2+2=7 - Tim Cooper

Have you ever had one of those moments when a revelation seems to jump out of nowhere and land first place in your thoughts? Maybe it’s a problem or theory that you have been working on for months or even years but in one instant it becomes crystal clear. Like a slap in the face you say to yourself, “Why didn’t I see that before!?”

Just recently I had one of those moments; it was an answer to something I had been wrestling with for years. In the twinkling of an eye I saw something that I knew was there but could not put my finger on its pulse. What I saw shocked me because it went against all mathematical possibilities but even so I knew it was true. The image became clearer and clearer until finally there it was; 2+2=7!!! You might say, “That defies all logic!” and I would have to agree but none the less it’s true. I know this sounds impossible and is hard to comprehend but below I have left some equations that all prove that two plus two does indeed equal seven.

The Old Testament writers tell us that at times God commanded whole cities to be destroyed including little children. The Old Testament also tells us, “Thou shall NOT kill”. Many don’t see this as problematic.

The Old Testament tells us to hate our enemies; Jesus said we are to love our enemies. Many believe that there is no conflict here.

The Old Testament tells us and an eye for an eye, Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek. Once again many people believe there is no conflict between these two positions.

God loves the whole world , but is pleased to send the vast majority to a place of eternal conscious torment.

If we kill, its evil, if God does, it’s not.

Many believe the difference between the Old and New Testament is simply one blank page.

If Jesus showed up in most churches today saying, “you have heard it said, but I say” no doubt someone would ask Him for chapter and verse.

Even though we are told five times in the book of John alone that NO ONE knew God before Jesus showed up, many give as much weight to the Old Testament writers as they do the words of Jesus.

Even though Jesus was the express image of the Father, many believe the Old Testament paints a clearer picture of God than Jesus did.

We are told that the Old Testament writers were behind a veil and saw only types and shadows of what Jesus would make clear. Even so many Christians spend most of their time behind it chasing shadows in the dark.

Even though Jesus himself contradicted Old Testament writers, believers that do the same are labeled as heretics.

Many Christians end their prayers for the terminally ill with the phrase, “If it be thy will?” In essence they are saying heal them if it’s your will, kill them if it’s not.

If as many believe that God’s will is (always being done) we would have to assume Jesus was just playing with us when He told us to PRAY that God’s will would be done.

The same Christians that say God is Love also say, “God is in control”. What if we completed that phrase for them by actually applying it to something? God is in control….. Of the pedophile, rapist and murderer?

Even though Jesus/God said it is the thief that steals, kills and destroys many Christians say its God.

Even though the New Testament tells us God will not tempt ANYONE with evil, most Christians say this is exactly what He is doing to them.

Job coined the term, “God gives and takes away”. Even though God told Job he had no idea what he was talking about, this phrase has become one of the most popular Christian mantras of all time.

“Sinners in the hands of an angry God” is one of the most well known sermons of all time. In this sermon God is portrayed as angry, wrathful and even schizophrenic. Many consider this to be the best sermon ever penned.

As the confused and frightened young girl walks towards the abortion clinic she is met with venomous hate filled words from those that say they follow Jesus. How did Jesus treat the prostitute?

How does holding a sign up that says, “God hates fags” fit into love your neighbor?

Even though many when stricken by sickness or disease say that it is simply God trying to teach them something, these same people spend countless thousands on doctors and medicine to shorten this most blessed lesson.

There are those that believe God is in control of everything Satan does. If so then why does God tell us to resist Satan and in fact who are we actually resisting?

Even though the New Testament makes it very clear that we are NOT under the law, the majority of Christians fight to keep it displayed in city parks and halls of justice. Hmm, halls of Justice?

The same people that fight to keep the Ten Commandments proudly displayed (one of which is thou shall NOT kill) are the same people that fight for capital punishment.

Many Christians are absolutely convinced that God is a republican.

Many think that voting for an unqualified Christian is better than voting for someone qualified.

Many actually believe that through legislation we can change the hearts of people.

Most that are violently against abortion will never consider adopting an unwanted child.

In war we call the killing of another human being just; outside of war we call it murder.

When president Obama said “God bless America” just after we had killed Bin Ladin wasn’t he also inferring “screw everyone else”? How does that fit in with love our enemies?

When Jesus turned the water to wine it was actually Welch’s grape juice.

Most that call themselves Christians are “Pro life”, but this only applies to those still in the womb.

Many Christians believe that everything is predestined, yet they still pray.

