Israel's Prophecy Program

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The Gospel of Luke

Chapter Thirteen

The Parable of the Fig Tree

1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

   I intentionally labelled the chapter the parable of the fig tree  to make sure you see the context of the parable. Jesus was told of some of his fellow Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

   That was as a show of strength, and a warning of what might happen to anyone else coming to Jerusalem trying to upset the status quo. 

   He then reminds them of another tragic incident that happened to some their other fellow countrymen. And he ends both comments with a question that he wanted all in Israel to take to heart.

Think ye that they were sinners above all in Galiliee or Jerusalem?

   Then he answers both sets of circumstances with the same answer, and he answers it for all of Israel as well.

Nay: but. except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

   Notice the choice of the plural ye, instead of you. All of Israel was included by Jesus, from the lowly peasant, all the way to the high priest.

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

   God is the certain man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, as is depicted in the book of the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

   God looked for fruits of judgment and righteousness, but instead he found only oppression. For three years Christ came seeking fruits of righteousness in Israel, but he found none.

   The fig tree is symbolic of the religious life in Israel. It was baren, and if Israel did not repent at the preaching of Jesus and the twelve, it would not enter into its long awaited kingdom.

   The additional year that Israel was given to repent was the year following his crucifixion, when the apostles preached the gospel of the kingdom to Israel under the power of the holy Spirit that they received on the day of Pentecost.

   That year ended with Stephen being killed for his faith, at the hands of the Church in Jerusalem's greatest enemy, Saul of Tarsus (who would later become the Apostle of the Gentiles). A new dispensation would soon be given unto the Apostle Paul:

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

   Most Christians have no idea that our current dispensation of grace was given to the Apostle Paul, and that it differed from the dispensation of the law that was given to Israel by Moses.

Woman, thou art loosed

10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

   Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives, according to Isaiah 61:1-2. How sad it was that a Rabbi (A ruler of the Synogogue) had indignation that one of his synagogue members who had dared to get healed by the Messiah of Israel on the sabbath day. How blind Israel's religious leaders had become because of their traditions.

18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

   The fowls of the air are usually used in negative way, the word devils is used in Matthews account. They come and take away the good seed.

20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

   Jesus again gives another short parable about the kingdom of God (called the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew). Leaven is a type of sin that a woman hides in three measures of meal because she has the desire to cause all the meal to be leavened. The leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy.

Lord, are there few that be saved?

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him: I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

   Over and over, Jesus was teaching how that Israel could have access to the long awaited kingdom and that was through believing that he was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

   Many that heard him however, did not believe and follow him, and they can knock all they want, but he will say to them in that day, I never knew you. They will be cast into Hell.

Jesus foretells of his soon death in Jerusalem

31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

   The first time Jesus came to the Temple he called it his Father's house, but now he calls it your house, because it is desolate of the Father's presence.

Chapter Fourteen

Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath Day?

1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

   First of all, we can learn a lot from Jesus' method of teaching the religious. He wouldn't wait for them to come to him with questions, He took the questions to them.

   I have taken this approach many times in years gone by in Israel and here in the States, and have had many woderful conversations with the religous that would not have happened if I had not poses questions to them.

   Jesus did it to get them to think, instead of just blindly following what their Rabbi told them. Many today blindly follow their Pastors and Priests without checking them out either.

7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

     Whatever problem the religious had, Jesus would point it out to them so they had no excuse when they stood before God one day. Religion became a career to them, and a very lucrative one at that.

   The less humble the person, the higher position he could obtain with men, but the more humble a person was the better position they would have in the kingdom.

   The people were more concerned with the here and now, instead of humbling themselves to be exhalted in Israel's future kingdom.

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

   Jesus came to his own, and his own received him not. They could not humble themselves to come and sit with the lowly Jesus, who ministered to prostitutes, sick people, tax collectors.

   They preferred the praise of men, than the praise of God, and because of that there will be no place found for them in the kingdom.

The Cost of being Jesus' Disciple

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

   Remember again, this is spoken by Christ, Israel's future King, about a kingdom that was at hand as long as the King was there in their midst.

   The requirement for being Jesus' disciple and entering into the kingdom was forsaking all that a person had and going to follow Jesus because the kingdom was literally at hand if Israel would have repented at their preaching the kingdom would have been established. They did not. This is not how we serve God today in the dispensation of grace. 


