Month: August 2023 - Grace Panorama

SIGNS AND MIRACLES WERE

TONED DOWN BEFORE

THE CRUCIFIXION

JAN LILLEBY

We learn from the New Testament that the apostles continued the ministry of Jesus after He had gone up to heaven. They were given SIGNS to attesting that they were sent by God to Israel.

The twelve should bring the Gospel of the Kingdom of God on earth to Israel, and Jesus should return from heaven as soon as Israel had repented as a nation.

The SIGNS and miracles followed their ministries…as we can see throughout Acts period.

The final miracles and healings reported in Acts were those performed by Paul, as he cured several sick people at Malta, Acts 28:7-10 – however, notice that prior to these healings Paul had performed a SIGN – in that he did not have any negative effects after a snake bit his hand. The islanders there started to speculate whether Paul was one of the gods! Thus – the Lord had started to have these heathens pay Paul special attention. And THEN Paul went on and he cured many sick people. AMP Bible web version -

“In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days.

8And it happened that the father of Publius was sick [in bed] with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to him, and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

9After this occurred, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed.

10They also gave us many honors [gifts and courtesies expressing respect]; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all the things we needed.”

This healing of Publius’ sick father, is the only incident telling of an apostle first praying, and then laying hands on the sick. A similar incident to what Peter did when raising Tabitha from the dead. FIRST he prayed, and then he called Tabitha to stand up. The Lord had to make a SIGN regarding Paul…and He used the incident with the snakebite. I believe that this sign opened up for Paul to care for the sick ones.

This passage in Acts 28 of Paul at Malta, may be the only passage where I dare ‘read in’ …even though it says nothing of it…that Paul most probably must have told them of Jesus Christ. It seems logical since after all, it is Paul we are talking of…and not just some ‘nobody’ hanging around. Why Luke did not mention this in his writing, I cannot find a plausible reason. At least: Paul must have prayed in Jesus’ name when healing Publius’ father.

But as for Jesus, and His ministry on earth before He was crucified, such SIGNS were seen with Him in the early period of it. But as it drew nigh to the Passover in 28 CE, when He would be crucified, Jesus began to tone down the testimonies of His miracles.

He started to tell people to keep quiet about all His miracles and SIGNS, and even He told them not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah.

So, many Christians are puzzled over this. Jesus came on at full force early, starting with the wedding in Cana. He made vine out of water! He multiplied a little food supply in a basket, some fish and some loaves of bread – and God performed a miracle so great that nobody could really explain what happened. They fed 5000 people, and there were lots of food left over after the meal! (John 6:1-14). He did same thing not much later feeding 4000 (Mat. 15:32-39)…so this kind of miracle happened twice. He walked on the Sea of Galilee, He stilled the storm by saying a word. He raised Lazarus from the dead…and a vast number of miracles, which were healings of the sick and setting demon possessed free.

But – as it closed in on the Passover when He would be crucified, He toned it all down. He deliberately wanted to ensure that the evidence of the SIGNS and healings and these wonders, did not convince their leadership that He really was Messiah of God. He had to be hung on that cross – He had to ensure He would take upon Him all the sin of the world, and so giving mankind salvation, as many who would take to the faith in Him.

But after this was done, and He finally sent out His apostles as we see in Acts, there were no more restrictive attitude in regard to SIGNS and miracles. God wanted these SIGNS to follow His apostles everywhere they came, to attesting to the people that they were sent by Him.

Mark 16:20 is a perfect testimony of this,

“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord was working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed.]”

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES OF SIGNS BEING TONED DOWN

Mat. 16:16-21, AMP Bible web version -

“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”

17Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

18And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].

19“I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you lose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”

20Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). (Editor’s emphasize)

21From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples [clearly] that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed, and be raised [from death to life] on the third day.”

Mat. 17:9 - after the transfiguration at the mount,

And as they were going down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

They had not only seen Jesus enveloped in a sharp super-natural heavenly light; they actually heard the voice of God speak to them, and they also witnessed Moses and Elijah appearing and talking with Jesus! The voice from above said:

“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”

God Himself talked to them and saying straight forward, that Jesus was His beloved Son!

Even if we find Jesus performing healings in the temple just two days before His crucifixion, He did so since He knew that the Sanhedrin Counsel of Priests already had decided to kill Him. Thus He got on with full measure of miracles and healings again. He received great cheer calls from many children who saw what Jesus did for the sick.

Mat. 21:14-17 is very touching, and could bring on tears in our eyes -

“And the blind and the lame came to Him in [the porticoes and courts of] the temple area, and He healed them.

15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful and miraculous things that Jesus had done, and heard the boys who were shouting in [the porticoes and courts of] the temple [in praise and adoration], “Hosanna to the Son of David (the Messiah),” they became indignant

16and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus replied to them, “Yes; have you never read [in the Scripture], ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED and PROVIDED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

17Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.”

Notice verse 15 and the madness and evil having possessed that flock of Pharisees with the Chief Priests and scribes – the very leaders of Israel, who should rather embraced Jesus, kissed Him and welcomed Him in the temple! Can you imagine such spiritual almost possessive blindness? They were so filled with hate and indignation against Jesus, that they admitted He had done marvelous miracles, and yet – they would have Him killed.

THE ISAIAH 6 SYNDROM OF ISRAEL

Ah…but I think I can explain this phenomenon. We find Jesus’ own teaching of this in Mat. 13:10-17 – quoting Isa. 6 to them; the very same passage also quoted by Paul in the presence of the Sanhedrin Counsel in Rome 60 CE, told in Acts 28:25-28. AMP Bible web version -

«10Then the disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do You speak to the crowds in parables?”

11Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.

12For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him.

13This is the reason I speak to the crowds in parables: because while [having the power of] seeing they do not see, and while [having the power of] hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand and grasp [spiritual things].(Editor’s emphasize)

14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL HEAR and KEEP ON HEARING, BUT NEVER UNDERSTAND;
AND YOU WILL LOOK and KEEP ON LOOKING, BUT NEVER COMPREHEND;

15FOR THIS NATION’s HEART HAS GROWN HARD,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY HARDLY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE [tightly] CLOSED THEIR EYES,
OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND TURN [to Me]
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM [spiritually].’

16But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

17I assure you and most solemnly say to you, many prophets and righteous men [who were honorable and in right standing with God] longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

God allowed Israel to become stricken with spiritual blindness, deafness and a blocked mind which could not comprehend what God spoke to them.

Jesus knew this, and as I wrote above – He willfully played with it: He toned down His miracles, like, Hush-hush, when Calvary came in sight…some time before this He had also began to speak to the people in parables. So they could understand? No, so they SHOULD NOT UNDERSTAND and thus reject the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He knew He had to be crucified for the sin of this world. He knew He was the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice and so He willfully played along so He would end up at the cross. No wonder He said the prayer as He hung on the cross, Forgive them Father, for they know not what they are doing. God had stricken them with this blindness, deafness and lack of understanding.

This is why Christ sent out His apostles to them, after His ascension. Since now the sin had been atoned for at the cross, it was the will of God that Israel should repent and believe on Jesus and be baptized. God no longer wanted His people to be spiritually blind and deaf and not understanding. The apostles followed their calling to the very end, as told in Acts. Jesus would have come back from heaven in the times of the apostles, if only Israel, the entire nation had repented and believed on Jesus Christ. Peter’s second speech in Acts 3 tells all about it. Heaven should house Jesus until the times of refreshing arrived (when Israel had repented) - and the Kingdom of God on earth, in Israel, would have been established.

This Kingdom on earth shall indeed be established; it is no longer so far into the future. But before this can happen, God shall take the Church into heaven like told in Col. 3:1-4 – and we shall be appearing with Christ in glory up in the heavens. Then God will send down to Israel Moses and Elijah (Rev. 11) to set things straight with Israel, to bring her back as a nation for God.

In our time, since the apostles died in the first century there has been no signs, no miracles, no divine healings, no casting out of demons,….no nothing!

Signs and such were only given for the sake of Israel so they could come to faith in Christ. After Israel’s destruction in 70 CE it is definitely over what concerns SIGNS and miracles. Such super-natural works of the Holy Spirit seen with the apostles were never inherited by Christendom. The Church, the Body of Christ has no such mandate including miracles and signs. Not in the least!

Paul taught this straight out from the Law of Moses, as he wrote 1 Cor. 14:21, 22,

“It is written in the Law, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF FOREIGNERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND NOT EVEN THEN WILL THEY LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.

22Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.” (Editor’s emphasize)

Paul quoted some of the Law of Moses when teaching on tongues: It was thus without doubt a SIGN meant only for Israel. And so it went, - Israel would not listen to Christ or His apostles, in spite of all the SIGNS they had in their ministry to Israel, like Tongues, miracles, healings, casting out of demons, raising dead persons….all SIGNS mentioned in Acts. Paul used this one spiritual gift, tongues, as an example for all the signs which followed the apostles in ministry. So this solidly proves that SIGNS were only for Israel; never for the Church, the Body of Christ. The Church was kept secret in God from before creation, but revealed to Paul shortly before he wrote Ephesians and Colossians in 63 CE. Ref. Eph. 3:1-9 in which he gives a declaration of the Mystery revealed, the Body of Christ.

You can read my many articles on that subject here in my web site.

Gracepano.com

BEFORE AND AFTER ACTS 28:28

BY OSCAR M. BAKER

Editor’s intro: Oscar M. Baker was a minister who took

E.W. Bullinger’s system of Bible interpretation serious, and

he wrote a substantial number of articles to prove that

Bullinger’s Bible views are correct, - and this present

article is one of many in this topic.

You may find more interesting material of Oscar M. Baker,

visiting the website of Truth for Today.

Jan Lilleby.

“Before. Israel were urged to turn again in order that God might send the Christ unto them, even Jesus. Ye men of Israel ...turn again... that He may send the Christ Who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus (AC 3:12-21).

After. Israel's hope of the Lord's return was deferred, for Paul declared, in the words of Isaiah, that they were too blind to fulfil the required condition of turning again. After that Paul had spoken one word ...Go thou unto this People, and say...their eyes have they closed; lest haply they should ...turn again, and I should heal them (Ac 28:25-27).

Before. The. word of salvation was sent to Israel with a warning concerning what might come if they failed to give heed. Children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you that feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent...Beware therefore, test that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets (Ac 13:26,40).

After. The salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles in consequence of Israel's failure to give heed. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it (Ac 28:28).

Before. Believing Gentiles, like Cornelius, were permitted to partake of the word which God had sent unto Israel. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel (Ac 10:36).

After. The Gentiles received in the dispensation of the mystery committed to Paul, a word which God had sent especially to them. You Gentiles, it ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (Eph. 3:1-3).

Before. Paul was bound for the hope of Israel. Because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain (Ac 28:20).

