The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

 WHY SOME JEWS LOOKED FOR CHRIST …continued

Continuing with the TALMUD OR TORAH....what is Saul saved from ???

This Gemara defines “David” in this passage to refer to the Davidic Messiah and the “tabernacle” to refer to his physical body. Since the context of this Gemara is that of the resurrection, “raise up” in this context most certainly refers to “resurrection” This is very profound, because we have in this Gemara a reference to a “resurrection” of the physical body of Messiah being seen in Amos 9:11.

There is also evidence that this understanding of the “Tabernacle of David” in Amos 9:11-12 as being a reference to the Messiah existed by the first century. A document found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in cave 4 gives the following commentary in Amos 9:11:

“I shall raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen” (Amos 9:11). This passage describes the fallen Branch of David, whom He shall raise up to deliver Israel. (Q174 III, 12-13)

This must be the reason that Ya’akov cites the verse in Acts 15:16 as having an application not only in the Millennial Kingdom, but in the very time period of the Acts 15 council. Ya’akov was well aware that the “Tabernacle of David” was a reference to the body of the Messiah, and that its being “raised up” was understood as a prophecy of a resurrection of the Messiah after he had “fallen” (died).

But now lets return to Paul’s defense before the Sanhedrin in Acts 23:6. Paul is in effect claiming m.Sanhedrin 10:1 as his defense and in doing so he is also claiming the Gemara attached to that Mishna, the doctrine of the death and resurrection of the Messiah as foretold in Amos 9:11. In fact Paul was appealing to a ruling by the Pharisaic Sanhedrin as recorded in m.San. 10:1. The result is that the political Sanhedrin falls into chaos, because on this very issue the Pharisees of the Pharisaic Sanhedrin had pronounced all Sadducees as apostates.

No doubt, if Paul had not been immediately removed from the room, he would have taken the opportunity to begin proclaiming the death and resurrection of Messiah as found in Amos 9:11 as a prophecy of Yeshua, Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.

The Pharisees were?

A religious society, chiefly of laymen, frequently mentioned in the New Testament . . . a movement toward religious puritanism, marked by the Priestly and Holiness codes and stimulated by the reformation of Ezra and Nehemiah. (Ezra 6:21 and Nehemiah 10:29). Where it characterizes one 'who separated himself from the spiritual uncleanness of the gentiles of the land' and from Jewish 'people of the land' to follow the law of God. 

The Pharisees drew their following from all sections of the people irrespective of economic, social, and hereditary distinctions. They included priests and even members of the high priestly families. Their influence radiated not from the market place, but from the synagogue as the center of the threefold activity of study, worship, and works of charity. All in a false piety and pretence.

Their chief distinction derived from their attitude toward the Law. As the word of God, the Torah, they believed, must be adequate for all times and circumstances. Accordingly, they devoted themselves to the interpretation of the Scriptural text in such a way as to find within it light for all conditions of changing times. 'Turn it and turn it again, for everything is within it.'

The Pharisees also drew the antagonism of John the Baptist and Jesus and His disciples and particularly of Paul whose messianic claims and antinomy teachings which they rejected. In consequence they were branded as bigoted formalists, hair-splitting legalists, and crafty hypocrites, devoid of "charis" the love of others. (Mark 7:1-23; Matthew 23; Luke 11:38-54).

The Pharisees were in a sense Churchmen rather than statesmen. They emphasized spiritual methods. Their interests lay in the synagogue, in the schooling of children, in missionary extension amongst the heathen. Hence we are not surprised when we learn that, after the conflicts with Rome (A.D. 66-135). Pharisaism became practically synonymous with Judaism. 

The priesthood was a closed corporation. No man who was unable to trace his descent from a priestly family could exercise any function in the Temple. But the Pharisees and the Scribes opened a great career to all the talents. Furthermore, the priesthood exhausted itself in the ritual of the Temple. But the Pharisees found their main function in teaching and preaching. So Pharisaism cleared the ground for Christianity.

. . . About The Scribes?  

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

continuing with: WHY SOME JEWS LOOKED FOR CHRIST …

an article written by Lawrence Sloma of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

TALMUD OR TORAH....what is Saul saved from ???

