G-d's perfect will compared to His permissive will.

G-d's perfect will compared to His permissive will


When speaking of G-d’s will, you can see different aspects of it in the Bible. First G-d made man to talk to and G-d only (verbally) directed Adam (the first man) to not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil - man broke G-d's verbal express or perfect will and G-d threw man and woman out of the Garden of Eden. After some time G-d gave Moses the 10 Commandments written in stone. Once again, this was the clearly the stated will of G-d - expressed in the form of 10 laws carved by G-d's own hand in stone. In the Old Testament, the command not to murder let every man know it is G-d's perfect/written will for him not to murder others. The command not to commit adultery makes it clear that G-d's perfect/written will for man is not to commit adultery - but, Jesus said in the New Testament that if we hate anyone we have committed murder and if we lust after anyone - we have committed adultery. No human could ever keep these 10 simple written laws that gave us G-d's perfect will! There is no one righteous - no not one.

His only begotten Son, Jesus kept all of them for us and paid for all of our failures! Jesus simply has given us one commandment - Jesus commanded us to Love one another - this is truly His perfect will! But the denominational churches literally teach their members to hate and judge all the "others". Some say "they" are the only ones who will go to heaven and thereby damn themselves. Some teach their followers to hate certain sins - when all have sinned and fallen short of G-d's perfect will! For anyone to pretend that G-d's stated perfect will is not known to them is simply not true - it also is written on our hearts.

We know that G-d loves to show mercy, and yet He will execute judgment (Exodus 34:6-7). It is on this basis that Moses appealed to G-d to forgive Israel many times (see Numbers 14:17-19). Not only Moses, but others prayed that G-d would repent and show mercy (Nehemiah 9; Daniel 9). G-d takes pleasure in the salvation of sinners; He does not take pleasure in pouring out His eternal wrath on sinners (Matthew 18:14; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11) but, He will do so - if we do not trust Jesus!

Jesus Christ is designated as the mediator because He reconciles G-d's perfect will and man. For there is one G-d and one mediator between G-d and men, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. All this is from G-d, who reconciled us to His perfect will through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that G-d was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that G-d's kindness leads you toward repentance? In Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to G-d through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Jesus intercedes with us to bring us back to G-d. The believer is brought into communion with G-d's perfect will through Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ came to earth to reveal to the world the very nature of G-d. Understanding who G-d is and what is His perfect will, is the major step needed to prompt us to come back to a relationship with G-d. Jesus intercession is pictured for us in Rev 3:20: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Jesus is the God-Man who came in time and space to reveal the perfect nature of G-d's will. This was a major work of intercession and reconciliation. But G-d also is spiritually interceding with mankind (He always lives to intercede for us ). In Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the perfect will of G-d. Intercession is G-d pleading for us to come back, and have a relationship with Him, to no longer rebel, to no longer be the enemies of G-d.

Our desire should always be - to do that which pleases G-d (Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:10). G-d's permissive will is what G-d allows man to do, even though it is obviously not His perfect will. G-d allowed Joseph's brothers to betray him and to sell Joseph into slavery, and to deceive their father, so that G-d could have His perfect will and could then bring His chosen people (few in number) to Egypt, where G-d would save them, and they would greatly multiply (Genesis 50:20). Not a sparrow falls out of the heavens without His ok, because G-d is still in control, and His perfect will is being accomplished - in spite of whatever man or devil does. In the end all things work together for our good and all things can be and will be used by G-d to the accomplishment of His good, acceptable and perfect will.

What is G-d’s good and acceptable will? This truly is G-d’s "ultimate" will - because His sovereignty ordains everything that has come, is come and/or will come to pass. Clearly from scripture - there is nothing that happens that is outside of His good and acceptable will. In Ephesians 1:11, we learn that G-d is the one “who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” and in Job 42:2, "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” Because Almighty G-d is sovereign, His will can never be frustrated. Nothing happens that is beyond His control and/or correction.

G-d specifically asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them to repent. Jonah refused and ran away. G-d knew he would run and when Jonah was right where G-d wanted him to be - a great storm came up and the men on the boat who knew that Jonah had fled from the presence of the Lord - finally agreed with Jonah and cast him overboard - as soon as they did so the storm ceased. Then a great fish that the Lord had already prepared swallowed Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights (being digested as the fish swam to Nineveh) until he finally agreed to do as the Lord asked and then the Lord spake unto the fish and it vomited Jonah upon dry land. As Jonah crawled out of the vomit - I believe that Jonah was white as snow and when Nineveh saw this sight - they repented. G-d used His permissive will with Jonah and even though Jonah did not want to do G-d's perfect will and simply go preach - even so, Nineveh repented and G-d's perfect will was still accomplished for G-d had accepted what Jonah was going to do and turned it into His advantage.

Jesus was perfected and He alone obeyed His Father in all things that He was verbally commanded (John 8:28) or saw His Father doing (John 5:19). At the end of His Ministry - Jesus did not want to go and die and asked three times that this cup might pass from Him but each time He learned obedience and Jesus only asked for His Father's perfect will in His life. In Romans 12:1-2 we are also called to present our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to G-d, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of G-d.” To know the perfect will of G-d, we obviously need to hear Him (John 10:27). While we should all seek to be “led by the Holy Spirit,” we must never forget that G-d calls us to live our lives by every word that proceeds from His mouth (not what our carnal minds interpret what is written in the Bible). Then we are to trust Him that "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Let us look at a few of Jesus' ancestors that G-d accepted and used for His perfect will in spite of themselves!

Hezekiah's (Ezekias) illness and death

Hezekiah is a name more properly transliterated as "Ḥizkiyyahu" or "Ḥizkiyyah or Ezekias." The narrative of Hezekiah's sickness and miraculous recovery is found in 2 Kings 20:1, 2 Chronicles 32:24, Isaiah 38:1. Various ambassadors came to congratulate him on his recovery, among them Merodach-baladan, the king of Babylon (2 Chronicles 32:23; 2 Kings 20:12). Hezekiah gave too much confidential information to Baladan, king of Babylon, for which he was reprimanded by Isaiah the prophet (2 Kings 20:12-19). According to Jewish tradition, the victory over the Assyrians and Hezekiah's return to health happened at the same time, the first night of Passover. Hezekiah introduced substantial religious reforms. The Talmud (Bava Batra 15a) credits him with overseeing the compilation of the Biblical books of Isaiah, Proverbs, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. Hezekiah saw to it that the worship of YHWH was concentrated at Jerusalem, removing the shrines to Him that had existed before then elsewhere in Judea (2 Kings 18:22). Idolatry, which had resumed under his father's reign, was banned. Hezekiah abolished the shrines and smashed the pillars and cut down the sacred post. (2 Kings 21:3) He also smashed the bronze serpent which Moses had made, "for until that time the Israelites had been offering sacrifices to it" (2 Kings 18:4). Hezekiah also resumed the Passover pilgrimage and the tradition of inviting the scattered tribes of Israel to take part in a Passover festival. (2 Chronicles 30:5, 10, 13, 26) The Scripture says “he (Hezekiah) trusted in the Lord G-d of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him” (II Kings 18:5). Notably, Isaiah and Micah prophesied during his reign. Hezekiah enacted sweeping religious reforms, during which he removed the worship of foreign deities from the Temple in Jerusalem, and restored the worship of YHWH the G-d of Israel as instructed by the Torah of Moses. Hezekiah became coregent with his father Ahaz in about the year 729 B.C E.. It was during this period of coregency that Hezekiah watched as Israel was carried off into captivity. Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians “because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their G-d” (v. 12). On numerous occasions, Israel had aligned itself with a number of pagan kings as it attempted to protect itself from foreign invaders. Obviously, their carnal man-made alliances didn’t save them. When Sennacherib (the king of Assyria) came up to attack Judah in the 14th year of Hezekiah’s reign, Hezekiah originally demonstrated a lack of faith and trust in G-d. Rather than calling upon the Lord for deliverance, “Hezekiah gave Sennacherib, the Assyrian King all the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house” (v. 15). Sennacherib then proceeded to insult their G-d and to require even more silver and gold tribute from Hezekiah. Finally, Hezekiah “went up to the house of the Lord” and prayed that G-d would let everyone “know that You are the Lord G-d, You alone” (II Kings 19:14, 19). Isaiah assured Hezekiah that G-d had heard his prayer and that He would take corrective action. After letting Sennacherib know that he had sinned “against the Holy One of Israel” (v. 22), the Angel of the Lord was dispatched during the siege of Jerusalem and the Bible says the Angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Herodotus (c. 484 BCE – c. 425 BCE) wrote of the invasion and acknowledged many Assyrian deaths, which he claims were the result of a plague of mice. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living G-d” (Hebrews 10:31). Hezekiah and the people of Judah became committed to the one true G-d and G-d had prospered them greatly. In 2 Chronicles 32: 22-23 we read: "Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah:so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. After seeing G-d perform this powerful salvation, Hezekiah seemed to trust the Lord. But, when he was confronted with the news of his impending death, he leaned on his own understanding and no longer trusted the Lord but he cried out to G-d for "mercy" - not His perfect will.

King Hezekiah would have "gone home" when G-d wanted - had G-d not repented and given him 15 more years to live. (2 Kings 20:1-11, 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 and Isaiah 38). Each record tells part of the event. We will see the whole picture by examining all three records. II Kings gives us the record as it happened, 2 Chronicles gives us a glimpse of why the king got in this predicament and Isaiah tells us what Hezekiah wrote during his sickness. Hezekiah had not had an heir to the throne yet. One reason why he was so distraught about dying was because his seed would not be passed on. 2 Kings 20 tells us that his son Manasseh, his son, reigned after him and he was only 12 years old when he began. Even after Hezekiah was recovered it took at least two years for his wife Hephzibah to become pregnant with Manasseh.

In 2 Kings 20: 1-11 we read: "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the G-d of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." G-d had heard Hezekiah and spared him - in 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 we read: "In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again [did not return unto G-d either praise or gratitude] according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah." G-d even confirmed His promise of 15 more years by allowing the entire earth to rotate backward on its axis.

After this extension of his earthly life, Hezekiah became so wealthy - he had trouble staying thankful to G-d for all he had been given. He became prideful and boastful. His transgression is also mentioned in Isaiah in Hezekiah's own writings. In Isaiah 38:9-19 we read a whole lot of "I's, me's and mine's: "The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years. I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world. Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. [take on a pledge for me, act as surety] What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul. O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: [mar marar - was bitterly bitter] but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth." In Isaiah 14: 12-14 we read: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of G-d: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." - here we see Lucifer saying only 5 - "I's". Jesus taught us how to pray - the Lord's perfect prayer has no I's, me's or my's in it!

G-d had tried to protect Judah by taking Hezekiah home early (His perfect will) as G-d already knew that if He gave Hezekiah another 15 years (His permissive will) - first of all, that Hezekiah would show his Babylonian enemy all his precious things, armour and everything else - which would eventually provoke Babylon to attack Judah later and then secondly Hezekiah would subsequently have an evil son and evil grandchildren to undo all of the good that Hezekiah had done in his life - and finally G-d also knew that Hezekiah’s additional reign would end in selfish boasting and pride and selfish "gratitude" that after Hezekiah's reign the entire country would be looted and destroyed by Babylon! (II Kings 20:12ff). After Hezekiah's death - his 12 year old son Manasseh began to reign and Manasseh did evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel! Manasseh would not have been born if Hezekiah had allowed G-d to have His perfect will.

