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Friday, 11-6-26, 6th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Cheshvan 25, 5787, 46th. Fall Day From: The Open Bible, Nelson KJV 1798: Sin: Disobedience Of God's Law Continues In B. Sources Of In: Satan John 8:44 KJV Man's and Woman's Hearts Matthew 15:19-20 KJV Lust .... James 1:15 KJV Adam's and Woman's Transgressions .... Romans 5:12-16 KJV Natural Birth..... Psalms 51:5 KJV

Brother Carlton, You are welcome and thank you for your encouraging words. You must have been writing about John 13:23, the disciple whom Jesus loved. If Jesus were to have a favorite, it would be John for sure. John had a very intimate relationship with our Lord. John, Peter, and James seemed to be the “inner circle” of the disciples of Jesus and spent many special times with the Lord (Matthew 17:1; and Matthew 26:37). God Bless!!!

Thank you brother Jesse! The other day I wrote elsewhere, John literally put his head on the Savior's breast on earth and was the first of the Disciples to see Jesus resurrected and became an Apostle. And yet still it was revealed to John from Heaven the testimony of Jesus Christ. I too feel blessed by these meditations of John.

Greetings to all in Christ, As I mentioned earlier this afternoon, John Chapters 13 through 17 are the private teachings for the disciples. In Chapter 15, the location has changed. They have left the upper room and are now traveling down on the south side of the temple along the south wall and next to the vineyards and Jesus continues His discourse with them. In John 15:1, Jesus says I am the true vine. This word true means genuine. So, He says I am the genuine vine, and my Father is the husbandman, literally earth worker, the farmer of the vineyard. There are some terminologies that I believe are important to know and have helped me tremendously in my study of this chapter. I hope they might be of help to some here. First of all, in the Old Testament, the vine was always used as an example of Israel, especially in Isaiah 5:1-7 which is also known as the Song of the Vineyard, how that God planted a vineyard and it was the nation Israel. But they grew wild grapes, and thorns grew and God allowed the vineyard to be overrun by the wild animals, and that was the symbol of His judgment against Israel. So now Jesus is talking to His disciples and He says I am the genuine vine, not the symbolic one of the Old Testament. I am the genuine vine and my Father is the farmer. There are two phrases that are found here that can be confusing and have actually caused some to come to a false conclusion about what the text is saying. It is important to know these two terminologies in order to rightly approach this. First of all, there's the phrase “in me.” Jesus says, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit.” That's not a saved person. That’s the nation Israel being in God and I’ll try to explain that in a moment. There is another phrase that Jesus is going to use. He's going to say “Abide in me.” This is a personal relationship. If you understand anything about horticulture, you can understand about how the fruit tree can produce its branches, and once it's time to produce fruit, if there's a branch that does not produce fruit, it looks like it's dead or dying. But the branch is still in the tree. It is still in the tree even though it is dead. And internally it is severed from the tree itself. To abide in the tree would be connected, not just physically on the outside, but internally also connected. The very life of the trunk of the tree that comes up from the ground and into the branches; that's what produces the fruit. So, you've got two phrases, one has to do with outside and one has to do with inside. Jesus said every branch in me that does not bear fruit. How can you be in Jesus and not bear fruit? Well, that is why Paul says in Romans Chapter 11 that the Gentiles have been grafted in because the Jews have been pruned out and we have been grafted into the vine. They are already in God in that they are pictured as the vine. But if they do not produce fruit, then they are not abiding in the vine. They are not connected to the vine’s life source internally. They are just physically associated with the vine. So, by understand these two terminologies, plus the emphasis on the phrase abide in me, it helps us to understand this section. I mentioned earlier that the word abide is a key word for this entire section. Jesus is going to show a difference between people who are abiding in Him, and He abiding in them, and everybody else. John himself, the writer of this gospel, in 1 John, he emphasized the fact that if you have the Spirit of God abiding in you, and you are abiding in Him, you are the ones who are saved. Everybody else is not. It sounds pretty simple, even though that's what makes John’s writings controversial. He is called a polemic writer. He is very controversial. He says either you have Christ dwelling in you or you don’t. We can believe the right things, but if we have not experienced a spiritual birth in receiving Christ, then we do not belong to Him. If we understand the difference between these two phrases, we can apply these to two different kinds of branches. The branches that are in Christ, but are not bearing fruit, they are only physically connected. Internally they are cut off from the life source. The branches that are abiding in Him are the ones that are connected to the internal life source of the vine who is Jesus Christ. If we understand these two phrases, the correct teaching of the text will make sense. Some believe, at least here in the western world, that where Christ says “every branch in me”, they automatically assume that is a saved person. But we have to apply it to who the vine is in the Old Testament, and how the Lord is using that as an example of the two different kinds of branches. Israel, God's people, they are in God but they also can be lost. Again, the reference is in Romans Chapter 11 which tells us that we are grafted in because the Jews have rejected their Messiah. So, in Verse 1 He says, I am the genuine vine, and my Father is the earth worker, the farmer. There is so much to share from this chapter and I realize that this has been somewhat long for only one verse but as I said, this is my favorite chapter, one that has blessed me in many ways and one I love sharing. I am going to stop here and pick up in Verse 2 tomorrow (Lord willing). Blessings to all in Christ!