Paul Argues Talmud before the Sanhedrin

An Understanding of Acts 23:6

In Acts 22:30-23:10 Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin for judgment. Paul’s defense in this trial has been poorly understood in the past. In order to have a proper understanding of Paul’s defense, requires having a basic understanding of the Talmud. Now the Talmud is a Pharisaical Book of Tradition.

Paul realizes that he has not been brought before the Pharisaic Sanhedrin, which was headed by Hillel and his descendants, but to the political Sanhedrin made up of Sadducees and Pharisees and headed by the High Priest.

In Acts 23:3 he questions the High Priest’s right to judge him, accusing him of violating Torah. In verse 4 Paul is asked why he dares to criticize the High Priest. In verse 5 Paul responds with sarcasm, saying “I did not know my brothers, that he was the Cohen”. Paul knew that Chananyah was not a valid High Priest, and this was his point in verse 5.

In Acts 23:6 Paul proclaims himself (in the present tense) to be a 'Pharisee' (he did not quit) and he then makes the defense “concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead, I am being judged.”

As verse 8 tells us “the Sadducees said there is no resurrection”. The Sadducees (Tzadokim) were founded by a certain Zadok. Zadok was a talmid (disciple) of Antigonus of Soko who misunderstood his teaching. Antigonus taught: “Be not like servants who serve their master for the sake of wages, but be like servants who serve their master with no thought of a wage – and let the fear of Heaven be upon you.” (m.Avot 1:3)

The Mishna Avot of Rabbi Natan tells us how Zadok misunderstood the teachings of Antigonos:

Antigonos of Soko had two students. They would con his teachings by rote and then teach the other students... They started to question the meaning of this teaching. They asked themselves why our teachers taught this way. Is it possible that a worker could function faithfully all day long and not receive his just wage at the end of the day? [They reasoned that] if our teachers were sure that there is another world and a resurrection of the dead they would not have worded their teaching in this way. They seceded from Torah and two schismatic schools derived from them: Sadducees and Boethusians. The Sadducees were named for Zadok and the Boethusians for Boethos...
(Mishna Avot of Rabbi Natan 1:3)

Zadok misunderstood Antigonos’ teaching. He wrongly concluded that since we should no keep Torah to gain a reward, that there must not be any reward. Zadok concluded that there is no reward to be obtained in the afterlife, nor any punishment to be avoided. The Sadducees believed that there is no afterlife and no resurrection. As Josephus writes:

But the doctrine of the Sadducees is this: That souls die with the bodies….(Josephus; Antiquities 18:2:4)

Matthew writes:…the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection…(Matt. 22:23)

And as we read here in Acts: For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit…(Acts 23:8)

Now there is a Pharisaic tradition recorded in the Mishna tractate Sanhedrin which deals with which “apostate doctrines” were worthy of disfellowshipment. The Mishna passage in question reads:

All Israelites have a share in the world to come…And these are the ones who have no part in the World to Come: He who says, the resurrection of the dead is a teaching which is not derived from the Torah…
(m.San. 10:1)

The Talmud is made up the Mishna and the Gemara. In the Talmud a passage of Mishna is followed by commentary known as Gemara. In the Talmud the Gemara to m.Sanhedrin 10:1 begins at b.Sanhedrin 90a and runs through b.Sanhedrin 99a.

At around b.Sanhedrin 97a this section of Gemara transitions from a discussion of the doctrine of the resurrection (in 90a-96b) to a discussion on the timing of the coming of Messiah (in 97a-99a). This is not just a random shift, but a logical transition.

The transition point of this Gemara reads as follows:

Rabbi Nahman said to Rabbi Isaac: “Have you heard when Bar Nafle will come?” “Who is Bar Nafle?”, he asked. “Messiah,” he answered, “Do you call Messiah Bar Nafle?” “Even so,” he rejoined, “As it is written: “In that day, I will raise up the tabernacle of David ha-nofelet [that is fallen]. (Amos 9:11)” (b.San 97a)   

