Godlessness in the Last Days

2 Timothy 3:1) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2) For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4) treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6) For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7) always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8) Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9) But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

To the Church in Sardis

Revelations 3:1) "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
" ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2) Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3) Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4) Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5) The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

To the Church in Philadelphia

Revelations 3:7) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
8) " ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9) Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10) Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11) I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12) The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The Restoration of Israel

"In a time of favor I have answered you;

in a day of salvation I have helped you;

I will keep you and give you

as a covenant to the people,

to establish the land,

to apportion the desolate heritages,

9) saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’

to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’

They shall feed along the ways;

on all bare heights shall be their pasture;

10) they shall not hunger or thirst,

neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,

for he who has pity on them will lead them,

and by springs of water will guide them.

11) And I will make all my mountains a road,

and my highways shall be raised up.

12) Behold, these shall come from afar,

and behold, these from the north and from the west,

and these from the land of Syene."

13) Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;

break forth, O mountains, into singing!

For the Lord has comforted his people

and will have compassion on his afflicted.

14) But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me;

my Lord has forgotten me."

15) "Can a woman forget her nursing child,

that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget,

yet I will not forget you.

16) Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are continually before me.

17) Your builders make haste;

your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you.

18) Lift up your eyes around and see;

they all gather, they come to you.

As I live, declares the Lord,

you shall put them all on as an ornament;

you shall bind them on as a bride does.

19) "Surely your waste and your desolate places

and your devastated land—

surely now you will be too narrow for your inhabitants,

and those who swallowed you up will be far away.

20) The children of your bereavement

will yet say in your ears:

‘The place is too narrow for me;

make room for me to dwell in.’

21) Then you will say in your heart:

‘Who has borne me these?

I was bereaved and barren,

exiled and put away,

but who has brought up these?

Behold, I was left alone;

from where have these come?’ "

22) Thus says the Lord God:

"Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,

and raise my signal to the peoples;

and they shall bring your sons in their arms,

and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.

23) Kings shall be your foster fathers,

and their queens your nursing mothers.

With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,

and lick the dust of your feet.

Then you will know that I am the Lord;

those who wait for me shall not be put to shame."

24) Can the prey be taken from the mighty,

or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?

25) For thus says the Lord:

"Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,

and the prey of the tyrant be rescued,

for I will contend with those who contend with you,

and I will save your children.

26) I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh,

and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine.

Then all flesh shall know

that I am the Lord your Savior,

and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Isaiah 49:8) Thus says the Lord:

The New Commandment

1 John 2:7) Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8) At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9) Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10) Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11) But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12) I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

13) I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, children,

because you know the Father.

14 I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

Triumph in Christ

2 Corinthians 2:
14) But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15) For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16) to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17) For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 12) When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13) my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

Life in the Spirit

Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3) For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7) For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9) You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10) But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ

Romans 8:12) So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17) and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

The Mystery of Godliness

1 timothy 3:14) I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15) if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16) Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: 

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.

Head Coverings

1 Corinthians 11:1) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 2) Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3) But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4) Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5) but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6) For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7) For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8) For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9) Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10) That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11) Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12) for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13) Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14) Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15) but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16) If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

A Worker Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14) Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16) But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17) and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18) who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19) But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
20) Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22) So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24) And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25) correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Christ Has Set Us Free

Galatians 5:1) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2) Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3) I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4) You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5) For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7) You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8) This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9) A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10) I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11) But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12) I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13) For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15) But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Sons and Heirs

Galatians 4:1) I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3) In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7) So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Final Warnings

2 Corinthians13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2) I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— 3) since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4) For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
5) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6) I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7) But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8) For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9) For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10) For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

The Earthly Holy Place

Hebrews 9:1) Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2) For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3) Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4) having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5) Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6) These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7) but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8) By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9) (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10) but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

Hebrews 9:11) But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 11) But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13) For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14) how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15) Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16) For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17) For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18) Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.19) For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20) saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you." 21) And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22) Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23) Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24) For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25) Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26) for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28) so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:1) Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2) but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3) And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4) These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5) And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6) They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7) And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8) and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9) For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10) and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11) But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12) Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13) And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14) The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.

The Seventh Trumpet

Revelation 11:15) Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." 16) And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17) saying,

"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

who is and who was,

for you have taken your great power

and begun to reign.