Hashem teaches us of Hezekiah's pride and bitterness of heart and His selfishness so that we may learn from it. We must always remain thankful and humble before Him and want His perfect not His permissive will for us - "Not my will but thine be done Lord!". Hezekiah's pride in the riches G-d had prospered him with - eventually led to his downfall. The king of Babylon sent letters and presents to Hezekiah after he heard that he was recovered (II Kings 20:12-21 and Isaiah 39:1-8). Hezekiah listened to him and showed him all of the treasures in his storehouses: the silver, the gold, the spices and precious ointments, the armour; he showed the king of Babylon everything. Isaiah confronts him and tells him the word of the Lord; that all his house will be carried away unto Babylon and his sons will be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon. Hezekiah is grateful that it will not happen while he lives what a selfish ruler and father! Hezekiah dies at the age of 54. Obviously G-d repented again because Hezekiah became an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:9-10) as was his "eunuch" son Manasses who begat "eunuch" Amon and Amon begat "eunuch" Josias who begat "eunuch" Jechonias or Jehoiachin.

Manasses or Manasseh did evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel!

Amon began his reign at the age of 22, and reigned for two years. (2 Kings 21:18-19) Amon continued his father's practice of idolatry, and set up the images as his father had done. (Zephaniah 1:4; 3:4,11) describes his reign as marked by moral depravity. He was assassinated (2 Kings 21:18-26, 2 Chronicles 33:20-25) by his servants, who conspired against him, and was succeeded by his son Josiah, who was eight years old. (2 Kings 22:1)

Josias or Josiah was the son of King Amon and Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. His grandfather Manasseh was one of the kings blamed for turning away from the worship of YHWH. Manasseh adapted the Temple for idolatrous worship. Josiah's great-grandfather was King Hezekiah who was a noted reformer. Josiah had four sons: Johanan, Eliakim by Zebudah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah, Mattanyahu and Shallum both by Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. Shallum succeeded Josiah as king of Judah, under the name Jehoahaz. Shallum was succeeded by Eliakim, under the name Jehoiakim, who was succeeded by his own son Jeconiah; then Jeconiah was succeeded to the throne by Mattanyahu, under the name Zedekiah. Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the kingdom was conquered by Babylon and the people exiled. In the eighteenth year of his rule, Josiah ordered the High Priest Hilkiah to use the tax money which had been collected over the years to renovate the temple. It was during this time that Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law. While Hilkiah was clearing the treasure room of the Temple he found a scroll described as "the book of the Law" or as "the book of the law of YHWH by the hand of Moses". The phrase "the book of the Torah" (ספר התורה) in 2 Kings 22:8 is identical to the phrase used in Joshua 1:8 and 8:34 to describe the sacred writings that Joshua had received from Moses. The book is not identified in the text as the Torah and many scholars believe this was either a copy of the Book of Deuteronomy or a text that became a part of Deuteronomy. Hilkiah brought this scroll to Josiah's attention, and the king ordered it read to a crowd in Jerusalem. He is praised for this piety by the prophetess Huldah, who made the prophecy that all involved would die without having to see God's judgment on Judah for the sins they had committed in prior generations. Josiah encouraged the exclusive worship of YHWH and outlawed all other forms of worship.2 Kings 23 According to the biblical account, Josiah destroyed the living quarters for male cult prostitutes which were in the Temple, and also destroyed pagan objects related to the worship of Baal, Asherah), "and all the hosts of the heavens". Josiah had living pagan priests executed and even had the bones of the dead priests of Bethel exhumed from their graves and burned on their altars, which was viewed as an extreme act of desecration. Josiah also reinstituted the Passover celebrations. (2 Kings 23:4-15). According to 1 Kings 13:1-3 an unnamed "man of G-d" had prophesied to King Jeroboam of Israel, approximately three hundred years earlier, that "a son named Josiah will be born to the house of David" and that he would destroy the altar at Bethel. And the only exception to this destruction was for the grave of an unnamed prophet he found in Bethel (2 Kings 23:15-19), who had foretold that these religious sites Jeroboam erected would one day be destroyed (see 1 Kings 13). Josiah ordered the double grave of the "man of G-d" and of the Bethel prophet to be let alone as these prophecies had come true. According to the later account in 2 Chronicles, Josiah even destroyed altars and images of pagan deities in cities of the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim, "and Simeon, as far as Naphtali" (2 Chronicles 34:6-7), which were outside of his kingdom, Judah, and returned the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple.

Jehoiachin succeeded his father Jehoiakim (B.C. E. 599) when only eight years of age, and reigned as King or ruler of Judah for one hundred days (2 Chronicles 36:9). He is also called Jeconiah (Jeremiah. 24:1; 27:20, etc.), and Coniah (22:24; 37:1).In 2 Chronicles 36:9 we read: "Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD." So much so that in Jeremiah 22: 24-30 G-d curses Jehoiachin and "forever" strikes him down: "As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah (Jehoiachin) the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return. Is this man Coniah (Jehoiachin) a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? O earth, earth, earth, (666) hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." But even here G-d repented of this curse, because in Matthew 1:12, we find our Lord Jesus is a descendant of Jeconiah (Jehoiachin)!

In the apocryphal book Baruch, we read that Jehoiachin was one of those who collected money in Babylon to send to Jerusalem so sacrifices could be made for their atonement (Baruch 1.1-14). And G-d heard their cries and granted them forgiveness, for we read in 2 Kings 25.27-30 that Jehoiachin was released from the Babylonian prison and resided as one of the guests in the presence of the Babylonian king for the rest of his days.

Since no descendant of Jehoiachin could ever sit on the throne, if Jesus is truly a descendant of this G-d cursed king, he is disqualified from being the Messiah. If this is true, then what is Jeconiah doing in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew's and Luke's Gospels? Jehoiachin is the grandfather of Zerubabel who was a descendant within the Messianic lineage through Solomon. Both Jehoiachin and Zerubabel are listed within Yeshua's (Jesus') ancestry in Matthew 1:12. Zerubabel also appears in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:27. If this curse is correct, how can Jesus qualify to be the Messiah? G-d again has obviously repented and His "forever" curse was totally reversed by Himself.

There are three parts to the curse on Jeconiah (who is also called Jehoiachin, Jechonias or Coniah): 1) that he would be childless (this is how the Hebrew text literally reads) 2) that he would not prosper in his lifetime and 3) that none of his descendants would rule in Judah.

The Scripture shows that in fact none of these took place. 1) Though the Hebrew literally reads, "Record this man childless," Jeconiah in fact had children. - The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive: Shealtiel his son, Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah -- 1 Chronicles 3:17-18. 2) He did prosper in his day. - In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin from prison on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honour higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. -- 2 Kings 25:27-28. 3) His grandson Zerubbabel prospered and ruled. In fact the same words G-d used in rejecting Jeconiah were deliberately used in establishing Zerubbabel. "As surely as I live," declares the LORD, "even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off. -- Jeremiah 22:24 - "'On that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the Lord, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the Lord Almighty." -- Haggai 2:23. Though Zerubbabel did not sit on the throne as king, the fact that Haggai 2:23 uses the same terminology as Jeremiah 22:24 shows that Haggai intended to indicate a reversal of G-d's curse. We find rabbinic sources which also agree that G-d repented of His curse on Jeconiah, which they attribute to initial repentance on Jeconiah's part. We even find that the Messiah will descend from Jeconiah! Some of these sources are as follows:

1. Sources stating that Jeconiah repented and so G-d repented and reversed the curse.

Sanhedrin 37b-38a - R. Johanan said: Exile atones for everything, for it is written, Thus saith the Lord, write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, for no man of his seed shall prosper sitting upon the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah. Whereas after he [the king] was exiled, it is written, And the sons of Jechoniah, -- the same is Assir -- Shealtiel his son etc.(1) [He was called] Assir, because his mother conceived him in prison. Shealtiel, because G-d did not plant him in the way that others are planted. We know by tradition that a woman cannot conceive in a standing position. [yet she] did conceive standing. Another interpretation: Shealtiel, because G-d obtained [of the Heavenly court] absolution from His oath.(2) (1) I Ch. III, 17. Notwithstanding the curse that he should be childless and not prosper, after being exiled he was forgiven. (2) Which He had made, to punish Jechoniah with childlessness. --Soncino Talmud edition, with selected footnotes

Pesikta de-Rab Kahana (5th c.) - I accepted the repentance of Jeconiah: shall I not accept your repentance? A cruel decree had been imposed upon Jeconiah: Scripture says, This man Coniah is a despised, shattered image ('sb) (Jer. 22:28), for Jeconiah, according to R. Abba bar Kahana, was like a man's skull ('sm) which once shattered is utterly useless, or according to R. Helbo, like a wrapper of reed matting that dates are packed in, which, once emptied, is utterly useless. And Scripture goes on to say of Jeconiah: He is a vessel that none reaches for with delight (ibid.), a vessel, said R. Hama bar R. Hanina, such as a urinal; or a vessel, said R. Samuel bar Nahman, such as is used for drawing off blood. [These comments on Jeconiah derive from] R. Meir's statement: The Holy One swore that He would raise up no king out of Jeconiah king of Judah. Thus Scripture: As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim . . . were the signet on a hand, yet by My right, I would pluck thee hence (Jer. 22:24), words by which G-d was saying, explained R. Hanina bar R. Isaac, "Beginning with thee, Jeconiah, I pluck out the kingship of the house of David." It is to be noted, however, that the Hebrew for "pluck thee" is not as one would expect 'tkk, but the fuller and less usual 'tknk, which may also be rendered "mend thee"--that is, mend thee by thy repentance. Thus in the very place, [the kingship], whence Jeconiah was plucked, amends would be made to him: [his line would be renewed]. R. Ze'era said: I heard the voice of R. Samuel bar Isaac expounding from the teacher's chair a specific point concerning Jeconiah, but I just cannot remember what it was. R. Aha Arika asked: Did it perhaps have some connection with this particular verse -- Thus saith the Lord: Write ye this man childless, a man [who] will not prosper in his days (Jer. 22:30)? "Yes, that's it!" said R. Ze'era. Thereupon R. Aha Arika went on to give R. Samuel bar Isaac's interpretation of the verse: In his days Jeconiah, so long as he is childless, will not prosper, but when he has a son, then he will prosper by his son's prosperity. R Aha bar Abun bar Benjamin, citing R. Abba bar R. Papi, said: Great is the power of repentance, which led G-d to set aside an oath even as it led Him to set aside a decree. Whence the proof that a man's repentance led Him to set aside the oath He made in the verse As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim were the signet on a hand, yet by My right, I would pluck thee hence (Jer. 22:24)? The proof is in the verse where Scripture says [of one of Jeconiah's descendants] In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel . . . the son of Shealtiel . . . and will make thee as a signet (Haggai 2:23). And the proof that a man's repentance led God to set aside a decree He issued in the verse Thus saith the Lord: Write ye this man childless, etc. (Jer. 22:30)? The proof is in the verse where Scripture says, The sons of Jeconiah -- the same is Asir -- Shealtiel his son, etc. (1 Chron. 3:17). R. Tanhum bar Jeremiah said: Jeconiah was called Asir, "one imprisoned," because he had been in prison ('asurim); and his sons called "Shealtiel" because he was like a sapling, newly set out (hustelah), through whom David's line would be continued. R. Tanhuma said: Jeconiah was called Asir, "imprisoned," because God imprisoned Himself by His oath in regard to him; and Jeconiah's son was called Shealtiel, "God consulted," because God consulted the heavenly court, and they released Him from His oath.
--Yale Judaica edition translated by William G. Braude and Israel J. Kapstein (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1975), pp. 376-77. Bracketed portions are Braude and Kapstein's explanations.

