king's palace; they were to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

Eze 12:13 I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and there he will die. 14 I will scatter to the four winds all those around him--his staff and all his troops--and I will pursue them with drawn sword.
(Note: Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, though there they die, they will not see the doctrines of men)

What is Babylon?
Ge 11:1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." 5 But Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 Yahweh said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." 8 So Yahweh scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel-- because there Yahweh confused the language of the whole world. From there Yahweh scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
(In the field of Christianity, the whole world has one language and a common speech, that is: believing Jesus to make a name for ourselves, because Yahweh came down and confused their language, they would not understand each other, and caused the confusion of denominations.)

Four winds are Babylon:
Eze 17:19 "`Therefore this is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: As surely as I live, I will bring down on his head my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke.
(Note: The Bible is the covenant made by God in His name, and also called a book of covenant.)

Eze 17:20 I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there because he was unfaithful to me. 21 All his fleeing troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the four winds. Then you will know that I Yahweh have spoken.

Zec 2:6 "'Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north," declares Yahweh, "for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven," declares Yahweh. 7 "Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!"

 

[johnchao]

Search the four winds, these are the four soldiers dividing Jesus’ clothes:
Zec 6:1 I looked up again--and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains--mountains of bronze!

(1)

Zec 6:2 The first chariot had red horses,
[Note: What is red?

Da 1:4 young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king's palace; they were to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

Da 2:4 Then the Chaldeans answered the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will reveal the interpretation."
(Note: The language and literature is Aramaic)

2Ch 20:2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom ( Edom or Aram).

2Ki 16:6 At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram by driving out the men of Judah. Edomites ( or Arameans) then moved into Elath and have lived there to this day.

What is an Edomite?
Ge 25:29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom (Edom means red) 31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." 32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" 33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
(Esau was also called Edom, meaning red, because Esau despised his birthright)

Jesus is the birthright
Eph 1:5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--

Ro 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
The Word is in the mouth, and confess Jesus as Lord, and call on the name of the Lord:

Ro 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
(Note: Many people have believed Jesus, yet the Word is not in their mouth, and this is equally despising the birthright, and is Edom, meaning red.)

Jer 49:20 Therefore, hear what Yahweh has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; he will completely destroy their pasture because of them. 21 At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea.
(Note: The Edomites are in the Red Sea)

Horses:
Jer 8:4 "'Say to them, `This is what Yahweh says: " `When men fall down, do they not get up? When a man turns away, does he not return? 5 Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. 6 I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.
(Note: Having turned away, each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle)

Jer 5:7 "Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes. 8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man's wife.
(Note: Having forsaken Yahweh, they run about like horses)

Eze 23:17 Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust. 18 When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister. 19 Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt. 20 There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
(Note: The Babylonians are like donkeys and horses)

Na 2:2 Yahweh will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines. 3 The shields of his soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet. The metal on the chariots flashes on the day they are made ready; the spears of pine are brandished. 4 The chariots storm through the streets, rushing back and forth through the squares. They look like flaming torches; they dart about like lightning.
(Note: Babylon uses the doctrines of men, has ruined their vines, and their shields are red)