Many Christians believe that before the beginning of time God arbitrarily picked who he would save and who He would dam. In other words it is already set in stone by God Himself who gets heaven and who gets hell. No matter what anyone does it won’t change the outcome of even one soul, yet these same people still try to “save souls”.

Even though Jesus rebuked the religious and embraced the sinner most Christians are rebuking the sinner and embracing the religious.

Even though Jesus perfectly revealed the Father God, many still worship the godfather.

Many believe the Bibles (that we have in our houses) are without contradiction or error of any kind.

The Greek word Gospel simply means “good news”. Is what we hear in most Churches good news?

Many believe that God was really mad in the Old Testament but after He poured out His anger and wrath on His Son He is not quite as mad now. These same people believe that in the end times God will once again be really ticked off. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever?

The New Testament tells us God is NOT holding the sins of the world against them but that’s okay because most of the Church is.

Expert Rick A. Ross lists the top five signs the group you belong to is using mind control: 1 - Absolute authoritarianism. 2 - No place given for questions or critical inquiry. 3 -The use of fear. 4 - Members are made to feel they can never be good enough. 5 -People that leave are always wrong in leaving.

"To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin." - Cardinal Bellarmine, 1615, during the trial of Galileo.

"We don't have to protect the environment; the Second Coming is at hand." - James Watt, Secretary of the Interior during the Regan years.

There is only one mediator between God and man and it’s not your denomination or camp. It is also not the Bible.

Most are 100% convinced that “their” camp or denomination has found the REAL truth, even though in America alone there are over 25,000 different denominations.

Many Christians listen to the same pastor over and over. They go to the same church year after year. They read books recommended by this same pastor and or other people in the same denomination and they will not listen to people or read books that disagree with any of their doctrine. The sad thing is most of these have lost their passion for life and are unsatisfied, unfulfilled and even depressed. Hmmm, one of the definitions for insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result.

Even though Jesus said new wine will not fit into old wineskins, people are constantly trying to fit the Old Testament into the New.

Many think that evangelical Christianity as we see it today is what Jesus intended.

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As you can see the preceding proves that two plus two does equal seven, at least for some.

If you are a Christian and have just read this I am not judging anyone. I am not throwing stones at any particular denomination or camp. The preceding was simply common sense statements that by the way, those outside the church have already thought about. When will we all wake up and love Jesus more than a book?

God gave humans the ability to reason He also gave us common sense and logic. Why is it that we don’t think any of these apply to Christianity? Did God expect us to open the Bible and close our minds? Not only do many Christians leave all logic and common sense behind, what about compassion and love? For many it seems as if they believe God wants us to lay that aside also. Out of one side of our mouth we say we have compassion for the lost and the hurting, the diseased and those starving but out of the other side of our mouths we say God is in control of all this. What is wrong with this picture? What is wrong is simply that two plus two does equal seven, for some.

God’s ways are higher than ours has become the Christians excuse to believe two plus two equals seven. Many Christian when backed into a corner with simple logic and common sense use this catch phrase to slam the door to any further dialog or questions. If the Bible says the world is flat, then its flat, no more to discuss.

I believe I have a word from God for any Christian reading this. “It’s okay to believe that two plus two does NOT equal seven. My beloved if you have questions about things that don’t seem to make sense in the Bible it does not mean you are questioning Me. I am not the Bible, the Bible is not Me, it simply points to Me”.

Jesus vs Jehovah (Part 10) - Tim Cooper

With all the controversy of late surrounding Rob Bells book, "Love Wins" I thought it was a good time to post part 10 of Jesus vs Jehovah. If you are unfamiliar with the controversy, simply put, "Love Wins"  ruffled the feathers of tradition by proposing the possibility that hell is not forever. To be honest I'm not surprised Bell's book created such a ruckus, just disappointed. The book and it's popularity could have been a chance for some great dialog between the different camps of Christianity. Instead it turned into finger pointing, anger and accusation, many even labeled Rob Bell a heretic. What is most disturbing is the grounds on which he was labeled as such. Bell makes it very clear that Jesus is the Christ and he never denied that Jesus was the only way to the Father. He also didn't deny the idea of hell, just the possibility that it's duration was not eternal. Is believing that hell lasts forever and (essential) Christian doctrine? This is the idea I would like to explore in this part.

Christendom has three basic views when it comes to the fate of those that do not except Jesus in this lifetime; eternal conscious torment, annihilationism or ultimate reconciliation.  The traditional view that most of the church embraces today is eternal conscious torment. This belief says there is a place called hell where those that could not or did not except Jesus will spend eternity. Annihilationism is the belief that sinners are destroyed, rather than tormented forever. Finally is ultimate reconciliation. This belief says that ultimately God's love will win and He will reconcile all mankind back to Himself. What most Christians don't know is there are a great deal of Bible proof texts for (EACH) of these belief systems.