Leviticus Rabbah XIX:6 (5th-6th c.) - The Holy One, blessed be He, then said: 'In Jerusalem you did not observe the precept relating to issues, but now you are fulfilling it,' as it is said, As for thee also, because of the blood of thy covenant I send forth thy prisoners out of the pit (Zech. IX, 11) [which means], You have remembered the blood at Sinai, and for this do 'I send forth thy prisoners'. R. Shabbethai said: He [Jeconiah] did not move thence before the Holy One, blessed be He, pardoned him all his sins. Referring to this occasion Scripture has said: Thou art all fair, my love, and there is no blemish in thee (S.S. IV, 7). A Heavenly Voice went forth and said to them: 'Return, ye backsliding children, I will heal your backslidings' (Jer. III, 22). --Soncino Midrash Rabbah vol. 4, p. 249

Pesikta Rabbati, Piska 47 (6th-7th c.) - R. Joshua ben Levi, however, argued as follows: Repentance sets aside the entire decree, and prayer half the decree. You find that it was so with Jeconiah, king of Judah. For the Holy One, blessed be He, swore in His anger, As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim kind of Judah were the signet on a hand, yet by My right -- note, as R. Meir said, that it was by His right hand that G-d swore -- I would pluck thee hence (Jer. 22:24). And what was decreed against Jeconiah? That he die childless. As is said Write ye this man childless (Jer. 22:30). But as soon as he avowed penitence, the Holy One, blessed be He, set aside the decree, as is shown by Scripture's reference to The sons of Jeconiah -- the same is Assir -- Shealtiel his son, etc. (1 Chron. 3:17). And Scripture says further: In that day . . . will I take thee, O Zerubbabel . . . the son of Shealtiel . . . and will make thee as a signet (Haggai 2:23). Behold, then how penitence can set aside the entire decree!
--Yale Judaica edition translated by William G. Braude (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1968), vol. 2, p. 797.

Numbers Rabbah XX:20 (date uncertain; 9th c.?) -...no sooner had they repented, than the danger was averted, And the Lord repented of the evil (ib. XXXII, 14). And so in many places. For example, He said about Jekoniah: For no man of his seed shall prosper (Jer. XXII, 30) and it says, I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations . . . In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, My servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet (Hag. II, 22 f.). Thus was annulled that which He had said to his forefather, viz. As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim King of Judah were the signet upon My right hand, yet I would pluck thee thence (Jer. XXII, 24). --Soncino Midrash Rabbah vol 6, pp. 812-13

Rabbi A. J. Rosenberg, on Jeremiah 22:30 (20th c.) - In this, too, no man of his seed shall prosper, namely that no one will occupy the throne of David nor rule in Judah. Although we find that Zerubbabel, his great grandson, did rule over Judah upon the return of the exiles, the Rabbis (Pesikta d'Rav Kahana p. 163a) state that this was because Jehoiachin repented while in prison. They state further: Repentance is great, for it nullifies a person's sentence, as it is stated: 'Inscribe this man childless.' But since he repented, his sentence was revoked and turned to the good, and he said to him, "I will take you, Zerubbabel, and I will make you a signet" (Haggai 2:23). They state further: Said Rabbi Johanan: Exile expiates all sins, as it is said: "Inscribe this man childless," and after he was exiled, it is written: '(1 Chron. 3:17) And the sons of Jeconiah, Assir, Shealtiel his son'--[Redak]. --A. J. Rosenberg, Jeremiah: A New English Translation (New York: Judaica Press, 1985), vol. 1 p. 185. "Redak" is an acronym for Rabbi David Kimchi (13th c.), whose opinion Rosenberg cites.

Encyclopedia Judaica - Even the decree that none of his descendants would ascend the throne (Jer. 22:30) was repealed when Zerubbabel was appointed leader of the returned exiles (cf. Sanh. 37b-38a). --"Jehoiachin" (9:1319).

2. Sources stating that the Messiah will descend from Jeconiah.

Tanhuma Genesis, Toledot (8th-9th c.) - Scripture alludes here to the verse Who art thou, O great mountain before Zerubbabel? Thou shalt become a plain (Zech. 4:7). This verse refers to the Messiah, the descendant of David. . . .From whom will the Messiah descend? From Zerubbabel. --Midrash Tanhuma-Yelammedenu, translated by Samuel A. Berman (Hoboken, NJ: Ktav, 1996), p. 182.

Rabbi A. J. Rosenberg on Jeremiah 22:24 (20th c.) - Malbim calls to our attention that in the prophecy of Haggai (2:23), G-d says, "On that day I will take you, Zerubbabel, and I will make you like a signet," for the King Messiah will be like a signet ring on G-d's right hand, so to speak. Just as the name of the owner of the ring is engraved on his signet ring, through which he makes himself known, so will G-d's name be known in the world through the King Messiah, through whom His miracles will be known. He says here that, though, in the future, Coniah will be the signet on My right hand, for the Messiah will spring from his seed, now I will remove him from there. --Ibid., p. 183. Malbim is an acronym for Meir Loeb ben Jehiel Michale, a 19th c. rabbi and commentator. 22:24.

Jewish Encyclopedia - Jehoiachin's sad experiences changed his nature entirely, and as he repented of the sins which he had committed as king he was pardoned by G-d, who revoked the decree to the effect that none of his descendants should ever become king (Jer. xxii.30; Pesik., ed. Buber, xxv. 163a, b): he even became the ancestor of the Messiah (Tan., Toledot, 20 [ed. Buber, i. 140]).

The Almighty G-d knows who we are and what we will do and he has already taken this into consideration so He and He alone accomplished and will continue to accomplish His perfect will and desires and what He needs to do to save and use us in spite of us - even so, dear one it is best to be in His perfect will not His permissive will. It is interesting to see who is in Jesus' ancestry including the above men and Rahab the harlot. Obviously they are there not because they were perfect but only because our G-d accepted them as they were and then used their imperfections to create a perfect only begotten Son! Paul was chief of the Apostles and chief of the sinners! In 2 Corinthians 4:7 we read: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of G-d, and not of us." Thank G-d for His perfect will!

Shalom and Selah!

Does G-d really repent and was Jesus really perfected?

Does G-d really repent and was Jesus really perfected?


In Numbers 3:19 we read: "G-d is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of a man that he should repent." In 1 Samuel 15:29 we read: "The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent." In Ezekiel 24:14 we read: "I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent." In Malachi 3:6 we read: "For I am the Lord, I change not." In James 1:17 we read: "With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

But, what do all of the following verses of scripture mean then?: Genesis 6:6 - "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." (After which G-d caused a great flood to destroy all mankind - except for Noah and the seven who were with him in the ark - remember that G-d Himself shut the door of the ark so no other people could get in to be saved!) Exodus 32:14 - "And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." Deuteronomy 32:36 - "For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants." 1 Samuel 15:11 - It repenteth me [G-d] that I have set up Saul to be king." 1 Samuel 15:35 - "The Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel." 2 Samuel 24:16 - "And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite." 1 Chronicles 21:15 - The Lord beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand." Isaiah 38:1-5 - "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah ... said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. ... Thus saith the LORD ... I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years." Jeremiah 15:6 - "I [G-d] am weary of repenting." Jeremaih 18:8 - "I [G-d] will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." Jeremaih 26:3 - "That I [G-d]may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them." Jeremiah 26:13 - The Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you." Jeremiah 26:19 - "The Lord repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them." Jeremaih 42:10 - "For I [G-d] repent me of the evil that I have done unto you." Amos 7:3,6 - "The Lord repented for this." Jonah 3:10 - "And G-d saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and G-d repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not." All the verses above, and others,come from the Hebrew Old Testament. The word translated "repented" is the Hebrew verb nâcham (Strong's H5162). It has a number of meanings, including "to be sorry," "to console oneself," "to repent," "to regret," and "to be comforted." Besides the Hebrew word nâcham, there is another Hebrew verb with one meaning "to repent." This word, shûb (Strong's H7725), has additional meanings of "to return," "to turn back," etc. When used with the meaning of turning from sin (i.e., to repent), it is never used in reference to G-d, but always used with reference to human beings.

There are obviously many more Scriptures that speak of G-d repenting than there are of Him not repenting. For example, in the days before the great flood, “it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth” (Genesis 6:6). Later, G-d said: “It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments” (I Samuel 15:11). Yet the Scriptures plainly teach that: “G-d is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent” (Numbers 23:19). The words translated “repent” in both Old and New Testaments, are used of actions which indicate outwardly that a “change of mind” has occurred inwardly. He said concerning national repentance: “If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them” (Jeremiah 18:8). That clearly means that if a nation truly repents, then G-d will change His own projected course of their destruction.

No Biblical teaching is more misunderstood and avoided than the subject of G-d’s repentance. Yet, it is the path that mankind needs to take to become reconciled with G-d and also (more importantly) how G-d becomes reconciled with a repentant mankind. What we discover is that not only should humans repent of evil and be reconciled with G-d, but believe it or not, the Holy Scriptures also reveal that G-d himself "repents of evil" so He can become reconciled with mankind. If you do not understand this need - ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the real meaning - do not try to understand with your carnal mind!

Have you ever wondered about G-d's part in reconciliation? The Bible shows most clearly that G-d will also repent of His ways in the manner in which He has dealt with mankind in order for Him to become thoroughly reconciled to mankind as well. The meaning of the word "reconciliation" shows us the need for restoring a harmonious relationship between two parties (who are at odds with each other) and the obvious need for both sides to take part in the reconciliation. Both have to forgive and forget. It is not a proper reconciliation if one party forgives and forgets about the wrongs and misunderstandings which have caused hostility between the two parties, while the other party does not also forgive and forget. There must be the action of repentance and forgiveness among both parties to avoid further hostility and/or unforgiveness in order for a true harmony to come back into force between the two. Scriptures show that this is precisely what G-d will do with us. He not only demands repentance from us for our ways against Him, but He will equally repent of His ways that we have thought were against us. Thus, a true reconciliation can take place between G-d and ourselves.

This doctrine of mutual reconciliation is of paramount importance and it is the most important reason why Jesus came to earth to live and die for all the world. Without understanding this point - one can hardly comprehend the repentant nature of G-d; why He does what He does among humans; or why He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus to earth some 2000 years ago to rescue mankind from their sins. But Paul explained the matter clearly to show us its great importance. Paul taught that G-d sent Jesus into the world as a first step in showing G-d’s own repentance to mankind. And G-d’s repentance to man is the real means He devised a perfect Son to grant salvation to all humanity and bring about true harmony to Himself.

G-d is truly the creator and sovereign ruler of the entire universe and of everything that exists within the whole of creation. G-d reigns supreme in the universe. He creates and controls all things whether they are visible or invisible, whether they are spirits or humans, whether they are animal or inanimate (Colossians 1:15-17). G-d created everything and He rules among His creation as the supreme power over all. For G-d to be the ruler over all, He must also control all the various forces on earth and in the universe. Whether the forces are good or evil - G-d is in charge of them all.

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom. O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." 1 Chronicles 29:11

"You, even you, are Lord alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts, the earth and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and you preserve them all; and the host of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:6

"O Lord G-d of our fathers, are not you G-d in heaven? and rule you not over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in your hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand you?" 2 Chronicles 20:6

G-d Controls and Rules Over Evil

"Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and Lord has not done it?" Amos 3:6

Almighty G-d is responsible for all things that happen in the universe whether they be good or evil. The Bible teaches this. G-d created the waster to destroy.

"I have created the waster to destroy." Isaiah 54:16

These scriptures (and there are many more) show that G-d is the sovereign ruler of the universe. His powerful control embraces all activity within the entirety of creation even to the numbering of hairs on a human head (Matthew 10:30). G-d is also in charge of all political or governmental activity.

"Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above." John 19:11

"A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." John 3:27

Even the destinies and boundaries of nations (both past and present) are under the control of G-d. "[G-d] has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed [through predestination] and the bounds of their habitation." Acts 17:26

To make it even clearer, all things that G-d has allowed to happen to nations or individuals in the past, present, or future were and are precisely known and ordered by G-d.

"Known unto G-d are all his works from the beginning of the world." Acts 15:18

Truly, G-d creates all things, even those which are evil. Nothing escapes His supervision. Yes, even evil works are within the creative activity of G-d.

"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: [the Lord does all these things]." Isaiah 45:7

The ancient Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed the Temple of G-d and the city of Jerusalem [killing both the guilty and the innocent], was called by G-d "my servant" (Jeremiah 25:9). The pharaoh of the Exodus was prevented by the direct intervention of G-d from permitting the Israelites to leave Egypt because G-d repeatedly stopped him from doing so (Exodus 4:21, 27:3, 14:4) Pharaoh was more than willing on several occcasions to release the Israelites but G-d stepped in to change his mind and to harden his heart. This may not seem fair to some people but it is clearly the teaching of the Bible. And why not? G-d has continually used "evil" when it suits His purpose. For more examples of this please see Jeremiah 11:23; 16:10; 19:3, 15; 21:10; 32:42; 40:2; 44:2, 27, 29; 45:5 also Daniel 9:12-14; Micah 1:12; etc. The word "evil" when it is associated with G-d is not to be reckoned as "sin." G-d can do whatever He pleases and no one dare ever judge or accuse Him of being "wrong or a sinner". Only G-d can determine and judge what "sin" is. We humans have nothing to say in the matter.

Even Satan was created by G-d to be an evil spirit. Jesus said of Satan that he "was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth" (John 8:44). From the very start of his creation, Satan was a liar. He was a sinner. "The devil sinned from the beginning" (1 John 3:8). The truth is, Satan was created by G-d to be Satan. G-d said: "I have created the waster to destroy" (Isaiah 54:16). Satan was brought into being by G-d to perform a specific purpose for G-d. He is completely under the control of G-d. When Satan wanted to destroy the children and property of righteous Job, Satan had to get permission from G-d to do it (Job 1:12). When Satan finally wanted to take Job's health, he again had to obtain permission from G-d to do so. Even then, G-d put limits on Satan by telling him not to kill Job himself (Job 2:6). G-d could easily have stopped Satan from doing any of his works against Job, but He didn’t. In reality, that it was G-d who was responsible for afflicting Job. True, G-d did it through the agency of Satan, but it was G-d who ordained and first suggested it. It was G-d using Satan to tempt Adam, Eve and Jesus. To sift Simon like wheat. In Genesis 22:1 we read: "And it came to pass after these things, that G-d did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am." In James 1:13 we read; "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of G-d: for G-d cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:" Since G-d created all things and is in charge of the entire universe and nothing escapes His control, then G-d can do with all of the creatures He has created in the manner that best suits Him. The Bible specifically speaks of vessels of mercy and vessels of destruction, which G-d specifically made for His purpose (Romans 9:18-23). In verse 18, Paul clearly states that G-d is sovereign and: "He has mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardens." Dear one if that does not seem fair to you; in verse 21 Paul says, "Hath not the potter power over the clay; of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor?" The potter can make a vessel any way he wants. He's the potter and the vessel is simply clay. You really do not have anything to say about this matter.

G-d even sends spiritual powers to earth to lie (tell falsehoods) to certain people at times.

"And the Lord said, 'Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one [spirit] said on this manner, and another [spirit] said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before [the Lord], and said, 'I will persuade him.' And the Lord said unto him, 'Wherewith?' And he said, 'I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he [G-d] said, 'you shall persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.'" 1 Kings 22:20-22

Dear one, do you believe that G-d would allow such a thing as lying to be done in His name? But G-d truly did so and the example just given clearly proves this. Paul warns us that "G-d shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Even the prophet Jeremiah admitted that G-d was responsible for allowing the people to be deceived. "Then said I, Ah, Lord G-d! surely you have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, You shall have peace; whereas the sword reached unto the soul" (Jeremiah 4:10). G-d even allows the great whore Babylon and her harlot daughters to confuse and deceive and eventually destroy all believers who will not listen to Him. Revelation 17 & 18.

G-d has even given statutes and ordinances to mankind that were not good for humanity (or for Israel).

G-d said: "I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live" (Ezekiel 20:25).

G-d even gave people over to do evil:

"G-d gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28).

"G-d turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven" (Acts 7:42).

"So I gave them up unto their own heart’s lust: and they walked in their own counsels" (Psalm 81:12).

G-d has actively and deliberately deceived people and then judged them for being deceived.

"And if the prophet be deceived when he has spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel" (Ezekiel 14:9).

The interesting thing about these deceptions and evils just mentioned is the fact that G-d has commanded us not to commit any of them. But He uses these same tactics quite freely whenever He deems it best to do so. Now, this may seem at first very unfair (and even unjust), but who are you to judge G-d?

G-d’s Use of Evil in Prophecy

The Book of Revelation and many Biblical prophecies tell us of G-d's promised plans and desires. Some of these prophecies were made over 3500 years ago, while those in the Book of Revelation were made about 1900 years ago. No human (or groups of humans), no spirit (or groups of spirits), no Satan (nor all the Satanic forces in the universe) can change one iota what G-d has decreed will happen in the future! When G-d prophesies something, the only person or thing that can change His mind about the matter is G-d Himself. It is true that G-d has indeed "repented" of some of His intended actions in the past (Jeremiah 26:13,19; 42:10), but that "repentance" has only come about because G-d wanted it. In Ezekiel 5: 12 we read: "A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them." So, if any of the terrible prophecies of the Bible are to be "repented of’ - it will only be because G-d has personally repented and changed His mind. If G-d does not repent and there is silence in Heaven, then the end of the age will truly see the earth and all mankind suffer from the promised great destructive attacks that G-d has prophesied in Revelation that will occur e.g., plagues, curses, earthquakes, destruction, wars, famine, terrible weather conditions, economic chaos, and even death. This terrible destruction shall happen to both the guilty and to the innocent. "All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust."

Besides the terrible prophecies concerning the end-time future that are destined to descend upon all surviving mankind, look how Hitler systematically killed millions of Jews, Poles, Russians, Gypsies, and others (including women, infants and young children) and G-d allowed it to occur. During the Holocaust, Jews in Concentration Camps actually put G-d on trial. They literally got together in the death camps and held court-like proceedings, putting G-d on the stand. "How could you?" they asked, "You, the G-d of Abraham and Moses, who led our people out of slavery, who parted the Red Sea, who led us to the Promised Land. How could you let this happen to us? What do you have to say for yourself?" They put G-d on trial, and in the end, some found G-d guilty of betrayal. Others acquitted him on grounds that G-d wasn't as powerful as he had been in Biblical times. So He couldn't be held responsible. Others, looking around and watching their loved ones march off to the gas chambers, could come to no other conclusion than that G-d must be dead." The very fact that G-d is all-powerful and has all things under His control so that even a sparrow can not fall without His permission - simply means that G-d is still responsible for all things. Why? Simply because G-d had (and has) the power to stop all the carnage being done in the world, both today, in the past and in the future, but He has not yet stopped it nor is He prophesied to stop it as far as the Book of Revelation is concerned. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

"For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they [the world], but ourselves also [even Christians], which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:22-23

(G-d has promised to destroy the earth again - this time with fire - the water H2O will simply break apart and burn as hydrogen and oxygen - only G-d could make water out of two combustible materials.) "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of G-d, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 1 Peter 3:9-16

Paul also wrote that believers are not exempted from pain and anguish at the present time than any of the others in the world. It is true however, that G-d sometimes responds to our prayers and releases us from specific problems from time to time, but not in every circumstance that we ask - G-d will only aid us if it is in accordance with His will.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

"The creature [creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of G-d. ... waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:21,23).

"G-d was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to G-d by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." - Romans 5:10 (We were not reconciled to G-d when we became righteous. It was when we were His enemies and ungodly that He reconciled us to Him.)

"Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your G-d; and the Lord will repent Him of the evil that He has pronounced against you." Jeremiah 26:13

"We know that all things work together for good for those who love G-d, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

The Doctrine of Reconciliation

"G-d was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19

The first step in the reconciliation process between G-d and man clearly was made by G-d Himself He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die for us (out of His great love for us) while we were yet enemies of His (Romans 5:10); while we were sinners (verse 8); and also while we were ungodly (verse 6). Paul said that at the time G-d stepped in to make amends to mankind, mankind was in no way yet willing to make amends to G-d. When G-d because of His love for mankind started the reconciliation process by sending Jesus and having him die for all mankind, even though mankind was still G-d’s enemy. They were also ungodly and all of them were still active sinners. That is what Paul said. None of mankind wanted to be in harmony with G-d when the Father commenced His reconciliation process. G-d started the process off by sending Jesus to die for mankind and to cleanse us of all sin. [Notice that the reconciliation involves the totality of the world, not just a select few.] "G-d was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them" (2 Corinthians 5:19).

But why has mankind been at odds with G-d? It is simple. Though G-d is Almighty and could make mankind have all blessings right here and now that they had in the Garden of Eden, G-d has not yet willed to do so. He has allowed evil (as well as good) to permeate the environment of the earth. He has permitted weather devils, pollutions, pests and diseases to exist that afflict mankind. He has allowed and caused famines that have hurt mankind whether they are guilty or innocent. He has allowed and caused wars of great magnitude (and even commanded them) which have caused much pain, suffering and death to many people. G-d has even said He has hated some people even before they were born - who had obviously could not have done anything "bad" before they were born.

"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of G-d according to election might stand. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Romans 9:11, 13

This "hating" of Esau by G-d was ordained by G-d even before Esau was born. This may seem a very unfair thing to you dear one, but Paul came back quickly with the following answer. "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with G-d? G-d forbid" (Romans 9:14). The point is, G-d can do anything He wishes with His creation. There is no one who can hold Him accountable for any wrong deeds that mankind might think He has committed. Yet it must be admitted that Esau was judged long before he could do anything wrong. He was chosen before his birth to be hated of G-d. Some misinformed believers (who do not hear G-d) cannot believe that G-d would ever do such a thing to a person, but they are avoiding all scriptural teaching (and His voice) when they say such a thing. They say that G-d really didn’t "hate" Esau; He only loved him less. Oh? The word used by Paul was niseo and is shown throughout the New Testament as meaning "complete antipathy, disdain and hatred." One should see Matthew 5:43,44; Mark 13:13; John 15:18; Titus 3:3; 1 John 2:11; etc.

G-d Will Repent Of His Ways

G-d has promised that He will repent and He will eventually change His current method of dealing with mankind. He is going to stop allowing man to be afflicted with famine, wars, diseases, sorrow, pain and death. "And G-d shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain" (Revelation 2 1:4). In a word, G-d is soon going "to repent of the evil" which He has allowed mankind to undergo. He has repented of such things in the past. Notice again what Jeremiah said to the elders of Judah back in the sixth century B.C.E. "Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your G-d; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he has pronounced against you." Jeremiah 26:13

Dear One, the Bible clearly says that G-d repents of evil.

"If you will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you." Jeremiah 42:1

in Jonah 3:10, 'And G-d saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and G-d repented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them, and He did it not."

Joel 2:12-14, "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your G-d: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your G-d?"

G-d repented often enough to actually become weary with repenting concerning His people.

In Jeremiah 15:6 we read: "Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting." That means that G-d had changed His mind so much about His people that He actually became weary of it. But, thank our merciful G-d! G-d can, does and will change His mind in response to repentance and sincere prayer from His people.