Chapter Fifteen

Publicans and Sinners

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The Prodigal Son

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

The Elder Son

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. 

   Who does the certain man (the father), the younger son, and the elder son represent in this story? While the Prodigal son is the one sinner that repented, the other son that remained was a perfect picture of the Pharisees and scribes and the rest of Israel's leaders.

   The father of course is a type of God the Father, the younger son represents the wayward sinners who come to themselves and repent and return to God, while the elder son represent the self-righteous in the naiton of Israel.

    The religous must have been fuming that the famous Rabbi would not eat and make merry with them, but instead he chose to eat and drink with publicans and sinners. 

Chapter Sixteen

God or Mammon?

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

   The Lord was not commending the unjust steward for his stewardship, or for how he made a bunch of friends for the day when he would get fired, he was commending him in that he made a wise decision in the world to survive.

   The lesson the Lord wants us to learn is that we are stewards as well, but he is saying that as children of light you should be thinking of ways to accomplish what is best for you in God's eyes instead of man's and in doing so, you will store up eternal rewards.

Justified before Men

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

   The law and the prophets were until John the Baptist: since that time the kingdom of God is preached (called the kingdom of heaven in Matthew's gospel) and notice what it said concerning the preaching of the kingdom of God, every man presseth into it.

   Does that sound like salvation by grace through faith, or does it sound like the hearer has some obligations to do what he is being told by the word?

   It does not sound anything like salvation today under the dispensation of grace and there is a good reason why it doesn't sound the same.

   They were not in that dispensation yet, they were preaching, begining with John about a coming dispensation called the kingdom in what we know as the gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 4:23.

The Richman and Lazarus

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Abraham's Bosom?

   Where is Abraham's bosom? Just above Abraham's stomach, literally. Lazarus was standing next to Abraham and Abraham was embrassing him.

   Notice the conversation that follow's is between father Abraham and the richman, because his bosom goes wherever he goes. They were in the heart of the earth. David called it hell in Psalm 16:10 see also Acts 2:27

Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

   The place were they both were physically, was in the Paradise side of the abode of the dead (hell), which is in the heart of the earth. One side was paradise, and the other side was torment because of the flame. 

   Notice that the Richman was buried, but nothing is said of the beggar Lazarus being buried. What was wrong with this true story that took place in the land of Israel?

   The old testament, or the law had provisions in it for the poor man to be provided for. And for the richman to walk by him day by day, never assisting this man to help him alter his condition he was in direct disobedience to the law.

   The problem was that the Pharisees who were listening to Jesus tell this story were the ones that the certain richman portrayed. How many people like Lazarus were there in their day that they just walked by. Why weren't they meditating in the law day and night.

   If Israel were right with God the poor would have been taken care of, and Rome wouldn't have been ruling over them. Israel was not right with God, and Rome ruled over them. 

  That was because the very ones who were supposed to bring the people back to a right relationship to God, which would include aiding the poor beggars, where the ones who were taking advantage of their exalted religious positions to fare sumptuously everyday, while other Jews, like Lazarus were neglected by them.

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

   Did you see what I underlined? Abraham's bosom was simply Abraham's bosom. It was not the name of the place. That is just a name give to it by lazy parrots. I was once one of them.

   Salvation under the Law was not dependent on whether you had given all your worldy possessions away or not. In fact, if the nation was obedient to the Law while Israel was under the Law, God would financially bless the nation as a whole. 

   Under the preaching of the kingdom of God/heaven, Jesus required his followers to sell all that they had, and to give unto the poor.

   This richman obviously chose a few more years of faring sumptously everyday to selling all that he had and giving to the poor so that he may enter into Israel's earthly kingdom which was literally at hand while Israel's king was with them.

   Please notice that in hell there is torment in literal flames. So much torment that the richman just wanted Lazarus to dip just the tip of his finger in some water an,d for him to touch it on his tongue for a moments relief, but the answer was no.   

   Notice also that the richman could see afar off.  He had eyes and they could see afar off past the gates of hell, into the place called paradise later on in Luke's gospel:

Paradise

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. 

   This is a true story, it is not a parable. Parables were always identified as parables. The reason liberals want you to believe this is a parable is because the devil uses doctrines of devil's, and seducing spirits to get you to believe there is no hell. Don't fall for that lie.

   The brothers of this richman had the word of God to keep them from going to hell, but it is obvious that the richman knew his brothers were not saved either and that they would soon join him.