After. He became a prisoner for the Gentiles in connection with the revelation of the mystery given to him for them. I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles...how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (Eph. 3:1-3).

Before. Paul's sufferings concerned the hope of the promise made unto Israel's fathers. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hopes sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews (Ac 26:6-7).

After. He suffered in making known the hope of the mystery to the Gentiles. Who now rejoice in my suffering for you...according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you ...even the mystery ...among the Gentiles; which is Christ among you, the hope of glory (Col 1:24-27, margin).

Before: A calling was in view whose blessings are associated with a time "from" the foundation of the world. Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (M't. 25:34).

After. A calling came into view whose blessings are associated with a time "before" the foundation of the world. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3,4).

Before. Believers were said to have been identified with Christ in His burial and resurrection. We are buried with Him by baptism Into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).

After. They are said to have the added blessing of being raised and seated with Him. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:5,6).

Before. Some believers had a place of blessing where angels dwell. But ye are come onto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels (Heb. 12:22).

After. A higher place of blessing was revealed, for as seated with Christ in the heavenly places we are far above all principality and power. Set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, tar above all principality and power (Eph. 1:20,21, compare 2:6). Ye are complete in Him, Which is the head of ail principality and power (Col 2:10).

Before. The "hope" connected with the day of the Lord was something the believers knew perfectly. For what is our hope,...Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (1Th. 2:19). The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven...But of the times and seasons brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly (1Th. 4:16 to 5:2).

After. Prayers for enlightenment are necessary that the "hope" of this time might be known. Prayers that...The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling (Eph 1:16-18).

Before. Believers looked to meet the Lord in the air during His descent from far above all, that event is termed His revelation (apokalupsis) or coming (parousia). waiting for the revelation (apokalupsis) of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Co 1:7, margin). I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

After. Blessings of believers are with Christ. He is far above all. So they look for the manifestation in Glory where He is. The terms apokalupsis and parousia are not used here. When Christ, Who is our life, shaft appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory (Col:4).

Before. Paul was a minister of the New Covenant. This had been promised to Israel, not ever to Gentiles. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, .and with the house of Judah (Jer ,31:31). Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament (new covenant) (2 Co. 3:6).

After. Paul was made a minister of the mystery which had been hid from ages and from generations. Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil (complete) the Word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints (Col 1:25,26).

Before. The mystery was no part of Paul's ministry. All that he said was limited to those things written in Moses and the prophets. I continue unto this day...saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come (Ac 26:22).

After. Paul was a prisoner. He received a truth distinct from anything he had spoken earlier because it had not been seen by the prophets. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given ...to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which from the beginning of the world bath been hid in God (Eph 3:8,9).

Before. 'there was more than one baptism. In the house of Cornelius there was both a baptism of spirit and of water. The holy ghost fell on all them which heard the word...Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the holy ghost as weft as we? (Ac 10:4J-48, cf. 10:15-16).

After. In the unity of the Spirit, there can be only one baptism. Which is it? Even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph 4:4,5).

Before. Paul healed the sick by laying on of his hands. Evidential gifts accompanied the preaching of the hope of Israel. They were a part of the kingdom of heaven. The father of Publius lay sick of a fever and a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and heated him (Ac 28:8).

After. Paul no longer healed in this way. The mystery was not proven by signs. Healing might be granted, but only by the sovereign power of God at His discretion. Epaphroditus was nigh unto death, but no miracle of healing was granted. See Ph'p. 2:25-30. Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick (2 Tim. 4:20).

Before: A calling was in view whose blessings are associated with a time "from" the foundation «f the world. Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (M't 25:34).

After. A calling came into view whose blessings are associated with a time "before" the foundation of the world. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3,4).

Before. Believers were said to have been identified with Christ in His burial and resurrection. We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Ro 6:4).

After. They are said to have the added blessing of being raised and seated with Him. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:5,6).

Before. Some believers had a place of blessing where angels dwell. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels (Heb 12:22).

After. A higher place of blessing was revealed, for as seated with Christ in the heavenly places we are far above all principality and power. Set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power (Eph 1:20,21, compare 2:6). Ye are complete in Him, Which is the head of all principality and power (Col 2:10).

Before. The "hope" connected with the day of the Lord was something the believers knew perfectly. For what is our hope,...Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (1Th 2:19). The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven...But of the times and seasons brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly (1Th 4:16 to 5:2).

After. Prayers for enlightenment are necessary that the "hope" of this time might be known. Prayers that ...The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling (Eph 1:16-18).

Before. Believers looked to meet the Lord in the air during His descent from far above all, that event is termed His revelation (apokalupsis) or coming (parousia). waiting for the revelation (apokalupsis) of our Lard Jesus Christ (1Co 1:7, margin). 1 pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ

AFTER. Believers looked to be manifested with Christ IN GLORY far above all heavens. This event is called the epiphany or appearing. (Col. 3:1-4) where the believer is said to be seated in the heavenly places. Eph. 2:6

The reader is asked to go on from here.”

The web site of Truth for Today is: www.tftmin.org

Gracepano.com

COULD THE APOSTLES HEAL

AT THEIR OWN WISHES?

JAN LILLEBY

No way!

Whether talking of Peter, John, James, Philip, or Paul – there is no word in the New Testament that supports the idea of the apostles performing miracles and healings all by themselves.

For instance, we cannot find one single incident among them, anticipating that they advertised… ‘Healing meeting tonight’ – ‘Come to the portico of Solomon by the Temple, and God shall heal your sickness!’

