An "Eyewitness Account" kind of article

[Jules]

"The testimony of Kesep-Zaqan" - I enjoyed reading this article, written as though by someone who was there and witnessed the Lord overturning the money tables in the temple. Has anyone else wondered what it would have been like to have been in Jerusalem while the Lord walked among us?

http://americanvision.org/11267/testimony-kesep-zaqan-ben-hashulchanim-true-religion-angry-men-national-greatness/

[Baruch]

Thank you for posting this, Julie. I often imagine what it was like, but not from such a subjective and opposing viewpoint. It was interesting. And the viewpoint made me quite sad.

[Blane]

"The testimony of Kesep-Zaqan" - I enjoyed reading this article, written as though by someone who was there and witnessed the Lord overturning the money tables in the temple. Has anyone else wondered what it would have been like to have been in Jerusalem while the Lord walked among us?


http://americanvision.org/11267/test...nal-greatness/

Thanks for sharing this article, Jules.

Blane

[Lou Newton]

"The testimony of Kesep-Zaqan" - I enjoyed reading this article, written as though by someone who was there and witnessed the Lord overturning the money tables in the temple. Has anyone else wondered what it would have been like to have been in Jerusalem while the Lord walked among us?


http://americanvision.org/11267/test...nal-greatness/

Thanks Julie.

This story brings several thoughts to mind:

1 -This story shows a business man who was not very compassionate and also not very humble. But some of the Pharisees and others that did not accept Jesus were probably nice guys if you met them. But their fault was that they were arrogant as far as their religion. They did not consider the possibility that they could be wrong.

2 - We should be able to see that no mere man could see that Jesus was of God on his own. It was only by the Holy Spirit that a man would see something in Jesus that drew him to Him. It is as simply as this; no man comes to God except that God draws that man to Him.

[Steve Hollander]

Thanks Julie.

This story brings several thoughts to mind:

1 -This story shows a business man who was not very compassionate and also not very humble. But some of the Pharisees and others that did not accept Jesus were probably nice guys if you met them. But their fault was that they were arrogant as far as their religion. They did not consider the possibility that they could be wrong.

2 - We should be able to see that no mere man could see that Jesus was of God on his own. It was only by the Holy Spirit that a man would see something in Jesus that drew him to Him. It is as simply as this; no man comes to God except that God draws that man to Him.

So then if a man rejects GOD, that too is in GOD'S power. So how can we be responsible for our own lives? I know that we have to choose but it would seem that GOD is behind the choice no matter what.
What do you think? ..... Steve

[Baruch]

So then if a man rejects GOD, that too is in GOD'S power. So how can we be responsible for our own lives? I know that we have to choose but it would seem that GOD is behind the choice no matter what.
What do you think? ..... Steve

Hi, Steve,

This is a subtle thing to ponder, and I have enjoyed exploring it. I've had to think about this throughout day to form a reply. I have some thoughts that (having written and proof read) turn out more like ramblings. My thoughts are, I think it's obvious from this, occupied by the Esau/Jacob thread.

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

God has ordained (the word translated "made" here) the full spectrum of things against which His light can shine.

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Though He has ordained all things for himself, some of which grow evil fruit, he does not take pleasure in the perishing of the unrighteous.

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

He often reveals to us who He is by contrasting against what He is not.

Eze 18:25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

The wisdom of man accuses the Lord of unfair judgment. I have heard this often out of the mouths of others. The Lord shows his judgment is exactly equal. Yet by the fair weight and measure of the law even the best of us cannot save himself, to the frustration of the many who idolized the law.

Mat_18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luk_17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

How and why must the offenses (temptations, sins) come? Through the workings of Satan, and the evil of men's hearts who continually feast on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the decree of God who utilizes the "vessels of wrath" to punish the unrighteous.

By the Lord's grace we overcome temptation and are strengthened, for His glory.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Many are called. To some, maybe even many, is given the mercy of the Spirit's conviction in their conscience so that they can recognize their offense. Many are blinded and hardened by Satan and their own deceitful hearts, though, and deny the Spirit.

In my own subjective experience, how often had I denied the Spirit, and continued in my errant way? How many times did God call me? Did He ever take even one break from calling me? What was the final thing that quickened me, that drew me, so that I turned from my wickedness to seek life? Why am I chosen? Scripture tells me it is His grace, and I was chosen before the world or outside of time. It's a very subtle thing. It makes me fearful to consider how easily I might have continued to ignore the Lord's call. Can I claim to have harkened, and chosen rightly? Perhaps in my conceit, yes. But in wisdom, I think not! It's quite a mystery.

