Category: historical facts

Yet To Be #121

we humble our self

A Matter of Praying…Part 3 – Direct Connection to God

Prayer

We have a direct connection to the Creator, to the Holy Father, the God of all flesh, the One who called those things that are not into being. (Romans 4:17)

This relationship is a two-way street, where there is giving and taking.  God gives and we take.  Not one good thing would he withhold to those who walk uprightly. We cannot hoodwink God.  He knows all things, he knows the heart and every motive.  If we ask for things to only consume them in our lust, we will not receive those things. We need to remember who He is. (Psalm 84:11), (James 4:3)  

As we get closer to God, the things we want seem to fall in line with his desires for us.  Sometimes, we call on him not knowing what to ask for, but being sealed with the Holy Spirit, He makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. The Spirit mingles a sweet savor to the Father who accepts our prayers with all joy, because the Father likes to hear the voices of his children.

As we read of Him in the Bible we begin to understand Him more and more.  He reveals Himself in the pages of his Word, because it is there we get a taste of his character.  As we see that He is good, we seek to please him. We want more of Him so we approach him in prayer on our knees, on our face. We humble our self knowing we are nothing before Him.  Like Moses who took off his shoes and King David who washed, shaved, and changed his clothes before coming before the true and living God, we too have this privilege and we should own it with all Reverence; giving  Him the glory, the honor that is due to him. 

We are His children. 

Yet To Be # 116

The name of Jehovah is a strong tower.

What’s in a name continues..

The Bible introduces God and the Son (Elohim) in Genesis. The Father and the Son were together in time past, coequal, coeternal, and coexistent. Studying the names and titles of God gives us a rich understanding of who he is. The more we learn of him the better we can follow him and please him.
Elohei means “God of” as seen in Genesis 31:53 “ the God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor…”
Elohei Kedem “eternal God” appearing in Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Eternity has no time.
It changes not and is forever without ending or beginning. God is not a man. He is and was and will always be. Elohei Kedem is a fact, it is who he is and speaks of him as above all.
“Yes, before the day was I am he, (before time was) and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. I will work and who shall let it? Thus saith the Lord your redeemer.” Isaiah 43:13.

Yet To Be #115

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

What’s in a title continued…

El is translated from Hebrew into English meaning God which is the first name of God as seen in Genesis 1 verse 1.

Elohim is plural for God and Eloah is the singular in Hebrew for God. Even though Elohim is a plural noun it does not mean the Hebrews worshipped many gods. The Hebrews of the Old Testament had only one God who was Yahweh. They believed in monotheism which is the worship of one God. It is also the first commandment given to them by Yahweh.


“Thou shalt have no other gods before me…for I am a jealous God.” Exodus 20 verses 3 and 5.


Why would Elohim be plural? Maybe it is the evidence that the Son was with God the Father in eternity past before the worlds were made.
“Let us make man in our image” Genesis 1 verse 26.Who is He speaking with? In the Gospel of John chapter 1 verse 1, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”


Historical Fact: After the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE (before the current era) even from the 3rd century BCE onward Hebrews slowly ceased to use the name, Yahweh. The name was too scared and in the synagogue, the Hebrew word Adonai meaning “my Lord” was used vocally. Adonai was translated as Kyros “Lord” in Greek.

Yet To Be # 114

I am the Lord, I change not.

Names of the True and Living God…

El Shaddai
El translated as God (singular) and Shaddai translated as almighty. God Almighty in English or Latin Deus Omnipotens.


In Genesis 17 verse 1 God or Jehovah (YHWH) addressed Abram and called himself “I am the Almighty God: walk before me and be thou perfect.”


Then again in the book of Exodus chapter 6 verse 3, God said to Moses, “I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”
He is the same all-powerful God, yesterday, today, and forever. And out of His mouth, He says, “ I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3 verse 6 and Hebrews 13 verse 8.

Yet To Be #113

The names of the true and living God

The God of the Old Testament Bible is strong and powerful.  

The Creator. 

The One true and living God. 

His character is all holy and perfect. 

Omnipotence: God is all-powerful. 

“Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory and the majesty.” 1 Chronicle 29 verse 11. “The Lord the Creator of the ends of the earth faints not.” Isaiah 40 verse 28. “Who laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed forever.” Psalm 104 verse 5. 

Omniscience: God is all-knowing. 

“Can anyone teach God knowledge?” Job 21 verse 22. “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” Romans 11 verse 33. 

Omnipresence: God is everywhere at all times. 

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?” 1 Kings 8 verse 27.

“Am I a God at hand saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth?” Jeremiah 23 verse 23 and 24. 

Jehovah is the Latinized form of the Hebrew name transliterated four letters YHWH. The proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. In English is pronounced Yahweh. 

Some of His names:

  1. El
  2. Elohim
  3. Elohei
  4. El Shaddai
  5. Jah
  6. Adonai
  7. Jehovah Nissi (Adonai-Nissi) – the Lord our banner. Exodus 17:8-15
  8. Jehovah -Roi – The Lord My Shepherd Psalms 23:1
  9. Jehovah Jehovah-Rapa – the Lord that health Exodus 15:26
  10. Shalom – the Lord our peace. Judges 6:24
  11. Jehovah – Jireh – The Lord will provide. Genesis 22:13-13
  12. Jehovah – Tsidkenu – the Lord our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6

Yet To Be #112

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem to be sacrificed.