The sole purpose for writing Jesus vs Jehovah has been to expose traditional strongholds that hinder us from seeing the true nature of God, this part will be no different. I believe the following truths combined with what we learned in earlier parts will at least propel us to ask if tradition has given us (all) the facts. Beloved, is it possible that what you have been told about Judgement, condemnation, torment and even hell is not entirely true? Rather than giving an absolute conclusion to that question I would simply like to leave you with some information that tradition does not want you to have.

Armed with a misunderstanding of God's true nature (see parts 1-9) the Jews at the time of Jesus believed that the Messiah was coming with a literal sword to physically destroy all Israel’s enemies. Because of this when Jesus showed up proclaiming love, peace and goodwill towards ALL men, the majority of Jews rejected their own deliverance. I believe much of the modern Church has fallen into the same snare, just like the Jews at the time of Jesus many are waiting for Jesus to return with a literal sword to torment, destroy and cast into hell billions of people that did not accept Him.

Whether it's the day of the Lord or the day someone dies, is the unbelievers fate settled forever in twinkling of an eye? Will the evil they have done in this life be punished with more evil in the afterlife?

Jesus told the Pharisee’s that believed He would defeat evil with more evil that their father was the devil. Is it possible that just like the religious of Jesus’ time we are blinded by the flash of a literal sword thrust into our face by the traditions of man? Is it possible that the message Jesus brought has been diluted and twisted by the religious to gain control of the masses with the use of fear? I believe that a closer examination of some Greek words and a brief study of Church history reveal this is exactly what has happened.

A (very) brief history of the church:

The early believers conquered Rome with the Gospel of God’s love!! No swords were drawn from the true believers and many gave their lives for this most wonderful message. The message was simply that God is NOT who you thought He was, (John 1:5, 1:18, 5:37, 6:46, 8:19, 17:25). He is love (1 John 4:8, 4:16), always was, always will be (Hebrews 13:8). He is light (1John 1:5), always was, always will be (Hebrews 13:8).  He is life (John 14:6), always was, always will be (Hebrews 13:8). He does not use evil or darkness in any way (1 John 1:5, James 1:13-17), never has, never will (Hebrews 13:8).

For the first three centuries under extreme oppression from the government this message of love spread like wild fire. Eventually the emperor Constantine banned the persecution of believers and in 380AD Christianity actually became the official state religion of Rome. Because of this, Christianity became a melting pot where pagan beliefs, Greek mythology and governmental influence were integrated into the church. In light of our subject it is important to understand that prior to this tragedy the (vast majority) of the early church believed that God would eventually reconcile ALL things. In fact history records that at this time there were six known theological schools, four of them believed in ultimate reconciliation, one believed in annihilation and one believed in eternal torment. Regardless of which doctrine you embrace it is important to understand that ultimate reconciliation is NOT a new thing.

With the mixture of government, Judaism, Greek mythology and pagan beliefs, a message of fear began to mix with the pure message of love that Jesus brought us. By the time scriptures were actually being translated this mixture had already become part of the Christian culture. Any honest student of the Bible will tell you that EVERYONE is affected by presupposition, Bible translators are no different.  As we all know, each Greek and Hebrew word can have multiple  English  meanings and the translation of these words will always be affected by the presuppositions’ of those translating it. It was under the influence of this cultural bias certain words were translated by some translators to carry a more fearful meaning than the original Greek word itself. Let's take a look at a few Greek words and their English meanings

(Krisis) Translated in English as: Judgment, Condemnation, Damnation or Accusation.

Strongs 2920 defines the word as a separating, sundering, separation, trial, contest, selection judgment opinion or decision given concerning anything.

Vines expository dictionary: krisis (2920) (a) denotes “the process of investigation, the act of distinguishing and separating”

• We get our English word crisis from this word. The word in the truest sense means a turning point. For example, when a person's body is racked with fever, and its highest temperature is reached, this is called the crisis. It is the turning point! Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says the primary meaning for the word is a decision. Damnation is very misleading; but turning point, decision, or judgment are words much closer to what krisis means. When we understand what judgment in the truest sense means, we would know that it is a good thing. - Elwin R. Roach

• The Greek word (krisis) DOES NOT mean that the gavel falls and torment begins.

In light of this information how might it affect verses that use the words judgment, condemnation, damnation and accusation. Would they take on a different meaning?