Amen Brother Jesse! I remember our very first conversation several years ago! I was posting on this subject and you commented saying John 15 was your favorite chapter in the bible and you gave a very good commentary on it! That is a very important chapter! And yes I'm aware of the two branches. I was focusing on the one that SHOULD be baring fruit! The fruit of the Spirit and the keeping power of the Holyspirit is tragically neglected. I'd love to hear your comments on this section of scripture again Brother Jesse if you decide to do it. If you don't I still have my notes! God bless you.

Greetings to all, Out of the four gospels (five if you want to count Acts), John is the one that has blessed me the most. I have mentioned in the past that John Chapter 15 in my favorite chapter in the entire Bible. And if I were to pick just one single verse in Chapter 15, it would have to be John 15:5. Apart from Christ, I can do nothing! Chapter 15 is part of a section that begins in Chapter 13 and goes through Chapter 17. In this section, we read about the Lord’s private teachings for the disciples. What a great section! The last week of the Lord's life, right before He died, after He made His entrance into Jerusalem, He spent hours upon hours with His disciples. It’s like the Lord having a one-on-one with you and I, not public, just a one-on-one teaching with us and what it means to be a disciple and to share His message in the Gospel and His love with us. I find that there’s a very special word that is used and is key to this entire section. It is the word “abide” which means to remain, or to dwell. And from my understanding, it denotes permanency. This is a major word, not only in John's gospel, but also in 1 John as he presents the fact that the person who has the Spirit of God dwelling in them, that person belongs to Christ. It seems as though this was one of his favorite words because it was an issue of emphasis in the early church as many people who professed to be believers were not believers in the truest Biblical sense of the word. John, as well as Peter and others presented the fact (as well as Paul) that Christ must dwell in you in the person of the Holy Spirit for you to belong to Christ. A person must experience a Spiritual birth. It’s not just someone's doctrine or believing the truth about Jesus. It is being born of His Spirit and having His Spirit dwell in you. So, abide is a very special word. Chapters 13 through 17 are all one dialogue. But it changes physical locations, as first we read that they are in the upper room at the Passover meal, and then the Lord is going to pass down through the side of the temple area alongside of the vineyards. I find it fascinating that they would be alongside the vineyards when the Lord speaks to them about the vine and the branches in John Chapter 15. I have been spending some time in Chapter 15 and would like to share some things that have blessed me in hope that it might bless others also. Unless the Lord has other plans, I will go through the entire chapter a little at a time (perhaps starting this evening) and share some things that I find to be important in understanding the message Jesus is presenting to His disciples. God Bless!!!

