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This text deals with Christ's victory over the unseen realm. In AD 70 Christ destroyed apostate Jerusalem and the spiritual powers behind it.

This text deals with Christ's victory over the unseen realm. In AD 70 Christ destroyed apostate Jerusalem and the spiritual powers behind it.

41Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, "If youhad known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for yourpeace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.  As I mentioned yesterday, I'm in Kingsland, Georgia. Iprerecorded this video for you, and I trust it'll be a blessing. This morning,I'll be attending a worship service with Edith at Kings Bay Submarine Base to hear my son Nathan,a Navy chaplain, speak. Let'scontinue in Luke chapter 19:28-48, which take place on what we call Palm Sundaymorning, and in verses 35-44, Jesus is entering Jerusalem, riding a colt. Thecrowd comes out to meet Him, proclaiming, “Blessed is the King who comes in thename of the Lord.” They are singing praises, throwing palm branches and clothesin front of the colt Jesus is riding. The Pharisees criticize, saying, “Rebukethese people.” Then, in verse 41, as Jesus draws near, He sees the city andweeps over it. Ican picture this, having been there many times. I can imagine seeing Jesus comingdown the Mount of Olives with a clear view of Jerusalem. The crowd isrejoicing, but Jesus is weeping. In verse 42, He says, “If you had known,even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! Butnow they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when yourenemies will build an embankment around you, surround you, and close you in onevery side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; andthey will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know thetime of your visitation.” Jesusgoes from this rejoicing and celebration of the people, to weeping overJerusalem. No matter where He looks, He finds a cause to weep. Looking back, Hesees how the nation wasted its opportunities to receive Him as the Messiah,ignorant of the time of His visitation. Looking within, He sees spiritualignorance and blindness in the people's hearts.  Theyshould have known who He was. God gave them His Word with all the prophecies concerningHis first coming and had also sent John the Baptist to prepare the way. Jesus Himselfhad been preaching for three and a half years for the nation to repent because theKingdom of Heaven was at hand. And by His miracles and healings and power overthe demons, the elements of nature, manifesting Himself to be the Son of God. Lookingaround, Jesus sees religious activity that accomplishes little. The temple hadbecome a den of thieves, the religious leaders were out to kill Him, and thoughthe city was filled with pilgrims celebrating Passover, their hearts were heavywith sin and life's burdens.  Lookingahead, Jesus weeps because He sees the terrible judgment coming. In AD 70,about 40 years after His death, the Romans would come, and after a 143-daysiege, they would kill over 600,000 Jews, take thousands captive, and destroythe temple and city. Why? Because the people did not know God had visited them.As Scripture says, “He came to His own, and His own received Him not.” Thepeople are rejoicing, but Jesus is looking within, around, and ahead. I believeHe's looking into our hearts today, too. What does He see in our lives thatwould cause Him to weep if we don't believe, trust, and are not living for Himas we should?  Whata powerful passage. Jesus sees the crowd celebrating, calling Him King, yet Heweeps because He knows the reality of what will happen. He knows in a few daysthis same crowd will be yelling “crucify Him” and have Him nailed to a cross todie. Jesus know that will reject Him and will not trust Him to be their Messiahand Savior. MayGod give us grace today to bring a smile to the face of Jesus as we live toglorify His name in everything that we say and do!

In AD 180, Charismatic ministry was very different than today. By God's grace, we need to somehow recover what was lost.Irenaeus (AD 180) - “Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform miracles, so as to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and speak the prophecies they have received. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are healed. Moreover, as I have said, even the dead have been raised and remained among us for many years. And what more can I even say? It is not even possible to number all of the gifts which the Church, throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which Christians demonstrate daily for the benefit of the unbelievers, neither deceiving them nor taking any financial reward from them [on account of such miraculous ministry]. For as Christians have received freely from God, freely also do they minister [to others]” Matt. 10:8  (Against Heresies, Book 2, Chapter 32, Section 4)

In AD 324 the controversy over Arianism was dividing Emperor Constantine's recently-unified Roman Empire. Constantine had converted a mere decade ago and achieved spectacular success on the battlefield over his rival Licinius , but was dismayed to return and find that the religion and church he had come to love to was torn apart with squabbling, division, and dissensions. So what happened? Did the church realize their need for clarity on the divinity of the Son and come together at Nicea because they knew they had to hammer out these doctrines? Did Alexander and Arius sit down willingly for the good of the church? Nope. Instead of the church leading the way, Emperor Constantine issued an imperial summons to the warring bishops of the East and West, demanding they convene at Nicea. The result of that month long council was the Nicene creed, a creed that has stood the test of time and is the foundational confession of practically all Christian traditions 1700 years later. This happened again under Emperor Theodosius I & II at Constantinople and Ephesus, under Marcian at Chalcedon, under Justinian again at Constantinople, and on and on. This pattern plays out again and again and again. The church wars, divides, errs, and even apostatizes, and the means of correction that God uses is often the State. This causes us Americans to bristle and protest but it is undeniable that the bulk of church reform has been initiated, carried out, and completed at the hand of the sovereign. Perhaps for all of our spirituality and airtight systematic theology we have forgotten the ordinary, practical means that God uses to save, purify, and protect his church. This episode is brought to you by our premier sponsors, Armored Republic and Reece Fund, as well as our Patreon members and donors. You can join our Patreon at patreon.com/rightresponseministries or you can donate at rightresponseministries.com/donate.Today we are going to defend the forgotten and controversial historical pattern that God uses the State to correct his often erring bride. Tune in now.*MINISTRY SPONSORS:*ENTER TO WIN 2 FREE TICKETS TO OUR APRIL 2025 CONFERENCE BY Signing Up For Private Family Bankings Email List1. Email Banking@privatefamilybanking.com2. Use Subject Line: April Ticket Giveaway3. Provide Your Full Name & Contact Phone Number4. Private Family Banking will be in touch for the winner of the tickets.*Private Family Banking*How to Connect with Private Family Banking:1. FREE 20-MINUTE COURSE HERE: ⁠https://www.canva.com/design/DAF2TQVcA10/WrG1FmoJYp9o9oUcAwKUdA/view⁠2. Send an email inquiry to ⁠chuck@privatefamilybanking.com⁠3. Receive a FREE e-book entitled "How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown", by going to ⁠https://www.protectyourmoneynow.net⁠4. Set up a FREE Private Family Banking Discovery call using this ⁠link: https://calendly.com/familybankingnow/30min⁠5. For a Multi-Generational Wealth Planning Guide Book for only $4.99, use this link for my affiliate relationship with "Seven Generations Legacy": ⁠https://themoneyadvantage.idevaffiliate.com/13.html⁠*Reece Fund: Christian Capital - Boldly Deployed⁠https://www.reecefund.com/*Dominion: Wealth Strategists* is a full-service financial planning and wealth management firm dedicated to putting more money in the hands of the church. With an education focused approach, they will help you take dominion over your finances.https://reformed.money/

This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him.   The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.