(Kolasis) Translated in English as punishment or torment.

Strongs 2851 defines the word as correction, punishment or penalty.

• According to William Barclay, kolasis originally meant the pruning of trees to make them grow better. He wrote, "I think it's true to say that in all Greek secular literature kolasis is never used for anything but remedial punishment.

• Dictionary definition of Remedial: 1. Supplying a remedy. 2. Intended to correct or improve

• "The trimming of the luxuriant branches of a tree or vine to improve it and make it fruitful. - "Donnegan,

• "The kind of punishment which tends to the improvement of the criminal is what the Greek philosophers called kolasis or chastisement." - Liddell,

• The true meaning of the Greek word Kolasis translated in English as torment and punishment does not contain the idea of a final decree, nor does it imply torture or torment. In fact the word carries with it the opposite meaning. Whatever else the word might mean it’s core is to (improve) not torment.

In light of this information how might it affect verses that use the words punishment or torment? Would they take on a different meaning?

(Basanos) Translated into English as torment.

Strongs 931 defines this word as a touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by the color of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal.

• This word has the sense of testing for purity and quality, NOT being tortured. When the coal touched Isaiah’s lips was this “torment” or cleansing? In Malachi, the priests of the Old Covenant would be refined (touch stoned) was this to “torture” or purify?

• The Greek word Basanos, translated in English as torment is much closer to testing for purity than it is torture. Remember, what is used to control? Fear.

In light of this information how might that affect verses that use the word Torment. Would they take on a different meaning?

(Aion or Aionios) Translated in English as eternal, everlasting, since the world began, forever, world, never and the beginning of the world.



Strongs 165 defines this word as forever OR an unbroken age OR perpetuity of time OR eternity OR the worlds OR universe OR period of time OR an age.

• Thayer’s lexicon gives as its first definition of aion the sense of an “age”.


• Dr Young’s commentary defines the word as (age during) or (age abiding).

If “aionois” does not mean “everlasting” in the Chronos sense, then the traditional basis for “endless torment” splinters considerably –William Barkley.

In light of this information how might it affect the way we read verses that use the words forever, eternal or everlasting?

(Geenna) Translated in English as hell.

Strongs 1067 defines the word as the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned;

Geenna is not and never was a place below the earth created for torture. Jesus used Geenna/the valley of hinnom symbolically, not literally. This word is used twelve times in the New Testament.

(Hades) Also translated in English as hell

Strongs 86 defines the word as Hades or Pluto, the god of the lower regions, Orcus, the nether world, the realm of the dead. Later use of this word: the grave, death or hell.

(Greek mythology) tagged this word the underworld. The general meaning of this word is simply the realm of the dead. It would be better defined as a different dimension rather that a physical location. This word is found eleven times in the New Testament

(Tartaroo) Also translated in English as hell



This word does carry the idea of a place for punishment.

Strong's Greek 5020 defines the word as (the deepest abyss of Hades) the name of the subterranean region, doleful and dark, regarded by the ancient Greeks as the abode of the wicked dead, where they suffer punishment for their evil deeds;

But, and this is a big but. This word is used (only once) in 2 Peter 2:4 and is referring to the Angels that sinned and are awaiting Judgment.

With all the information we have gathered I would simply like to look at one of the most popular verses that Christians use to prove a place of everlasting punishment. The following are all respected Bible translations. No commentary’s, just a bible verse. Beloved, the following are ALL Bibles, you decide…….

 

Matthew 25:46

King James Version, 1611 spelled as in the original

And these shall goe away into euerlasting punishment : but the righteous into life eternall.

Concordant Literal New Testament, 1983

And these shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just into life eonian.

Rotherham Emphasized Bible, 1959

And these shall go away into age-abiding correction, but the righteous into age-abiding life.

The Restoration of Original Sacred Name Bible, 1976

And these shall go away into age-abiding *correction, but the righteous into **age-abiding life.

New Testament in Modern Speech, 1910

And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the righteous into the Life* of the Ages.

The Holy Bible In Modern English (Fenton), 1903

And these He will dismiss into a long correction, but the well-doers to an enduring life.

Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible, 1898

And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.

The New Covenant, 1884

And these shall go away into aeonian chastisement, and the just into aeonian life

So, what does all the preceding information give us? It gives us room, room enough to ask the right question.  The question is not if there is a crisis after this life for unbelievers, the question is what exactly does it look like and how long will it last.

 

 

Submit and resist

James 4:7 tells us to submit to God and resist the devil. Tradition would tell us this simply means to submit to holiness and resist sin. I agree this is small part of the meaning but to see only this is extremely short sighted.