A footnote before I continue with Isaiah I am; of course trying not to give a sermon series of expository preaching with a systematic approach to Isaiah. Well; in some ways to do a thorough analysis I am attempting to cover the whole book while admittedly I have had some incomplete studies like this in the past. The repeated themes; and patterns of God's dealings particularly with His people in Israel are the focus; but of course worldwide events are also there in the text. I tend to read it like the news; as a factual description of what is certainly going to come. This approach; notwithstanding will have its issues-and of course there could be times when I will read something into a passage with an incorrect conclusion about specific things to come; or somehow project something into today's events that are not going to pan out as I expect; something I alluded to in my earlier post. As a seemingly unrelated note; I listened today to a video from a rabbi; who may consider himself to be a Messianic Jew that is against the teachings of Paul; something very popular today for some reason. I don't really get it; how the use of so many cross references and agreement with Peter's writings and other Epistles how somehow he was a false prophet. Properly dividing the Word is important; and the suggestion by who I will leave as an unnamed Pastor who recently stepped aside we cannot "unhitch ourselves" from the Old Testament; nor cling onto the law as Peter attempted to do in which Paul rebuked him mentioned in the book of Galatians. Now; I will admit that in Christ we are one; and in a sense the true Israel. (Romans 9:6-8). One question I could ask is that if God is done with the nation of Israel; then exactly how do we fit into the prophetic promises in Isaiah and other Scriptures about ruling and reigning with Christ? There is a necessary joining of the Old Testament saints; living and those formerly deceased and believers who exist in glorified bodies as well as natural ones; if we take the Millennial point of view. In other words; we as the church aren't as I see it to be taken as the "end all" but part of the process; some of which could be defined as Dispensation; but such terms are of course offensive to some. It really does boil down to an all or nothing approach; somehow if we feel God is done with Israel; and if the Lord comes and there is no Millennium we have to symbolize all prophetic passages. Again; some things are defined as indeed a reference to the church; but I would argue usually they are not specific details related to the land of Israel itself and the resstored earth. One big reason for the viewpoint here in my posts is that God's consistent rebuke of His people is also reflected in warnings to the church. Romans 11:22 states: Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. The Lord wouldn't waste so much time and have so much Scripture dedicated to this theme if it was a waste of time. The truth is; in all periods of history most will fall away; and as Isaiah 1 stated it is pretty much useless to attempt any more wake up calls. We are supposed to learn as examples as 1 Corinthians 10:11 says; indeed the way is narrow and few are saved according to Jesus Himself in Luke 13:23-24 and in one other Gospel. These admonitions are only good for His children; indeed any goodness of God is only given to His saints; all people may have some enjoyable things in this life but it passes away as a fading flower (seen later in Isaiah). There are numerous themes in Isaiah; related to the restoration and fruitfulness of the land in Israel after suffering through the opposite in regard to judgments. There are the Gentiles and their part in the coming Kingdom; as well as the current events of his time and his personal life intermingling in the text. I hope to bring about some reflection and meditation on these passages that have some real connection to the readers. Okay 'nuff said for now. Rich P