In AD 165, the Roman empire was enjoying a period of seemingly unprecedented prosperity and stability. Then, the Antonine Plague arrived, bringing with it death, chaos, and fear. Speaking with James Osborne, Colin Elliott, author of Pox Romana, dissects the impact of this devastating plague on Roman society, and questions whether it was the cause of the empire's eventual demise. (Ad) Colin Elliott is the author of Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World (Princeton University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pox-Romana-Turning-Ancient-History/dp/069121915X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In AD 9 Rome lost three legions in an attack made by Germanic tribes. It became an infamous event in Rome's history dealing a huge blow both to its manpower and prestige.  So how had this come to be? In the first of two episodes on this event I'm joined by Dr Jo Ball who is an expert on the Teutoburg Disaster.  Dr Ball discusses the battlefield (including her work there) and then we turn to the main characters involved. What was Rome trying to achieve here and who exactly was Varus, the Roman governor? Finally it's the turn of Arminius - do we know why he betrayed Rome? Dr Ball provides insight at every turn, it's a must listen. Part Two, where Dr Ball unwraps the events of the disaster, will be out soon. Don't forget to rate and review, it really helps indie podcasters like me. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Bible Studies Archive RSS Quotes from Jesus and the Land by Gary M Burge, Baker Academic, 2010What the New Testament does not say Perhaps it is helpful to begin by suggesting what views are foreign to the New Testament itself. There is no suggestion, for example, that in some manner Christians may now assume for themselves the land promises given to the patriarchs. Despite the clear New Testament argument that in faith followers of Christ can make a defensible claim to the legacy of Abraham, even to be called the "children of Abraham," still, the promise of that legacy - the land - is never claimed. The New Testament shows no interest in building a Christian Holy Land, no passion for constructing a kingdom in the name of Christ that might be centered at Jerusalem. We hear no calls in the New Testament that would soon become familiar to Byzantine and European armies. This alone is remarkable. The Church was born into a Jewish world saturated with debates about territorial faith, and it chose - deliberately - not to compete as yet one more territorial religion. As we have seen, the impetus for this decision no doubt came from its Lord. The Gospels show us with keen subtlety how Jesus navigated these debates and how he dislodged his own followers from the passions that inflamed territorial movements of his day. Neither is there any interest in the New Testament to look at the Hebrew Scriptures and Judaism and validate their territorial claims. The New Testament community did not share in the growing momentum within the first century to make the Holy Land exclusively Jewish once more. Throughout the entire century including the great war of AD 66 the followers of Jesus separated themselves from Jewish territorialism. To read the Old Testament prophetic promises into that world of Romans and Zealots might well have been seen as fantastic and perhaps naive. If the identity of the true descendants of Abraham was on the table for discussion, then simple calls for Jewish fulfillment and Christian allegiance would have sounded odd. Christian theology asked withering questions about territorial religion, especially of the sort found in Judea.Land and politics in Jesus' world In the volatile climate of first-century politics -among a people living under the harsh realities of the Roman military occupation - we should not expect a public teacher like Jesus to speak explicitly about the land and its rightful owners. To exhibit resistance to Rome is to run up against a skilled army which is watching for signs of subversion. To show cooperation with Rom is to run up against fellow Jews for whom such sympathies are intolerable. In every explosive political context (both today and in antiquity), people with opinions must remain opaque to the many listeners standing in the shadows who are choosing sides.Two initial observations deserve attention. First, Jesus is surprisingly silent with regard to the territorial aspirations and politics of his day. The national ambitions of Judaism under Rome constantly pressed Jewish leadership to respond. Either Judea was capitulating to the occupation or Judea had to organize to defeat it. However, Jesus is oddly silent about the debate. Moreover Jesus is curiosly receptive to contact with the occupiers. In Matthew 8:5-13, he responds to the request of a Roman centurion whose valued servant was ill. Here we find no repulsion of the soldier, no condemnation of Gentiles, but rather we find receptivity and welcome. He says of the Roman: "Not even in Israel have I found such faith" ( 8. 10 ). What emerges is a general impression that Israel's national ambitions tied to reclaiming the land live on the margin of Jesus' thinking.There was a Roman law (now well known) that if a Roman soldier wanted a defeated subject to be his porter, he could demand it. This rule included use of the person's donkey and cart as well. But the law limited this service to one (Roman) mile. Although this provision for forced labor was deeply resented, in Matthew 5.41 Jesus announces that if you are told to go one mile in such a situation, go two miles! And he says more. In 5:44 he commands his followers to love “their enemies” and pray for those who persecute them. There are certain allusions to the Roman occupation that not only deny political resistance but were no doubt inexplicable to Jesus' followers. In a word, Jesus is strangely unsympathetic to attitudes that would demand resistance to Roman and the struggle for the land as religious duties. However, in an important passage, Jesus is tested by those who chose aggressive resistance. Following the removal of the corrupt and violent Archelaus (son of Herod 1) in AD 6, the subsequent political disruption that brought direct Roman rule to the land inspired new forms of Jewish resistance. Instability and reorganization in AD 6 presented an ideal opportunity for this agenda. For many Jews Roman taxation had become a burdensome symbol of Israel's enslavement and it was widely believed that it was the basis of Judea's financial value to the empire. In AD 6, tax revolts sought to lessen this value. Mark 12.13-17 records Jesus confronted by "Pharisees and Herodians" two groups with deep, though different, concerns about the occupation. Their question concerning taxes ("Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" RSV) is not innocent but a veiled, opaque public test. When Jesus inspects a coin, sees Caesar's image, and directs them to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's," we can fairly interpret this as a refusal to support the tax revolt. Some scholars see this revolt as the beginning of the Zealot movement (Antiquities, 18.1) and this passage as Jesus' explicit denial of their agenda. The kingdom he advocated could not be co-opted by nationalistic movement that sought to win back the land by force.Matthew records an even more direct test. In Matthew 17:24-27 tax collectors ask Jesus' disciples if he “pays the tax.” In this case it is the annual Temple tax - an entirely different matter from the tax revolt against Rom. nevertheless the half-shekel tax was controversial and denied by some (including Qunmran) as an intervention of the Pharises. Jesus acknowledges that such taxes are the prerogative of kings who place these burdens particularly on those who are not their sons. Jesus suggests that sons (of kings) do not pay such taxes but he will pay so as not to bring offense. Jesus then performs a miracle where Simon Peter finds a coin in a fish's mouth and pays up. Once again Jesus does what is required, conforming to those "kings" who would levy taxes. Cooperation is chosen above resistance; compliance is endorsed over refusal.