If we are to truly submit to someone we must first know (who) we are submitting to. Similarly if we are to truly resist someone we must first know (who) we are resisting. This is where the problem lies with many believers; they have yet to define who is who. Even though Jesus perfectly revealed God’s nature as love, life, light, truth and spirit and exposed the devil as the one who steals, kills and destroys, multitudes remain confused. This religion induced blurring has made it virtually impossible for legions of people to know when to submit and when to resist.

Question: you are diagnosed with cancer; do you submit to it or resist it? Your answer is found in another question; where and or whom did the cancer come from? Depending upon what you believe there are only three possible answers to this question, God, the devil, or I don’t know. If you believe God willed this disease than any form of resisting it would be an act of rebellion. If you don’t know (who) is responsible you can neither submit nor resist. Whether its cancer or a countless number of other concerns we are charged to do two things, submit and resist. Beloved, to do this we MUST know who is who!

Each of us needs to make a stand, (who) and (what) are we truly submitting to and (who) and (what) are we resisting? If not we remain double minded and shouldn’t expect anything from God (James 1:5-9). The truth is, the defining lines are very clear but tradition has so blurred them that most have missed the forest while looking at the trees.

Together let's draw a (who is who) line that we can all submit to. I am confident that no matter what your doctrine is we can agree on five things, let’s use these as our demarcation. God is LOVE. God is LIFE. God is LIGHT. God is TRUTH. God is SPIRIT. This defining line leaves us with an absolute; if it’s not love, life, light, truth or Spirit we should RESIST it!

The following is a short devotional that I have been speaking out loud on a regular basis for quite some time. There is just something about hearing our own voice agree with God that brings strength. I hope it blesses you all as much as it has me.

Daddy Father, I submit and fall into the arms of LOVE with all my being! I resist all fear, animosity, judgment, strife, backbiting and condemnation. Love is mine and I will listen only to its voice, all other voices are my enemy and I resist them in you. I am so thankful and happy that love is not something you do, but it is who you are!! Because of this I will AWLAYS know if it’s not love, it’s not you!!

Daddy Father, I submit and yield to LIFE with everything I am and I resist all forms of stealing, killing and destroying. These don’t belong to life thus they are not part of who you are and I can confidently resist them. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for abundant life!!! I am so thankful and happy that life is not something you do, but it is who you are!! Because of this I will AWLAYS know if it’s not life, it’s not you!!

Daddy Father, because there is NO darkness or shadows in you I submit only to LIGHT and with all my strength I allow it’s brilliance to penetrate the depths of who I am. Every corner of my soul is filled with perfect light illuminating your love and life in me. I actively resist anything that casts shadows or darkness upon your character and I refuse to listen to those that tell me you have a dark side. In your strength I resist all soul shadows and evil forebodings. Because I am yours even my thoughts have a lightness of being. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being you, NO DARKNESS, NO NONE AT ALL!!! I am so thankful and happy that light is not just something you bring, but it is who you are!! Because of this I will AWLAYS know if it’s not light, it’s not you!!

Daddy Father, with all my heart and mind I submit to TRUTH! Since you are truth I can be assured that if it’s not LOVE, LIFE AND LIGHT then it is a LIE! I am so thankful and happy that truth is not just something you speak, but it is who you are!! Because of this I will AWLAYS know if it’s not LOVE, LIFE AND LIGHT it’s not TRUTH and if it’s not TRUTH, it’s not you!!

Daddy Father, I submit and yield to SPIRIT. I press past all flesh and human intellect and as a child I run past yesterday and tomorrow and jump head long into our now. I choose to leave all the theologians and scholars standing outside the temple arguing about doctrine, I will simply enter in and worship you in Spirit. I resist anything that builds upon flesh or self righteousness knowing that anything in me that is good comes from Your Spirit. Thank you such much that I can go past wrong emotions and past my five senses to a place that never changes, Spirit.

When I share the preceding to those still confused about who is who it is usually here that I get the statement, “I see what you’re saying but we can’t forget, God is JUST”. With this in mind and I have added God’s justice to the devotional.

Daddy Father, I submit and surrender completely to your JUSTICE because I know it always comes in forms of LOVE, LIFE AND LIGHT. Because you are love I know there is never any fear or hate in your justice. Because you are life I know there will never be any stealing, killing or destroying in your justice and because you are light I can be assured that your justice is bright and clear and will never carry shadows or darkness. Thank you, thank you thank you Father for being just!!!