When reading of signs, miracles and healings in Acts, we do not find that they promised beforehand that God would perform such wonders for them.

In this regard, we do find a sound word of teaching by Paul, 1. Cor. 12:11, AMP Bible web version -

“All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.”

Paul, after teaching on the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit in verses 1 to 10, he comes to a conclusion which we have to notice: The Holy Spirit works miracles, yes, but ONLY AS HE CHOOSES. It all lies in the hands of God, by His Holy Spirit.

And it says nothing of the Spirit eventually announcing miracles beforehand. He operates entirely spontaneous, as we learn from Acts’ report of how the apostles ministered to the people.

Thus it is entirely unbiblical and in grave error to actually advertise ‘Healing Meetings’ – and so make the believers expect miracles to happen to them. The ‘Crusading Emperors’ are/were known for this false way of advertising their campaigns abroad. The infamous Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, Reinhardt Bonnke, and before them – T.L. Osborn…and many others used this method to make people coming expectantly. “Jesus Heals Today” was (and still is) one of many kinds of slogans.

In the time reported in Acts, 28-62 CE, there were no such incidents happening in which the apostles advertised the miracles/healings beforehand. They never promised that people would get healed if they came to a meeting.

Because they knew how the Holy Spirit operated, they did not raid hospitals to heal the sick there. They did not go streets up and streets down, healing every sick person they met. There actually were no ‘Healers’ in their time. Like we see in our time, with the falsehood that goes with it. Hordes of TV-Evangelists and TV-Healers are filling the media and Internet, and all of them into error and heresy. God does not work this in our time. Their teaching and methods used in such ‘healing campaigns’ are not at all supported by the Bible. Not in any manner.

When God did not make His apostles operate by their own wishes and initiative in the apostolic era – when such gifts really were in full operation – then we know for sure that no such thing are operating in our time, as we find that such gifts and power ended as the apostles died within the first century. The well known lie and heresy of Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles 1906-1913 – which formed the early Pentecostal movement, is the very spiritual foundation for all these heretic ‘miracle workers’. It was all a fabrication by man, dreamers and spiritual Hillbillies declaring falsely that ‘Pentecost Has Come’.

SIGNS GIVEN FOR ISRAEL’S REPENTANCE TO JESUS

From reading Mark 16:20 we learn that healings and miracles were given as SIGNS, we are pointed in to know that God used miracles as signs so the Jews (Israel) could believe that He had sent the apostles.

The speaking in tongues, just as well as healings and miracles, all were given as SIGNS to testify of Jesus Christ as the Messiah of God, so that Israel could repent and Jesus returning shortly from heaven.

All signs and miracles in Acts were given for Israel only, so the nation could repent and get Jesus establishing the promised millennial Kingdom on earth.

Acts 3:17-22 is all about this,

«17“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance [not fully aware of what you were doing], just as your rulers did also.

18And so God has fulfilled what He foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ (Messiah, Anointed) would suffer.

19So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];

20and that He may send [to you] Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you,

21whom heaven must keep until the time for the [complete] restoration of all things about which God promised through the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

22Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR COUNTRYMEN; YOU SHALL LISTEN TO HIM and OBEY everything He tells you.”

THE INCIDENT WITH PAUL AND THE SICK EPAPHRODITUS

Phil. 2:25-27 on the sick Epaphroditus,

“However, I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, [who has been] my brother and companion and fellow soldier, who was also sent as your messenger to take care of my needs.

26For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

27He certainly was sick and close to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.”

It seem to me that when anyone was sick, but only in private situations (not publicly, in the streets or in meetings) – the Holy Spirit chose not to heal as if it was to make a SIGN out of that healing.

In such cases, the believers had to bring this in prayer before God, and await His mercy. Paul is explicit: “But God had mercy on him”.

He recovered from his disease and got well, and Paul witness that this also was a relief to him, for he was very worried over Epaphroditus. Paul could not just, like, lay hands on him…and whoopi…instant healing, just like when Paul healed the lame man at Lystra in Acts 14:8-19. He didn’t even lay hands on him, but just commanded him to stand upon his feet. You see the difference?

What we see in this, is how much importance God and the Holy Spirit laid on healings used as SIGNS to make Israel believe in Christ.

In Epaphroditus’ case we cannot find any remarks on his healing from sickness as a SIGN…so that many Jews started to believe on Christ.

If God wanted to make a SIGN He would have healed him instantly AND PREFERABLY IN PUBLIC.

PAUL AND TROPHIMUS LEFT BEHIND

2 Tim. 4:20,

“Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.”

Here, as opposed to the case with Epaphroditus, Paul had left Trophimus at Miletus sick. He did not get to heal him by the gift of healing, which had been so evident in Paul’s ministry all the time. Why so?

I believe that the Holy Spirit CHOSE not to work this healing by Paul’s ministry for a reason. God only knows. Paul could not choose to do this wanted healing all by himself, or just because he wanted to see him healed. It is very evident so.

This verse does not say that Trophimus was not healed. But Paul had to get onboard the ship to go to Israel, so he could not spend any more time to care for him. This means, that Trophimus was left in care of the Ephesian assembly, and for all what we know, he might have recovered. I believe he was, if you are asking me.

If the apostles were able to heal at their own pleasure, then Trophimus would have been healed.

Peter healing the lame beggar near the temple gate in Acts 3, was given as a mighty SIGN. But if Peter had taken this beggar (have someone to carry him) inside in more silent quarters, and gotten him healed, this effect would not have been the same. The whole place was astonished by such a miracle, and a great number of Jews came to faith in Christ. And the Pharisees got angry, again…and reprimanded Peter, John and the others.