Personal thoughts I kept the long detailed version to myself; this post is related to items I am slowly disposing from old letters; pamphlets; etc. My mom and of course grandmother who wrote most of these letters obsessively retained have passed. Some later fell into sin; such as my ex wife who at the time seemed so encouraging and walking with God. Others I should have done a better job keeping in touch with. Several things I observed: 1) I really was overly spoiled with gifts of money sent to me when in college. My work was intermittent; and college more affordable at the time; and my mom and grandmother spoiled me but I am ashamed there was that much obsessiveness in their gifts at the time (although my car breaking down upon the first long trip out there and repair bills was a factor) 2) Where everyone is at spiritually now; or if they remember me (which isn't important) is something perhaps I'd rather not know in many cases. I am surprised I seemed to touch as many people as I did; I was involved in college ministries; but the letters from my high school friends in church where I only attended a few months after salvation is interesting. The friend that led me to the Lord didn't seem interested after I contacted him a number of years ago about coming back home. 3) From a strictly value oriented mindset; things such as my stamps wrongly put in a photo album downstairs where acid apparently can damage stuff was eclipsed by obvious mouse eating of the sides; and with 2 stamps as well; thankfully items under the plastic were untouched. The disgusting dirt of many things up in the attic rotting away that I unburied a few months ago as well as much stuff in what was a dirty smoke filled study upstairs shows that items can be compromised. Overall; the only thing that matters is if we are truly saved; and the test of time will prove that. At the judgment seat only that done for the Lord lasts; of course all other things are burned up. Of course covetousness something to be avoided. From a strictly impartial viewpoint; I do find it intersting to have purchased a couple of lots of unused stamps well below face value; as a gift idea as well as a way to build a collection. Perhaps someone here would know a good Christian organization for donation; one was online along with Veteran's places; and other charitable organizations; libraries; etc. My foolishness with coins was even brought out by my ex-wife who pretty much cleaned me out the first few years of marriage with expensive vacations; etc. I used to want to sell stuff too quickly; I should have heeded her advice to wait. Stuff at the time was around 20 dollars an ounce. I went through some buying and selling last year and early this year before silver crashed from 120 bucks or so an ounce to around 50 today. I will admit that I have been rather high strung on the current events; leading to repeated hyped postings on preparation. Overall; things haven't really changed much; at best we have months to go for oil prices to go down (or years); and food supplies with the diesel situation are likely to continue to be an issue. Any "get rich quick" concepts are of course; ill advised. I also wanted to mention in an unrelated topic here that the facility where my Dad stays finally has started a routine communication and finally seem serious about my Dad's routine dental hygiene (with Dementia the state law says toothpaste and other stuff has to be locked up). My suggestion is something obvious; be persistent and keep showing up with a loved one in a facility. Just wanted to share some good news. Seems I am getting over the worst of this illness so should be back to work Monday; and hopefully church Sunday. As a footnote; my final goal here is; as another brother in the Lord stated to me a few years back; I am trying to get my home fit for the next person here; for now to make it suitable for company and sanitary. Everything in this life we are given to be a steward over what the Lord gives us. I'd appreciate prayer for wisdom when it comes to wise decisions in investments I have been blessed with; the long overdue crash of the stocks for decades now has amazingly brought ridiculous earnings in the market; one can only wonder when there is a 1500 point increase one day and a subsequent fall of that level the next and a 40 trillion dollar debt when the floor is going to fall out under us. God is sustaining all things; of course. May His Name be praised. RP

Hello ,thanks for your reply . Text is or can be misunderstood in tone and expression , I noticed that in my last post it could be misconstrued in attitude . Not my intention at all . There is but “ One faith which is “ The faith once and for all given unto men…” What people call these days ‘faiths” is not faith but a vain and empty hope that has no foundation in the Word of God . In answer to your question I’ll say this , Jesus said “ I will build my church ……..” that is not a denomination but a spiritual church made up living stones of believers who are members of one bread partakers of the same bread and many members of that bread. That Union of the children of God is not a group of people having a common interests , rituals , or observances but as the scriptures have it are many but One. “For He thst sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are one” and in another place “ They that are joined to the Lord are one Spirit .” It is the same Oneness as that of the Trinity which are three but one .the church are and to be “ One even as we are one “ John 17. Jesus speaking of Himself said “ Unless a seed or corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone but if it dies it bringet( forth much fruit “ What sort of fruit? After its own kind . A corn of wheat when sown does not produce a field of wheat .it produces another stalk of wheat which has 30 60 or a 100 seeds of wheat. They are sown and produce 30 60 or a 100 stalks of wheat . They then are sown etc etc etc . Multiplication of the same kind . If you was to cut open a stalk of wheat with a razor ,inside you will find that ear of corn still green coming up,through the stalk . The first Adam was created from the dust of the earth . Eve was created from the body of the man while in a deep sleep. So too the “ last Adam “ will have a bride who will come from His body which is the church . She will be despised and rejected by that body like her Lord and will have to “ suffer without the camp too”. For it is written “ thy enemies will be of thine own household”. I don’t pretend to understand all of it ,but it is certain that there is a Bride of Christ every true born child of God is called to that “ high calling”:but not all have ears to hear or will respond . Being BORN again qualifies us “to run the race “ it does not win us the prize “ Protestant denominations were a necessity to a prodigal church . There is not going to be any more nor is one more than the other . The two orthodoxy are but the two legs of iron of that political power that split in two one based in Rome the other based in Constantinople and which was foreseen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream interpreted by Daniel . And as the Roman political power was split so too the Roman religious power founded by Constantine . The profusion of graven images in both shows just how far they have fallen . IF there are any true born children of God in them they need to get out for they will become unfruitful and die if they stay . Some might say God will preserve them . Not if they stay . For that argument couid be applied to Lot who was counted righteous but needed to flee from the wrath of God that was coming or else perish. Those denominations that are falling away one way or the other either by conforming to the world or by getting into bed with Rome those children of God in them need to consider their positions . For clearly the leadership of those denominations like the C of E have lost the plot and thrown away the Bible . We are not called to blindly follow anyone not even God calls for that . While as in Isiah 5 I think shows that even a “ very small remnant” can defer destruction as in Sodom ,It’s not the denomination that is doing the work but the earnest prayers of the children of God who when translated to meet the Lord in the air will remove any restraints on the spirit of antichrist and will also reveal him . Don’t stop preaching then Netherlands and fill the prisons with preachers and bring revival there! It’s time the church the Bride came out of the wilderness terrible as an army with banners leaning upon her beloved “ More than Conquerors through Him that loved us “.

