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The study of the Bible in its historical context - with a focus on the archaeology, history, geography, customs , culture, and even the languages of the ancient Middle East. WE ask what did they understand THEN - the original intent of the Lord - so that we can expand and enrich our understanding NOW and thus become true disciples of Adonai Yeshua as in John 8:31-32.
Episodes
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
In this podcast we will study the covenant of circumcision or in Hebrew BRIT MEELAH בְּרִית מִילָה. Perhaps you as I always thought that this was something unique to the Bible; circumcision was some bloody ritual God made up that was like a right of initiation to be a Hebrew. Wow, is that wrong. It seems that all this is connected to the fact that Moses wrote the Torah, the 1st five books of the Bible to the Hebrews who came out of Egypt. These former slaves were the ones who would have first heard God’s word read to them. Moreover. When they would have gotten to Genesis 17 and the covenant of circumcision, they would have immediately related it to the ritual practiced in Egypt. This was not new to them. The Hebrews knew that circumcision in ancient Egypt was thought to be a mark of passage from childhood to adulthood.
The picture above (public domain and accessible at Wikimedia) is dated to 2355-43 B.C. hundreds of years before Abraham ever was alive. The alteration of the body and ritual of circumcision was supposed to give access to ancient mysteries reserved solely for the initiated. Circumcisions were performed by priests in a public ceremony, using a stone blade. It is thought to have been more popular among the upper echelons of the society, although it was not universal and those lower down the social order are known to have had the procedure done. (See Gollaher, David (February 2001). "1, The Jewish Tradition." Circumcision: A History Of The World's Most Controversial Surgery. Basic Books).
So, once again, as we put the Bible into its historical perspective, we find circumcision was a man made ritual. It may have been performed by those Hebrews who had assimilated into the Egyptian culture. This seems very likely. But now God comes and takes what they knew and changes it completely. It becomes something more. It’s not a sign anymore of a boy becoming a man. Not a special way to know the mysteries of the gods. That’s done. Now it is a sign that this baby boy is part of the covenant of Abraham and a sign to all Israel there is a new citizen born again among God’s kingdom of Israel. And, once we see what the original meaning was when God changed circumcision, we now begin to see how all this becomes a picture for us. As disciples of the Lord we have become new creatures in Messiah and new citizens of the final Kingdom of Adonai and we are “circumcised” by the Spirit as in Rom. 2:28-29. True “children of Abraham” are those who follow Abraham’s example of believing God (Genesis 15:6). Physical circumcision does not make one a child of God; faith does. Believers in Jesus Christ can truly say they are children of “Father Abraham.”
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).
Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? What's his background? Why should we take time to listen to him? Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Moses is still in an intense conversation with the awesome God of the universe at the burning bush. Moses learned of His name - he was the first human to encounter the Lord and be given His name. But, the Lord tells Moses that He picked Moses to go up against Pharaoh to get Pharaoh to let God's people go; the give freedom to Israel. Moses starts objecting. Wouldn't you? He is to return to Egypt. Yes, the Lord said He'd go with him. But, don't forget Moses killed an Egyptian and he faces death if he returns for this act. But, on top of that this shepherd, this lowly man of the wilderness, is to go up against the most powerful king of the most powerful nation on earth at the time, and convince Pharaoh on letting the Hebrews go. Moses knows this is futile. He wants out. Moses is thinking what is the matter with this God? There is NO WAY Moses wants any part of this.
In this lesson we hear Moses' first two objections of five as he continues his intense dialogue with יהוה Yahvay אֱלֹהִים Eloheem, the LORD God.
Come join us as we continue as we have a front row seat to this amazing meeting at the bush that didn't burn.
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
According to the "Inter Varsity Press Bible Commentary: the Old Testament," we read ...
Gen_16:1-4. maidservants. Slave women or bondswomen were considered both property and legal extensions of their mistress. As a result it would be possible for Sarai to have Hagar perform a variety of household tasks as well as to use her as a surrogate for her own barren womb.
Gen_16:2. contractual arrangements for barrenness. Concubines did not have the full status of wives but were girls who came to the marriage with no dowry and whose role included childbearing. As a result concubinage would not be viewed as polygamy. In Israel, as in most of the ancient world, monogamy was generally practiced. Polygamy was not contrary to the law or contemporary moral standards but was usually not economically feasible. The main reason for polygamy would be that the first wife was barren. In the Bible most cases of polygamy among commoners occur prior to the period of the monarchy.
So is it possible in this amazing account that Sarai (her name hasn't been changed yet by the Lord to Sarah) may have learned from Avram (his name too has not been changed to Abraham) that God promised them a son. Remember, the Bible says that only Avram had "heard" God tell him he'd have a son. The Bible is silent regarding Sarai at this time. Consider ...