God's Word for Today 31 Jul 2024 3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!' and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. - Mark 13:3-8 ESV WHEN AND WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF JESUS' COMING? From the Mount of Olives, the disciples can view the front wall of the temple across the Kidron Valley, through the Eastern Gate. In AD 810, the gate was closed by Muslims, only to be reopened three hundred years later by the Crusaders. In 1541, Ottoman Sultan Suleiman bricked it in closed, either for defense or in an attempt to thwart the prophecy that Jesus will use it when He returns. Peter, John, James, and Andrew are stirred by the prophecy about the temple's destruction. They ask Jesus for clarification. Mark records a more generic question. But Matthew adds that they ask, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Mat 24:3) Jesus' answer begins with a warning, "See that no one leads you astray.” It implies discerning what is going on when the situation is not obvious. Popular internet resources list nearly two hundred doomsday prophecies. None of which have come true. Most puzzling are "prophets" who live to see their first prophesied date come up empty, only to revise their schedule and try again. One thing to take note also is Jesus' answer here is the longest answer to a question recorded in the Gospels. It covers His coming and signs of the end of the age. The prophecy encompasses the disciples' near-future persecution; the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem; our present time of persecution, wars, and natural disasters; and the catastrophic horror of the tribulation. Jesus' words are not primarily to the disciples but to Christ-followers in the end times. The theme is applicable to all believers, however. They need to know that the hardships will be temporary (Mark 13:30), they have work to do (Mark 13:34–37), and they must guard themselves against sin (Mark 14:37–38). These end-times prophecies have vague, incomplete fulfillment in our own modern age; this means we need to keep our eyes on God's kingdom, as well. Our anticipation of the end times should fuel the urgency of our work, not distract us from it. That sense of Jesus' imminent return should always remind us that while this world is temporary, our relationship with God is eternal. Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofMark k

Talk 39 Mark 13:1-23 Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple Welcome to Talk 39 in our series on Mark's gospel. Today we're looking at chapter 13:1-23 where Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple. We'll deal with verses 24-37 next time. This is a difficult chapter, not least because of the strong convictions some Christians hold about it, but my intention is not to make dogmatic assertions about how it should be interpreted, but to point out some of the problems of interpreting it and to see what key lessons we can learn from it for ourselves today.   As we shall see, despite the NIV heading, Signs of the End of the Age, much of this chapter is not about the second coming of Christ, but about what Christians should do leading up to the destruction of the temple in AD70. That is not to say that none of the chapter relates to the second coming, but I want to confess at the outset my own personal scepticism about using passages like this to try to predict when the Lord may return. This is based on three things:   Firstly, the Lord himself said in verse 32:   No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.   Secondly, he also said in Acts 1:7, just before he ascended into Heaven:   It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Jesus told his disciples not to be concerned with such things but to get on with the task of world evangelisation.   And thirdly, my scepticism is based on the fact that so many attempts to calculate the timing of his coming have proved wrong. It's not only the Jehovah's Witnesses who have made predictions which they have been compelled to recalculate, but sincere Christians like William Miller, a Baptist farmer, who, based on his understanding of Daniel's prophecy, was convinced that Jesus would return on a particular day in 1842 and then readjusted his calculations to the same day in 1843. He later admitted that he was wrong but said that, if he had his time all over again, he would still have arrived at the same conclusion!   And even in my own lifetime I have seen Christians making radical changes to their lifestyle,  based on events taking place in and around Israel, as those of you who may remember the Six Day War may remember. But, having expressed my scepticism, let me now make it clear that I certainly do believe in the return of the Lord Jesus! In Acts 1, immediately after Jesus had told the disciples that it was not for them to know the timing of his coming, we read in verses 9-11:   After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."   His return will be personal, physical, and visible. Of this we can be certain. But it's not for us to know when. So, with all this in mind let's now make a start on our passage in Mark 13. We'll begin by considering two difficulties that make this chapter particularly hard to interpret, before looking at the historical context in which it is set.   Interpreting the passage The first problem arises from the two questions the disciples ask Jesus in the opening verses.     1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"   So, in verse 1, one of them draws Jesus' attention to the size and beauty of the temple, to which Jesus replies in verse 2:   Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."   Then Peter, James, John and Andrew ask him privately,   When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? (v4).   So, Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and the disciples ask him when it's going to happen and what sign there will be. Notice that here there is no reference to the second coming of Jesus. However, it's clear from Matthew's account that his disciples clearly connected very closely the destruction of the temple with the return of the Lord, because they ask him they ask him: When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? (Matthew 24:3).   So, in his reply, Jesus is answering two questions, which in the disciples' minds are closely related, one about the destruction of the temple and the other about the second coming. But when we try to interpret the passage, it's not always clear which parts of Jesus' answer relate to which of these two questions. What does seem clear is that much of Jesus' answer related to the destruction of the temple and not to the second coming. How much, if any, refers to the second coming is a matter of debate. But more of that later.   The second difficulty that arises when we seek to interpret the chapter is deciding which parts are to be taken literally and which are to be taken symbolically. Although much of the passage is, in my view, clearly to be understood literally – for example it's hard to see how let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (v14) can be interpreted symbolically – some verses must surely be intended to be understood symbolically or metaphorically.   For example, as we shall see next time, the stars will fall from the sky (v25) can hardly be taken literally any more than the moon will be turned into blood in Acts 2:20. Such expressions need to be understood as symbolizing cataclysmic events the like of which have never been seen before. But how can we decide which way to understand any given verse? Literally or symbolically? Part of the answer at least lies in the historical context in which the passage is set.   We began by saying that what Jesus says in this chapter is in answer to questions about the destruction of the temple, which the disciples associated with the return of the Lord. To me much, if not all, of Jesus' answer relates to the destruction of the temple, indeed, of Jerusalem itself. So what do we know from history about this?   The historical context It all began in a single year when in AD 69 four Roman emperors succeeded one another, each time with violence, murder and civil war. In AD 70 Titus, the adopted son of Vespasian, the last of these emperors, entered Jerusalem, burnt the temple, destroyed the city and crucified thousands of Jews. The Jewish historian Josephus tells us how, during the siege of Jerusalem, people were starving and ate their own babies to stay alive, how they fought each other for scraps of dirty food, and how more Jews were killed by other Jews than by the invading Romans. If you want to learn more about this, just google AD70 Siege of Jerusalem.   Examining verses 5-23 Bearing in mind, then, the horrific events that would take place in AD 70, let's now attempt to solve the riddle of which verses refer to the destruction of Jerusalem and which, if any, refer to the second coming. We'll begin with verses 5-23 which, it seems to me, refer mainly  to the years  leading up to and shortly after the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, although some may possibly have a wider significance. I say this because of the immediate context. Jesus has predicted the destruction of the temple and is now replying to the disciples' question in verse 4: When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? (i.e. the destruction of the temple).   Jesus' answer in verses 5-23 contains warnings about what was shortly to happen and instructions on what they should do which can be summarised as follows: ·      Watch out for deceivers (vv. 5-6, 21-22) ·      Don't be surprised by international turmoil and natural disasters (vv. 7-8) ·      Expect to be persecuted (vv. 9-14) ·      Take appropriate action when the time comes near (vv. 16-23). Watch out for deceivers (vv. 5-6, 21-22) 5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many.   21 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible.   Of course, the verses could refer to any time in church history including the period leading up to the Lord's return, but, bearing in mind the context in which they are set, it seems that Jesus' primary intention was to warn his disciples about what would happen in their own lifetime.   Don't be surprised by international turmoil and natural disasters (vv. 7-8) 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.   It's easy to assume, as many have, that these things are to be taken as signs of Jesus' near return, but again the context suggests otherwise. In fact all these things have been happening throughout church history, and are certainly very evident right now, but Jesus does not say the end is near. He says the end is still to come. And as we shall see next time, at the end of the chapter Jesus says you do not know. We won't know when he is coming, and that's precisely why we need to be ready!   Expect to be persecuted (vv. 9-14) 9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.   Again, all these things could be said of almost any period in church history. They were certainly relevant during the lifetime of the disciples and no doubt will be right up until the time of the Lord's return, so there is no need to see them as exclusively relevant to the second coming. But there are two things in this passage I feel I need to make special comment on, as in people's thinking they are usually associated with and seen as signs of the second coming.   The first is in verse 10, where Jesus says, The gospel must first be preached to all nations. The Greek word for first is proton. This can mean either first in time or first in importance, or both. The immediate context in Mark, where Jesus is talking about his disciples being persecuted as they witness for him, suggests to me that he is stressing the importance of preaching the gospel whatever happens.   And, of course, this is applicable throughout the church age and is something Jesus emphasises in Acts 1:6-8. This is so important that the end will not come until the gospel is preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (Matthew 24:14). So this verse does have a very real application to the second coming, but Jesus is stressing the importance of worldwide evangelisation rather than seeing it as a sign of his coming!   The second is in verse 14 where Jesus says: When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.   So what is this abomination that causes desolation? It was first prophesied in Daniel 9:27 and is believed by some to have been fulfilled in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the temple altar. However, since this took place before the coming of Jesus, it cannot be what he was referring to which was yet future.   Bearing in mind the context it's far more likely that Jesus was referring to what happened in AD70 when the Roman general Titus placed an idol on the site of the burnt-out temple just a few years after the destruction of Jerusalem. That, of course, does not rule out the possibility of another fulfilment in the future, but in my view the Bible is by no means clear about this, and it would be unwise to be dogmatic.   Take appropriate action when the time comes near (vv. 15-23). 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.   At the time of the destruction of Jerusalem the danger was imminent. Jesus' instructions are specifically related to that situation. The basic message is, Get out quick! Don't let anything delay you! You will never have seen anything like it! Things are going to be terrible! Don't let anyone deceive you or distract you! But now it's time for me to summarise my understanding of how these verses apply to us today: 1)     Because these verses apply initially to the period before AD70, they contain some specific instructions (e.g. vv. 15-18) that relate only to that period. 2)     However, since what the disciples were about to experience then were only the beginning of birth pains (v. 8), it follows that similar things would continue to happen throughout the whole church age and that, with the exception of the specific instructions I have just referred to, the broad principles of what Jesus was teaching continue to be relevant to us today. 3)     Because what Jesus is teaching here has been relevant throughout church history, there is no need to see the whole passage as relating directly to the second coming. 4)     The parts that do appear to have a bearing on it must not be interpreted as signs, something which Jesus makes clear in the closing verses of the chapter, as we shall see next time.