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

After Jesus' execution and ascension those of the same mindset as the Jewish Religionists are bound by their customs, rituals, traditions and persuasions in Religious thinking, and oppose those of John the Baptist and Jesus in today's kingdom and New Covenant operations. Those who are portray the same mindset as those Jewish rulers, Judaizers and also the Hellenists continue to plague those who have come out from among them, by denial and the renouncing of their own heritage. These are those of us who are of the old gentiles nations and those of the Hebrews, how have heard and obeyed God's voice spoken to them through Christ and acted upon His revelation. We must remember that John the Baptist's and Jesus Christ's kingdom message went primarily first to Israel, with few exceptions, because they were the people that God had been dealing with (for almost 2000 years) until His appointed time of change had come. For in Jesus was realized such terms as, the for ever, forever, the end of days and other such revelations which where in Him terminated, made complete. Jesus' disciples would become the backbone of this change and the new kingdom. But God knew them better than they knew themselves because He already had a man in the ready, even though he was totally unaware of what was to come. And we will see him shortly, this man made a great impact on the Jewish community not only in Jerusalem but even to the extremes of its scatterings and indeed the nations of the then known world. Because of the revelations imparted within him by the risen Lord, Christ Jesus, to this every day causes many a miss understanding, in those of Religious persuasions still. To this Peter also attested to in his day in 2Peter 3:16. 

One of the first letters written to the first Jewish converts is known as Hebrews and was, as I believe if not written by the hand of the converted Saul of Tarsus, then one of his close and trusted friends may have written it. Why? Because of the consistent persecution and external pressures to revert back under the heavy yoke and weight of the Jewish Religion, and the Mosaic Law of those in Jerusalem and other such strongholds, as those who had chosen the Way were by then scattered abroad, to whom he had a hand in bring to the Truth, in the knowledge of Christ Jesus. But before I proceed, not only with his many warnings, but also the revelations and the revealing of the activities in those who followed him, wherever he ministered. I will look further into the book of Acts to see what treasures it holds about the Religious zealots like Saul of Tarsus, had been. The first one is just after Peter's incident with Ananias and Sapphira, that ended with the stoning of Stephen.

  

WHY SOME JEWS LOOKED FOR CHRIST …

Saul of Tarsus believed that he was serving God by finding Christians, throwing them into prison, and even executing them when possible.(Matt. 5:11, 10:23, 23:32, Luke 11:49, 21:12, John 5:16, 15:20) But Saul was wrong. Perhaps even more intriguing, Saul was highly educated for his era in Jewish beliefs and the Law, but this did not impress God.

". . . Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you . . . " (Acts 22:3).

How could such a highly educated man be completely wrong?
To answer we look on Gabriel's prophetic words to Daniel about the Messiah. We have learned that the Messiah had to appear before Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed (which occurred in 70 CE). And we have learned that Gabriel foretold that the Messiah would be killed as a sacrificial offering (which occurred to Jesus). Why didn't the majority of Jewish people living at Jesus' time understand these prophetic ideas?

The most intriguing question about Messiah must be answered based on Gabriel's words about the Messiah being killed."How is it possible for a human being to go to Jerusalem before its destruction in 70 CE, perform a death wish to prove himself as Messiah (Daniel 9:26: Messiah to be killed), and remain a successful Messiah?"

Daniel's 70-weeks infers that a supernatural event has to take place for the Messiah to prove himself a success. Any normal person that would submit to a "death wish" will undoubtedly fail. Very simply, a normal person posing as the Messiah will remain a dead person.

Saul of Tarsus met the resurrected Messiah on the road to Damascus. The event is described as a bright-light that blinded Saul of Tarsus along with a voice giving spiritual instructions. Saul of Tarsus with his name changed became widely known as the Apostle Paul. By the time the Apostle Paul was martyred for his faith in Jesus as Messiah about 32 years later, he had written about 25% of the New Testament. Paul's written words are the testimony of a man that violently persecuted the early Christians, then became a Christian due to a supernatural spiritual experience.

Meeting Christ by a supernatural spiritual experience one on one continues - called Salvation, which now comes usually after Redemption, has been applied to the heart and soul.  