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir." (Gen 15:1-4 NASB)
It just doesn't seem probable that Avram could hold this news in and keep it from Sarai. It can't be proven but it does not seem possible that a husband would keep this amazing promise of God from his wife. So, Sarai is possibly taking matters in her own hands and using an accepted practice in the ancient Near East. She and Avram can have a son and this would be through Sarai's Egyptian maid servant, Hagar. Thus, this well known Bible "story" - I'd rather call it a Bible happening or event and not a story which implies it might be a work of fiction - is based upon real practices in the ancient Near East. Once again as we put the Bible into its historical context, the veracity of this event is totally supported.
Hagar runs away after being treated harshly by Sarai. Is this due to the fact that Avram was taken in with Hagar and the physical union they shared? We don't know. But, Hagar runs away and this pagan woman is the first person in the Torah to meet, talk to, and see the Angel of the Lord! In lesson 32 in this series I discussed the Angel of the Lord in detail. Rabbis teach it was an angel but the Torah is clear. God inspired Moses to write ...
Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. (Gen 16:13-14 NASB)
There is more we need to consider in this remarkable event in Hagar's life. Once again we will see how this may connect to Jesus' life and a certain woman He met by a source of water. On top of that this event may also be a powerful lesson for the Hebrews who came out of Egypt and were the first ones to hear this event in Torah. How might have this affected them in that God "saved" this pagan Egyptian woman and her son? God even told Hagar to name her son, ִישׁמעאל Ishmael, which means "God will hear." Is it possible God is reaffirming the verse we know so well, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son ... " in John 3:16?
I mentioned in this podcast that I would again provide the link to a powerful article. This article demonstrates clearly that the rabbis of Judaism are wrong to conclude that the Angel of the Lord is only an angel. The Bible is clear, crystal clear, the angel of the Lord is God but the rabbis made up their own version. Here's the link - https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/who-is-the-angel-of-the-lord.html
Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? What's his background? Why should we take time to listen to him? Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
“The Angel of the Lord” - there are 52 occurrences of the phrase "the angel of the Lord" in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament. You can see the verses starting in Genesis to Exodus 3 below. Also, check out the links to two previous Bible studies that dealt with the Angel of the Lord.
Link – Gen. 15-16 – How to See God and Not Die - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-genesis-gen-15-16/
Link – Exod. 3 – Who is that in the Burning Bush? - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-exodus-lesson-7-part-1-xod-31-8-the-angel-of-the-lord/
Below are the verses with the phrase THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.
Gen_16:7 Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
Gen_16:9 Then the angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
Gen_16:10 Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count."
Gen_16:11 The angel of the LORD said to her further, "Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction.
Gen_22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
Gen_22:15 Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,
Gen_24:7 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, 'To your descendants I will give this land,' He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.
Exo_3:2 The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? What is it? What do the rabbis say? Some Christian scholars say it is Jesus! However, they never ever give backup to support their view that it is Jesus. They just say it. This is so frustrating. How can that be if one studies and asks the question what does the Bible say? The question is does the Bible hint at the fact that the angel is Jesus? If so this would be related to John 5:39 and Jesus teaching us that scripture testifies of Him. How? How does the Bible hint that the Angel of the Lord is a manifestation of Yeshua? In this podcast we will get at this in detail.
Once again we need to BRING OUR BRAIN to the Bible. We all agree this is the inspired word of God. In short we say the Bible is God's word. If so and God never said the angel of the Lord is Jesus, then how do some of our Christian scholars say it is Jesus? It is dangerous to put words in the Bible that are not there. I would rather it be taught with words like "is it possible" that the angel of the Lord might be a manifestation of Jesus. Perhaps some Bible verses suggest this might be true. But there are many that seem to say they know the answer and it is their way or the highway. Not a good way to teach God's word.
An excellent article on this topic can be found at this link.
Link - https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/who-is-the-angel-of-the-lord.html
I mentioned Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s book entitled, “The Return of the Gods.” This is a must read to see what is happening in our day. To know it is to understand a mystery – the mystery is that Yahvay, the Lord, God, is helping us SEE the return of the gods from ancient days. The book is an awesome study that shows us the evil in our day was the evil in the ancient Middle East under the pagan nations and their gods which are only demons. Here’s the link - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+return+of+the+gods+jonathan&hvadid=701821827340&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019560&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14598189095742890310&hvtargid=kwd-2314157865763&hydadcr=8292_13544362&mcid=c8af577108d6391eb2f402d3d4271cae&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4wmyc557fa_e
Another interesting topic studied in this lesson is what is are boundaries of the Promised Land. What did God say regarding the borders of the land He promised to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all Israel? Check out the list of Bible verses at the link below. It is a very comprehensive list that will give you a good understanding of the borders of the Promised Land. It goes way beyond the current borders of Israel today.
