Monthly Archives: February 2020

Josephs Prophecy Part 1

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And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. Genesis 40:8

Joseph is now in prison, falsely accused. While in prison he meets a baker and a butler (cupbearer) each man had a dream (vision) but they didn’t know how to interpret it. Joseph told them that only God can interpret these dreams, so they explained what they saw and he prayed to God to reveal the meaning of their visions

God revealed to Joseph that the butler would be restored to his position in 3 days , however the baker would be hanged. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he’s released and put in a good word for him to the Pharaoh

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Genesis 40:23

Well everything went exactly how God predicted it would, however when the butler was restored back to his position, he never mentioned or remembered Joseph. While it may seem that this was another failure or setback for Joseph, we are going to see in the next Chapter God will use this moment to exalt Joseph again

Lesson learned here, even when your doing the will of God, don’t always expect instant results or vindication. Amen!

Is Jesus God or A God?

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Is Jesus God or A God?

We are going to take a look at 2 English Bible translation , the King James and the New World Translation used by Jehovah Witnesses.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (KJV)

 In the beginning was the Word,a and the Word was with God,b and the Word was a god John 1:1 (NWT)

We have 2 choices based on these texts, either Jesus is God or Jesus is a God. Now if Jesus is another God apart from the Father, what kind of God is he? How many Gods are there? Can we worship more than one God?

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

 

6  For a child has been born to us,dA son has been given to us;And the rulership* will rest on his shoulder.eHis name will be called Wonderful Counselor,f Mighty God,g Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6  (NWT)

I think we can agree that the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 is about Jesus. So here we see in both translations Jesus is given the title of “Mighty God”, again how many Gods are there? Can we worship multiple Gods? Do we worship Jesus?

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Matthew 28:16-17 (KJV)

However, the 11 disciples went to Galʹi·leel to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them to meet.m 17  When they saw him, they did obeisance, but some doubted Matthew 28:16-17 (NWT)

Now here the NWT translators tried to be clever and changed the translation of the original Greek word (proskuneo) to obeisance. If you look up proskuneo throughout the New Testament you’ll find this word always means “worship”. The word obeisance itself means to bow, kneel. So instead of using the English word worship , they try to downplay it with obeisance

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Revelation 5:13-14 (KJV)

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and underneath the earthv and on the sea, and all the things in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the thronew and to the Lambx be the blessing and the honory and the glory and the might forever and ever.”z 14  The four living creatures were saying: “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshipped. Revelation 5:13-14 (NWT)

Now the interesting thing here in Revelation 5, the NWT translates “proskuneo” as worship. Why are they not consistent in Matthew?  Secondly even from their translation its pretty clear, The Lamb (Jesus) is worshipped

The bottom line is as Christians we worship Jesus. Even Jehovah Witnesses have to admit they worship Jesus. So if we worship Jesus and hes not God then we are all idolaters. However because John and Isaiah made it clear Jesus is God, we are worshipping the one true God incarnate.

 

 

Joseph A Foreshadow of Christ Part 2

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And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Genesis 39:2

We continue to look at the life of Joseph and how he was a foreshadow of Christ to come. Joseph went from being a slave to being the ruler over Egypt. Much like Christ, who went from being the Suffering Servant to being the King of Kings. Here we see because of God, Joseph had found favor in the eyes of the ruler of Egypt

There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:9

And although God blessed Joseph with many things including prosperity, he didn’t lose his integrity with God. Potiphar, who was Josephs master, had a wife who tried to seduce Joseph into sleeping with her. But Joseph refused to do this because he didn’t want to sin against God

Much like how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, Jesus even though he was in human form, never sinned and never gave into temptation (Matthew 4)

And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:20-21

When Joseph refused to sleep with the woman, she falsely accused him of trying to sexually assault her. Her husband immediately had Joseph thrown into prison.  Just as Joseph was falsely accused and sentenced so was Jesus who never sinned, yet was killed for false accusations

But even in prison Joseph prospered because God was with him and showed favor towards him. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him as his right hand with all power and authority Amen!

  1. Became a Servant (Genesis 39:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:4)
  2. Everything they did prospered (Genesis 39:3, Isaiah 53:10)
  3. Resisted Temptation (Genesis 39:7-12, Matthew 4)
  4. Falsely Accused (Genesis 39:17-18, Matthew 26:60)
  5. Numbered with the transgressors (Genesis 39:20, Luke 23:33)

Is Ash Wednesday Biblical?

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“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 6:16

Is Ash Wednesday Biblical? Many Christians around the world and from many denominations will practice the ritual of “Ash Wednesday”, where they will put ashes on their forehead, but is this really Biblical?