G-d brought the various plagues upon Pharaoh, as G-d was using His wrath to loosen the hands of Pharaoh from His people that they might leave the land and be free to serve Him. G-d had sent the frogs on the land. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and asked them if they could persuade G-d to take the frogs away. Exodus 8:8, "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD." Moses did come to G-d with Aaron and ask G-d to remove the frogs. Exodus 8:12-13, " And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields." The key repentance statement here is in verse 13, "And the LORD did according to the word of Moses." Notice the power of prayer. Notice how G-d was influenced by the prayers of Moses. This same thing is repeated concerning the thunderings and hail. Exodus 9:27,28,33, "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth." The same thing is done concerning the locusts in Exodus 10:16-19, " Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your G-d, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your G-d, that he may take away from me this death only. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt." On each of these occasions Moses came to G-d and persuaded G-d to repent and take take certain action. In response to Moses' request, G-d did repent and take these actions to relieve Pharaoh. But it was also G-d who repeatedly hardened Pharaoh's heart and made him refuse to let the chosen people go forth out of Egypt.

In the case of Abimelech and his family, G-d healed them that they might bear children because Abraham prayed to G-d. Genesis 20:17-18, "So Abraham prayed unto G-d: and G-d healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife." G-d had closed up all the wombs of the ladies of the house of Abimelech. Abraham prayed to G-d and G-d responded to Abraham's prayer and healed the house of Abimelech.

In the life of Job - G-d became angry with Eliphaz and Job's other false friends and pronounced His judgment upon them. Because of Job's prayers and their repentance G-d repented and changed His mind and did not pour out His wrath. Job 42:7-10, "And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."

G-d did repent previously and change His mind concerning about consuming His people. Exodus 32:11-14, "And Moses besought the LORD his G-d, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." In verse 11 Moses explains to G-d that it was He Who had brought the people out of Egypt with a great power and mighty hand. Then in verse 12 he beseeches G-d to repent and change His mind. He uses the words, "Repent of this evil against Thy people."

And though this "repentance of G-d" pertained only to the Jews of Judah in the sixth century before Christ, Paul makes it clear that G-d is now willing to be reconciled to all in the world (and even all the universe) if they will but do one thing. What is that action that must be done by mankind? Since G-d has already started the reconciliation from His point of view by sending Jesus to die for all the sins of the world (even when we were ungodly and enemies of His), He will now forget all our trespasses "not imputing their trespasses unto them" (2 Corinthians 5:19). The apostle Paul then said: "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though G-d did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, BE YOU RECONCILED TO G-D." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Jesus Christ has started something for all mankind. G-d’s reconciliation in Christ shows that G-d really does love mankind. When you consider all of the things that G-d has allowed to happen to mankind that cause us harm. G-d has done the things He does since in G-d’s infinite wisdom He knows this is the way to learn love. "All things work together for good to them that love G-d, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

The various sufferings and afflictions which are allowed by G-d, or even on some occasions commanded by Him, in the long run are the means of creating love and concern in people. The Scriptures tell us that even Christ learned by His suffering (Hebrews 5:8). "For it is G-d which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."Philippians 2:13

We will eventually see the real reason and thank G-d for all the "bad" things which He has allowed (or even ordered) to happen to us. We may not always like what is occurring at the present time, but one day we will find that G-d has allowed or even created all these things to help us - we have already thanked G-d for what we consider "blessings" - eventually we will thank Him for all of the "problems, delays and troubles that we have had.

Was Jesus Really Perfected?

If Jesus was perfect from the beginning - why would He or how could He be "perfected"? Jesus' humanity is just as critical to our Christian faith as is His deity - Jesus was fully G-d and He was fully man, a single unique Person with two distinct separate natures, both divine and human, existing in perfect harmony. This arrangement is referred to as the Hypostatic Union. Jesus was made human in every way, in order to become our perfect high priest to make atonement for our sins at the cross (Hebrews 2:14-17, 4:15). Thus Jesus took on our physical and emotional traits such as hunger (Matthew 4:2, 21:18), thirst (John 19:28), weariness (John 4:6), anger (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 3:5), frustration (Mark 9:19), compassion (Matthew 9:36, Mark 8:2, Luke 7:13), sorrow (Matthew 26:37-38, Luke 19:41, John 11:33-35), joy (Luke 10:21, John 15:11), anguish (Luke 22:44) and love (John 11:5). He was born (John 1:14, Romans 1:3, 8:3, Galatians 4:4), grew physically and with wisdom (Luke 2:40,52), had flesh and bones (Luke 34:39, 1 Timothy 3:16), was tempted (Matthew 4), prayed (Luke 5:15, John 17), slept (Mark 4:38), and He died (Mark 15:44, John 19:30, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18). In Hebrews 2:17 and 4:15, we see that Jesus was “made like his brothers in every way”. Judas had to kiss Him to show which one was the Messiah - Jesus did not obviously look any different.

The Scriptures are clear that it is the “pouring out” of the blood which make it effective. Since the blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11), the shedding of blood represents the pouring out of life. In the OT, the priest poured out the blood of the sacrifice on the alter (Leviticus 8:15, 9:9, Deuteronomy 12:27). During the last Pesach Supper, Jesus offered the cup to his disciples, saying “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26: 28). Paul, the writer of Hebrews compares Jesus Christ as the mediator of the new covenant with Moses and the old covenant (Hebrews 9:11-28), and concludes that “the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. Returning to the comparison of the covenants in Hebrews, we find Paul contrasting the perfection of Jesus as the permanent mediator of the new covenant with the imperfection of the temporary priesthood of the old covenant (Hebrews 7:11, 23-28). Such a high priest [Jesus] meets our needs -- the only one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens... For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever (Hebrews 7:26,28).

Just as the Old Testament sacrifice had to be an animal without blemish, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, the unblemished Lamb of G-d, who took away all of our sins (John 1:29). We can read Jesus “has been made perfect” in verse 28 and a similar phrase in Hebrews 5:9 indicates that Jesus was not perfect before. Likewise, the phrase “He learned obedience from what he suffered” in Hebrews 5:8 indicates that Jesus had been "less than perfect" in the past. Dear one do you really think that Jesus did everything “perfectly” before? For example, when working as a carpenter, was every project that He completed perfect and without any flaws? I believe we can honestly say that the answer is “probably not”. Even though Jesus was the Son of G-d and perfectly sinless, he lived a normal human life as a carpenter’s son. Prior to the beginning of His public ministry, there is no evidence that He stood out in a crowd. This is substantiated by the people’s amazement once He began teaching and performing miracles. They asked “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:54-55, Mark 6:1-3). Even His relatives, who had lived with Him for 30 years, did not realize who He truly was (Mark 3:21,31-35, John 7:5). Shortly before His crucifixion, He declares to His Father that “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4). In the garden He was obedient and completely conformed to His Father's will for Him and not His own - "Not my will but thine be done".. Dear one, Jesus the man was truly perfected - the G-d part did not need further perfection and when both true man and true G-d were brought and conformed into agreement/perfection - Jesus could perfectly fulfill all that His Father willed for Him to do.

When we ask Jesus into our hearts - Jesus does not need to be further perfected - but we still do. We all still need to be perfected and daily conformed into His image. He must increase and we must all decrease until we become one with Him - even as He and His Father are one. Jesus prayed: "Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are." (John 17:11) "Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26)

Any Father will admonish his children when they are wrong - but that same father will also feel very bad when he is forced to do so. My earthly father used to tell me: "This is going to hurt me more than it does you!" With children of my own - I know this to be true. So, whether G-d relents, changes His mind or repents is to me an insignificant issue - as we read in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." If we repent G-d will hear our prayers, forgive us and heal us! Please do so and then love one another dear one and judge nothing before it is time!


Selah and Shalom!

Who does G-d Choose?

In Acts 1:15-26 we read that about 120 disciples decided to cast lots to see who would be the replacement for Judas as they waited for the Holy Spirit. They asked G-d to decide who should be chosen by lot between the only two they appointed - Joseph called Barsabas and Matthias - the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Nothing further is ever heard about Matthias. That is because men chose the "two" appointees. I would also like to point out that there also is no mention of a Matthias among the lists of disciples or followers of Jesus in the three synoptic gospels. Which leads us to the question - who does G-d choose?

Who Does G-d Choose?

-Who sent an angel to tell a coward (Gideon) threshing wheat as he hid in fear - "Thou mighty man of valour; go lead a very small band against a mighty army and defeat them with only the word of G-d? In Judges 7 - The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into your hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, so He told Gideon to use only 300 men to destroy that great and powerful army!

-Who chose a drunk (Noah) to pilot His ship of salvation?

- Who picked a leader (Moses) to lead His people, who was wanted for unlawful flight to Midian to avoid prosecution for crushing a man's skull; a leader who said if it were not for the honor of the thing he would rather let Aaron go back and face the music alone?

-Who chose a kid who was only allowed to tend sheep and who had a "little" problem with lust (David) to be king?

-Who picked a man (John the Baptist) who dressed in a leather G-string and ate bugs and lived in the wilderness to prepare the way of His own Son and to baptize Him who was already perfect?

-Who was it who picked such a ragged lot of men - most of whom appeared as mad as hatters to be His holy prophets? Isaiah 20:2

-Who was it who chose a nation of slaves, then saved and delivered them out of the hands of their mighty slave masters to be His chosen people - who immediately thereafter went and made and then worshipped a golden calf during a group orgy? Why did He not choose Egypt who at that time had the greatest army and the greatest wealth in the whole world?

-Who was it who made the first humans, who did the only thing He told them not to do?

-Who picked the first leader of His people (Abraham), a man who kept on pawning off his beautiful wife as his sister to kings and pharaohs for a few bucks?

-Who was it who chose the leader's wife (Sarah), who when He told her that He would give her a child in her old age, she responded in rasping laughter?

-Who was it who picked a whore (Rahab) to save a nation and and be a direct ancestor to His own Son?

-Who gave Solomon so much wisdom, knowing that he would soon go out of his way to break every proverb that he penned? -

-Who chose the "love apostle" (John) from the most quarrelsome of them all?

-Who picked the greatest killer (Paul) of His new people to write more of the New Testament, to teach His closest disciple Peter (2 Peter 3:15-16) and to affect more of later generations more than any of His other followers. Paul wrote that not only was he was chief among the Apostles but also that he was also chief among all of the sinners. (Remember Matthias?)

-Who picked the most knowledgeable Jew (Paul) to go to teach the Gentiles and the most illiterate Bible scholar (Peter) to go teach the most religious people (Jews) on earth!

-Who picked the thief (Judas) to carry the money purse?

-Who would choose such a terrible group of sinners and publicans to be friends with?

-Who slaughtered the fatted calf and gave the finest gifts to a foul-smelling, philandering son returning home from a terrible life of debauchery while his other son worked without ceasing with no reward?

-Who gave the prodigal son the money that he wasted on whores and booze and riotous living initially?

-Who wants us all (John 17:11-21) to actually become one with Him? (Eccl 3:18; John 3:3,5)

MY LORD AND MY DAD!