Thank you, Gerald, for this summary of the history of the Reformation. I fully agree that God was, and remains, the One who directs events in the church history. It is true that if a church fails to fulfill the mission entrusted to her by God, He will choose someone else to carry on the work. I apologize if I appeared disrespectful at. the beginning of my post. In your opinion, then, which specific faith—or which specific church—serves as the instrument through which God acts nowadays? And , in your opinion, what are we to expect in the future? It is also true that the Roman Catholic and Eastern churches are unlikely to ever correct their errors, although I believe that the greater part of Eastern Orthodox theology is sound. There are some bright exceptions within that church today, but I doubt they can bring about any substantive internal change. There exists a core of faithful and sincere Christians who are earnestly working their own salvation, even though they find themselves within a framework characterized by some erroneous teachings and practices. It is, however, noteworthy that in Europe, the areas serving as the first line of defense against atheism are precisely those where these two Churches remain strong—primarily in Southern and Eastern Europe. It is better to have churches with certain flaws—some minor, others more significant—than to have nothing at all. Europe has turned into a continent dominated by atheism. There are countries, such as—if I am not mistaken—the Netherlands, where preaching against homosexuality can lead to imprisonment under anti-racism legislation. In the future, this could potentially spread across the entire continent. Not a very pleasant situation, is it? Once again, thank you for your post. GBU

Hello brother Spencer, “Fruit is the evidence of the truth in us.” Amen! I have mentioned in the past which you may recall that John Chapter 15 is my favorite chapter in the whole Bible. I just want to comment on your first statement. That statement is true if you are speaking of the branches that are abiding in the vine. In Jesus’ teaching, it shows that there are also branches that can be in the same vine and not produce any fruit at all. Only the branches that are abiding in the vine (Christ) are the ones that produce fruit. That may be what you are saying because you have spoken on this in the past; only worded differently this time. Please know I am not disagreeing with you, just pointing out that there are two types of branches that can be in the same vine, one that produces fruit and the other being a dead branch. I have been thinking for a while now about sharing what I have learned from John Chapter 15, especially on the vine and the branches. I may do that soon. Blessings to you!

Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. The first 5 chapters seem to encompass a large timeperiod of several kings; this passage gets into a specific time when Uzziah died and the fact it is case specific for Isaiah one would think it would be the beginning of the Book of Isaiah. As to this; and the apparent two divisions of the book I will leave it to others here that have more knowledge on the subject as to why it is structured that way; one could; for example ask similar questions in Psalms that appear to be out of order; and have a hodgepodge of others intertwined along with themes in an apparently disjointed manner. The vision of Isaiah and similarity to Ezekiel; Daniel and John's experience as well as his sudden realization of his own "unclean lips" and those of the land overall is something I have covered a number of times before. His commission after the symbolic atonement with the hot coal from the seraphim (no doubt analogous to the atonement to come with Christ) was followed by an immediate sending forth. Who will go for us in verse 8 once again no doubt points to the "trinity" or for those who would prefer the aspect of the Godhead speaking as one. Isaiah is ready for the call. Verses 9-13 9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. Verses 9 and 10 bring out the blinding God Himself has put on those Jews in Israel. We see this in Matthew 15:13 (or 13:15); also it is in Acts 28. Verse 11-13 shows once again the concept of the last days desolation; a diaspora (verse 12) and a remnant returning; which we see in other places (similar ideas in Daniel and Isaiah). The overlapping themes and cross references in these prophetic books I am focusing on now; are no doubt also prominent in all Scripture. A gig point that can be made is that men never learns without supernatural enlightenment. This can be seen in the final irony of the end of the Millennium period; where men lived as close to Eden as possible; and yet they still will en masse follow Satan in the final rebellion; proving descendants from the original group who were all saved starting that period still were as blind as ever. Men everywhere like to act as though they are naturally good an peaceful; humanism proports that we all can live in a world of peace and harmony; much like John Lennon's infamous and I must say demonically inspired song where he imagined; let's just say a world with this mindset and of course no heaven or no hell. Obedience to the Lord will be something that; even with a system of perfect justice and righteousness and peace when King and Messiah Jesus Christ rules men will secretly desire to overthrow; they will wait no doubt for a long time under the radar until they suddenly fling out seeing the release of Satan as somehow indicating he set himself free from an attempted imprisonment and they will be inspired to overthrow Christ once again; somehow overlooking what happened the last time they tried it; and this time forthwith God will end their rebellion and the final judgment will commence. A sad fate for unregenerate man. Agape; RIch P

Satan is THE adversary of every work of God He is the accuser of the brethren and opposer . Jesus meant exactly what He said . Your question what did Jesus really mean is simply another version of “ yea hath God said……….”? Trying to water down the exact meaning simply won’t do . For it is quite clear what Jesus meant by his reason for it! “ Get behind me Satan ,thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things of God but iof those that be of men “. That Rome does not like that is not surprising given what it has tried to build upon their false teaching of him. The idea that Jesus was careless with His words is absurd and knew exactly what He was saying and rightly so . For Peter opposed Him indeed began to rebuke him! Saying be it far from thee this shall not be unto thee” Apart from having the temerity to rebuke the Lord began also to teach Him! His spiritual vision of who Jesus was had gone to his head and so became a mouthpiece of satan. In the next breath almost after he had been a mouthpiece of heaven . So it was as bad as it sounds . It is not enough to ‘likely mean’ . As I said one verse does not prove a doctrine . But that one verse must be read in the light of all scripture not a mountain built upon one verse. 2 Samuel 24:7 Isiah 48 12 Luke 46:7 1Cor 10:4 Are a few . You cannot build an eternal church on any thing but the eternal,Son of God . “And upon that rock I will build my church ……..” That church of God is built on certainties not uncertainties fir that would be a church built on sand We are meant to know the truth not have debates about it swimming round in our head and heart . You are right there is no evidence at all Peter was in Rome but there is scriptural evidence that he was based in Jerusalem for as you pointed out he was the Apostle to the Jews . Paul was clearly in Rome and as you pointed out the Apostle to the gentiles. The keys the Lord gave Peter were the keys to the Kingdom . He firs5 preached to the Jews on the day of Pentecost and opened the door to them . He then preached to the house of the gentiles who God said not to call unclean what he had cleaned. That would be by the washing of the word . God had prepared the way already for Peter . It suits Rome however to build a mountain upon that one verse but it is like an inverse pyramid built upon a grain of sand a lie that needs more lies to support it . The truth stands four square and will not be moved for it built upon The Rock which is God .