Beloved, who are you submitting to and who are you resisting?

Jesus vs. Jehovah (Part 9) - Tim Cooper

"It is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not Father, Son, and Holy Bible." –Bill Johnson

Part 8 ended with a warning. I said that if your faith in Jesus rests in a literal reading of scripture your faith will be shaken in part 9. With that said and because we will deal with some facts that might be a bit shocking to some I would like to make a disclaimer. I am NOT writing this to get anyone to question the Bible as a whole. I believe the Bible to be truly inspired by God. I agree with CS Lewis when he said; “the Bible carries the Word of God.” The Bible carries the truth. God can and will teach us, guide us, help us, correct us and direct us in and through the Bible. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It carries the Gospel, the message of our faith. It is wonderful, amazing, enthralling, encompassing and unsurpassed. It is a treasure map to the very heart and nature of God.

In this section I simply want to give some facts so that we can loosen our hold on the written word to lay hold of Life. Jesus is the truth, not every word in the Bible. We don’t have to believe that the Bible is literally perfect to be saved. Our faith should not rest on the Bible; our faith should rest in Jesus.

God gave us common sense it what keeps us from putting our hand into a fire or walking in front of a moving vehicle. Let’s not leave it behind when we study scripture. Let’s not close our eyes to the facts or sweep verses under a rug and pretend they don’t exist. By asking honest questions we are NOT questioning God.

With all that said, fasten your literal seatbelts we might be running into some turbulence.

Matthew 27:9 misquotes Zechariah 11:13 as having been said by Jeremiah.

Acts 7:16 erroneously lists Abraham, rather than Jacob, as the purchaser of the Sepulcher from the sons of Emmor\Hamor per Joshua 24:32.

1 Samuel 24:1 tells us Gods anger moved David to number Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 writing about the same incident tells us Satan made David number Israel.

2 Samuel 8:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen. 1 Chronicles 18:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen....

The authors of Ezra 2:3 and Nehemiah 7:8 enumerate the tribes that came back from captivity in Babylon. They disagree as to the numbers involved in some clans and tribes:

Ez: Arah 775,  Moab 2812, Zattu 945, Bebai 623, Azgad 1222, Adonikam 666, Bigvai 2056, Adin 454
Ne: Arah 652,  Moab 2818, Zattu 845, Bebai 628, Azgad 2322, Adonikam 667, Bigvai 2067, Adin 655.

Jeremiah 3:12 ...for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Jeremiah 17:4 ...for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.

Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

PS 58:10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. Pr 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

2 Samuel 24:9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand (800,000) valient men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand (500,000) men. 1 Chronicles 21:5 And Joab gave the sum of the numbers of the people unto David: And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand (1,100,000) men that drew the sword, and Judah was was four hundred threescore and ten thousand (470,000) men that drew the sword.

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. If the Lord has done evil in any city, then this (New Testament) verse is telling us to abhor what the Lord has done.

The preceding verses are just a small sample of some of the questions I might have asked as a young believer. The sad thing to me is when I did; I would never get a satisfactory answer. No one ever told me that that inspired might not mean dictated. Maybe you are in the same place I was, afraid to even question the Bible. Tradition has planted the idea that if we question a literal reading of the Bible we are actually questioning God. Beloved, God gave you a mind; He gave you the ability to reason. He does not expect you to believe 2+2=7. Furthermore, God does not want your faith in the Bible being perfect; He wants your faith to be in Him.

"It’s difficult to expect the same fruits of the early church when we value a book they didn't have more than the Holy Spirit they did have." -Bill Johnson

We can try to explain away all the verses we just looked at, I did for years. The problem is we are fooling ourselves and we know it. Your faith does not have to be in the Bible being literally correct down to every word. Your faith has to be in Jesus! God did inspire the writers of the Bible but He did not dictate to them. God chose to inspire humans even with all our weaknesses and imperfections.

You might be asking what is the benefit in all this or what do we gain with this understanding? The answer is freedom! The freedom to actually be able to ask a question when we get to a verse that seems to disagree with everything Jesus did, said, and stood for. Just being able to say; “wait a minute that doesn’t seem like Jesus” and not feel as if we are questioning God Himself.

A literal reading of scripture does not allow the freedom to ask any questions, including asking God want He meant about a verse. We have been manipulated by tradition into thinking that if we question a verse in the Bible we are questioning God Himself.