You have not chosen me; I have chosen you! It's His job and His alone to make you and I ready. (1 Cor. 1::25-31). Dear one. He always chooses the least likely (1 Sam. 16:7) to do the most, (Eccl. 1:9), (John 14:12; 1 John 4:4). It is interesting to note that the key qualities G-d looks for to fill all the church offices (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1:5-16, etc.) mentioned in the Bible are spiritual and reflect loyalty to the Head rather than any natural or observable abilities (1 Cor. 1:25-31; 2 Cor. 5:15-21; Eph. 2:22; 4:11-16). Also see II Cor. 7 and what must you do to be saved. Jud. 3:15 literally means "he was bound as to the right hand." Shamngar was just a farmer with and ox-goad yet he slew 600 Philistines with a startling blow.. Deborah was just a housewife, but G-d told her to call Barak out of Kedesh-Naphtali and command him to raise up a 10,000-man army to deliver G-d's people out of Sisera's hands ( Judg. 4:9; 6:2, 18-20; Rev.12:11). G-d always picks sinners, idiots and the least likely to do His best work! In 2 Corinthians 4:7 we read: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of G-d, and not of us."

Those whom G-d chooses are chosen out from among all the others. They who are chosen were/are exactly in the same sinful condition or worse than the rest of the whole human race. They were also partakers of corruption, morally and spiritually destitute of anything good. They were/are, like all other unsaved sinners, having their carnal minds at enmity with G-d, serving Satan, deserving of death and condemnation, without righteousness. There is no distinction between the elect and non-elect before the Father calls us to come to Jesus.

It isn’t that among all other men and women some of us have distinguished ourselves, set ourselves apart, believed on our own, gave more, done more or even managed to attract His attention because of a small spark of goodness or the faint promise of a reformed life or because of any great accomplishments or good intentions and/or promises. No. Paul made it extremely clear in Romans Chapter 3: that there is none who is righteous, good or understands, all have gone astray, all are corrupt and deserving of death. G-d doesn’t choose men or women because he foresees value in them, but He makes men and women valuable because He has chosen them. “Herein is love, not that we loved G-d, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10). Read Ephesians 1, Paul is deafening as he continues to make the point that the distinction in humanity between those who believe and those who don’t believe is entirely G-d’s doing. Note the repeated emphasis on the divine initiative in salvation as seen in the vocabulary related to G-d’s will or purpose or plan: “according to the kind intention of His will” (v. 5), “the mystery of His will” (v. 9), “His kind intention which He purposed” (v. 9), “according to His purpose” (v. 11), “the counsel of His will” (v. 11). Indeed, no fewer than 11 times in these verses do we find vocabulary reflective of divine sovereignty: he elected us (v. 4), He predestined us (v. 5), His good pleasure (v. 5), G-d’s will (v. 5), G-d’s will (v. 9), His good pleasure (v. 9), His purpose (v. 9), He foreordained us (v. 11), His purpose (v. 11), His counsel (v. 11), His will (v. 11). To “elect” is to choose out from among others. This is no random choice. In other words, election was not and is not haphazard or based on anything that we do. There was and is deliberate, calculated, reasoned intent on G-d’s part. He knew what he was doing when He chose one but not another. He said: “I want this person, but not that person.”

G-d creates in us a clean heart, renews in us a right spirit, G-d is the author and finisher of our faith, G-d starts the redemptive work in us and finishes it - He saves us, He redeems us, He heals us. He fills us with His Spirit, He anoints us, He calls us - in fact, G-d does everything for us!

What is our only job once we are chosen?

There is an old story of a very ancient John teaching the believers of his day. As John was teaching, he kept on saying the same thing over and over again with the same smile and the same voice: "Little children, love one another, love one another." Finally this so wearied them all that one day they said to him, "Why, Master, does thou ever repeat the same words?" He was silent, thoughtful, and then John said: "So the Lord has commanded us and if that is fulfilled - that alone will suffice - and again John said: "Little children love one another."

Shalom and Selah! Love one another!

What is the meaning and purpose of 6 Baptisms?

What is the meaning and purpose of 6 Baptisms?

It is baptism that puts us into Christ. In Galatians 3:27 we read: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." The preposition into indicates a change of relationship. In Romans 6:3 we can read the same thing, "Or do you not know, that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" We have Jesus in us and Christ in us when we ask them to come into us by faith and become born again and filled with the Spirit but we still need to be baptised into Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the G-d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ." This verse tells us that every spiritual blessing is located in Christ. Only those who are in Christ can enjoy these spiritual blessings.

Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." .

Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Him we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." .

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." If one is in Christ, he has become a new creation.

Romans 6:3-4 says, "Or do you not know, that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death: that just as Christ Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." When is one raised to walk in newness of life? This scripture says that it is when we are raised out of the waters of baptism. At that point we begin our walk in newness of life.

In John 3:3 Jesus told Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of G-d." Then two verses later in John 3:5, Jesus tells how being born again takes place: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G-d."

2 Timothy 2:10, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Here we see that salvation is located in Christ, and for one to be eligible for salvation, he must be in Christ.

In I John 5:11 we read, "And this is the testimony, that G-d has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

In Romans 6:3-14 we read: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto G-d. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto G-d through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto G-d, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto G-d. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

The word "Christ" is a transliteration of the Greek word christos, meaning "the Anointed One". The word "messiah" is a transliteration of the Hebrew word mashiah. " I believe that Christ refers to the anointing or Holy Spirit.

Baptism is a symbolic act by which we share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died and was buried for the sake of our sins. The process of being submerged in the water represents the death and burial of our old life. But Jesus was also raised from the dead in order to give us eternal life. As we're raised out of the water, it represents our newfound life in Jesus. By being baptized we're essentially saying that we identify with what Jesus went through for us. Baptism is a way for us to practically put our faith into action and demonstrate to the world that we've died to our old selves and desires, and have received a new resurrection life in Christ. It keeps us accountable and mindful that the world is watching us and expects to see some sort of change in our lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."


There are many denominational teachings and many different interpretations regarding the subject of baptism. This has been one of the most controversial points of denominational doctrines that have divided the Body of Christ “...making void the word of G-d by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this." (Mark 7:13). To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:31-32 - to know exactly what He wants for you dear one read John 10:27.

The preferred method of water baptism is made very clear by the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water. The very Greek word itself defines water baptism as full water immersion and excludes it from simply meaning “sprinkling.” Moses' Baptism can be likened to the Israelites coming up out of the land of slavery, passing through the Red Sea and entering the Promised Land (1 Corinthians 10:2). Baptism can also be likened to Noah and the seven in the ark passing through the great flood.

In Matthew 3:13-17 we read: "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying , I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized , went up straightway out of the water: and, lo , the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of G-d descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying , This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ."

In Matthew 28:19-20 we read: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo , I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen."

In Mark 16: 15-16 we read: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Notice that He clearly did not say that he that is not baptized shall be damned.)

In John 3:1-5 we read: "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from G-d: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest , except G-d be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of G-d. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born ? Jesus answered , Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G-d."

In Acts 2:38-41 we read: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent , and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off , even as many as the Lord our G-d shall call . And with many other words did he testify and exhort , saying , Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized : and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

In Acts 8:26-40 we read: "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying , Arise , and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went : and, behold , a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship , Was returning , and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near , and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said , Understandest thou what thou readest ? And he said , How can I , except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer , so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away : and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said , I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said , See , here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said , If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest . And he answered and said , I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of G-d. And he commanded the chariot to stand still : and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip , that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing . But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.."

In Acts 22:16 we read: "And now why tarriest thou ? arise , and be baptized , and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

In Romans 6:3-8 we read: "Know ye not , that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed , that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:."

In Galatians 3:26-27 we read: "For ye are all the children of G-d by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.".

In Ephesians 4:4-6 we read: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One G-d and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.."

In Colossians 2:12 we read: "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of G-d, who hath raised him from the dead."

In 1 Peter 3:21 we read: "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward G-d,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

History of the Jewish Mikveh -
The term mikveh in Hebrew literally means any gathering of waters, but is specifically used in Jewish law for the waters or bath for the ritual immersion. The building of the mikveh was so important in ancient times it was said to take precedence over the construction of a synagogue. Immersion was so important that it occurred before the high Priest conducted the service on the Day of Atonement, before the regular priests participated in the Temple service, before each person entered the Temple complex, before a scribe wrote the name of G-d, as well as several other occasions. The Mishnah attributes to Ezra a decree that each male should immerse himself before praying or studying. There were several Jewish groups that observed ritual immersion every day to assure readiness for the coming of the Messiah. The Church Fathers mentioned one of these groups called Hemerobaptists which means "daily bathers" in Greek. Among those used to regular immersion were the Essenes and others that the Talmud calls tovelei shaharit or "dawn bathers." On the third day of creation we see the source of the word mikveh for the first time in Genesis 1:10 when the Lord says, "...to the gathering (mikveh) of waters, He called seas." Because of this reference in Genesis the ocean is still considered a legitimate mikveh.

The Mikvaot Around The Temple -
The New Testament tells us that many of the early church's daily activities were centered around the Temple. Historically, we know that there were many ritual immersion baths (mikvaot) on the Temple Mount including one in the Chamber of Lepers situated in the northwest corner of the Court of Women (Mid. 2:5). Josephus tells us that even during the years of war (66-73 A.D.) the laws of ritual immersion were strictly adhered to (Jos. Wars, 4:205). The Temple itself contained immersion baths in various places for the priests to use, even in the vaults beneath the court (Commentary to Tam. 26b; Tam. 1:1). The High Priest had special immersion pools in the Temple, two of which are mentioned in the Mishnah. We are told one of these was in the Water Gate in the south of the court and another was on the roof of the Parva Chamber (Mid. 1:4; Mid. 5:3). There was an additional place for immersion on the Mount of Olives which was connected with the burning of the red heifer (Par. 3:7). A special ramp led to the mikveh on the Mount of Olives from the Temple Mount, which was built as an arched way over another arched way to avoid uncleanness from the graves in the valley below. Recent archaeological excavations have found 48 different mikvaot near the Monumental Staircase leading into the Temple Complex.

Three Basic Areas -
According to Jewish law there are three basic areas where immersion in the mikveh is required. 1. Immersion is required for both men and women when converting to Judaism. There were three prerequisites for a proselyte coming into Judaism: Circumcision, baptism, and sacrifice (Maimonides, Hilkh. Iss. Biah xiii. 5). 2. Immersion is required after a woman has her monthly period (Lev. 15:28). 3. Immersion is required for pots and eating utensils manufactured by a non-Jew (Encyclopedia of Jewish Religion p-263). Besides these, there are other times when it is customary to be immersed in the mikveh such as the occasion before Yom Kippur as a sign of purity and repentance and before the Sabbath in order to sensitize oneself to the holiness of the day.

The Six Descending Orders of Ritual Immersion -
There are six descending orders of ritual baths in the Mishnah (Oral Laws of how to accomplish the written Law) and the highest order is that of a spring or flowing river. We see Jesus understanding and fulfilling this order in Matthew 3:16 as He comes to be baptized in the Jordan River "fulfilling all righteousness." This highest order was called Living Water and illustrated the forgiving of sins, therefore, we hear Jesus using this term "Living Water" as being fulfilled by Himself (John 4:10-11).

The Water Restrictions -
There were also six basic restrictions on the water used in the mikveh including such rules as: (1) the mikveh can not contain other liquid besides water. (2) The water has to be either built into the ground or be an integral part of a building attached to the ground. (3) The mikveh can not be flowing except for a natural spring, river or ocean. (4) The water can not be manually drawn. (5) The water can not be channeled to the mikveh by anything unclean. (6) The mikveh must contain at least 40 sa'ah or approximately 200 gallons of water. The term sa'ah is an ancient Biblical measurement equivalent to approximately five gallons. All six requirements come from the original Hebrew words found in Leviticus 11:36. Rabbi Yitzchok ben Sheshes said the amount of 40 sa'ah was derived from the idea that the largest normal human body has a volume of 20 sa'ah, therefore the amount of water needed to "nullify" this body is double this amount or 40 sa'ah.