Would God allow one individual who could be saved by an act of grace to perish? Would God have raised up and hardened Pharaoh if the Holy Spirit could have reasoned with him, if grace would have swayed him? All those who perish, would it be too hard a thing for the Lord to save? Many would look at these questions, and make earthly assumptions and assign the worst petty motives, because they mistake our ways for His ways. I think these are questions that can only be answered by being entrusted with His secrets, and carefully understanding how He works. They may simply be beyond our comprehension. Or would they be lawful to utter?

Anymore, when I have a hard thought or maybe a dark one, I like to settle upon: what Has my God done to undermine my trust in Him? Nothing. He has never harmed me, and He is the only one with that track record. His ways are far more excellent than equal.

Blessings

[Steve Hollander]

Hi, Steve,

This is a subtle thing to ponder, and I have enjoyed exploring it. I've had to think about this throughout day to form a reply. I have some thoughts that (having written and proof read) turn out more like ramblings. My thoughts are, I think it's obvious from this, occupied by the Esau/Jacob thread.

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

God has ordained (the word translated "made" here) the full spectrum of things against which His light can shine.

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Though He has ordained all things for himself, some of which grow evil fruit, he does not take pleasure in the perishing of the unrighteous.

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

He often reveals to us who He is by contrasting against what He is not.

Eze 18:25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

The wisdom of man accuses the Lord of unfair judgment. I have heard this often out of the mouths of others. The Lord shows his judgment is exactly equal. Yet by the fair weight and measure of the law even the best of us cannot save himself, to the frustration of the many who idolized the law.

Mat_18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luk_17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

How and why must the offenses (temptations, sins) come? Through the workings of Satan, and the evil of men's hearts who continually feast on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the decree of God who utilizes the "vessels of wrath" to punish the unrighteous.

By the Lord's grace we overcome temptation and are strengthened, for His glory.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Many are called. To some, maybe even many, is given the mercy of the Spirit's conviction in their conscience so that they can recognize their offense. Many are blinded and hardened by Satan and their own deceitful hearts, though, and deny the Spirit.

In my own subjective experience, how often had I denied the Spirit, and continued in my errant way? How many times did God call me? Did He ever take even one break from calling me? What was the final thing that quickened me, that drew me, so that I turned from my wickedness to seek life? Why am I chosen? Scripture tells me it is His grace, and I was chosen before the world or outside of time. It's a very subtle thing. It makes me fearful to consider how easily I might have continued to ignore the Lord's call. Can I claim to have harkened, and chosen rightly? Perhaps in my conceit, yes. But in wisdom, I think not! It's quite a mystery.

Would God allow one individual who could be saved by an act of grace to perish? Would God have raised up and hardened Pharaoh if the Holy Spirit could have reasoned with him, if grace would have swayed him? All those who perish, would it be too hard a thing for the Lord to save? Many would look at these questions, and make earthly assumptions and assign the worst petty motives, because they mistake our ways for His ways. I think these are questions that can only be answered by being entrusted with His secrets, and carefully understanding how He works. They may simply be beyond our comprehension. Or would they be lawful to utter?

Anymore, when I have a hard thought or maybe a dark one, I like to settle upon: what Has my God done to undermine my trust in Him? Nothing. He has never harmed me, and He is the only one with that track record. His ways are far more excellent than equal.

Blessings

Hi Barry,

Your post is very eloquent and I agree with you completely.
GOD never does anything to cause us to be unfaithful, yet we are.

HE has never done anything to be so mistreated by everyone. Even we as lovers of HIS ways and of HIMSELF and HIS SON, we are guilty of treating HIM poorly.

How much pain our KING must undergo.

Thanks for such a outpouring of your heart on this matter. ..... Steve

[Lou Newton]

Hi, Steve,

This is a subtle thing to ponder, and I have enjoyed exploring it. I've had to think about this throughout day to form a reply. I have some thoughts that (having written and proof read) turn out more like ramblings. My thoughts are, I think it's obvious from this, occupied by the Esau/Jacob thread.

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

God has ordained (the word translated "made" here) the full spectrum of things against which His light can shine.