“The two things one must not do are (a) to believe on the strength of Scripture or on any other evidence that God is in any way evil (In Him is no darkness at all) (b) to wipe off the slate any passage which seems to show that He is. Behind the shocking passage be sure there lurks some great truth which you don’t understand. If one ever does come to understand it, one sees that it is good and just and gracious in ways we never dreamed of. Till then it must just be left on one side.” - C. S. Lewis,

Consider the words of John Wesley when responding to “by the letter” scriptural arguments that God is the source of evil:

“You represent God as worse than the devil; more false, more cruel, more unjust. But you say you will prove it by Scripture. Hold! What will you prove by Scripture? That God is worse than the devil? It cannot be. Whatever that Scripture proves, it can never prove this; whatever its true meaning be, this cannot be its true meaning. Do you ask, “What is its true meaning then?” If I say, “I know not,” you have gained nothing; for there are many Scriptures the true sense whereof neither you nor I shall know till death is swallowed up in victory. But this I know, better it were to say it had no sense at all, than to say it had such a sense as this. It cannot mean, whatever it means besides, that the God of truth is a liar. Let it mean what it will, it cannot mean that the judge of all the world is unjust. No Scripture can mean that God is not love, or that His mercy is not over all His works.” Wesley’s Journals, Vol. VII.”

If you have read the preceding with an open heart you will see the following verse in a whole new light. Listen to the Spirit as you read, hear the voice of freedom calling you away from the letter and unto life. The following is your Biblical permission not to read the Bible literally. No, it is your CHARGE.

II Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Jesus was the express image of God and He completely and perfectly revealed God’s true nature to us. Jesus never did or said anything He did not see the Father doing. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father. Jesus never hurt anyone, never put sickness on anyone and never once turned anyone away that came to Him for help. Jesus NEVER had anything to do with evil, except overcome it with good.

Even with all the truths Jesus left us with, literalism leaves us with a chilling conclusion, God is both good AND evil (Isaiah 45:7 -OR- John 10:10).

John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

BELOVED, COME TO LIFE!

Jesus vs. Jehovah (Part 8) - Tim Cooper

Have you ever been reading the Bible and come across a verse that made you uncomfortable? Maybe it was a verse like Psalms 137:8 where David prayed for children to be beaten against rocks. Maybe it bothered you that 1 Samuel 16:14 says God sent Saul an evil spirit. Maybe it was one of the verses that tell us God commanded the Israelites to destroy everything in the enemy’s camp, (including little children). Maybe you have even run across a verse that seemed to contradict another verse like 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1. Maybe you found something that made you wonder about the fairness of God’s judgment like in Numbers 15:32-36 where we are told God commanded a man to be stoned to death just for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. Maybe there have been other verses that just didn’t seem like Jesus/God to you.

As a young believer I would ask about these and other verses that bothered me. Invariably I would get one of three answers. The first was a waving of the hand and saying God’s ways are higher than ours and I should NEVER question the Bible. Second would be a long explanation of the difference between the Old and New Covenant. Lastly and the most unsettling was God’s righteous judgment - adding that I better not step out line. I could grasp the concept of righteous judgment but what scared me was I knew I had the capacity to do things much worse than picking up sticks on the on the wrong day.

As the years went by I kept asking the same questions and getting the same unsatisfactory answers. Eventually, as most of you have done I tried to sweep all the questions under a rug. I tried to convince myself that there was a higher reason for all the evil ascribed to God. I also tried convincing myself that the verses that seemed to contradict each other really didn’t.

The problem was, I loved reading the Bible and the more I read the more questions I had. Since I had been taught that the Bible was dictated word for word and letter for letter, everything must fit perfectly like a puzzle. But, I couldn’t make it fit. Imagine trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle where some of the pieces you have don't even belong to the puzzle your working on. I was trapped by a literal reading of the Bible; the letter was killing me (II Corinthians 3:6). It was like a cave, but the walls were made of words. Each sentence, each word from Genesis through Revelation must be reconciled! The harder I studied, the more scripture I learned, the more impossible this task became.

Maybe you are in the same place I was. You might feel trapped by unanswered questions, words and sentences that surround you like a cave. It could be you are having a problem getting all the puzzle pieces to fit. You might be asking how you can reconcile a God of love with all the written words of the Old Testament implying He does evil. Maybe you are having a problem fitting light into darkness or life into death. Or, it might simply be trying to fit what was written about God in the Old Testament into Jesus.

I believe the thoughts above combined with what we learned in earlier parts force us into asking a question many Christians do not want an honest answer for; is the Bible in its entirety the (Word) of God?

We have all seen the occasional preacher holding the Bible high in the air while shouting; “We have to get back to the word of God!” But, is this what the Father intended when He inspired the writers of the sixty six books we call the Bible?