Why Be Immersed?
To the Jew, the mikveh is a process of spiritual purification and cleansing, especially in relation to the various types of Turmah or ritual defilement when the Temple was in use. Although G-d has not revealed all the meaning of the mikveh, it is obvious because of the amount of space given to it in Scripture, and the effort of Jesus to fulfill it, the command is of utmost importance. All commands of the Lord fall into three categories: 1. The moral or ethical laws that are necessary for man to live in harmony are known as Mishpatim and are literally translated judgments. 2. The rituals and festivals which reawaken us to important religious truths such as Sabbath, holidays, the Tefillin and the Mezuzah that remind us of G-d's presence are known as Edos and are literally translated witnesses. 3. The third group often has no explicit reason given for their existence except for Israel's identification as G-d's chosen people to the other nations (Deuteronomy 4:6). This group of laws are known as Chukim and are literally translated as decrees. Among the decrees of this group are the dietary laws as well as ritual immersion.

How Immersion Was Done -
Jewish baptism has never been taken lightly, immersion was to be performed in the presence of witnesses (Yebam. 47b). The person being baptized made special preparations by cutting his nails, undressed completely and made a fresh profession of his faith before the designated "fathers of the baptism" (Kethub. 11a; Erub 15a). This is possibly where churches, sometime later, got the term Godfathers. The individual stood straight up with the feet spread and the hands held out in front. The candidate would totally immerse themselves by squatting in the water with a witness or baptizer doing the officiating. Note the New Testament points out the fact that Jesus came up straightway out of the water (Matthew 3:16). The earliest drawing of Christian baptism was found on the wall of a Roman catacomb in the second century showing John standing on the bank of the Jordan helping Jesus back to shore after self immersion. Ancient sages teach that the word mikveh has the same letters as Ko(v)Meh, the Hebrew word for "rising" or "standing tall," therefore we see the idea of being baptized "straightway." Although it is the Jewish belief that repentance is necessary, purification from defilement is done primarily through water, while other effects of sins are covered by blood (Romans 4:7; note the "almost all things" in Hebrews 9:22). The concept of immersion in rabbinic literature is referred to as a new birth (Yeb. 22a; 48b; 97b; Mass. Ger. c.ii).

Note six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion:

1.Immersion was accompanied by exhortations and benedictions (Maimonides Hilkh. Milah iii.4; Hilkh. Iss, Biah Xiv .6). A convert would reaffirm his acceptance of the Torah by declaring, "I will do and I will hear" which was a phrase from the oath that was originally taken by the priests not to forsake the Torah (Deuteronomy 29:9- 14). This ritual demonstrates the willingness of the convert to forsake his Gentile background and assume his Jewish identity by taking on the status of one who keeps the commandments. According to a number of Jewish sages, mayim, which is the Hebrew word for water, shares the same root as the word "mah", meaning "what." This teaching points out that when a person immerses in water, he is nullifying the fleshly ego and is asking, "what am I?" in the same manner that Moses and Aaron did in Exodus 16:7 when they said to the Lord, "we are what?"

2. The Jewish baptism candidates were often immersed three times. The idea of total immersion comes from the Scripture in Leviticus 15:16 when it says, "he shall wash all his flesh in the water." One reason it was customary to immerse three times was because the word mikveh occurs three times in the Torah.

3. According to Jewish law the immersion had to have a required witness. Dr. William LaSor in the Biblical Archaeology Review says apparently the Biblical phrase "in the name of" was an indication of the required witness. In several New Testament references such as I Corinthians 1:13, 15; Matthew 21:25; Acts 1:22; and Acts 19:3 we see early baptism mentioned in conjunction with the name of individuals such as John and Paul. Further information on this can be found in Jewish literature concerning proselyte baptism where it indicates his baptism required attestation by witnesses in whose name he was immersed.

4. The immersion candidate was not touched by the baptizer in Jesus' day. Because Leviticus 15:16 says "He shall wash all his flesh in the water," Judaism stresses that the entire body must come in contact with the water of the mikveh. To insure the immersion was valid, no clothing or individuals could touch the candidate. Any such intervention that prevented the water from reaching a part of the body was known as Chatzitzah and rendered the immersion invalid. Although the mikveh was more spiritual than physical, often the bath had two sets of steps, one entering and another leaving so as not to defile what had been purified.

5. The baptismal water (Mikveh) in rabbinic literature was referred to as the womb of the world, and as a convert came out of the water it was considered a new birth separating him from the pagan world. As the convert came out of these waters his status was changed and he was referred to as "a little child just born" or "a child of one day" (Yeb. 22a; 48b; 97b). We see the New Testament using similar Jewish terms as "born anew," "new creation," and "born from above." According to Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum rabbinic literature uses the term "born again" to refer to at least six different occurrences. Note each of these life changing experiences: (a) When a Gentile converts to Judaism. (b) When an individual is crowned king. (c) At age 13 when a Jewish boy has his Bar Mitzvah and freely chooses to embrace G-d's covenant and be numbered with the believers. (d) When an individual gets married. (e) When an individual becomes a rabbi. (f) When an individual becomes the head of a rabbinical school.

6. Jewish law requires at least three witnesses made up of qualified leaders to be present for certain immersions (Yebam 47b). Ordinarily a member of the Sanhedrin performed the act of observing the proselytes immersion, but in case of necessity others could do it. Secret baptism, or where only the mother brought a child, was not acknowledged.

Repentance Without Baptism -
One of the most important teachings in Judaism is that of repentance. According to both Scripture and rabbinic literature, no matter how great the sin, if a person repents and forsakes the sin before G-d he can be forgiven. As we see in the case of John, Jesus, and all New Testament writers, repentance was always involved. The Jerusalem Talmud states, "nothing can stand before repentance" (Yebamos 47b). According to Dr. David Flusser, the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the New Testament teach that water can purify the body only if the soul has first been purified through repentance and righteousness.

Water and Blood Both Illustrate G-d's Cleansing In Judaism -
Both water and blood are used constantly in the Torah and the New Testament as the two main agents to illustrate G-d's cleansing. The Jews believe that uncleanness is not physical, but rather a spiritual condition as related in Leviticus 11:44 where it states by wrong actions one can make the "soul unclean." Therefore, the purification through ritual immersion, as commanded in Scripture is basically involved with the soul, rather than the body. Note how both water and blood are cited in Scripture: (1) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12). (2) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). (3) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Feast Offerings (Leviticus 23). (4) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the five Levitical Offerings (Leviticus 1-7). (5) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11-14). (1) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the separation and the ashes of the Red Heifer (Numbers 19). (2) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the consecration to priestly ministry (Leviticus 8:6). (3) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the cleansing of the leper (Leviticus 14:1-8). (4) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the different washings of the Law (Hebrews 9:10). (5) Water is used in relation to the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); Titus 3:5; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3; I Peter 3:20-21; Ephesians 5:26; John 19:34; I John 5:6; Hebrews 9:19- 23).

In the New Testament we see the same wording concerning baptism as it is referred to as "circumcision made without hands" (Colossians 2:11-12). Obviously immersion has its roots in the Jewish mikveh of Jesus' day, and it is of utmost importance for each of us to fulfill this righteous deed if possible. The thief on the cross was not baptized in water and (could not be so baptized) yet Jesus said to him in Luke 23:43 "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Upon his death the thief's spirit entered heaven, for he died holding unto the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Death bed conversions like this one, where circumstances do not permit it, allow the saved believer to be saved even though they have not experienced water baptism. But for most believers, the next step is water baptism.

There are at least Six Types of Baptism

1) Moses' Baptism
2) John's Baptism of repentance
3) Jesus' Baptism of Redemption
4) Baptism into the Holy Spirit
5) Baptism with fire
6) Baptism of Death as a Martyr

1) Moses' Batptism
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-33 we read: "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them G-d was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but G-d is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to G-d: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (see my teaching on communion) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of G-d. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of G-d: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

After Moses' Baptism we read in Acts 19:1-6 we see the next three Baptisms - "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism (2). Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (3). And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (4)."

2) John's Baptism of Repentance
Shortly before Jesus Christ was revealed to the people as the awaited Messiah, John the Baptist was baptizing people with his baptism of repentance, telling them to believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4). Luke records it this way, " And he (John the Baptist), came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin." (Luke: 3:3) Baptism of repentance takes place in the heart of a person, and it has to do with a positive change; from an ungodly life, to a life that is going to be lead by the righteousness of G-d. In the baptism of repentance, one is required to confess their sins and ask G-d to help them make a complete turn around. As Jesus was being baptized by John in water, G-d spoke from heaven saying He was well pleased with his beloved son Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17). This happened to fulfill the prophetic scriptures which said, " I will declare that thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." (Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 42:1). The Holy Spirit also descended down on the Lord in a bodily form of a dove after he was baptized in the water. (Matthew 3:16) Thereafter, as the Lord Jesus Christ began his active ministry on earth, He and his disciples traveled all over the area baptizing. John 3:22 "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea, and there he tarried with them while they baptized". However, during his ministry Jesus did no baptizing on his own. John 4:2 "Although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who baptized." John’s baptism of repentance was done by immersion in water. It washed the sins of a person away - only after they had confessed them and repented of them.


3) Jesus' Baptism of Redemption
Jesus baptism of redemption is also done by water, but it has a different purpose. The purpose of the baptism of redemption is to bring a person into Jesus' death and resurrection. After you believe, you can then be baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus. But, you must first believe. In Romans 10: 9-13 we read: "That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that G-d raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation, for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Having personally asked Jesus (Revelation 5:20) to come into their life - the believer has truly been "born again" and can be baptized. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into One body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13) "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5). After you believe and have asked Jesus into your heart - you have become born again and now you are ready for redemptive water baptism in Jesus' name.

Water baptism is biblically meant for all those who have repented and believed and have personally asked Jesus into their lives. Water baptism is genuinely for those who are already saved – having washed their sins by the precious blood of Jesus Christ . The believer after the initial cleansing of their sins by the blood of Jesus, then goes through water baptism following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was baptizing using the medium of water. He baptized many people, as they turned away from evil, and turned to the living G-d. They came from Jerusalem, Judaea, and regions around Jordan and were baptized in the river Jordan confessing their sins. This type of baptism follows only after the sinful person asks for forgiveness and repents of their sins. Sincere repentance is the only qualification for this type of baptism. Water baptism is one of the ordinances that Jesus Christ left for those believing in him. Speaking to his disciples (and to believers today) he said, " Go ye therefore, and teach all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). Water baptism is thus a sacred rite with a specific purpose for all the believers.

4) Baptism into the Holy Spirit
John baptized his disciples in water, and the Lord promises He will baptize His followers in the Holy Spirit. Water is just a symbol of cleansing. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is the actual means of cleansing and empowerment. Jesus said: "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed (enduo) with power (dunamis) from on high." (Luke 24:49) and "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water (hudati), but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (en pneumati hagio).... But you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit comes on (epiechomai) you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:4, 5, 8; see 11:15-16)

"Clothe (KJV 'endue') with power." The verb is Greek enduo, "dress, clothe". This means to cover completely with. The word translated "power" is Greek dunamis, from which we get our word "dynamite." To cover with power.

"Come upon." The Greek verb is eperchomai, a compound word that means "come over or upon." Here it is used of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples.

"Pour out." The Spirit is "poured out" upon believers (Acts 2:17-18, 2:33, 10:45).Poured out from Heaven above and filling and saturating the believer below with the Holy Spirit.

The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" involves being covered with, immersed in, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the very basis of our life in Christ and our connection to G-d. Jesus floods us with the Holy Spirit. How do we receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? The most important requirement is that you are born again, baptized into Jesus and then the next requirement is that you must personally ask Father for this Baptism. In Luke 11:13 we read: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" You have not because you ask not!