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

This next group of passages comes just after Jesus' Priestly Prayer of union and unity in the indwelling of God our Father and Himself within us in the Holy Spirit, as recorded in John 17 and His last Passover meal of identity within Him and He in us. In the eating of His flesh and the drinking of His blood.(in John 6:51) This is also part of the revelation of Genesis 1-3 where He was also betrayed (separated from man by man in deception and rebellion, which became in us an evil heart of callousness and all manner of self sufficiency, no longer dependent on God's Spirit*) in another garden. This when accepted brings man back to his rightful place as seen in Genesis 2 (where God in Christ, *Spirit is restored within our soul now revived, and He begins the works, His works of our Salvation and we work our works of trust in faith through love to remain within its rule and law) and the awaiting of our return to a Genesis 1 being in the heavenly kingdom which awaits. Hopefully in what was just said we can see and realize the marital relationship of two parties God in Christ and us, man as he was in Genesis 2:7 in each person as an individual.

Jesus Betrayed in the Garden

John 18:1-11, 12-24, 28-19:16 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered, and His disciples. And Judas also, who betrayed Him, knew the place: for Jesus often times resorted there with His disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forward, and said to them, Whom do yourselves seek? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am He. And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them. As soon then as He had said to them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground as dead men. Then asked He of them again, Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He: if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which He spoke, Of them which you gave Me, I have lost none. (Psalm 109:6-19) Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear, and He touched his ear, and healed him. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus to Peter, Put your sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it? (parallel passages Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53)

As LORD

Jesus goes Before the High Priests

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him, and led Him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, who gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.(Parallel passages Matthew 26:57-58, Mark 14:53-54, Luke 22:54) And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door but remained outside. Then went out that other disciple, who was known to the high priest, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then the damsel that kept the door, said to Peter, Are not you also one of this man's disciples? To this he said, I am not. And the servants and officers that stood there, made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine. To which Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world*; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask you Me these things? ask them who have heard Me, what I have said to them: behold, they know what I said. When He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answer You the high priest in this way? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you Me? Now Annas had sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. (parallel passages Job 16:10, 30:10-12, Isaiah 50:5-7, Micah 5:1; Matthew 26:59-66, Mark 14:55-64, Luke 22:66-71; *Isaiah 45:19, 48:16)

As Truth and LORD,

Jesus Brought to Pilate

and Receives the Death Sentence

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment: and it was still in the pre-dawn hours, very early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out to them, and said, What accusation bring you against this man? They answered him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to you. Then Pilate said to them, You take Him, and you judge Him according to your law. To this the Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spoke, signifying what death He should die.
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said to Him, Are You the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Said you this thing of yourself, or did others tell it you of Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me: what have You done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from here. Pilate therefore said to him, Are You a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears My voice. To this Pilate said to Him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them, I find in Him no fault at all. But have a custom, that I should release to you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (parallel passages Matthew 27:15-31, Mark 15:6-20, Luke 23:13-25)

Jesus Receives the Curse

of the Ground, in the Crown of Thorns

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers planted a crown of thorns, on His head, and they clothed Him in a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote Him with their open hands. Pilate therefore went out again, and said to them, Behold, I bring Him to you, that you may know that I find no fault with Him. Then came Jesus out, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate said to them, You take Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, Where are You from? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then said Pilate to Him, Why wont You speak to me? know you not that I have power to crucify You, and have power to release You? Jesus answered, You could have no power against Me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered Me to you have the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release Him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out again, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him. Then Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away.   

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

The Conspiracy to Kill Jesus

promoted by the Religionists

parallel passages in Psalm 2:2, Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2, John 12:9 this scenario is again repeated by the same band in Acts 4 which the Lord Jesus had already warned His disciples would come.

John 11:47-57 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this Man does many miracles. If we let Him alone, all will believe Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. One of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and then that the whole nation perish not. And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together how to put Him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence to a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with His disciples. And the Jews' passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think you, that He will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where He were, he should show it, that they might take Him. (parallel passages in Psalm 2:2-4, 56:5-6, 64:4-6, 94:20-21, Jeremiah 11:19, 18:18-20; Matthew 26:3-5, 27:1-2, Acts 4:5-6, 27-28)

Jesus is LORD of All

John 12:1-19, 20-43 Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. They there made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then Jesus said, Let her alone: against the day of My burial has she kept this. For the poor always you have with you; but Me you have not always. And Many of the people of the Jews therefore knew that He was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed Jesus.