Peter raising Tabitha from the dead was a mighty SIGN – even if that happened not in a public place or a meeting, but inside a sleeping room. But it is obvious that there was no need to have dead risen in public, for the whole congregation of believers brought this out to the entire town of Jaffa, Acts 9:36-42. Notice that Peter fell on his knees and prayed to God, before he spoke to her to stand up, v. 40. I am sure Peter asked God for His mercy and grace!

But when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, this was a SIGN so great it shook the whole region there, in Judea! He had lain in the tomb for four days. John 11:38-48,

38So Jesus, again deeply moved within [to the point of anger], approached the tomb. It was a cave, and a boulder was lying against it [to cover the entrance].

39Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! [It is hopeless!]”

40Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe [in Me], you will see the glory of God [the expression of His excellence]?”

41So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes [toward heaven] and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42“I knew that You always hear Me and listen to Me; but I have said this because of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You have sent Me [and that You have made Me Your representative].” (Editor’s emphasize)

43When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

44Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him.”

45So then, many of the Jews who had come to [be with] Mary and who were eyewitnesses to what Jesus had done, believed in Him. (Editor’s emphazise)

46But some of them went back to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47So the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council [of the leaders in Israel], and said, “What are we doing? For this man performs many signs (attesting miracles). (Editor’s emphazise)

48“If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our [holy] place (the temple) and our nation.”

Just think about it: Jesus delayed his travel back to Judea for two days, knowing Lazarus would be dead when they arrived there! Why?

He explained to them the IMPORTANCE OF MIRACLES GIVEN ISRAEL AS A SIGN. (See verse 42 in which Jesus explained it to them).

Miracles given as SIGNS runs all through the New Testament, except for Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. In other words, in all the scripture written in the time of Acts, 28-62 CE.

Acts testifies that such SIGNS were attached firmly to the apostles of Christ, and nobody else. After these apostles died, Paul and John as the last ones, in the first century – there were no more SIGNS, no more tongues speaking, or prophesying, or healings…whatever. And God never sent a supposed repetition of Acts 2 Pentecost in Los Angeles 1906, like the Pentecostal movement is propagating.

Much the same effect of a SIGN was the case when Peter healed Aeneas, as the people in two towns – Lydda and Sharon – heard of it, and many came to faith in Christ, Acts 9:32-35. In this case he simply (led by the Spirit) spoke to Aeneas telling him that Jesus Christ was now healing him. It could be different all depending on the case at hand. Actually – it was Jesus Who healed Aeneas…since that was what Peter told him. It was used by God as a SIGN.

Acts 5:12-16 is maybe the strongest word on the importance of healing miracles being used by God as SIGNS to Israel,

«12At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders (attesting miracles) were continually taking place among the people. And by common consent they all met together [at the temple] in [the covered porch called] Solomon’s portico.

13But none of the rest [of the people, the non-believers] dared to associate with them; however, the people were holding them in high esteem and were speaking highly of them.

14More and more believers in the Lord, crowds of men and women, were constantly being added to their number,

15to such an extent that they even carried their sick out into the streets and put them on cots and sleeping pads, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on one of them [with healing power].

16And the people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.”

Having read this, we are again reminded of Mark 16:20,

“ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord was working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed.]” (Editor’s emphasize).

THE FALSE LEGEND OF

THE TEN TRIBES

JAN LILLEBY

There is much unrest and confusion among Christendom as to the status of Israel in regard to the twelve tribes; both in the USA as well here in my homeland Norway.

There are always some loud-mouths pondering on with the tribal issues of Israel of old.

Some say that Israel has been dispersed throughout the entire earth, and the Western nations such as European continent, USA and Canada, and many others, - referring to the action taken by the Assyrian king Sargon II about 721 BC, who sent the Northern Kingdom’s inhabitants out of the land, letting them occupy many cities. Thus we have the heresy of ‘The Ten Tribes Are Lost’.

Here in Norway there are voices declaring that these ‘disappeared’ ten tribes, they are in effect the present day’s Israelites, making up the population in these Western nations, no less.

But this is a total heresy, and comes from the confusion one gets when the Bible is not studied well enough.

I have written an article on this issue, in which I prove that these ten tribes never went away into oblivion or got assimilated with Gentiles abroad.

The article is unfortunately only in my native language, Norwegian – but I can drop some of the info in it here:

The King Sargon II (he died in 705 BC) himself wrote in his chronicles that his army deported 29290 Israelis from the Northern Kingdom! In 2 Sam. 24:9 we read quite another story, telling of hundreds of thousands inhabitants. So less than 30000 people was a very small number of deported Israelis, - which was only 3,7 % of the total population. There is no way that the ten tribes disappeared. Just this small portion of almost 4% was deported. End of story, end of speculations.

AMP Bible, says -

“So when they had gone about through all the land [taking the census], they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. 9And Joab gave the sum of the census of the people to the king. In Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.”

Consequently, the legend in Christendom of the ten tribes going lost, is a hoax.

Historians hold that these deported 29290 people, were probably the elite class of their time, the rich and the wealthy, people of high social status. While the common Israelis they were left alone. It was as simple as that.