   God does not jump through hoops for people who want a sign to get them to do something or to believe something in his word.

   The word of God is all anyones needs. Everyone just needs to believe the word. rightly divide that word, and obey the word written to them.

Chapter Seventeen

 Kingdom forgiveness

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.  5  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  6  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.  

    We forgive today because we are forgiven first. The disciples in Jesus' day had to forgive others to be forgiven by God. Do you have enough faith to move a sycamine tree?

   You couldn't even if you did, because you are not living in Israel's dispensation where signs and wonders were occuring to verify that the messenger and the message were from God.

   There are no signs given for us today in the dispensation of grace, not even leading up to the rapture of the Church. The rapture will happen when the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.

7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.  10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.  

    The standard is very high for the kingdom. They were required first to do something to get something in return. Forgive and you would be forgiven, serve and you would be served. 

Where are the Nine?

Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. 

    Nine Jews who were healed of leprosy, who had begged Jesus for mercy, did not have the moral fortitude to return and say thank you, let alone to give glory to God. The one who did was a Samaritan.

   The Jews were required by the Law to go to the priests to shew themselves clean, which would allow them to come back into Jewish life and begin life anew, and they did that so that there life would be better, but to not go back and thank Jesus tells you just how the spiritual status of the average Jew was in those days. 

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

   Jesus was preaching that the kingdom of God was at hand, and it was, if Israel would repent, inwardly. They did not repent and they rejected the kingdom, by inwardly rejecting Jesus as their Christ.

   If they did not believe inwardly that Jesus was the Christ they could in no wise enter into their kingdom. They had to accept the King in order for their kingdom to come.

   The Pharisees wanted a date when the kingdom should come. Christ told them it would come if they inwardly accepted their King, they did not. 

22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.  

   This is a reference to when the abomination of desolation is set up in the Temple in Jerusalem and believing Israel flees into the wilderness where she will be protected by God for three and a half years before the kingdom is set up.

   Those that give up all that they have and flee will preserve their life, those that remain will perish at the hands of the anti-christ. See Matthew 24 & 25 for more on this terrible time.

34  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  35  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  36  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  37  And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.  

    Where are the ones that are taken, taken to? Hell! This is not the rapture as many very confused people teach. The literal bodies may very possibly be taken to the great feast spoken about in Revelation  where the fowls that fly to feast on the corpses of those that were against Christ.

Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

   The rapture is not revealed until it is revealed to the apostle Paul many years later (Behold, I shew unto you a mystery). Paul isn't even saved yet.

   The men and women in this story that are not taken are those Jewish believers who had done the Lord's will and they enter into their kingdom, but not before God takes away all those who have rejected him as their Christ.

Chapter Eighteen

 Praying Always

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

   During the Tribulation Period believers (his own elect) will be crying night and day to be avenged (like the woman to the judge), and they will be avenged speedily at his second coming as their flesh will be destroyed, and they will be taken to hell until the great white throne judgement.

   Notice how verse eight ends this teaching, shall the Son of man find faith on the earth when he cometh? That tells us that a lot in Israel will give in and take the mark of the beast to fill their stomachs and to stay in their nice homes with their job's.

   They should flee into the wilderness and allow Christ to provide for them, but sadly only a remnant of Israel will remain faithful to Christ (endure unto the end) and be saved and enter into their kingdom.

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  No doubt Jesus was speaking to Pharisees in his audience as he uses a Pharisee in his example, not for the purpose of embarrassing him or all Pharisees, but to warn those that will listen, We ought not to change our messages because of who is in our audience, but tell them all what they all need to hear.

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

    Jesus took every opportunity to use an situation to teach the people something they needed to know. How powerful an illustration was this to everyone, especially the one forbidding people from bringing the children from coming to Jesus.

   Isn't that exactly what the Pharisees were doing in forbidding people from going to Jesus? And now his disciples were doing the very same thing (with different motives of course) and Jesus used it to teach an important truth. Believing is easy. A child would recognize Jesus immediately as the Messiah, whereas a Pharisee or Sadducee had to filter his words through all the tradition they had learned, Not so with a child.

Eternal Life

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

   Jesus told this man who was very rich to keep the commandments of Moses in order to obtain eternal life and to sell all that he had, which was not commanded in the law of Moses.  