LINK – Open Bible – the exact boundaries of the land - https://www.openbible.info/topics/promised_land_boundaries
Below is a free download of what is likely the actual Promised Land as outlined in the Bible by the ord. You’ll notice it encompasses much more than the present land of Israel.
Yahvay, the Lord, God, will bring back His people. He’ll do it in the true RAPTURE – the Jewish Rapture. Check out the video series entitled “The Rapture Restored” –
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvcIXun2BQDIjNNTBWSQ_23MIODTFzknn
It is known as the Day of the Lord when He gathers His people to the land. Check out the verses below.
Gen 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gen 35:12 "The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you."
Gen 26:3 "Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham.
Deu_11:24 "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours; your border will be from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the river, the river Euphrates, as far as the western sea.
Jos 1:3 "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.
Jos 1:4 "From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.
Jeremiah 16:15: "For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers."
Isaiah 11:11: "He will raise a banner for the nations and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
Ezekiel 37:21: "Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.'"
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link -
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
What an amazing event we are studying; Moses meets Eloheem, our God, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob at the location of the burning bush on the "Mountain of God" in the Sinai region. In this podcast we have two major things we will focus on in Exod. 3:9-17. The first is the uncanny connection between Moses and the Messiah. Moses is called the First Redeemer among some rabbinic scholars and the coming Messiah is called the Ultimate Redeemer. As Moses was chosen we read that Jesus, the Messiah (in English from the Greek, the Christ), is the chosen of God in Luke 9:35. As Moses was sent, the Messiah too, Jesus, was sent as we read in John 20:21. Is there more? And, are we somehow involved? Does this relate to us?
Consider, Israel was a born again people in the New Covenant at Sinai, the mountain of God, and we, Jew and Gentile, who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior, are born again and are part of the New Covenant established at Jerusalem, the mountain of God, as in Isa. 2:1-3 or 66:20. Wait a minute that's us! Is there more? You bet.
The second major focus is that for the first time, God makes His own personal name ( יהוה Yahvay) known. But, recall, one purpose of this study is to hear Jesus' words as He said them between 24-30 A.D. when all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament - I don't like using that. They are not OLD). We hear Him say in John 5:39 that all scripture testifies of Him. Their main Bible books then were the Torah תּוֹרָה, the first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Thus, one purpose in this study is to "see" Jesus in the Torah תּוֹרָה! And, you guys, WOW, does the Torah ever tell us of the Ultimate Redeemer and the Gospel of the Kingdom. That's why I call the Torah podcast series THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MOSES. Wait till you see how the giving of God's name ( יהוה Yahvay) in the first Passover season to Moses at the mountain of God (Exod. 3:1) is related to Jesus during the Last Supper in the Passover season as the mountain of God (Isa. 2:1-3).
In this podcast I said I would provide two links to two articles on how mistaken many Gentiles and Jews are today in trying to pronounce God's personal name - יהוה Yahvay. Notice I pronounce it Yahvay and not Yahway. For one reason there is no "W" sound in Hebrew. I have other reasons as well but this is "one hill I will not die on." If you say it is pronounced Yahweh or another way, I respect your view, I disagree, but to me this is not worth the argument. I rely on solid scholars, proven to me over time, that the pronunciation of His name is probably lost forever until Messiah returns. But, there are many who claim that His name is pronounced YEH HOE SHOO AH. So, here's the links to two articles explaining how God's name with no vowel marks (יהוה)and God's name with vowel marks ( יְהוָה ) leads to this error. The vowel marks were put there to tell readers NOT to pronounce the name with the marks but to substitute the word Adonai (אֲדֹנָי -same vowel marks).
The first article is found at the website for the Jerusalem School of the Synoptic Gospels. You may need to JOIN the school to access the 100's and 100's of scholarly articles written by Godly Gentiles and Jews both Christian and part of Judaism. Here's the link - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2610/
The second article is from 119Ministries. I do not promote 119Ministries but their article is spot on as per the historical background of the development of the Bible and the Masorite Hebrew scholars. Here's the link - https://www.119ministries.com/teachings/articles/why-gods-name-is-not-yehovah/
Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? What's his background? Why should we take time to listen to him? Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
In lesson 4 we will deal with the last few words of Phil. 4:6-7 - "and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Once again we will try and see how those 1st Christians in and around 60 A.D. may have heard and understood this verse. Once we do they will help us hear God's words in a more enhanced way helping us expand our understanding of what God is teaching as as the Lord inspires Paul to write this instruction. It then is so clear this verse is for such a time as this.