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Though He has ordained all things for himself, some of which grow evil fruit, he does not take pleasure in the perishing of the unrighteous.

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

He often reveals to us who He is by contrasting against what He is not.

Eze 18:25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

The wisdom of man accuses the Lord of unfair judgment. I have heard this often out of the mouths of others. The Lord shows his judgment is exactly equal. Yet by the fair weight and measure of the law even the best of us cannot save himself, to the frustration of the many who idolized the law.

Mat_18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luk_17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

How and why must the offenses (temptations, sins) come? Through the workings of Satan, and the evil of men's hearts who continually feast on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the decree of God who utilizes the "vessels of wrath" to punish the unrighteous.

By the Lord's grace we overcome temptation and are strengthened, for His glory.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Many are called. To some, maybe even many, is given the mercy of the Spirit's conviction in their conscience so that they can recognize their offense. Many are blinded and hardened by Satan and their own deceitful hearts, though, and deny the Spirit.

In my own subjective experience, how often had I denied the Spirit, and continued in my errant way? How many times did God call me? Did He ever take even one break from calling me? What was the final thing that quickened me, that drew me, so that I turned from my wickedness to seek life? Why am I chosen? Scripture tells me it is His grace, and I was chosen before the world or outside of time. It's a very subtle thing. It makes me fearful to consider how easily I might have continued to ignore the Lord's call. Can I claim to have harkened, and chosen rightly? Perhaps in my conceit, yes. But in wisdom, I think not! It's quite a mystery.

Would God allow one individual who could be saved by an act of grace to perish? Would God have raised up and hardened Pharaoh if the Holy Spirit could have reasoned with him, if grace would have swayed him? All those who perish, would it be too hard a thing for the Lord to save? Many would look at these questions, and make earthly assumptions and assign the worst petty motives, because they mistake our ways for His ways. I think these are questions that can only be answered by being entrusted with His secrets, and carefully understanding how He works. They may simply be beyond our comprehension. Or would they be lawful to utter?

Anymore, when I have a hard thought or maybe a dark one, I like to settle upon: what Has my God done to undermine my trust in Him? Nothing. He has never harmed me, and He is the only one with that track record. His ways are far more excellent than equal.

Blessings

I agree with Steve, you have stated this very well.

This brings two thoughts to my mind:

1 - Jesus told us that blasphemy against His Holy Spirit could not be forgiven. I have written much about this sin. Anyone who thinks they might have committed this sin, HAS NOT COMMITTED IT.

Blasphemy against The Holy Spirit is when someone thinks there is no possibility that they are wrong. They are so sure that they are right, that they do not seek truth any longer, for they think they have it. They are so sure they are right, that if God Almighty came down from heaven and raised the dead before their eyes, they would claim that it was Satan who did this. There is NOTHING that can be done for them.

For even when The Holy Spirit spoke to them, they simply spoke blasphemy against The Holy Spirit and called Him, Satan.

For the very basis of salvation is for one to humble themselves before God and confess their sin. They can not do this, for they think themselves righteous. And they will never repent, or forsake, this so called "righteousness".

They have taken up positions so rigid and so deep and have decided to fight against anything that would try to change their minds, They have fully decided that anyone or anything that tries to change their mind is evil itself.

Spend some time preaching to some deeply entrenched JW or Mormons and you will understand better. You can show them proof that Jesus is God Almighty right in the very scriptures they claim to believe, and they will still somehow deny the truth.

So this is why some are lost forever. Satan took this position and he has led many others to follow him.

2 - We all ponder the mystery of grace and how some are saved and others not saved. No matter how many ways I have tried to justify the grace of God, I always end up seeing that the arguments just claims that those that are saved have done something to deserve being saved. I know this is not true by the scriptures. We are saved by grace and grace alone.

But I also have The Holy Spirit within me who leads me into all truth.

When I have dwelled on some argument that justifies grace ( and with the end I have already explained) I end up feeling separated from The Lord Jesus and even start to question my very faith in Him. So I know this doctrine is from the antichrist.

But when I accept that I am saved by grace alone, and also that God is totally JUST, I am brought back to communion with Jesus. Satan would certainly never bring me into communion with Jesus, but His Holy Spirit would do just that.

Or as John wrote:

1 John 4
Test the Spirits
1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

Grace to you
Lou Newton