   It was a requirement however, for those at that time to enter the kingdom, plus they must go and follow Jesus as he and his followers warned Israel that the kingdom they longed for was at hand.

   We should never tell someone who wants to be saved today in the dispensaiton of grace to keep the commandments, and to sell all that they have, and to go and follow Jesus to have eternal life.

   We tell people today to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that he died for them according to scriptures, was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures.

   That is not the program we are under today. We are under the dispensation of grace which was dispensed unto the apostle Paul after the cross.

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. 31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

   Remember that these sayings were hid from them, that Jesus was going to be rejected, crucified, and on the third day rise again.

   They understood none of those things even though the very same things were written about in the writtings of the prophets it was not understood by Israel as they only saw Christ reigning for ever because that is what they wanted to see.

   Peter, James, John and the rest of the twelve apostles were not trusting in Jesus' death, burial and resurrection for their salvation because they didn't understand those things and they were hid from them.

   This would later be revealed to them after Christ was risen from the dead, which we will see in chapter twenty-four when Jesus opens their understand to them.

Thou Son of David

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.  39  And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. 

   Who did the people of Jericho tell the blind man was passing by? Jesus of Nazareth, not the Son of David. There is a big difference in the two titles. Everyone was identified by their name, who their father was, and by the city from which they came.

   The people of Jericho identified Jesus as that one guy named Jesus from that one town of Nazareth. They did not reckognize him as the Son of anyone, let alone the Son of God, but the blind man acknowledged Jesus as the Son of David meaning he was the king of Israel and its Saviour.

   He also testified to his by requesting that Jesus show mercy on him thus confirming that he believed that Jesus was more than just  a resident of another city, he believed he was the Messiah, and for his faith he received his sight.

Chapter Nineteen

 Chief among the Publicans

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

   What Zacchaeus did was required as we have seen in previous chapters, and in the other gospels, and the first eight chapters of the book of Acts for entrance into the kingdom and to obtain eternal life.

   Zacchaeus was the chief of the Publicans (the despised tax collectors) and salvation came to his house because he did what was required by Christ to have entrance into the kingdom.

   You should not sell all that you have today and give it to the poor or you will become the poor and unable to help anyone, including yourself. Kingdom practices were only required while the kingdom was at hand. It is not at hand today, we live in the dispensation of grace.

Occupy till I come

11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

   Wow! That is Kingdom justice, The disciples of Jesus thought that the kingdom was about to appear at any moment as they were with the future King heading to Jerusalem.

   Jesus wanted their focus to be on the events that were about to happen, not on future events. He did however tell them what they should be doing while they waited for the kingdom to appear.

   The consequences for not doing as was expected had eternal consequences. They were to live as if the kingdom could come at any moment.

Rebuke thy Disciples

28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

   Little did they know when they were acquiring the colt that they were fulfilling prophecy:

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

The Time of Thy Visitation

41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

A Den of Thieves

45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him. 

    In the beginning the Temple was called a house of prayer, but Jesus said they had turned it into a den of thieves. Earlier in Luke's gospel he tells them something that should have caused them to weep and lament, they did not.

Luke 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

   God's presence had left the building, that Solomon had built as God's house to dwell in. It has not returned since, and will not until the kingdom is actually come to this earth after our dispensation ends at the rapture and the tribulation period runs it's course.



Chapter Twenty

 The Baptism of John

1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.  8  And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

   They compromised and came up with an answer that was safe for them to maintain their position as elders, scribes and chief priests.

   Jesus on the other hand would have answered their questions if they would have answered his. Notice what Luke himself said earlier in his gospel about John's baptism:

Luke 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 

The Lord of the Vineyard

9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.  

   The vineyard is the house of Israel as spoken by the prophet Isaiah, and the others that the owner (a certain man) gives the  away to is the little flock of believers in Israel that make up what is also called the remnant:

Isaiah 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Render unto Caesar

17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:  22  Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.  26  And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

   Rendering unto Caesar was not the issue that the leaders of Israel had with Jesus, for they all paid Caesar his due. They knew Jesus was famous for saying exactly what he felt and they thought they could get rid of him by getting him to speak against Caesar, but Jesus knew what they were trying to pull and flipped the coin (so to speak) on them.