PAUL’S OWN SPEECHES ON JEWRY

When Paul was questioned by King Agrippa II in Acts 26, 1- 7 - he said,

“2“I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, since it is before you that I am to make my defense today regarding all the charges brought against me by the Jews, 3especially because you are an expert [fully knowledgeable, experienced and unusually conversant] in all the Jewish customs and controversial issues; therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4“So then, all the Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation [the Jewish people], and in Jerusalem. 5They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify to it, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I have lived as a Pharisee. 6And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7Which hope [of the Messiah and the resurrection] our twelve tribes [confidently] expect to realize as they serve and worship God in earnest night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews!

The outline in red: Paul referred to an existing situation regarding Israel’s tribes in the apostolic era. He used present tense, ‘they serve and worship God in earnest night and day’.

This utterance of Paul before Agrippa II at Caesarea in 59-60 CE testifies to us that these tribes, all ten of them plus the southern ones, Judea and Benjamin, were in full existence and serving (worshipping) God.

And as we read the verses above and those below, - how is it that Paul called all Israel for “my own nation, the Jewish people” - ???

It was ordinary speech to use the expression or name ‘Jews’ or ‘Jewish’ even if it was about the whole nation, the twelve tribes. This is so all through the New Testament scriptures.

Below I have more solid quotes in that regard, proving this important fact. It was without any doubt that people saying ‘The Jews’ they always spoke of it in the meaning of the entire nation.

In Flavius Josephus’ books on the Jewish War 66-70 CE, he used that way of expression.

When he told that the Jews went into rebellion against the Roman Empire – it was his way of saying, Israel went into rebellion. The whole nation rebelled against Rome, and was destroyed in 70 CE as the history books shows.

There was no distinction between Israel and the Jews. It was the very same. Paul always used ‘Jew’ or ‘The Jews’ when speaking of his national belonging. He just once mentioned that he was from the tribe of Benjamin.

Same way of addressing the people and the nation, we also find with Peter. His Pentecost speech went: Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem; men of Israel listen to….; therefore let all the house of Israel recognize…; - and yet Peter knew very well that he spoke to all the twelve tribes since they were there at the annual Pentecostal Holiday Celebration. Acts 2:5 is clear:

“Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout and God-fearing men from every nation under heaven.” Luke, the author of Acts, used Jews, and Peter the apostle, used ‘Men of Judea and all the house of Israel.

Acts 22:3; - 17-21 AMP-Web Version –

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being ardent and passionate for God just as all of you are today.

NOTICE: Even as Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, he called himself a ‘Jew’. This proves that being a Jew was not literally meaning that such a Jew was of the tribe of Judah. No matter which tribe you came from, they all considered themselves as a Jew. It’s a fact. Both the Romans as well as the inhabitants of Israel/Palestine, used the nickname ‘Jew’ for all of them, regardless of any tribal ancestry.

17“Then it happened when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple [enclosure], that I fell into a trance (vision); 18and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ 19And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know [without any doubt] that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You [and Your message of salvation]. 20‘And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing nearby approving and consenting [to his death], and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.’ 21“And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 23:27-29 – AMP- Web Version -

“This man (Paul) was seized [as a prisoner] by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon him with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28And wanting to know the exact charge which they were making against him, I brought him down to their Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court); 29and I discovered that he was accused in regard to questions and issues in their Law, but [he was] under no accusation that would call for the penalty of death or [even] for imprisonment.”

Acts 24:26, 27 – AMP -

“At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him. 27But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded [in office] by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”

Here it seemed clearly that even the Roman officers and the procurator, meant the entire nation Israel – when using the expression “Do the Jews a favor”. Like I already pointed out above.

Phil. 4:4-6 - AMP -

“…though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: 5circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; 6as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless.”

Here we find Paul saying it straight forward, confessing his national origin. Of the NATION OF ISRAEL, TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, and a HEBREW OF HEBREWS. He called his countrymen for ‘My fellow Jews’.

Tribe of Benjamin had Jerusalem as their land parcel, so that Judah was their neighbors in the era of the apostles. He was of the NATION OF ISRAEL, but still he did not come from any of the ten tribes up north. You see this?

It is entirely obsolete to try to differ between the two.

Let me also quote James 1, as he greeted these tribes,

“1James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)!”

How could two of the most prominent among God’s servants – James and Paul – refer to the twelve tribes (greeting them) if ten of these were gone?

THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL 70 CE

Oh, I almost forgot: Have you considered the effects of the destruction of Israel in 70 CE, as ALL THE 12 TRIBES were scattered out in the Middle-East and Egypt. Thousands of Jewish prisoners of war were sent to Alexandria and tried sold as slaves, but no one would buy. Josephus wrote of this in his books, that all prisoners from age 17 were sent to Egypt…even spouses. But many of them were sent to Rome and ended as slaves or victims of the Gladiator games.

Just as Moses prophesied in Deut. 28:68,

“The LORD will bring you back to Egypt in ships, by the way about which I said to you, ‘You will never see it again!’ And there you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but there will be no one to buy you.”

In that huge calamity and disaster hitting Israel, all the files of who is who regarding tribal ancestry, were lost. The fire took it all.

This means that in our time no one knows exactly from which tribe their fathers came. And still, they call themselves generally for being a Jew.

THE FUTURE NEO-ORGANIZATION OF THE TWELVE TRIBES

And so we come to the sensation regarding the twelve tribes of Israel. This is found in Rev. 7 and 14 where we can learn of the neo-organization of the 12-tribe system in Jewry. It happens as we read of the Great Tribulation in Israel in near future.

These 144 000 tribal men of Israel in the tribulation told, are not men randomly picked out from the regular common population in Israel when the tribulation starts.