The foolish virgins are like many believers - they all bring their lamps along with them but, many do not bring enough oil (Holy Spirit) and their lamps are basically empty. They become drowsy while waiting on Jesus, and many fall asleep. Others have their lamps filled, and are excited in anticipation of Jesus returning in their midst. The lamps represent each person as they are also made of clay. The wick represents our lives and the oil is the Holy Spirit; We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and our lives thoroughly trimmed and immersed in Him. G-d is a consuming fire that will ignite the wicks. However, if the wicks are not properly trimmed and/or if there is not enough adequate oil in our little lamp, the wick will smolder and burn up and be destroyed when the Bridegroom comes. On the other hand, those who have properly trimmed their wicks and are filled with the Holy Spirit, will be inflamed by the Lord who is a Consuming Fire: They will enter the Bridal Chamber and their oil would never run out.


It is amazing that so many divided (denominational) believers have argued so vehemently against the necessity of this baptism of the Holy Spirit, when Paul used it as one of his main arguments to prove that we are all united in Christ! The Bible does not actually use the term "baptism of the Spirit" very often. John the Baptist predicted that Jesus would come and baptize with the Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). In Acts 1:5, Jesus recalled John's words, and told His followers that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from then. The spectacular events of the day of Pentecost ten days later were the obvious fulfillment of His words (see Acts 2). The only other mention in Acts 11:16 refers back to Pentecost, explaining that Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, experienced the same first Pentecost manifestations. The clearest explanation of the baptism appears in I Corinthians 12:13. Paul is dealing with a situation where the Corinthian church was splitting into factions or divisions. In response, Paul exclaims, "We're all one! Don't divide up into denominations!" And to prove his point, he explains, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:13). If you hear the Holy Spirit (Christ) you have no need for any man to teach you as we read in 1 John 2:26-29: "These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him." That is why many denominational "leaders" do not want you to hear the truth directly from G-d's lips - you will leave your "man-teachers"!

John the Baptist prophesied that the one who will come after him – Jesus Christ, will baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire. The baptized believer receives the Holy Spirit who now lives in their hearts; guiding, teaching, and helping them. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers them on the road to spiritual purity, spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, and spiritual strength. Sinful men and women who have not repented of their sins can not receive the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was a privilege from G-d given to just a chosen few. These few were mainly the Kings who were anointed to rule over Israel, the true Prophets of the living G-d and the Levitical Priests. The Lord G-d also slightly extended this privilege of the Holy Spirit to a few other special people – for instance, the seventy elders who were to help Moses in leading the Israelites on their way towards Canaan (Exodus 11:16-26). A look at the scriptures also reveals a few other people receiving this special privilege of the Holy Spirit. A few of these examples include Mary who was espoused to Joseph (Luke 1:35), and Elizabeth and her unborn child John the Baptist (Luke 1:41). However, the Holy Spirit did not indwell in them constantly, but instead came upon them to give special divine directions and/or revelations for specific occasions. So, in the Old Testament days, the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out from heaven upon all those who believed in the living G-d. But we do find in many places in the Old Testament where prophets like Joel proclaimed: "And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind". (Joel. 2:28)

During his ministry, Jesus Christ taught that the Father would give to His believers, His gift – the comforter, the counselor, the spirit of truth – the Holy Spirit. The Lord also taught that unless He went back to the Father, the Gift of the Father will not be released. He had to go up to heaven so that the Holy Spirit would come down to the believers (John 16:7). In Acts 1:4-5, the Lord Jesus Christ commands his disciples not to preach the gospel - until they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. A few days later during Pentecost, the first Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred upon the 120 disciples who had gathered together in one accord - obeying the Lord's command to await this special Baptism at Jerusalem (John 24:49, Acts 2:1-4). From that time up to this present time, the Holy Spirit's baptism is open to all born again believers who ask for it. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is the filling of a believer's life with the Holy Spirit who is sent from G-d the Father. This baptism into the Holy Spirit is mandatory for any believer who desires a victorious spiritual life. Why is this? – Because G-d first calls the believer, then cleanses the believer, then moulds the believer into a new person, then fills the believer with the Holy Spirit. This in turn not only empowers the believer to lead a Godly life, but it also so enables the believer to witness Jesus Christ to the world.

It is G-d’s will for every believer to be baptized into the Holy Spirit. One evidence of the believer receiving the baptism into the Holy Spirit is they will speak in other tongues. There are five different accounts in the book of Acts of believers receiving the baptism into the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 8:17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word….the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

In three of these five accounts the Scriptures say that they spoke in other tongues as soon as the Holy Spirit came upon them. . In Acts 9:17 when the Apostle Paul received the baptism of the Holy Spirit - it does not say in this verse that Paul spoke in tongues but in 1 Corinthians 14:18 the Apostle Paul says “I thank my G-d I speak with tongues more than you all;”

Two things happen when you are baptized into the Holy Spirit. First you receive power from on high (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) . Jesus Christ did no miracles until the Holy Spirit came upon him in John’s baptism. Jesus told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. After the Holy Spirit came upon them in Acts 2:1-4 they began their ministries. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to not only preach the gospel but to demonstrate the gospel with signs and wonders. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are activated (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) . G-d inspired dreams and visions become a part of the life of the believer (Acts 2:16-21) . The second thing that happens is G-d gives the believer a prayer language, who will speak in other tongues. The purpose of the prayer language is to allow the believer to pray the perfect will of G-d for their lives, as well as, for the lives of others (Romans 8:26-27) . This prayer language is a mystery to the believer but it is not a mystery to G-d (1 Corinthians 14:2) . The believer’s spirit is edified or built up when he prays in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). As the believer allows the Holy Spirit to pray through him G-d’s perfect will is prayed and the believer is edified.

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

We are limited in our own understanding but there are no limitations to G-d. We do not know what to pray, for we do not know the future or what is in men’s hearts, but G-d knows everything. With our prayer language we have no limitations in praying the perfect will of G-d for our lives and the lives of others. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and can show you future events and warn you of things to come. With the baptism into the Holy Spirit the believer can do the works of Jesus and even greater works (John 14:12). The baptism into the Holy Spirit is for every believer - if they ask. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. .

The Holy spirit plays an extremely large role in the Church of Christ. A church without the Holy Spirit is like the world before creation – shapeless and empty and such a church would be no different from a social club – or a cemetery – many crosses but no life. As we read the Word of G-d we find that the Holy Spirit formed the church into a complete structure (Acts 2:1-4), that he makes the body of Christ to be a new living church of G-d and the individual believers to be living stones (2 Corinthians 3:6). He also brings direction, teaching and guidance to the church as well as spiritual gifts and grace to the believers ( 2 Corinthians 8:7). You have no need for any man to teach you dear one but the Holy Spirit will teach you all things! Right after Jesus received the Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:17 in Matthew 4:1 Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.......In Mark 1:12 it is written the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness.....which leads us to the Baptism with fire.

5) Baptism with fire
Baptism with fire immediately follows the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As soon as Jesus received the Holy Spirit He was immediately driven into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Shortly after the infilling in Acts Chapter 2 began the persecution of the early church. In its first three centuries, the Christian church endured regular persecution at the hands of Jewish religious "leaders" and Roman authorities. The baptism of fire ushers the saints of G-d into tests, trials, temptations and other various forms of afflictions, to test their faith and to train them to totally depend upon G-d. Baptism by fire brings about grace for a positive change in the life of believers towards G-d and enhances spiritual maturity. This is a type of baptism that most people, even those who confess a great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, do not like passing through. It is also referred to as the baptism into His sufferings. The Apostle Paul tells us:"The sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:' (1 Peter 4:12)

Fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the purifying judgment of G-d. Believers need to walk in the Spirit of G-d. The Holy Spirit will lead the saint in the ways of G-d. All ungodliness in the lives of the saints will have to be burned up by the fire of the Lord. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:13 "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work." In Luke 22:31-32 we read: "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Jesus did not stop Satan from testing either Himself, Peter or anyone - He only asked that our faith fail not!

As long as you are founded in the unshakeable belief that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose – you will always come out of the fire stronger and better. You will not fall apart or be destroyed! These hard times of fire baptism will also make the believer come out of the trials purified, just like gold is when it is passed through the hot furnace fire to be purified. Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18) who were thrown bound into the firery furnace - we can dance in there in the fire with the Lord and we will come out of the fire loosed - without any burns or even the smell of smoke on us. These sufferings should not be seen as a punishment from G-d, rather they are meant to set us free and bring about a positive change towards G-d in our lives.

The Bible is full of men and women of G-d who went through this type of fire baptism – Job the man of G-d, the prophets of G-d in the old testament especially during the reign of King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, David the King, Jesus Christ, Apostles Peter and Paul, and the persecutions of the saints of G-d in the early Church during the reign of a great many Roman kings. Jesus Christ talks frequently of this type of baptism upon all those believing in him. You must also keep in mind that our heavenly Father is faithful, because as we under go these sufferings he will not allow unto us such a strong suffering that we can not bear it. Instead he gives us the spiritual strength to endure what ever he allows to come into our lives so that we are victorious to the glory of His name. It is written, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but G-d is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it," (1 Corinthians 10:13).

6) Baptism of Death as a Martyr
Besides the Old Testament baptism associated with Moses and the New testament baptisms associated with John, Jesus and the Holy Spirit there is a final fatal baptism, that is by martyrdom and blood, by which our Lord Jesus Himself was baptized. This final Baptism is the most glorious and greatest baptism but obviously it is also the most painful and terrible baptism of all! Do you remember when our Lord said that he had another baptism with which He had to be baptized? (Luke 12:50) Our Lord and Savior calls martyrdom a baptism, saying, ‘Can you drink the cup which I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized (Mark 10! 38)?’ Paul also agrees and writes that the martyrs are being made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men (1 Cor. 4:9-14) Martyrdom is the final and most terrible baptism for a few of us, where there is the taking away of sins and a wonderful and marvelous cleansing of the soul, and just as those being baptized are washed and cleansed in water, so too those being martyred are washed and cleansed in their own blood".

There are more martyrs in Revelation - "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of G-d, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." (Revelation 6:9-11) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the G-d of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." (Revelation 11:3-7) "For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand." (Revelation 19:2) "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of G-d, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4)

This was the final Baptism of death that Jesus himself underwent before and during his painful crucifixion on the cross at Calvary. For Jesus said in Luke 12:50, "There is a terrible baptism ahead for me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished." Here the Lord is talking about His upcoming sufferings; sufferings that reached their peak when he was beaten, mocked, spat upon and then crucified unto His death, at Golgotha - thereby shedding His precious blood for the remission of all of our sins. When the mother of James and John approached Jesus with her request to have her sons sit on each side of Jesus when He came into His Kingdom, Jesus replies with a question: "You do not know what you ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." (Matthew 20:22) Jesus continues in verse 23:"You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." What happened to them? James the son of Zebedee was the first apostle martyred, early on by Herod (Acts 12:2). Though John was the longest-lived of the twelve, apparently living nearly 100 years, he certainly suffered greatly at the hands of his persecutors. Not only did he spend many years in exile on the Isle of Patmos, one tradition says he miraculously survived after being boiled in oil! Beyond all this pain and suffering John had to watch the true church disintegrate through apostasy, divisions and persecution. What this final baptism entails is suffering and martyrdom. When we ask and/or agree to receive of this final baptism and to drink of our Lord's cup, we are saying we are willing to suffer with Him and experience with Him whatever He ordains for us. We say that we are willing to walk down the same path He walked, with similar consequences. Are you really ready to do this? Are you really ready to partake of this last baptism and to drink from His cup to the very last drop dear one?

Shalom! Selah!