   The real issue was Jesus being the chief cornerstone that was rejected of the leaders of Israel. They are knew that prophecy from Psalms, but Jesus was saying they were the very ones fulfilling it in rejecting him as their Messiah:

Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Ye do err

27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

   Jesus knew he was speaking to Sadducees and that they did not believe in the resurrection, so he knew they were just trying to trip him up with something that may have worked on the Pharisees, but not on Jesus, who was the living word of God.

   The problem Jesus pointed out to the Sadducees was that they were only thinking about making their life better in the here and now, because they believed once you died that was it.

    Jesus kindly explained to the Sadducees that if they were worthy to obtain the world to come (which the Sadducees were not) they would not be married, nor given in marriage in the kingdom.

    There would be no fighting over whose wife she would be, because she would not be anyone's wife in the kingdom, contrary to the hope of Muslims who are promised a multitude of virgins in the kingdom, Jews are promised to be a kingdom of priests in the kingdom.

   They will be a blessing to the Gentile nations in making known the Messiah unto them, they will not not be lying around with a harem having sex with their eternal virgins.

   Guess which religion appealed to men in the Middle East and grew rapidly, you guessed it, Islam. The god of Islam is not the God of the Bible. The god of Islam is a perverted devil.

Thou hast well said

37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

    God is currently the God of Abraham because Abraham is currently alive, as is Isaac, and Jacob. The promises made by God could not be kept that were made to Abraham and his offspring if there were not a resurrection.

    Every promise made to them will be realized when Israel is resurrected into their long promised kingdom. Abraham is not dead, nor asleep at this moment, but is in paradise until the day he and all the righteous are raised from the dead.

   The bodies are the only thing that sleeps. The soul of Abraham and all the righteous dead are conscious in paradise.

41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

   Jesus was trying to get people to think about what the scriptures actually said. David, who existed way before Jesus was born, called Jesus Lord prophetically not knowing what his name was because he wasn't born yet, but he still called someone who was his descendant Lord.

   No father would ever call his son Lord, let alone someone many generations after him. The elder, or the one who was the patriarch would always be the one being called Lord.

   So why would King David call the Messiah Lord if he was born so many generations before Jesus was? Because Jesus was God in human flesh, and therefore he held a higher position and was worthy of David calling him Lord.

Beware of the Scribes

45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. 

   Ouch! The Scribes were standing right there and all the people heard Jesus' word describing the Scribes as well as the Scribes.

    This should has shook them to their core and it did to a small amount of them, unfortunately not enough of them. Most of them just were angered and sought to shut Jesus up any way they could, including conspiring to kill Jesus.

Chapter Twenty-one

 When shall these things be?

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

I am Christ

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

   The main person who will come and who will say that he is the Christ, will be the anti-christ. The great deciever, who will deceive if it were possible the very elect.

9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

    Notice that the believers in the tribulation period which is what is being spoken about here will be persecuted by being delivered up to the synagogues before they will be sent to prisons. Synagogues.

   This is exactly what was happening in the first century when Saul of Tarsus was persecuting believers even unto death, and they will have the same opportunities to witness before kings and rulers for Christ's name sake, just like the Daniel, or the Apostles did.

   This is kingdom power like that which Stephen had, and Peter as they preached to the leaders of Israel, God will supernaturally empower his disciples to be bold witnesses for him once again in the tribulation period just as it was in the first century. 

   If you should find yourself arrested today in the dispensation of grace however, please, for your families sake don't attempt this kingdom method of self-defense because it doesn't work today in a different dispensation. Get a lawyer.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.  

   Verse nineteen is another way of saying what was said in Mathew 24:13 He that shall endure unto the end (patience) shall be saved.

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

   This is a reference to the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

   The times of the Gentiles and the fulness of the Gentiles are two different things. The fulness of the Gentiles has to do with the body of Christ filling up leading up to the rapture of the Church which is his body.

   The times of the Gentiles is when the Gentiles rule over Jerusalem which shall be until the Messiah sets up his kingdom after those days.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

   God will literally shake the heavens and cast Satan and his angels down to the earth for the last three and a half years of the seven year tribulation period. The signs in the sun, moon and the stars are those things talked about by the prophet Joel.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

   This is directly for the Tribulation Saints enduring unto the end of that terrible time, they are told in the other gospel accounts to be watching and waiting for the Lord's return.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

   What generation? Not the generation that was here when Israel became a nation again. It is the generation that sees these specific signs come to past. That generation has almost completely died off in 2019, so quit buying all these date setters books. 