The 144 000 will be chosen by Moses and Elijah, the two witnesses in Rev. 11, and they are actually genuine real ancestors of the lineage of Abraham! It takes divine Holy Spirit anointing to separate these 144 000 from out of the Jewish population in Israel; an anointing which God has given only to His prophets, Moses and Elijah. In particular it was first Moses who was dealing with the tribal affairs of the Hebrews at Sinai, later taken over by Joshua when Moses died and went to heaven as Michael, the angel of the Lord, brought him there.

On behalf of Christ and God His Father, Moses and Elijah segregates these 144 000 believers in Christ, as they are entering total celibacy and dedication to Jesus Christ.

The many preachers in Christendom forgets these 144 000 in Rev. 7 and 14, and are misleading their assemblies much when saying that the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom were lost and gone. We meet them all in Rev. 7 and 14 – so the whole ‘legend of the missing ten tribes’ is a hoax. The thing is, at present no one knows from which tribe they, as Jews, came from. All files were burnt in 70 CE as I mentioned above.

I shall end this article by just have you reading the relevant Bible passages by yourselves, from AMP Web version,

Rev. 7:2-8, on the 144 000 genuine Jews of the lineage of Abraham, ---

“2Then I saw another angel coming up from the rising of the sun, holding the seal of the living God; and with a loud voice he called out to the four angels to whom it was granted [to have authority and power] to harm the earth and the sea,

3saying, “Do not harm the earth nor the sea nor the trees until we seal (mark) the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

4And I heard how many were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand; [twelve thousand] sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5Twelve thousand were sealed from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad,

6twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh,

7twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar,

8twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed (marked, redeemed, protected).”

Rev. 14:1-5 gives more details about these 144 000 tribal Jews,

1Then I looked, and this is what I saw: the Lamb stood [firmly established] on Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had His name and His Father’s name inscribed on their foreheads [signifying God’s own possession].

2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of great waters and like the rumbling of mighty thunder; and the voice that I heard [seemed like music and] was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.

3And they sang a new song before the throne [of God] and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased (ransomed, redeemed) from the earth.

4These are the ones who have not been defiled [by relations] with women, for they are celibate. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased and redeemed from among men [of Israel] as the first fruits [sanctified and set apart for special service] for God and the Lamb.

5No lie was found in their mouth, for they are blameless (spotless, untainted, beyond reproach).”

My final comments to the above quotes is that these tribal, segregated Jews, 144 000 in number, will be the basic foundation (called first fruits, v. 4) for the NEW ISRAEL for which Jesus shall be ruler and king in the millennial Kingdom of God on earth.

Rev. 20:4 says of these, that they shall be ruling with Christ for a thousand years, - and there are absolutely NO GENTILES among these servants of God,

«4And then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those to whom judgment [that is, the authority to act as judges] was given. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had refused to worship the beast or his image, and had not accepted his mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

Gracepano.com

THOUGHTS ON HEAVEN

AND HOW DIFFERENT

THAT WILL BE FROM OUR

PRESENT EARTHLY LIFE

JAN LILLEBY

It is completely impossible for us even to try a little bit of comparison!

Our thoughts and capabilities will not manage such a massive task for us, and really comprehending that heavenly future which has been given to all Christian believers in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul understood this, and therefore wrote the following, Eph. 4:30, AMP Bible web version -

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].”

It is all so immensely huge, enormous and overwhelming humanly speaking, that Paul was given these exact comforting words to tell us – that we, as a matter of fact, have gotten a guarantee from God: The Holy Spirit in us as we entered the faith in Christ. He will be in us and with us until we actually enter the up-above-heavens (Greek, Epiouranos) as the ‘Day of Redemption’ comes. It is this immense might and bright glory in Christ we find Paul pointing us to in Col. 3:1-4…having us keep our minds set for heaven up above, and not on things here on earth.

So, let me list up a few important thoughts of this narrative of what it may be like, the heavenly life to come.

It is quite incomprehensible, and entirely impossible to understand due to our limited brain capacity. We are not capable to understand the greatness of God and the heavenly things up there, - but still…let’s have a glimpse, shall we?

The Greek word mentioned above, epiouranos’ means ‘The heaven up above the heavens’ – or ‘The Uppermost High Heaven’, in which now Christ is residing at the right hand of His Father, God Almighty in glory and power.

Where is heaven then?

It is found outside of and over, the universe we can see. In other words it is an unknown dimension of existence than that of the earth. You cannot get there by rockets or spaceships. Only God, the Father of Christ, can bring us super-naturally into His high eternal heaven, by His great endless might and power.

I hinted at Col. 3:1-4 above, and it concludes for us that we shall be brought together with Christ in glory, - verse 4,

“When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Editor’s emphasize).

This glory is, as we all understands, not on earth, it is found in heaven…in that super-heaven where Christ now is with His Father.

No science on earth will ever manage to explain this greatness of God; no one can ever explain what it is or how it is.

We already know, by having studied the Bible, - that we are not demanded by God to know or understand, but we are only asked to BELIEVE ON Christ our Savior.

Knowledge cannot bring you to God and His salvation, but faith in Christ can!

Eph. 2:8, 9 cannot be questioned in regard to faith as the means of our salvation,

«8For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].”(Editor’s emphasize).

