Suddenly, Sinai Specifications Seem Simple Matthew 5:12-20, then 21-26 "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A … Continue reading A Mountainous Monologue
Category: Matthew
On the Mountain, The Lord Speaks
And the LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain The Introduction to the Re-telling of the Law, Don't Kid Yourself, This Time It's Even More Difficult to Follow Matthew 4:25-5:22 We will begin in verse 25 of chapter 4 because of the conjunction function. And great multitudes followed Him from … Continue reading On the Mountain, The Lord Speaks
Finding Fishermen
Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Matthew 4:18-25 "And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they … Continue reading Finding Fishermen
Increase, Increase, Increase
That is to say, Increasing Matthew 4:12-17 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace "Now when He heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun … Continue reading Increase, Increase, Increase
What in the Wilderness?
Matthew 4:1-11 "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But … Continue reading What in the Wilderness?
This is My Son
Matthew 3:13-17 "Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it … Continue reading This is My Son
The Preaching Prophet
More than a Prophet Matthew 3:1-12 "Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF … Continue reading The Preaching Prophet
Out of Egypt
Matthew 2:13-23 "Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” And he arose and … Continue reading Out of Egypt
“Born? in Bethlehem; Back to Burn Incense”
Worship or Wandering? Matthew 2:1-12 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.” … Continue reading “Born? in Bethlehem; Back to Burn Incense”
Jesus, son of Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25 "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. … Continue reading Jesus, son of Joseph
Genesis, Genealogies, and Jesus
Matthew Chapter 1: 1-17 The Gospel of Matthew begins with a beginning. It's a bit dry but fascinating nonetheless. Let's look at the text, then use the CAGED method to see all we can see. For those who are new and those who have forgotten, CAGED is an acronym for, Context, Aspirations, Genre, Exegesis, Divide. … Continue reading Genesis, Genealogies, and Jesus
Russell’s Revelation Recapitulation; A Tale of two Cities
Duly Dividing "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'" - C.S. Lewis The reading of Revelation reveals two groups of people, Those with dirty hands and feet, far from shadows … Continue reading Russell’s Revelation Recapitulation; A Tale of two Cities
The End, Again, Has Ended
Yet It Is Only The Beginning "And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its … Continue reading The End, Again, Has Ended
Saved City
See The City Of The Savior Which Has No Sea "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as … Continue reading Saved City
A Millennial Milieu
Revelation 20 "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the abyss, and … Continue reading A Millennial Milieu
City of Servants, People of Perishing
"After these things I heard, as it were, a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE … Continue reading City of Servants, People of Perishing
City of Slaughter, People of Purchase
"After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! And she has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a … Continue reading City of Slaughter, People of Purchase
She Sits on The City
The Harlot, The Beast and The Believers "And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I shall show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who … Continue reading She Sits on The City
An Intolerant Temple Tantrum or Righteous Retribution?
"And I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.” And the first angel went and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore upon the men who had … Continue reading An Intolerant Temple Tantrum or Righteous Retribution?
Back to the Future?
Promise of Persecution and Perseverance. The Overcomers "And I saw--another sign in heaven,--great and marvelous, seven angels--who had seven plagues,--which are the last, because in them--the wrath of God--is finished. And I saw,--as it were,--a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had come off victorious from the beast--and from his image--and from … Continue reading Back to the Future?
Chapter 14 Pt.4 “The Harvest”
"And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, … Continue reading Chapter 14 Pt.4 “The Harvest”
Chapter 14, Pt.3 “Choosing Sides”
“And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a … Continue reading Chapter 14, Pt.3 “Choosing Sides”
Chapter 14 Pt. 2 “The Eternal Gospel”
“And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, — having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, –and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” And I still wonder…How would a child respond to this? Midheaven according to my spell-check, which I rarely use–sorry, is not a word. … Continue reading Chapter 14 Pt. 2 “The Eternal Gospel”
Revelation 14, Pt. 1 “Multitude Made Manifest by 144,000”
Fantastic, Not Fanciful "And I looked, and behold,-- the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion,-- and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name-- and the name of His Father-- written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven,--like the sound of many waters-- and like the sound of loud thunder, … Continue reading Revelation 14, Pt. 1 “Multitude Made Manifest by 144,000”
The Beast of Burning
And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. We have much more material and even more imagery, regarding the first beast. However, I believe we will find full fruition further in Revelation--to which I will give you a … Continue reading The Beast of Burning
The Beast
Finally, we meet the beast. I’m very excited, so that means you should be worried. I can hardly contain myself. Nevertheless, the infallable word of God first: And he (most likely, I) stood on the sand of the seashore (it was written infallable, we’ve done very well keeping it that way, for the most part). … Continue reading The Beast
Sign Language
The Dragon, The Woman and The Child "And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. And another … Continue reading Sign Language
Is This The End, My Friend, The End?
"Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped … Continue reading Is This The End, My Friend, The End?
Capricious Consternation: Us or Them?
The Rollercoaster Rolls on: "Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they … Continue reading Capricious Consternation: Us or Them?
Thunder, Another Strong Angel and The Sweet Scroll
Thunder Was Heard But We're Not Told One Word...And a Sweet Scroll Made Bitter Revelation Ten, a Waltz: "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and a his legs like pillars of fire. He had … Continue reading Thunder, Another Strong Angel and The Sweet Scroll