In AD 34, the Jews, by stoning Stephen, rejected Christ. Jesus warned them of the disastrous consequences of their turning away from Him. The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled this warning. Join us in this episode to learn more about this tragic event and how its impact continues to resonate with us today.Year C Quarter 2 Week 19All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

In AD 34, the Jews, by stoning Stephen, rejected Christ. Jesus warned them of the disastrous consequences of their turning away from Him. The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled this warning. Join us in this episode to learn more about this tragic event and how its impact continues to resonate with us today.Year C Quarter 2 Week 19All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

In AD 34, the Jews, by stoning Stephen, rejected Christ. Jesus warned them of the disastrous consequences of their turning away from Him. The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled this warning. Join us in this episode to learn more about this tragic event and how its impact continues to resonate with us today.Year C Quarter 2 Week 19All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

In AD 34, the Jews, by stoning Stephen, rejected Christ. Jesus warned them of the disastrous consequences of their turning away from Him. The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled this warning. Join us in this episode to learn more about this tragic event and how its impact continues to resonate with us today.Year C Quarter 2 Week 19All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

In AD 34, the Jews, by stoning Stephen, rejected Christ. Jesus warned them of the disastrous consequences of their turning away from Him. The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled this warning. Join us in this episode to learn more about this tragic event and how its impact continues to resonate with us today.Year C Quarter 2 Week 19All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

In AD 34, the Jews, by stoning Stephen, rejected Christ. Jesus warned them of the disastrous consequences of their turning away from Him. The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled this warning. Join us in this episode to learn more about this tragic event and how its impact continues to resonate with us today.Year C Quarter 2 Week 19All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