Jesus' Triumphal Entry of Jerusalem 

parallel passages in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11 and Luke 19:28-40 

On the next day many of the people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and crying, Hosanna: Blessed the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, your King comes, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. The people therefore that were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bore record of Him. For this cause the people also met Him, for they heard that He had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive we how we prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone out after Him. (parallel passages in Psalm 22:27, 49, Mat. 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:37-39)
 

Jesus' Final Discourse to the People

There were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethesda of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would like to see Jesus. Philip come and told Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told this to Jesus. Jesus answering them, said, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I tell you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.(only through death cane one be reborn, the deeper meaning of Genesis 3:15, Psalm 72:6; 1Corinthians 15:36-38; Psalm 22:15, 22-31, Isaiah 53:10-12; Hebrew 2:9-10, Revelation 7:9-17) He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor. Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save Me? but from this hour: for this very cause have I come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to Him. Jesus said, This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die. To this the people answered Him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides for ever: and how say You, the Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? To this Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he is going. While you have light, believe the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them. 
 

Many believe, but remain afraid because of the legalists and religionists

But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not Him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them (give them My Salvation). (parallel passages 1Kings 22:20, Isaiah 29:10, Ezekiel 14:9; Matthew 13:13-15, 15:14, Mark 4:12, Acts 28:6, Romans 11:8-11; Luke 8:10, Psalm 25:14, Luke 10:21-24, Romans 16:25-27, 1Corinthians 2:7-11) These things said Isaiah (Esaias), when he saw His glory, and spoke of Him. Nevertheless even among the chief rulers many believed Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.  
 

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

When we come to our senses and acquire the vision of understanding of what both the words LORD and yoke mean and the power that is released within them, then and then only will we acquire the mind of Christ. In this acquiring our perception will bring to us God's revelation of both Himself and Christ Jesus. In the perfecting of our inner man as seen in Genesis 2, for in Christ Jesus are all things returned to man that had been lost by him and stolen from God. John's synoptic gospel is unlike the other three because John and Luke had spent sometime with Paul. But John learned the mysteries or secret things as the LORD told His disciples they were to know and learn of Him through the Spirit of Truth. We also are to learn of these things because we are to become Christ's house, His Body, His Church and Family, and these are built upon there foundation from before the foundations of the world were laid.(Heb. 1:10, 4:3) This is why we are told, no warned not to build again upon the doctrines of man.(Heb. 6:1, 9:14) For this I will turn to Ezekiel 3 verse 20 which states this; “Again, When a righteous man does turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand.” The word “Again” means to twist together as a three stranded cord or as goats horns become twisted when they are fighting with each other, or by a bramble bush or thicket such as with Abraham and Isaac when they found the goat supplied by God for the living sacrifice in place of Isaac. This is why I do what I do in the way of bring God's warnings before us all. From here then I will turn to where Jesus proves His LORDSHIP.

Jesus proves His LORDSHIP

The Son of man has the Power of Eternal Life

John 11:1-46, 47-57 A certain man, named Lazarus was sick, and he was of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was the same Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent to Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick. When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When He therefore heard that Lazarus was sick, He abode (stayed) two days still in the same place where He was. Then after this He said to His disciples, Let us go into Judea again. To which His disciples replied to Him, Master, the Jews of late have sought to stone You; and are You going there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him. These things He said: and after He said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep. Then His disciples said, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go to him. Then Thomas said, who is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him. When Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat in the house. Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know, that even now, whatever You will ask of God, God will give it You. Jesus said to her, Your brother shall rise again. Martha said to Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. To this Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whoever lives and believes Me shall never die. Believe you this? (parallel passages Psalm 36:9, 27:1, Proverbs 4:18, Romans 4:17)

She said to Him, Yes, Lord: I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came to Him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes to the grave to weep there. When Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, Lord, if You had been here, my brother had not have died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have you laid him? They said to Him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews said, Behold how He loved him! And some of them said, Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself came to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to Him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, Said I not to you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifting up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank that You have heard Me. And I knew that You hear Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said this that they may believe that You have sent Me. And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them, Loose him, and let him go.
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed Him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

The following will give us an insight into the Pharisees unbelief and denial of who Jesus was and calmed to be in no uncertain terms and language. John in his rendition of events beginning just before the Last Supper (chapter 12 through 21) and continuing from there reveals much about our spiritual state that was about to come about. But we must become willing to change and then allow the change for it to happen within us, this is to say we have to take position of it.