   That generation only is the generation that is being spoken about. It is a generation that is alive after the rapture takes the body of Christ out of this world because as our apostle taught us, We are not appointed unto wrath. Sadly it is the time of Jacob's Trouble.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

   They are to be watching and waiting and praying that they may be accounted worthy. That is not grace age salvation my friend, it is Israel in the tribulation period enduring unto the end to be counted worthy to enter the kingdom.

37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. 

Chapter Twenty-two

 The Feast Days

   There are seven feast days in the Jewish calendar. Passover and unleavened bread go together to make it an eight day feast basically.

   No, it does not mean the Jews sat around eating for eight days non-stop, it just meant these two feast (which did entail eating) were back to back as in the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

   After Passover, the children of Israel where in a hurry to leave Egypt before Pharaoh changed his mind again, and God commanded them to make unleavened bread for the journey as they had to make haste and had no time to wait for the yeast to cause the bread to rise.

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

   When the Feast was designed to remind Israel to get the sin out of your life (and country) so you can be a holy nation fit for God's use, we have the chief priests and the scribes plotting to have Jesus killed in private so the crowds wouldn't riot and kill them. What religious hypocrites!

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

   Who do you think was behind the chief priests and the scribes wanting to kill Jesus? The same being (Satan) who entered (possessed) Judas Iscariot and inspired him to betray him, but only in the absence of the multitude. 

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

   Did Jesus already have this Passover meal preplanned with the owner of this house (most likely it was the house John Mark grew up in)? I don't believe so.

   First of all, Jesus was all knowing, and knew the person would let his disciples use the room. Secondly, the room was only furnished, Peter and John had to go make all the preparations for the dinner. If the man was told so in advance Jesus would not have had to tell Peter and John to do so.

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

   What is the it that is fulfilled in the Kingdom? Well first of all the it refers to eating with the disciples for the last time this side of the Kingdom. Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies of him being the passover at his first coming.

   The only thing that happened after the first Passover that didn't happen after Christ's crucifixion is the judgment upon the Gentiles like it happened to Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army.

The Cup

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

   The Cup is not refering to his blood, but it is a cup that they went with the Passover Meal. The Lord's Supper is something that took place at the Passover Meal.  It was not the Passover.

   We are not to have a Passover Meal when we have the Lord's Supper today in the body of Christ. We are not Israel under the Law. Israel's Feasts are Israel's Feasts.

   They were prophetic about events that will happen in the life of the Nation of Israel. Israel is in a prophetical time out today and we are not required to participate in Israel's Feasts.

Jesus informs the beliving remnant in Israel of the significance of the Lord's Supper 

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

   If you read the other gospel accounts you will notice that Jesus gave himself for a ranson for many, but in Paul's epistles the he says that Christ died for all (all the world).

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 

   That is part of the mystery program of revelations given unto him. The fact that Christ died for the world was not made known before the cross.

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

   Christ had to go to the cross for you and I, but woe unto Judas who betrayed the Saviour. The cross had to happen to pay for the sins of all mankind, but Judas have to be the betrayer. His punishment will be severe as the pronouncement of "woe unto that man" indicates.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

   Jesus told his disciples that he had appointed unto them the kingdom that was originally appointed unto Israel in the beginning, but that appointment was always one that was conditional upon individual Israelites acting on their faith.

   No faith in the Messiah, no Kingdom.  It didn't matter who their daddy was, or if they were circumcised in the flesh if they were not circumcised in the heart.

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

   What was the result of Jesus' prayer? It held back the desire of Satan to control Peter. Prayer changes things. Imagine what we might be reading about Peter if Christ didn't pray for him.

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

   Notice the vagueness of the scripture Jesus quoted that the Messiah was reckoned among the transgressors. And the additional statement that the things concerning him have an end.

   Christ had to go to the cross and he was informing his disciples of this again and again, but they had a hard time justifying that with what they thought the Messsiah should do.

Pray that ye enter not into temptation

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,  46  And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

   Apparently, Jesus really wanted his disciples to pray so that they would not be tempted to do the wrong thing, which was to from him or in Peter's case to deny he even knew him, but their prayers were not as fervent as Jesus' multiple commands to pray.

   If pray could have helped them not to enter into temptation, I don't care what dispensation it is, prayer can help you.