Isaiah 5:16-25 16 But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. 17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat. 18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25 Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. The Millennial promises of judgment and establishment of the land. Verse 17 shows God's care for the animal kingdom; a theme we see repeated at least several more times; including further on in Isaiah with the owls having their nests; literally on the edge of hell; the land of perpetual burnings. God's warning against those who practice evil and look sarcastically or for a sign and wonder (Verse 19) will as other passages demonstrate regret such a nonchalant attitude. He brings death and destruction; and the rest of this chapter goes on with other things to happen. Again; denying justice and as verse 20 states calling evil good and good evil is what appears to be happening today; case in point Palestinians and journalists being killed and imprisoned without proper due process. For the sake of argument that these prophecies primarily are describing conditions at the time before Babylonian captivity; and that I could be reading too much into current events in Israel; and the fact that His coming may not be anytime soon thus changing the particular individuals indicated here; etc. I won't belabor these analogies. I do feel that the current narrative where it seems blind acceptance of whatever is done there should be supported based on Genesis 12 (I will bless those who bless Israel) is certainly taken out of context for many secular individuals. Many Christians are suffering in that area; we should be aware of this;. There are many double standards; supporting more extreme groups in order to topple legitimate governments; etc. That gets into the ancient cornerstones and boundaries God Himself set up. The wholesale rejection of their own Messiah; of course is the root issue here; which I think we all would agree is the overwhelming situation in Israel today. They summarily have also by default ignored all the warnings of the attitudes of the heart which the Pharisees at the time and no doubt many today also ignore. Rest of Isaiah 5 26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: 27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: 28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind: 29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it. 30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. This judgment here sounds much like Joel 2. Many have surmised it is the saints themselves involved with this; but it seems to be before Armageddon; it could be demons involved or some other supernatural force. We are reminded of the 4 angels in the Euphrates; and other demons; we also could envision robotic armies or drones. The darkness in the heavens would seem to put this timing around the sixth seal framework; and since it seems to be after the famine; etc. that would seem logical.

Isaiah 5:1-5 1Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 3And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 4What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 6And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. The conditions where there was fertile ground; where the "beloved" which would appear to be Christ establishing it (Matthew 21 as well as in Luke and Mark) and He was rejected. We note in verse 5 the time came for judgment; thus God's protection was taken along with no rain; again we are reminded of the powers the two witnesses will have (Elijah did the same in the past in one of the books of Kings). We see the reason for all this being oppression; no doubt reminding us of the attitudes today towards others. Verses 8-12 8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! 9 In mine ears said the Lord of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. 10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah. 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. Verse 8 certainly reminds us of what is going on establishing "settlements" today; and the plunder of others. We see here a continuing theme of lessening food production; again what will be happening in the 4th seal of Revelation; and we also see drunken people and much of the merriment that Babylon the great brings out in Revelation 17 in verse 12. A quick AI search states that over 15 percent of the Israeli population is in danger of "alcohol dependence" and many other have a marijuana issue. It has risen but other countries surpass them. Verses 13-15 13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. 15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: The resulting captivity in verse 13 certainly follows patterns before the last captivity. The concept of hell enlarging itself in verse 14 is tied into the condition of His people in verse 13; thus clearly demonstrating that natural born sons of Abraham have no guaranteed entrance into the Kingdom of God. God will end wickedness upon His return; and I will do a part 2 for the rest of this chapter on this subject. Agape; RIch P

Hello, Gerald. Regarding that incident involving Peter and the Lord: What did Jesus really mean in response to what Peter said? What does the word "satan" mean in Hebrew? It means an adversary, an opponent—someone who stands as an obstacle. In an incidence in the Old Testament, the Philistine lords—who did not want David to fight alongside them—said to their king: "4And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?" The KJV text uses the term "adversary," but the Hebrew word employed in the Hebrew text is "satan." Therefore, the Hebrews used the term "satan" for any adversary—not just the devil. Let us return, then, to Jesus’ words. Simply put, He said to Peter: "Get out of my way; you are an obstacle to me, because in your ignorance, you are thinking like a man rather than according to God’s will." So it isn't really as bad as it sounds in the first place. Let us also examine the other incident, where Jesus speaks about the "rock." Jesus says: "And I tell you: You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." Let us look at the grk. "Petros" is the grk for "Peter", while the word for "rock" is "petra"—which is feminine in gender. Therefore, if one wishes to refer to a man as a "rock," the word must be adjusted to the masculine gender; hence, it becomes "Petros" (Peter). To return to the point: what Jesus is essentially saying to Peter is, "I call you a rock, and upon this rock I will build my church." He likely meant that the Church is founded through Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost. Another interpretation is that, by "rock," Jesus was referring to the confession Peter had just made: that Jesus is the Son of God. Finally, there is no evidence that Peter ever went to Rome and became the archbishop there, as Catholics claim. Furthermore Peter was an apostle for the Hebrews, not for the gentiles