18) The nations raged,

but your wrath came,

and the time for the dead to be judged,

and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,

and those who fear your name,

both small and great,

and for destroying the destroyers of the earth."

19) Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Paul Defends His Ministry

2 Corinthians10:1) I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2) I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6) being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
7) Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8) For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 9) I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10) For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." 11) Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12) Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
13) But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14) For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15) We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16) so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. 17) "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 18) For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

Matthew 23:1) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2) "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3) so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4) They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5) They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6) and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7) and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8) But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9) And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10) Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11) The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13) "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
16) "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17) You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18) And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19) You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20) So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21) And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22) And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.
23) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24) You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
25) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26) You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
27) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28) So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30) saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31) Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32) Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33) You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34) Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35) so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36) Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Teaching About Divorce

Mark 10:1) And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.


2) And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3) He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4) They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5) And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6) But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7) ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8) and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9) What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10) And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11) And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12) and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Let the Children Come to Me

Mark 10:13) And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14) But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15) Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 16) And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

The Rich Young Man

Mark 10: 23) And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" 24) And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 26) And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27) Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." 28) Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." 29) Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30) who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31) But many who are first will be last, and the last first." 17) And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18) And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19) You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ " 20) And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." 21) And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22) Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

Mark 10:32) And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33) saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34) And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise."

The Request of James and John

Mark 10:35) And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36) And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37) And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38) Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39) And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40) but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41) And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42) And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43) But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44) and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46) And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48) And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49) And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." 50) And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51) And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." 52) And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:1) In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2) until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3) He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4) And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5) for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

The Ascension

Acts 1:6) So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7) He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9) And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11) and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Matthias was chosen to take the place of Judas. He is symbolized by an open Bible and a double-bladed battle-ax because he is said to have been beheaded after his mission work.

Acts 1:12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13) And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14) All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.


15) In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16) “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17) For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18) (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19) And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“ ‘May his camp become desolate,

and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“ ‘Let another take his office.’

21) So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22) beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23) And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24) And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25) to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26) And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Mark 16:9) Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10) She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11) But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

Mark 16:12) After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13) And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

Mark 16:14) Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.


15) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18) they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19) So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20) And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

John 21:1) After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2) Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3) Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4) Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5) Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6) He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7) That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8) The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
9) When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10) Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11) So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12) Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13) Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14) This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

John 21:15) When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16) He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17) He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." 19) (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."

When I first read this the context was confusing to me, but later on I read that in the greek there are many words that when translated become the word Love.



One of which is "Agape" or unconditional love


Then another is "Philos" or Brotherly love


reread the following in context


John 21:15) When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you Agape me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I Philos you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16) He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you Agape me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I Philos you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17) He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you Philos me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you Philos me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I Philos you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep."


the third time Jesus asks Peter he shifts from the unconditional Agape love to the weaker brotherly Philos love, which Peter grieves because Jesus has reduced his expectations of him, knowing Peter is not ready to give everything to his Lord.

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

John 21:20) Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" 21) When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22) Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" 23) So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"
24) This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
25) Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

John 14:1) "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2) In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4) And you know the way to where I am going." 5) Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7) If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

8) Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9) Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10) Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11) Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.


12) "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13) Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14) If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

John 14:15) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17) even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.




18) “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19) Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20) In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21) Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22) Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23) Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24) Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.


25) “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28) You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29) And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30) I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31) but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Women Accompanying Jesus

Luke 08:1) Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2) and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3) and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Matthew 9:1) And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2) And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." 3) And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4) But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5) For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." 7) And he rose and went home. 8) When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

Matthew 9:9) As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11) And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12) But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13) Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

A Question About Fasting

Matthew 9:14) Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15) And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16) No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17) Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

Matthew 9:18) While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19) And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20) And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21) for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." 22) Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23) And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25) But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26) And the report of this went through all that district.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

Matthew 9:27) And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28) When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29) Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30) And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows about it." 31) But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak

Matthew 9:32) As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33) And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." 34) But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

Matthew 9:35) And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37) Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38) therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

04/08/2012BC

Paul and the False Apostles

2 Corinthians 11:1) I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2) For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3) But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5) Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6) Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
7) Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8) I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9) And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10) As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11) And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12) And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15) So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.