THE HEAVENLY BLESSINGS IN A HEAVENLY LIFE

# We shall live forever – it will never end. The clock is thus irrelevant.

# There will be no sickness, no pain, no plagues of any kind, we will have an eternal heavenly super-body.

# No one will be in lack of anything and no one will have sufferings, unforeseen problems and so on.

# We shall neither be ‘unemployed’ – there will be activities and tasks to go to, for everything is perfect with God.

# Earthly feelings and opinions are non-existent: We are not taken with boredom, we will not get angry and start to hate others. We will have no psychological troubles, fear, anxiety, paranoias, depression or other negative soulish/spiritual sufferings.

# Everyone is a ‘Zillionaire’ if monetary values should be brought into this equation; we will possess everything that God has got for us abundantly. To be with God and Christ up in the heavens, that is so indescribably rich that no values on earth can be used to describe such immense richness. Compared to heaven, we find that money is a total joke!

# Probably we will not have to get sleep or rest of any kind; nobody will ever get tired, weary and burnt out, or falling into boredom. In heaven everything is beyond great, bright, pleasant, encouraging, positive, happily…we shall be ‘drowning’ in the presence of God and His power and life, indescribably brilliant and exceedingly glorious compared to things here on earth.

# We will not be sitting in a sterile front room, staring at a white wall as we take in messages and orders from the Lord. No, it is a real life and with normal surroundings (though heavenly ones) and so forth. I personally believe there are beautiful landscapes and an overwhelming glorious colorfulness. If there will be music in heaven I think it will be super-harmonically and pleasant beyond anything we have heard here on earth.

When Jesus was born, it was reported of God’s angels appearing to the shepherds at the fields of Bethlehem…they heard angels sing for them, Luke 2:12-15,

“And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

# And I can keep on and on telling of the heavenly reality, using earthly words and expressions. But heaven will exceed by far everything I have tried to write here. It is actually and literarily indescribable. We only have experience from what is here on earth, haven’t we?

All the earthly things which have a minus to them will be blown away for good. Everything will be super-glorious…no death, no sickness, no suffering, no poverty, etcetera….it will all be totally heavenly.

As already told above, this heaven cannot be experienced by knowledge or science. Heaven is only given as a gift to those who believe on Jesus Christ for salvation.

The Grace Gospel of the heavenly calling is found only by the teachings of Paul, our apostle as he has described it all in his two Church epistles, the Ephesians and Colossians. Salvation is presented as a pure gift of God as we believe on His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Gracepano.com

PETER SENT TO ROME

IS TOTAL NONSENSE!

PART II

JAN LILLEBY

Peter’s whereabouts was the focus of the first part in this article-series.

We found out that he never left Israel to arrive at Rome. Peter in Rome, - that is a pure human fantasy and not Biblical facts. I will narrow it down to Roman Catholic legends, since they are the ones to propagate such a theory as if it is a Biblical and historical fact.

This Part II of my article is to display more specifically what Acts 9:33 means, quote:

“Now as Peter was traveling throughout the land, he went down to [visit] the saints (God’s people) who lived at Lydda.”

There were more places inside Israel which Peter went to, or could have visited in his travelling around.

Notice that the words indicate to us that Lydda as well as Joppa thereafter, were just two of those towns he went to. They are specifically named in Acts because of the great miracles God performed through Peter’s ministry. Peter might just as well have done other kind of healings/miracles in the other towns, but probably not so astonishing as the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha from the dead. The only other apostle mentioned in Acts, raising a dead person up, is Paul (Acts 20:7-12).

To be sure to supply the reader with as correct information as possible, I have taken the liberty to ‘zizzor’ from Wikipedia a substantial paragraph naming the most important towns in the time of the apostles. Towns that most probably had Messianic believers among the population – just like Joppa, Samaria, Caesarea and Lydda which are recorded by Luke, the author of the Book of Acts.

This just goes to utterly confirm that Peter’s travelling was never outside of Israel. This must be the final conclusion – and it dismisses sternly the fabricated ‘history’ of Peter having arrived at Rome in the first century.

Just the mere idea of Peter (and the other eleven) ever having travelled outside to preach to the Gentile nations/provinces is feeble speculation.

Matthew 28 and the Great Commission has been translated very incomplete and is a source of misleading most Bible students. The commission goes only for preaching inside of Israel’s land.

Again, the recorded history of the apostles in the Acts confirms to us that their mission was only for the nation Israel, as they offered the Second Advent of Christ, to come establish His Kingdom on earth, with His throne on Zion. Peter had all the opportunity in the world to take the first ship out of there, and set course for Greece, or some other nation by the Mediterranean coasts. But he didn’t. He never decided for himself to leave Israel, neither was he directed or told by Christ to go to foreign lands to preach. Peter was not taken by force and sent to Rome neither. Luke would have written if Peter was arrested and sent abroad.

He was only commissioned to go to Israel. Acts confirms this in many ways. Check out the list below and get learned in Biblical geography…it could really come handy!

Peter must have visited several of these towns – which are: Gadara, Amathus, Jericho, Sepphoris, Gophna, Akrabatta, Thamna, Lod (Lydda), Emmaus, Pella, Idumaea, Ein Gedi, Herodeion. In addition to these, he might as well have visited his hometown Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, we can just speculate. Peter’s wife is only mentioned indirectly in Luke 4:38-40, as we learn that Jesus healed his mother in law of Typhus fever. It is probable that Peter’s wife was still alive 36 CE, even his mother in law. Why not go to visit them? On route up to Galilee he might have come by through Samaria, where he and John had been earlier to assist Philip (Acts 8). Peter must have had lots of friends/believers in Christ there.

Wikipedia web on Early Roman period