In AD 932, King Arthur and his squire, Patsy, travel Britain searching for men to join the Knights of the Round Table. Along the way, Arthur debates whether swallows could carry coconuts, passes through a town infected with the plague, recounts receiving Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake to two anarcho-syndicalist peasants, defeats the Black Knight, and observes an impromptu witch trial. He recruits Sir Bedevere the Wise, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Galahad the Pure, Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot, and the aptly named Sir Not-Appearing-in-this-Film, along with their squires and Robin's minstrels. Arthur leads the knights to Camelot, but, after a musical number, changes his mind, deeming it "a silly place". As they turn away, God appears and orders Arthur to find the Holy Grail. Arthur and his knights arrive at a castle occupied by French soldiers, who claim to have the Grail and taunt the Britons, driving them back with a barrage of barnyard animals. Bedevere concocts a plan to sneak in using a Trojan Rabbit, but forgets to tell the others to hide inside it; the Knights are forced to flee when it is flung back at them. Arthur decides the knights should go their separate ways to search for the Grail. A modern-day historian filming a documentary on the Arthurian legends is killed by an unknown knight on horseback, triggering a police investigation. Arthur and Bedevere are given directions by an old man and attempt to satisfy the strange requests of the dreaded Knights Who Say "Ni!". Sir Robin avoids a fight with a Three-Headed Knight by running away while the heads are arguing among themselves. Sir Galahad is led by a grail-shaped beacon to Castle Anthrax, which is occupied exclusively by young women, who wish to be punished for misleading him, but he is unwillingly "rescued" by Lancelot. Lancelot receives an arrow-shot note from Swamp Castle. Believing the note is from a lady being forced to marry against her will, he storms the castle and slaughters several members of the wedding party, only to discover the note is from an effeminate prince. Arthur and his knights regroup and are joined by Brother Maynard, his monk brethren, and three new knights: Bors, Gawain and Ector. They meet Tim the Enchanter, who directs them to a cave where the location of the Grail is said to be written. The entrance to the cave is guarded by the Rabbit of Caerbannog. Underestimating it, the knights attack, but the Rabbit easily kills Bors, Gawain and Ector. Arthur uses the "Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch", provided by Brother Maynard, to destroy the creature. Inside the cave, they find an inscription from Joseph of Arimathea, directing them to Castle Aarrgh. A cave monster devours Brother Maynard, but Arthur and the knights escape after the animator unexpectedly suffers a fatal heart attack. The knights approach the Bridge of Death, where the bridge-keeper demands they answer three questions in order to pass or else be cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril. Lancelot easily answers simple questions and crosses. An overly cocky Robin is defeated by an unexpectedly difficult question, and an indecisive Galahad fails an easy one; both are magically flung into the gorge. When Arthur asks for clarification on a question regarding the airspeed of an unladen swallow, the bridge-keeper cannot answer and is himself thrown into the gorge. Arthur and Bedevere cannot find Lancelot, unaware that he has been arrested by police investigating the historian's death. The pair reach Castle Aarrgh, but find it occupied by the French soldiers from earlier in the film. After being repelled by showers of manure, they summon an army of knights and prepare to assault the castle. As the army charges, the police arrive, arrest Arthur and Bedevere for the murder of the historian and break the camera, abruptly ending the film

This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him.   The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.

This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him.   The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.

Notes available at: https://www.gracereach.org/hebrews - In AD 65, the law teachers were trying to pressure the grace believers to observe the dietary laws of Moses. Yet the writer of Hebrews exhorted the grace believers to eat and drink of the new testament of grace - the altar of Jesus, the cross. Eating from the cross of Jesus, the new testament of grace, is the spiritual nourishment they needed, not the dietary laws of Moses. Additionally, the writer of Hebrews told the grace believers that the law teachers had no authority over them...no power over them...no control over them. Therefore, they were free to leave the sacrifices at the temple inside the city of Jerusalem and go outside the city to the cross of Jesus where his blood made them holy. For more of Brad's teaching resources, see below. Books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Toxic Discipleship - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNN8PB7L⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gracereach.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you!

In AD 830, St. Benedict said that gardening was appropriate manual labor for monks and that all monasteries should have a psychic garden, kitchen garden, cellar garden, an orchard, and a private garden for monks of high office.

I have heard of Malta but knew very little about this speck of rock between Europe and Africa. Until I visited this crossroads of Afro-Euro maritime civilization.Western civilization is inextricably linked to Christianity. Although Jesus never left Israel and did not leave us any writings, Paul wrote half of the New Testament and traveled across the Roman Empire covering three sides of the Mediterranean Sea. Both Christianity and western civilization were shaped by Paul. It is impossible to understand Europe, the Americas, Australasia as well as much of Africa and Asia without a basic knowledge of Paul's travels and thoughts.In AD 60, Paul was shipwrecked and imprisoned in Malta. But his 3 month stay led to Malta becoming the first European community to embrace Christianity. Modern archaeology affirms this account. Today, Malta has 360 churches for a population of just 500,000 residents.In October, I traced the Footsteps of Paul in Malta and visited St Paul's Grotto, the cave where the Apostle was under arrest.St. Augustine wrote that Christianity is FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING.With the benefit of the science and technology of archaeology, we can separate the facts from fictions of faith. This is how Thinking Things Through leads to a Faith that Seeks Understanding.

Full notes available at: ⁠https://www.gracereach.org/⁠ To receive new episodes alerts, subscribe to Brad's Podcast. In the past, God spoke to the Jewish people through the prophets, he is now speaking to the Jewish people, and all people, through Jesus who established the new testament of grace (full forgiveness of sins, cleansing from sins, and closeness with God) in his blood. In AD 65, the majority of Jewish people heard the truth about Jesus as the Christ (the Son) and the new testament of grace (Hebrews 2:1-4), yet were in danger of rejecting Jesus and the new testament, while continuing to follow Moses and the old testament of law. The writer of Hebrews exhorts the Jewish unbelievers to not refuse God who is speaking to them through Jesus. He then warns them of the consuming fire of judgment to come if they refuse to listen to God by rejecting Jesus. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach  Thank you!

Explaining the Defense-- Paul had been in the temple with four believers- a mob formed trying to kill him- saved by the Romans then made his first defense-apology- before the crowd of a Jewish worshippers - ch. 21-27-22-21--- -The next day- Claudius Lydias, the Roman tribune -desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews-commanded-all the council -Sanhedrin- to meet -22-30--- The Sanhedrin has been called the -supreme court of the Jewish nation- -F.F. Bruce--- it was made up of the two parties of Pharisees - Sadducees which were either -chief priests, elders, scribes,- with high priest as chairman.-- Paul's defense -Greek, apologia, -apology---- -I have lived my life -Greek, politeuoma, has political overtones of -being a good citizen-- before God I all good conscience up to this day- -23-1--- -The high priest Ananias commanded-to strike him on the mouth- -23-2-- -Became high priest in AD 48, reputation as violent, untrustworthy, taker of bribes, confiscator of the old tithes, and being pro-Roman.-- -God is going to strike you whitewashed wall-- -23-3-- -Ezekiel 13-10-16- -In AD 66, the Jews burned his house casing him to flee, where he was found in an aqueduct and - killed -- -I did not know he was the high priest- -23-5-- citing Exodus 22-28-- -I am a Pharisee-it is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial- - -23-6---Applying the Defense -- 1st Entrust your life to loving providence of God very moment in every area-- 2nd Be confident that God has a plan - purpose for the evil that befalls you-- 3rd Embrace the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ with you in suffering

Friends of the Rosary: Having died a martyr for Christ, St. Lawrence is the patron of deacons, chefs, and firefighters. Around the time of his feast day, the night sky is lit with bright lights, wrote Vatican News. The phenomenon is related to the passing of a meteorite swarm left by a comet. For folk tradition, these lights are “falling stars”, tears St. Lawrence shed during his martyrdom. The testimony of this holy martyr, born in Spain in the first half of the 3rd century, is marked by piety and charity. In AD 258, Emperor Valerian issued an edict: all bishops, priests, and deacons must be put to death. Saint Lawrence, other deacons, and Pope Sixtus II were apprehended. The Pope was killed on 6 August. At first, the emperor offered to spare Lawrence's life, in exchange for his handing over of "the treasures of the Church." Lawrence is said to have presented the emperor with the sick, the needy, and the marginalized. These, he said, are the treasures of the Church. Four days later, on August 10, Saint Lawrence would be martyred, being burnt on a gridiron. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!St. Lawrence, Pray for Us! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

https://www.gracereach.org/ - In AD 65, the Jewish believers were under tremendous persecution. Paul encouraged the believers to pursue peaceful relationships with their persecutors and others in their community, and by doing so, people could see Jesus in them. In the same way, when we pursue peaceful relationships with others, people can see Jesus in us. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach  Thank you!