We are going through very difficult times - we might call it a high place, a high place of danger, evil, chaos ("isfet" in ancient Egyptian). We pray for God's help to us in this crisis we are in, and it is serious, we are faced with the awful affects of the China Virus, but now, we are under rulers and leaders in the government, in big business, in the media, in our churches, and our schools that are teaching us that what was good and righteous is now evil and bad. They are now saying that which is evil and stuff right out of hell is good and righteous. What we are going through is stupid for us to call it a sign of the endtimes! How ridiculous to think this is the heights of terror!! This is nothing compared to what I think the real tribulation will be like. This is nothing like the WRATH OF THE LORD that MUST be poured out on the earth for what I call the "pandemic" of abortion - in the last 20 years over 1,000,000,000 - yes that is ONE BILLION - infants have been aborted. No pandemic, no epidemic, no war has ever seen such a slaughter - all done by us to proclaim our rights over life and death and our pleasure and prosperity. God can not let this go without His judgment upon the nations of the earth. The blood of those babies cries out and God will not let us off the hook. So, these days we are in are evil and difficult but we ain't seen nothin yet, baby. God hates what this society is doing to the innocent and the helpless. He hates it. I can't imagine what His wrath will be like when it comes full force.
So, we need "feet like an ibex" to walk in the "high places" we are put in (listen to lesson 3). We need to have the Lord with us and help us be like Esther to do what He want us to do as His true disciples for such a time as this.
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link -
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
In this session we again review the three step process God inspired Paul to teach us regarding how to bring our requests before the Him. The 3rd step is to be thankful. We are to thank the Lord before He even does anything! Huh? That makes no sense! Not really if we are true sons and daughters of Abraham as Paul teaches about what a true Christian: "Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham." (Gal 3:7) As sons of Abraham we believe God - we believe in God's promises and that what He has said is true and He will do what he promised. So, YES, thank the Lord even before He does anything.
If we put this verse into its historical context, if we try and and "hear" how a Jewish believer 2000 years ago, who only knew the Hebrew scriptures, may have understood this verse, it will enhance our way to applying this teaching of Paul, "For such a time as this." We will study another "picture" in the Hebrew scriptures that is "hidden" from us since we do not live in Israel or the Middle East. This picture has everything to do with an animal called the IBEX or in Hebrew, the AY YAH LAH, that is translated into English as "deer" or "hind." The AY YAH LAH is not a deer. It is not a hind. Check out the links below of two videos related to the IBEX. The first is a video Robin and I did in Wadi Avedat in the Negev in southern Israel. The 2nd is a BBC video which shows a dramatic way the ibex live on very high and dangerous places. So cool!!
Video 1 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/q4mqdnwmqtmnosk/Feet%20Like%20An%20Ibex%20Ps%2018.33%20Hb%203.19.mpg?dl=0
Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9TMn1FJzc
Who's John Ferret? What's his background? Why should I listen to this guy? Here's a link to learn a little about Rev. Ferret - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
We continue our study of the verse Phil. 4:6-7 written around 60 A.D. Paul is instructing those 1st Messianic believers HOW to bring your requests before God! The Lord God is the supreme power over the universe, the ultimate judge, king of kings and the only God. Let us walk with those first Christians and try and grasp how they may have applied this instruction based upon the Hebrew scriptures 2000 years ago. Let us learn what God really meant then so we can pray in the same way they did. Their days were dark and difficult and even dangerous to be a Messianic Jew or Gentile. And we are in dark and difficult days when the forces of evil and the forces that are anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-Israel, anti-Christian, and anti-Christ have taken control of government, business, the media, and our schools.
Link for background on our teacher, Rev. John Ferret - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
The verse Phil. 4:6-7 is a verse for such a time as this. Esther was put in her position for her day and time save all Israel. What about you and me? As Christians we live in dark and difficult times. Forces have risen and are in positions of leadership and influence where things that are good are now evil; things that were bad, evil, are now considered good and righteous. These days of evil and chaos will probably increase and even get worse; the Bible seems to predict this as we get closer to the return of Messiah. So, it is time for true disciples of Adonai Yeshua to rise up and apply His Word and pray; it is time to seek the Lord and run to Him as our refuge. Paul gives us Phil. 4:6-7 as verses that are meant for such a time as this, now, today. We've been given God's instruction and we are now ready for these days; ready for such a time as this.