47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

   What a perfect person for Jesus to heal, the servant of the high priest. What stories he could tell to his boss later that night. I would imagine that the high priest had him fired for lying, because when Jesus healed him, he healed him as good as knew.

   He probably thought his servant was suffering from a concusion and was out of his mind. He sure didn't want him hanging around re-telling how Jesus put his ear back on all the time.

52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

   They would come after Jesus in broad daylight at the Temple because there were too many eyewitnesses there, who would have not appreciated their strongarm tactics aganst the peaceful Jesus. 

   They wanted Jesus killed and they had concocted their evil plan so as to not be interfered with by any of Jesus' followers. They thought they were doing God's work, as Jesus said many times, their heart was far from him.

I know him not

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. 63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

   Jesus knew the end from the beginning. How else could he know Peter's actions before he ever did them? Nothing about his actions in the past would ever make you think Peter was a coward, but when his life was threatened, Peter showed his weakness. Maybe, Peter should have stayed awake earlier as well, and prayed more.

 Art thou the Christ?

66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, 67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. 71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. 

   Notice how that the chief priests and the scribes were the ones to link the title of the Son of man to the title of the Son of God. All they wanted to do is to catch Jesus in his words so they could have him put to death.

Chapter Twenty-three

 The Scapegoat

1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. 4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

   First of all it was a very hypocritical thing for the high priest and the scribes to accuse Jesus of forbidding the people to give tribute to Caesar, when we know that they had actually tried to get Jesus to say that, but instead he said that they should render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.

   These leaders themselves hated paying tribute to Caesar, and if Israel would have been in a right relationship with God at that time, they would not have had to pay tribute to anyone, nor have Rome ruling over them.

Pilate and Herod

5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. 6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. 13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him. 17 For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast. 18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: 19 Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison. 20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. 23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.  

   Three times the religous leaders cried out for Jesus to be crucifed and three times Pilate asked Israel's leaders, "Why, what evil hath he done?"

   He pleaded to them that he found no cause of death in him but the leaders wanted Jesus out of the picture. He was a threat to their monopoly on religion.

   These men were so far from the truth that they demanded and murderer be released and an innocent man be crucified. Had they forgotten they must give an account one day for their actions? Here they were condemning their future judge.

The Scapegoat

   The verses regarding the teaching of the scapegoat actually begin at the examination of Jesus by the high Priests in the previous chapter and continued on with Pilate and Herod to which many times Jesus would answer their questions to fulfill prophecy:

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. 26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

The Law of the Scapegoat

Leviticus 16:5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. 7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat (Jesus) upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat (Barabbas), on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

   Right outside the Temple where they would offer the sacrifices was the Judgment Hall, the prison, and also the high Priests quarters, all very conveniently placed so as to expedite the judgment.

   Barrabas and Jesus were the two goats that all the previous goats for two thousand years served as a type or a shadow of, Barabbas and Jesus were both examined outside the gate and the one named Barabbas was inspected and found guilty of murder and sedition, the other named Jesus, was inspected and nothing guilty of death was found in him.

   Jesus himself also said of himself:

John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

The Writer of Hebrews said of Jesus

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

   Jesus was the innocent goat that took the sins of the nation of Israel, and of the whole world upon him (as the Apostle Paul would later tell us in his epistles), while Barabbas was the guilty one that was set free. Barabbas represents us, Jesus was punished for us who are guilty so that we might be set free.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The Crucifixion

27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?  

   Jesus was quoting Isaid the prophet to the women of Israel about what would happen during the time of Jacob's Trouble (the Tribulation Period), even while he was carrying his cross to pay for their sins, that is love my friend!

Isaiah 2:19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the ear.

The Place of the Skull?

32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

   The only place you will find the word Calvary is right here in the King James Bible. If your Church is called Calvary Bible Church, and you do not use the King James Bible at your church, you should be honest and take the name off of  your church and put the name that your bible calls it, (the place of the skull).

   The Place of the Skull Bible Church, or Skull Bible Church doesn't have a very nice ring to it, does it?

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.  

   The first part of Luke 23:34 is very important because Israel's crime was reduced from first degree murder of which their was no sacrifice for, to manslaughter, which means they didn't know what they were doing.

   So God doesn't do away with Israel forever because they did what they did in ignorance.   The second part of Luke 23:34 is a fulfillment of Psalm twenty-two:

Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

The King of the Jews

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.  42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  

   The Jehovah Witnesses New World Translation (NWT) which is a perverted Bible written by the JW's themselves, change this verse to fit their doctrine of soul sleep.