In AD 150, a letter to Diognetus claims that Christians deny the Greek gods, live in poverty, remain faithful in marriage, and welcome persecution. They respond to abuse with love. This is the church before the watching world. Or is it?The sermon today is titled "Naming The Gods." It is the first installment in our series "The Church Before The Watching World." The Scripture reading is from Romans 2:21-22 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 23, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing the Kingdom.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):For Christians as atheists, see Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), pp. 556-61.Epistle to Diognetus (New Advent).For the stories of Nero, see Suetonius, Life of Nero.Christopher J. H. Wright, Here Are Your Gods: Faithful Discipleship in Idolatrous Times (Downers Grove: IVP, 2020).Christopher J. H. Wright, “Confronting Idols.” Sermon delivered at the third Lausanne congress on world evangelization, Cape Town, 2010. (My concluding lines either summarize or are inspired by the incredible crescendo of his speech, found between the 15 minute mark and the 20 minute mark).I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

https://www.gracereach.org/ - In AD 65, the Jewish believers were undergoing tremendous pressure, by those who opposed them, to reject Jesus and the new testament of grace and return to the Moses and the old testament of law. It would take faith for these believers to persevere through the persecution. In this teaching, Brad explains how the writer of Hebrews encouraged the believers to look to the faith of Jesus as a model of faith. Jesus, by faith, endured the persecution of his opponents and the pain of the cross. The writer of Hebrews exhorts the Jewish believers to endure by faith the persecution from their opponents just as Jesus endured by faith. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach  Thank you!

In AD 155 Polycarp refused to go along with civil authorities' lies. He was martyred for speaking the truth instead of going along with a lie. In AD 2023 there doesn't seem to be many Christian leaders willing to do the same. Why do we hear crickets when we should hear shepherds condemning sin and confessing Christ? Host Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, and author of the book Come in, We are Closed, talks about curious topics to excite the imagination, equip the mind, and comfort the soul with God's ordering of the world in the Law and Gospel. Send him your questions at stmarksferndale.com. You can find his videos at youtube.com/c/tyrelbramwell.

In AD 453, the eastern Roman emperor, Marcian, dreamed an angel brought him a broken Hunnic bow. Two days later, news reached Constantinople that Attila the Hun was dead. Now, his great empire began to unravel. 

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE - https://www.gracereach.org - Did you know that God has designed and built the city of grace? In AD 65, Jewish people were under tremendous pressure to reject Jesus as the Christ and the new testament of grace. The writer of Hebrews encouraged the believing Jews to hold on with hope to the promise of the return of Jesus, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem - The City of Grace. In this teaching, Brad explains what the New Jerusalem is and why we can look forward to this city coming from heaven to earth! Brad examines Hebrews 12:22-24, Galatians 4:21-26, and Revelation 21-22, among several other verses in Hebrews about the new Jerusalem - The City of Grace - the city that God is the designer and builder. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon in Paperback. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach  Thank you!

In AD 450, a Roman princess called Honoria contacted Attila the Hun. She asked him to stop an arranged marriage with a man she disliked. Attila replied: why not marry me instead?

https://www.gracereach.org/ In AD 65, the writer of Hebrews explained to the Jewish people who were sacrificing animals for forgiveness, that because of the full, final, and forever payment of sins by Jesus with his one sacrifice of himself for all sins, for all people, and for all time, animal sacrifices for sins was no longer necessary. For 1500 years under the old testament of law, the people of Israel were seeking forgiveness of sins by continually sacrificing animals and by continually asking God for forgiveness. Yet, with Jesus' sacrifice of himself, sacrificing animals for forgiveness and asking God for forgiveness became unnecessary. The new testament of grace had been established. God is now asking people to receive through faith in Jesus the forgiveness that Jesus secured through his death. Forgiveness is not something we ask God for, but is something we accept through faith in Jesus. We don't request God to forgive us; rather, through faith in Jesus, we possess God's forgiveness. In this video, Brad clearly explains how forgiveness under the law of Moses and forgiveness under the grace of Jesus are different. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon in Paperback. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach Thank you!

Robert Eggers of New Hampshire is one of the most talked about genre directors on the internet. With his A24 distributed movie debut, THE WITCH (2015), he immediately went became the “director everyone must watch”. After THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019), his latest, THE NORTHMAN (2022), arrived to theaters on April 22, 2022 to critical acclaim.In AD 895, young prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard) watches his father (Ethan Hawke) be murdered by the boy's uncle (Claes Bang). His mother (Nicole Kidman) is taken prisoner and the wife of his uncle, the new king. Fleeing he eventually becomes intentionally enslaved by his uncle in hopes to get vengeance for his father and mother.The film stars Alexander Skarsgard in a role that could lead to stardom. With its supporting cast that includes award winning actress Nicole Kidman, along with Ethan Hawke and Anya Taylor-Joy, the film received critical acclaim from critics everywhere. Dark Discussions takes a look at Eggers latest film and gives their thoughts.

3/1/23 - In AD 40, Mary appeared to the Apostle James the Greater while he was in Spain - but here's the twist: Mary herself was still alive at the time and was said to be in Jerusalem! How could Our Blessed Mother possibly have been in two different places at the same time? Today we unpack the mystery behind what is considered to be the world's very first Marian apparition: Our Lady of the Pillar.

https://www.gracereach.org/ - In AD 65, many of the Jewish people were trying to draw close to God by adhering to the law of Moses. However, the writer of Hebrews explains that the law doesn't pull a person close to God but pushes people away from God through feelings of guilt. Just like those in AD were seeking to draw close to God through the practice of the law, many today are seeking closeness with God through the practice of disciplines. Believers are taught that the key to closeness to God is adhering to spiritual disciplines and practices. Just as the writer of Hebrews taught the Jews in AD 65 they could draw close to God through the blood of Jesus, believers today also are able to experience closeness with God through the blood of Jesus. In this video teaching, Brad explains how a believer can experience and enjoy closeness with God because of the new testament that Jesus established in his blood. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon in Paperback. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach Thank you!