Jesus taught us when we fast, not to let anyone know about it. Don’t neglect your appearance or put on a gloomy face so people will recognize you. Christianity always comes down to the heart, are you doing this to please God or to please man?

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face Matthew 6:17

Jesus goes on to teach us to wash your face and anoint your head with oil not ashes.. Most importantly “Ash Wednesday” or even “Lent” is nowhere mentioned in The Bible and are man-made traditions. Should Christians follow these practices? We must remember the root of Jesus teachings. Praying and Fasting are not to be public spectacles to prove our righteousness. They should be done in private with your personal relationship with God

so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:18

God knows everything we do, in public or secret. If your participating in customs like “Ash Wednesday” make sure it’s not to be noticed or prove your holiness. So is “Ash Wednesday” Biblical? No. Although I respect everyone’s proclamation to display their faith in Christ, I think we need to be careful not to be hypocrites and doing it for the wrong reasons. Ultimately its everyone personal decision between them and God to make.

 

Joseph A Foreshadow of Christ Part 1

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Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. Genesis 37:3

Joseph was a foreshadow of Christ to come, we will see the comparisons are we go throughout the story. Jacob (Israel) loved Joseph more than his other sons, we have seen the wickedness displayed by his other sons previously, so its not surprise why. Joseph was a good man and had the gift of prophecy. However his brothers would conspire to kill him because they were jealous of him, sound familiar?

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. Genesis 37:5

Joseph had visions/prophecies which he revealed to his brothers, that one day they would all be worshipping him. Of course this didn’t go over well with his brothers, who already didn’t like him. However this is the vision God had given him and we’ll see it eventually does come true

And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. Genesis 37:18

Josephs brothers have found an opportunity to once and for all get rid of Joseph. They conspired together to kill him. This shows you the wickedness of their hearts. But their brother Reuben convinced them not to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:21) Judah decided it would be better if they sold Joseph into slavery instead of killing him (Genesis 37:27) and they all agreed and sold him to the Ishmaelites, which are descendants of Ishmael

However to convince their father that Joseph Is dead, they took his coat of many colors and covered it in animal blood (Genesis 37:31)

And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Genesis 37:34

Jacob mourned for many days for his son Joseph, who he believed to be dead. It says he was so upset he refused to be comforted by anyone. Here are the foreshadows between Joseph and Christ

  1. The Father loved his Son more than all (Genesis 37:3, Matthew 3:17
  2. He was hated and envied without a cause (Genesis 37:4, Mark 15:10)
  3. He fortold he would one day rule (Genesis 37:7, Matthew 26:64)
  4. They conspired against him to kill him (Genesis 37:18, Luke 19:14)
  5. They stripped him of all he owned (Genesis 37:23, Matthew 27:28)
  6. They cast him into the pit (Genesis 37:24, Matthew 12:40)
  7. He was sold for money (Genesis 37:28, Matthew 12:40)
  8. He was raised from the pit (Genesis 37:28, Matthew 26:15)

 

Jacobs New Name

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And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Genesis 35:1

This Chapter begins with God calling Jacob to go back to the place, Bethel, where he delivered Jacob in his distress. Remember when Jacob fled from Esau along the way he met God face to face (Jesus) the story known as “Jacobs Ladder”

Jacob commanded everyone in his family to get rid of any pagan idols and purify themselves, to come and worship God. When they answered the call of God, terror fell on the cities around them (Genesis 35:5) Remember last Chapter , because Jacobs sons killed all the Hivite men for the revenge of their sister, they became “marked men” for the other tribes. However God is protecting them because of their faithfulness

And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. Genesis 35:7

Notice the scripture reaffirms God revealed himself to Jacob. How can God be in human form? It was Jesus Christ who revealed himself to Jacob. And Jacob built an altar at this location to worship God, this place is now called Bethel

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;Genesis 35:10-11

God changes Jacobs name to Israel, which means “Wrestle with God” remember the story Jacob wrestled with God one day (Christ) and he blessed him. This is the beginning of the nation of Israel. Notice God says “A nation will come from you” that nation is Israel

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Genesis 35:19

Along the way, Rachel gives birth to Jacobs 12th son , Benjamin, and she dies during child birth. Now the location of her burial is the interesting part, she died at Bethlehem Ephrath, which would be the same location where Christ is born

And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Genesis 35:29

The Chapter ends with the death of Isaac, Jacob and Esau bury him. And its now time for the nation of Israel to be fruitful and multiply as God has prophesied and commanded