John 9:1-12, 13-17, 18-23, 24-34, 35-41 As Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? To this Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.(John1:4, 11:25, 5:26, 1Cor. 15:45, 1John 5:11, Rev. 22:1; Gen. 2:7) When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay with the spittle, He then anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. His neighbors, they which before had seen and known him, that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore they said to him, How were your eyes opened? He answered, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then they said to him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

Controversy over this Man

They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keeps not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, What say you of him, that he has opened your eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind? how then does he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews (the leaders): for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 

Again they called the man that was blind, and said to him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. Do you know whether he be a sinner or not, He answered their question, I know not: but this one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then they said to him again, What did He do to you? how did He opened your eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not hear: wherefore would you hear it again? will you also be His disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, You are His disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from where He is from. The man answered them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that you know not from where He is from, and yet He has opened my eyes. Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and does His Will, him He hears. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, He could do nothing. They answered him, You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us? And they cast him out.

Jesus Affirms His Deity

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, Do you believe the Son of God? To this he answered, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe Him? To this Jesus said, You have both seen Him, and it is He that talks with you. He said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. Then some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said to him, Are we blind also? Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Division Among the People over Jesus

John 7:32-39, 40-44, 45-53 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning Him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. Then said Jesus to them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go to Him that sent me. You will seek Me, and shall not find Me: and where I am, there you cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will He go, that we shall not find Him? will He go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that He said, You will seek Me, and will not find Me: and where I am, there you cannot come? In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink. He that believes Me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spoke He of the Spirit, which they that believe Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Have not the scriptures said, That Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of Him. And some of them would have taken Him; but no man laid hands on Him. 

The Unbelieving Rulers

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why have you not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. They asked them of the Pharisees, Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him? But these people who know not the law are cursed. Then Nicodemus said to them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Does our law judge any man, before we hear him, and know what he does? They answered him, Are you also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee arises no prophet. And every man went to his own house. 
 

From here now we will find that the Jewish Rulers turn up the heat in their efforts to trap Jesus by His own words. They have finally come to realize that they have been the brunt of His many parables about their deception and greater hypocrisies. You see when man blends the ancient paganisms of the world with that of God's own righteousness, in GOD's intended order of worship in spirit and Truth, these people are making themselves the footstool of Christ Jesus who is and was the LORD from before the foundations of the world. In the following passages are revealed the error of this form of custom of practice which is a great abomination of our day.

The Pharisees and scribes Test Jesus

John 8:1-11, 12-30, 31-59 Jesus went to the mount of Olives. And then early in the morning He went into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down, and taught them. The scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They said to Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commands us, that such should be stoned: but what do You say to this? This they said, tempting (testing) Him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. When they continued asking Him, He lifted Himself up, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again He stooped down, and continued to write on the ground. And they which heard, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, to the last: and Jesus lifted up His head and saw that they were alone, and the woman was still standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, He said to her, Woman, where are those your accusers? has no man condemned you? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more. (parallel passages Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:21-24, Ezekiel 16:38-40, 23:47, Psalm 38:10-14, 39:1, Proverbs 26:17; Numbers 14:22-23, 24, Jeremiah 17:13, 9-14, Matthew 26:63)



Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in Him, If you continue in My word, you are My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered Him, We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say You, You shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. The servant abides not in the house for ever: the Son abides forever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill Me, because My word have no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.

They said to Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus replied this to them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: and this Abraham did not do. You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to Him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, God. To this Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? because you cannot hear My words. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode (to establish a thing) not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell the truth, you believe Me not. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe Me? He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.
 

Then answered the Jews that were around Him, said to Him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor My Father, and you do dishonor Me. For I seek not My own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Verily, verily, I say to you, If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death. Then the Jews said to Him, Now we know that You have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, If a man keep My saying, he shall never taste of death. Are You greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: who makes You Yourself? To this Jesus answered, If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing: it is My Father that honors Me; of Whom you say, that He is your God: Yet you have not known Him; but I know Him: and if I should say, I know Him not, I shall be a liar like you: but I know Him, and keep His saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews to Him, You are not yet fifty years old, how have You seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Before Abraham was, “I am”. Then they took up stones to cast them at Him: but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (parallel passages Genesis 3:15; Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 44:6; Exodus 3:14, 6:3)