In AD 433, Aetius secured his position as the effective ruler of the Western Roman Empire. With the help of the Huns, he defeated the Burgundians and Visigoths. But a disaster was about to strike the Western Empire. 

In AD 425, the six-year-old Valentinian III became emperor of the west. Another child emperor created another power vacuum. His mother, Galla Placidia, would try to hold onto power but could she thwart the ambitions of a Roman general called Aetius?

This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him.   The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.

This is the Apostle to whom two of St Paul's Epistles are addressed. He was from Lystra in Lycaonia, born to a pagan Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, whose name was Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, brought him up in piety and love of the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul converted the two women during his first missionary visit to Lystra; returning seven years later, he found Timothy full of zeal for Christ, and baptized him. Timothy became his closest disciple: in his epistles, St Paul calls calls him "my dearly beloved son." So that Timothy would be able to preach the Gospel in the synagogues, St Paul personally circumcised him.   The Apostle Paul consecrated Timothy as the first bishop of Ephesus. As such, he became a disciple and exarch of St John the Evangelist, who supervised all the churches in Asia. In AD 97, he attempted to oppose the celebration of a festival to Artemis; the pagans, enraged, mobbed him and beat him to death. He was buried near the tomb of St John. In 356 his precious relics were translated (along with those of Sts Andrew and Luke) to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles. In 1204 they were stolen by the Latin Crusaders when they pillaged the city.

A prayer and meditation on what Jesus says about wheat.  In AD 110, Ignatius said "I am the what of Christ."   Though we may not struggle against the threat of outright martyrdom or even much persecution, do we resemble a seed that has fallen to the earth and died?  What are we striving to hold on to in our own will?   We can see that Jesus was the supreme example in even this — being the choicest wheat.www.incense-ptl.comeric@incense-ptl.comTexts:Excerpt from "Foxe's Book of Martyrs" by John Foxe; pg. 11-12.John 12:20-261 Corinthians 15:35-49Psalm 81:10-16Tracks:"Cirrus" by Four Trees"Luminosity" by Outside The Sky"Peaceful Confidence" by Wild Wonder"Pine Frost" by Cody Martin

In AD 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, and huge amounts of volcanic ash covered the city of Pompeii. The ash preserved the homes and gardens that otherwise would have decayed or been destroyed over time.

In AD 79 Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, destroying and Pompeii other nearby towns. Pompeii lay hidden under metres of ash for 1500 years, preserving much of the city and even the people that had died in the eruption. This is the number one topic for Block 2022!This is a comedy/history podcast, the report begins at approximately 09:47 (though as always, we go off on tangents throughout the report). Support the show and get rewards like bonus episodes: patreon.com/DoGoOnPodLive show tickets: https://dogoonpod.com/live-shows/ Submit a topic idea directly to the hat: dogoonpod.com/suggest-a-topic/ Check out our new merch! : https://do-go-on-podcast.creator-spring.com/ Twitter: @DoGoOnPodInstagram: @DoGoOnPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoGoOnPod/Email us: dogoonpod@gmail.com Our awesome theme song by Evan Munro-Smith and logo by Peader Thomas Do Go On acknowledges the traditional owners of the land we record on, the Wurundjeri people, in the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders, past and present. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:youtube.com/watch?v=gpv8BK_zgoY https://museum.wa.gov.au/pompeii2010/daily-life/index.htmlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/pompeii_portents_01.shtmlhttps://www.wired.com/2014/07/fantastically-wrong-doctrine-of-signatures/https://www.world-archaeology.com/great-discoveries/great-discoveries-pompeii/https://igppweb.ucsd.edu/~gabi/sio15/lectures/volcanoes/pliny.html https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-eruption-of-mount-vesuvius-in-79-ad-and-the-destruction-of-pompeii Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In AD 410, Alaric the Visigoth sacked Rome. It was the first time in 800 years that the city had fallen. Find out in this episode why and how it happened.

In AD 408, Stilicho's fall from power was as spectacular as his rise had been. Alaric took advantage of this to invade Italy and lay siege to Rome. The western Roman Empire was rapidly imploding.

Show Notes: Ancient Roman Worship of Jupiter: Jupiter, also called Jove, Latin Iuppiter, Iovis, orDiespiter, the chief ancient Roman and Italian god. Like Zeus, the Greek god with whom he is etymologically identical (root diu, “bright”), Jupiter was a sky god. One of his most ancient epithets is Lucetius (“Light-Bringer”); and later literature has preserved the same idea in such phrases as sub Iove, “under the open sky.” Later Roman Worship of Emperors: Octavian himself took the name Augustus, a term indicating a claim to reverence. This did not make him a god in his lifetime, but, combined with the insertion of his numen and his genius (originally the procreative power that enables a family to be carried on) into certain cults, it prepared the way for his posthumous deification, just as Caesar had been deified before him. Both were deified by the state because they seemed to have given Rome gifts worthy of a god. Pergamos was a city of heathen temples and a pantheon of pagan deities. Jupiter was said to have had his origin there, and to him and other Greek and Roman gods were erected many beautiful and costly temples, giving it the name of "the city of temples." It was the metropolis of heathen deities. Temples were built and dedicated to Jupiter, Zeus, Athena, Dionysius, and Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, and also called "the god of Pergamum." It was also the center of emperor worship. In AD 29 a great temple was erected to the worship of Augustus Caesar, who was to be prayed to as "Lord Caesar." Domitian decreed that all peoples should address him as "Our Lord and our God.” The Temple of Zeus was the most celebrated of all the temples of Pergamos, and was dedicated to Aesculapius, "the serpent god" or "god of healing." It was also known as the Temple of Aesculapius, who was called "the Great Physician" and "the Savior." He was also given other titles showing that he was a counterfeit of Christ. In this temple a living serpent was kept and worshiped. Serpent worship was so universal in Pergamos that many coins have been found with a picture of a serpent entwined around a pole. It is unfortunate that this pagan emblem of healing has become the caduceus of the modern medical profession. In the Temple of Zeus many miracles of healing were supposed to have been performed. In connection with this temple was also a famous school of medicine. Scripture References: All Scripture references are cited from the King James Bible. Daniel 2:31-36, Daniel 2:37-42, Daniel 7:1-7, Daniel 2:44, Revelation 13:1-5, Matthew 13:10-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10, Luke 4:5-7, Psalm 115:16, Genesis 1:26, Matthew 4:16-17, Acts 26:16-18, Revelation 2:12-13a Takeaway: Symbolic aspects of the Roman Empire remain all around us, but its origins are as satanic as satan himself. Rome worshipped Jupiter and the emperors, a picture of the dragon and the beast to come. Mystery Rome is alive and well, especially in the United States empire of global hegemony.  Links: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jupiter-Roman-god https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_(mythology) https://theologycurator.com/roman-empire-during-time-jesus/ https://www.lewrockwell.com/2022/09/gary-d-barnett/a-solution-for-the-masses-does-not-exist-perceived-reality-is-in-fact-only-theatre/ Website: utbnow.com Podcast: https://bible-mysteries.captivate.fm Subscribe: https:/https://biblemysteries.supercast.com Email: unlockthebiblenow@gmail.com Donate: ttps://secure.subsplash.com/ui/access/BDJH89