What’s in a title

The book of Luke often refers to Jesus as the Son of Man. There are a few facts about this book.  

  1. Written in 60s AD.  
  2. Only of the four Gospels written by a Gentile. It is at times called the Gentile Gospel.
  3. Luke was a companion of the Apostle Paul. Wrote the book of Acts.
  4. This book opens with a preface and has the style of a letter addressed to Theophilus “friend of God”. Book of Act also mentions Theophilus. 
  5. The longest Gospel with 24 chapters
  6. Only Matthew and Luke provide an account of Jesus’s birth.
  7. Begins with the genealogy of Jesus from Mary, unlike Matthew who traces his lineage from Joseph.  
  8. Contains two of the most known parables in the New Testament: the Prodigal Son in chapter 15 and the Good Samaritan in chapter 10.
  9. The focus is on Jesus offering salvation to the Jews and the Gentiles. 
  10. The Last Supper is mentioned in Matthew chapter 26, Mark chapter 14, and Luke 22 but not in the Gospel of John.
  11. Jesus is seen as the Saviour see chapter 19 verse 10. A Saviour is a person who saves someone or something from danger. (chapter 1 verse 26 to 38)
  12. Jesus journey to Jerusalem to be sacrificed. Luke reminds the reader Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. 
  13. It is the writer’s way of emphasizing the fact that he is about his father’s business to complete the work the father gave him to do. Chapters 9, 13, 17, 18, 19.
  14. Jesus ascension into Heaven is recounted briefly in Luke but it is given in more detail in Acts. 

Yet To Be #111

iconography in art history

Day 22 Gospel of Mark continued…

Breakdown of the Gospel of Mark

  1. Jesus begins his public ministry, 1:1 – 1:20
  2. Jesus’ public ministry, 1:21 – 10:52
  3. Jesus’ last week, 11:1 – 15:47
  4. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, 16: 1 – 16:20

General fact…

In western art the four evangelists were represented by symbols originate from the four living creatures in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 1 and the book of Revelation.  This is called in Christian art iconography.  Iconography studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images. The four are symbolically embodied by the four Seraphims commonly found in Romanesque Art. 

Yet To Be #109 & 110

The gospels are called synoptic gospels

Day 20 and 21 Part 11 and 12

What’s in a title…

Looking at a few facts on the Gospel of Mark.

  

  1. Jesus is represented as the Servant.
  2. Mark is the shortest of the four gospels. John Mark uses concise and active language to tell his story of the life of Jesus.
  3. This book is considered the oldest of the four synoptic gospels written between 60 and 80 CE ( current era).
  4. The Gospels are called Synoptic Gospels because they tell something in a similar way.
  5. It is believed that the audience he wrote to was for the Gentiles.
  6. Written by John Mark who was a follower of Peter and what scholars call an apostolic man.
  7. The gospel writers are called “evangelists” as people who proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  8. Most chapters or sentences begin with the word “and” but the Greek word “euthus” is translated as “immediately” or “then” is used 46 times.

The book jumps right into Jesus’ acts by omitting his birth and leaping straight to his baptism and ministry.  He is the Servant of God, doing the work the Father sent him here to do meanwhile, he is also the lowly man performing deeds for his people.  He brought himself down, making “himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man” to understand us, to feel and be a part of us. – post #96

Yet To Be #107

Lord appears over 700 times in the new testament

Day 18 What’s in a title…Part 9

What’s in a title…
Jesus has many titles that speak about his position and his character, qualities, and traits distinctive to him and him alone as seen in the gospels.


Son of God – Jesus Christ, the Son of God ( Mark 1 verse 1)

The Christ [ Greek] Christos translated from the Hebrew Meshiah or Messiah. In Latin it is Christus – ( Matthew 1 verse 1, Mark 1 verse, Luke 2 verse 11 and 26)

Lord – from Greek, it is Kyrios meaning God, lord, or master. And it is said to be used over 700 times in the new testament. Example: Luke 2 verse 11, Romans 10 verse 9 – confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. Lord “is a person who has power or authority over others.”

…to be continued Part 10 more titles

Yet To Be # 104

Day 15 What’s in a name Part 6

Another name for the Son mentioned in the gospel of Matthew is Emmanuel. The meaning of this name in Hebrew is God with us. Giving him this name goes back to the book of Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14.


“A virgin shall conceive and shall bring forth a son and call his name Immanuel or Emmanuel.” Matthew 1 verse 23 is a direct quotation from the book of Isaiah. The name Emmanuel conjoins two Hebrew words “El” meaning God and “Immanu” meaning with us.


One more thing to note is this name does not appear anywhere else in the New Testament.
At that time before Christ, the Jewish nation was under the heavy hand of the Rome empire and the people were looking for a savior. After the death of King Solomon, the dividing of the kingdom, then the ten tribes carried away into Assyria, the Maccabean Revolt even by the birth of Jesus which was under the Roman empire, the people of God were referred to more and more as Jews.
No longer called or revered by the surrounding nations as God’s chosen people.


As said before, they endured hardship and sorrow under the yoke of Rome but remembered the promise by the prophets of old of a Messiah who will save them. In the fullness of time, God sent forth his only Son to fulfill his promise to his people, Israel.
“He will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1 verse 21