  They simply move the comma over one world and the verse has a totally different meaning. They make the thief wait until the resurrection before he can be in paradise with Jesus.

   They do this very thing all over their modern translation of the bible which was translated from a small minority of Greek texts that don't even agree with one another.

NWT Luke 23:43 Verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise. 

Who really took Jesus' life?

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

   To answer the question above these verses lets first take a look at the words of Jesus regarding his death and who it was that really took his life from him.

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

   The Jews cried out "crucify him", but they did not kill him. The Romans drove the nails in his hands and feet, but that didn't killl him.

   Jesus he layed his life down, and he would also raise it up again. When Jesus was ready to die, he died on his own terms, not Rome's, or the Jews. It was our sins that made it necessary for Christ to have to go the the cross on our behalf.

47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Joseph of Arimathea

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them; he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

   The kingdom of God (also called the kingdom of heaven in Matthew's gospel) would have begun eight years from the time of the resurrection of Christ to sit on his throne until his enemies be made his footstool during the time of Jacob's Trouble.

   The kingdom that Joseph waited for did not come at that time because Israel rejected their final offer of the kingdom given by Stephen.

   The kingdom was then postponed by God, and a new dispensation was ushered in called the dispensation of grace, which was dispensed to the body of Christ in the apostle of the Gentiles epistles, Romans through Philemon. * See our study on Acts 1-8

52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

The Preparation and the Sabbath

54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

   The preparation day begins normally every week on Thursday evening at Sunset and goes  unto sunset the following day.

   When there were the feast days involved however, then extra Sabbaths were added to that week so there would be a high sabbath along with a regular saturday sabbath, which required the preparation day be moved back an additional day to make room for the additional sabbath that week.

John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

   Good Friday is a myth created by the Catholic Church, You cannot fit Jesus in the heart of the earth for three days, and three nights, between Friday Evening and Sunday morning.



 Chapter Twenty-four

The Resurrection 

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words,

   These two men were angels, Matthew 28 identies the first angel as the angel of the Lord, which had rolled away the stone and frightened the keepers.

   Mark identifies the second angel as the one that was inside the tomb and was identified as a young man in shinging rainment.

   When you blend all four accounts of the story believing each on compliments the other instead of thinking there are contradictions. There are no contradictions if you take the time to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

   For someone who didn't believe the womens words, Peter sure did dash out of the upper room rather fast. Sometimes when hear something you don't immediately process it completely but adter a few moments thngs started to sink in and Peter had to see for himself.

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;  23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

   These disciples understood that the Messiah would redeem Israel, that was more than most in Israel understood. It is more than most today understand as well.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

   The death, burial, and resurrection are covered in numerous places in Moses and the Prophets. The consequences of the that event was not however.

   They fact that a new agency would be created called body of Christ, also known as the one new man made up of Jews and Gentiles in one body that has for his dwelling place the heavenly places was not known until it was revealed to the Apostle Paul.

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

   The disciples did not just reckognize a familar habit Jesus had when braking bread that told them this was Jesus. The reason why they could not recognize him in the first place was because he didn't allow them to reckognize him until that very moment and then he disappeared.

   He disappeared be he was who he was, but he now hade a resurrected body that could travel through walls and even through the spirit realm.

   It is not known where Christ went each time he disappeared, but most believe he went back the his place in the heavens before his next appointed meeting leading up to his ascention forty days after his resurrection.

   It was during those forty days that Jesus taught his disciples things pertaining to the kingdom (not the Church).

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

   When he earlier told the disciples of his crucifixion and resurrection he deliberately hid what he had said to them in them. Now he was bringing that memory back to them. 

Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

   On the day of Pentecost, those believing Jews received the promise of Jesus' Father which was the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in the tongues of the the sixteen different languages the mighty works of God.

   That baptism with the Holy Ghost was also called being filled with the Holy Spirit having the Spirit poured out on them. It was only a temporary experience to empower them to do what they did on the day of Pentecost.

   They would pray to be filled numerous other times afterwards because it was only a temporary filling. It was a taste of the powers of the world to come (the Kingdom).

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

   Jesus departed from the Jewish disciples both physically, and visibly, and he would return in like manner just as Luke's next treatise would tell us in its opening verses:

Acts 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 

The End