But this was written around 60 A.D. How did those 1st Christians in Philippi hear this instruction from Paul? They were Messianic Jews for the most part; all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament. They faced even worse conditions than we face. Their government was lead by a man who was said to be god. It was an evil decadent society beyond what we face today. And soon they'd face the awful persecutions under Rome. Thus, how might have they understood not to be "anxious"? Or to "by prayer"? Or the concept of of God's peace, His shalom? Let's walk with them on their ways and hear the word like them; let them help us broaden our understanding of the Word of Adonai.
Who's John Ferret? What's his background? Why should I listen to this guy? Here's a link to learn a little about Rev. Ferret - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
SPECIAL LESSON
In lesson 33 we will turn from our focus on the Torah and the book of Genesis to consider the answer to the question, “Why Do This?” Why should we study the Bible in this manner? Why should be put the Bible in its historical context and strive to hear the Bible on its own terms; that is, to hear the Bible as to what it says and what it does not say?
Since I returned from my first study tour to the Middle East in Israel years ago and continuing in my learning since those days, I have found that most lessons I hear from Christians are devoid of the historical context of the Bible. I have found that most teach with no concept of how important it is to understand the word of God as the “first hearers” did. A classic example is the picture of Jesus with the sharp two edged sword in Pergamum in Revelation 2. No one ever has ever taught how the sharp two edged sword and Pergamum are related. No one ever in teachings I heard makes the connection. Why?
Since Pergamum was a center of the worship of the emperor of Rome, we learn that Caesar had the right of the sword; in Latin “ius gladii.” This means that he and his designates had the power of life and death; by his word a person could be immediately executed. This is why Jesus was brought before Pilate. In Greek this is called the right of the
“rhomphaia” – this is the exact word found in Rev. 2:12! Bible historians suggest that Jesus who has the sharp two-edged-sword or “rhomphaia” is in direct confrontation with the emperor. It is not Caesar who has the power over life and death, it is not a man who has absolute power over all. It is Jesus. Only Jesus has the power of the sword, the power of the “rhomphaia.” Amazingly, Jesus is writing this to the only city of the seven that is the center of imperial worship of the emperor. If you are an early believer in Pergamum, you get it, loud and clear!! (Note: the sharp two-edged sword Jesus had was not the word of God as in Eph. 6:17. The Greek word used there is “machaira” or a dagger or short sword. That is our sword – God’s word. No way do we get the sword of the King of Kings!)
However, there is more. For at least the first 100 years of the “church” the only Bible they had was the Hebrew Scriptures commonly known as the Old Testament. Moreover, a majority of the early church were Messianic Jewish people who knew the Torah, the 1st five books of the Bible, as God’s direct instruction (not law) for His chosen people. In the Torah we read …
“See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven, And say, as I live forever, If I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword will devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.” (Deu 32:39-42)
A Messianic Jew in Pergamum would easily associate this verse with Rev. 2:12. Jesus had the sharp two-edged sword. Only He has the power of life and death. That is why murder is forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Thus, Deut. 32:39-42 and Rev. 2:12 proclaim Jesus as God, the God of the Bible, the one true God, God alone. When does Jesus ever say that He is God?? All the time!! But, He does it in the cultural context of the times.
The Bible was written to them, those who first hear it, and not to us. As my first teacher said that we must understand the who and the what and the where of the Bible event to understand the why. This was Ray Vander Laan and I highly recommend you to connect with his ministry, “That the World May Know,” and to start purchasing his DVD’s of Bible lessons in their historical context filmed on site in the Middle East. Here’s a link to his website. Link - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/
I urge you to check out his free articles and audio lessons. Click on LEARN at the homepage of "That the World May Know."
In this podcast I brought up a story of a 12 year old boy who asked me if Jesus dwells in us. Certainly the Spirit dwells in us; that is exactly what the Bible says (1 Cor 3:16 and 1 Cor 6:19). But in one section of the Bible Jesus teaches us something totally amazing. Check it out ...
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
(Joh 14:10-20)
In these verses we see that the Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father and we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us and thus the Father is in us since the Father is in Jesus. On top of that the Holy Spirit will be given to us by the Father and the Holy Spirit will dwell in us as well!! WOW!! All three in us at the same time. So who dwells in you? Just the Spirit? Just Jesus? Only the Father? No. Who dwells in you? God! It's bigger than we thought.
So come and join me. Let us consider the importance of hearing the Bible on its own terms. Let us consider bringing our brain to the Bible and use our minds and intelligence that God gave us to come to know Him in a deeper and more passionate way so that the fire in us will begin to burn out of control and we will not be able to keep our mouths shut anymore.
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0