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

When John tells us that in the beginning the Word was with God and the Word was God was he referring to the Bible?

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We can see by this verse and the rest of John One that the Word is Jesus Christ, NOT the Bible.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

In the preceding verses Jesus (the Word) is correcting the theology of those listening by making it very clear that the scriptures are NOT the Word of God, He is. In fact He tells them that their grip on a literal reading of scripture is actually keeping them from life itself! This short comment by Jesus leaves us with a shocking reality, the scriptures themselves were keeping the Jews away from the Word/Jesus. Isn't it a bit ironic that at least in this case it was a literal reading of the Old Testament keeping the Jews from receiving Jesus/the Word. - Selah

Brothers and sisters, is it possible that Jesus might be saying the same thing to some of us? Is a literal reading of scripture actually coming between us and life Himself?

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

While meditating on this issue a strong image began to appear. I saw a beautiful woman in a long white gown. Her arms were outstretched and she was gripping something with all her might. She looked neither to the left nor to the right but stared straight ahead at what she was grasping. It seemed as if this unrelenting grip was actually weakening her. As the image became clearer I saw that she was gripping words, a sentence suspended in mid air. It was then I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “death grip”.

I believe the woman in this image represents the bride of Christ. The words she gripped and so intently gazed at symbolizes a literal reading of scripture. The phrase “death grip” spoke of the fact that by hanging on to a literal reading of the Bible she was actually killing herself (II Corinthians 3:6).

Jesus Himself told the Jews that it was their literal understanding of scripture that was keeping them from life (John 5:39). Paul repeats this truth to the Corinthian church by telling them that reading scripture by the letter kills (2 Corinthians 3:6).

The sad thing is many have replaced a relationship with Jesus for an intellectual understanding of the Bible. Was it God’s intention for us to have a relationship with a book? Does God want us to have faith in the Bible or faith in Jesus?

CS Lewis put it this way:
“The human qualities of the raw material show through. Naivety, error, contradiction, even (as in the cursing Psalms) wickedness are not removed. The total result is not “the Word of God” in the sense that every passage in itself, gives impeccable science or history. It carries the Word of God.”

I would agree with CS Lewis when he says the Bible itself is not the Word of God but it (carries) the Word of God. I believe that the idea of God dictating His Word to the writers of scripture the same as a court of law would use a stenographer is the “death grip”. Wouldn’t the very idea of dictation violate the meaning of inspiration?

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The Greek word for inspired is theopneustos { theh-op’-nyoo-stos}. It simply means; given by inspiration. The English definitions for this word vary, but none of them carry the idea of something being dictated word for word. In fact, at its core, the meaning is opposite.

Following this same logic, if we are to take the Bible literally down to every word, which translation do we use? Since no one agrees on that, what if we go back to the original Greek and Hebrew? That would be helpful if there was an original but scholars all agree no one has an original. What we have are earlier and earliest texts. Even using the earliest Greek and Hebrew texts, any honest student of the Bible will agree that there can be multiple English meanings to each Greek and Hebrew word. The best Greek and Hebrew scholars continue to disagree on word definitions as it pertains to context, which one do we believe? With this is mind, should we read scripture literally? I think the better question would be is it even possible to read scripture literally?

For example, Isaiah 40:3-4, predicts that valleys will be raised and mountains brought low. Luke 3:4-6 indicates that this prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled by the preaching of John the Baptist. The valleys and mountains of Isaiah 40:3-4 are apparently symbols for something else and therefore not to be taken literally.

The apostle John saw a beast coming, out of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and another beast out of the earth (verse 11). Were the animals real, or only a vision? Were they literal or symbolic? If we interpret the prophecy literally, we might worry about mutant dinosaurs. But few students of the Bible interpret these beasts literally as fearsome wild animals. Rather, the beasts symbolize a typological fulfillment.

Is figurative interpretation a second-best approach to the Scriptures? In these cases, certainly not! It is what God intended.

Through Isaiah God prophesied that the Messiah would reign on David's throne with justice and righteousness forever (Isaiah 9:7). But did Jesus fulfill this prophecy? If we had lived then and insisted on a literal interpretation of the prophecies that describe the Messiah as a conquering hero, we would have rejected Christ, the living Word. Wasn’t this the exact problem Jesus was having with the Jews in John 5:39?

Since this is such an important subject we will continue with it for at least one more part. But, I must give you fair warning. If your faith in Jesus rests in a literal understanding of the Bible, your faith will be shaken in part 9.

To be continued…..