Revelation 3:1-6 Background Sardis was a fortress city. It was surrounded on 3 sides by extremely steep cliffs. As a result, it was considered to be so impenetrable that “to capture the acropolis of Sardis” became a euphemism for achieving something impossible. In the 5th century BC Cyrus king of Persia caught Sardis' army by surprise and besieged the city. Even after this the people of Sardis believed they were safe but on the 14th day of this siege a few Persian troops claimed the cliff where no man was stationed because the cliff was so steep, and they thought it to be impenetrable there. But their lack of vigilance to an area they thought needed no attention was the downfall of Sardis at this time. In AD 17 an earthquake ripped apart Sardis and brought sudden destruction to the city once again. Just prior to John's day Sardis was a city of wealth and security once again but Jesus and John use their history of being overtaken or sudden destruction to talk about spiritual matters in the church Description of Jesus Seven Spirits Isaiah 11:1-2, Enoch 61:11, Psalms of Solomon 17:37 It's about the fruit the Holy Spirit produces. The idea is that this spiritual fruit is rooted in Jesus and resembles Jesus' life. Seven Stars The big thing about Jesus' description that is important for Sardis to notice is that It's spiritual in nature. Sardis is said to have an appearance of being alive on the outside but are actually dead or dying spiritually Jesus' Correction Alive but dead Sardis had the reputation (a name) to those in the community of being alive, but Jesus says they are actually dead. They are playing church Col 1:9-10- Bearing fruit, growing in the knowledge of God Strengthen what remains Jesus tell the church to “wake up”. Which is better translated as “be watchful”, echoing the story of the defeat of Sardis we mentioned earlier where they were lax in their protection of the city. Sardis is similar to the Pharisees in Matt 23:25 Consequences If they do not repent Jesus is coming to them like a thief in the night Matt 24:36-44 Jesus attributes this coming to being a thief in the night here as well. The message is that is Sardis doesn't “strengthen what remains” and “be watchful” (of their spiritual state) their lamp-stand will be removed and not be counted as a faithful witness. They will be overtaken like the acropolis of Sardis was in the past. Soiled garments Jesus mentions that there are some that are faithful in this church. Not all are spiritually dead. They are the remnant. Soiled garments is usually a way of talking about impurity by being stained by sin or the world (Jude 22) “they walk with me in white, for they are worthy”- This has echoes of Eden and walking with God in the garden. Conquerors Jesus gives 2 rewards to the conquerors- White garments and their name not erased from the book of life

In AD 65, the people of Israel were seeking to have their need for perfection, closeness with God, salvation, and forgiveness met through the priests of the old testament of the law of Moses. Yet these needs could not be met through the law. Only by the grace of Jesus can these needs be met. The writer of Hebrews seeks to convince the Jewish people depending upon the law to have their spiritual needs met that these are met only in Jesus. In this teaching, Brad explains how Jesus meets these needs. Not only did Jesus meet the needs of the Jewish people in AD 65, he meets the spiritual needs for all people. In this teaching, Brad explains how Jesus meets our need to stand before God perfectly, know God personally, be saved completely, be forgiven fully, and to relate to Jesus honestly. For Brad's books and other resources on grace, see the information below. Brad's books are all available on Amazon in Paperback. Books: https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Robertson/e/B08746JQSK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Addicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760 Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPR Return to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTC Strategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWW The Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940 Website: https://www.gracereach.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7A Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.) If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here: https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereach Thank you!

STAROCK COLUMBA RESURGET - THE DOVE RISES SE1 EP3 Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol 00:26:20 "An architect with 46, builds a bridge of weightless bricks. In Etam waits a stone once hewn, returned at last to mother's womb. Lastly, heed the Starling's call, for all who seek must also fall." 43X. 7-STAR-OCK 10 י ******* “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs; the nations will obey him.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭49:10‬ ‭ “But his bow remained firm and steady [in the Strength that does not fail], For his arms were made strong and agile By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (By the name of the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭49:24‬ ‭ “‘I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not close at hand. A [star] (king will march forth) and A scepter (strangely rendered as comet [rock] to make parallel with “star”) will rise out of Israel. STAR-ROCK He will crush the skulls of Moab, and the heads of all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.'”” Numbers‬ ‭24:17-19‬ ‭ “Lift me up and I will be safe. Empower me to live every moment in the light of your ways.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:117‬ “Ascend, O Lord, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength!” Psalms‬ ‭132:8‬ ‭NET‬‬ “The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.'” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭ “She gave birth to a man-child who is about to rule and shepherd every nation with an iron scepter, and her son was caught up to God and to his throne.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:5‬ ‭ This is a figure for a king (see also Isa 14:12) not only in the Bible but in the ancient Near Eastern literature as a whole. The immediate reference of the prophecy seems to be to David, but the eschatological theme goes beyond him. There is to be a connection made between this passage and the sighting of a star in its ascendancy by the magi, who then traveled to Bethlehem to see the one born King of the Jews (Matt 2:2). The expression “son of a star” (Aram Bar Kochba) became a title for a later claimant to kingship, but he was doomed by the Romans in a.d. 135. House of El was one of the noble ruling families of the planet, Krypton. The name El translates in Kryptonian to "of the star". The family line extends back thousands of years, to a time when tribes of Kryptonians still waged war against one another across the continents. The direct descendants of Jor-El the First sired children who would become the sole survivors of Krypton's destruction - Kal-El and Kara Zor-El. The practice of seating the ruler upon a stone was practised in Ireland since ancient times. This tradition is understood to be a surviving part of ancient fertility rites. Generations of Scotland's sovereigns, from the ninth century, had been crowned upon the stone. The Stone was used at Iona, Dunadd, Dunstaffnage and Scone for enthroning a succession of Dalriadic and subsequent monarchs. There are various descriptions of the Stone of Destiny. The switch between Ephraim and Manasseh AMERICA EASTMINSTER - MANASSEH If St Columba's, it was white marble. BRITAIN WESTMINSTER -EPHRAIM If Jacob's Pillow, it would have been black basalt. The Stone of Destiny was the traditional Coronation Stone of the Kings of Scotland and, before that, the Kings of Dál Riata. Legends associate it with Saint Columba, who might have brought it from Ireland as a portable altar. In AD 574, the Stone was used as a coronation chair when Columba anointed and crowned Aedan King. Decrease time over target: PayPal.me/mzhop or Venmo @clastronaut