deliverance, Ephesus, exorcism, river of life, Syrophoenician lady, Titus, Trinity.

The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Christ in You’ Part 3

05/09/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Evening Service following the Lectionary reading.
Acts 19:1-20. Mark 7: 24-37.

Last Thursday my husband and I, we went on a walk up the Dunsop Bridge Valley in the Trough of Bowland. It is a very beautiful valley, the hills were covered in purple heather and the fir trees were the tallest I’ve ever seen, at least 30 metres high. The water coming off the hills ran into a stream, and as the water rushed over the stones, the splashes sparkled because of the clarity of the water. The water’s purity reminded me of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When Paul visited Ephesus he found that the disciples there did not know about Jesus’ baptism they had been baptised into John the Baptist’s water baptism.

John’s Baptism
John’s baptism was for the forgiveness of sins, in preparation for the coming of the kingdom of God. The people wondered if John was the Christ, but John said this, “I baptise you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Luke 3: 16.

Jesus’ Baptism
The baptism of the Trinity, The Holy Spirit opens the door to knowing God in a personal way as our redeemer and Saviour. “If a man loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come and make our home with him.” John 14: 23
In the letter to Titus he wrote interchanging the words: Grace and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Saviour.’ Titus 1:4. ‘God our Saviour’ with ‘God and Saviour Jesus Christ’ 2:10, 13. ‘God our Saviour’ with ‘Jesus Christ our Saviour.’ 3: 4, 6.
Jesus’ words to Philip, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14: 9.
The Holy Spirit acts upon faith in the words about Jesus’ death and resurrection brings about a wonderful transformation of mind, will and nature.

We can receive Jesus’ baptism at baptism service or sometimes through the laying on of hands or through a scripture or the words of a hymn or a prayer, head knowledge becoming heart knowledge.

12 Disciples at Ephesus.
At Ephesus after the twelve disciples heard about Jesus’ baptism from Paul and they received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of his hands and afterwards they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

At Ephesus Paul went into the synagogue, it was the custom for visiting Jews to be given the opportunity to speak to the congregation, and we read he gave the message about the kingdom of God.
The majority of the Jews in the synagogue rejected Paul’s message. We are not informed of the details of the discussions that took place. Paul then left the synagogue and with the disciples they met the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus and from that situation they reached out with the gospel message to both Jews and Gentiles. Acts 19: 1-10

In the context of the story that follows in Acts 19 I turned to look as to why the Jews turned away from Paul’s message. The healing ministry of Jesus and latterly of his disciples had angered the Pharisees; we know this from what has been recorded by the gospel writers. Matthew recorded the Pharisees accusing Jesus of healing by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus responded by saying,”If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” Matthew 12: 27.
Perhaps Jesus was referring to their ‘sons’ to mean various sects like the Essenes, it is recorded in the Dead Sea Scrolls that they practiced exorcisms.

At Ephesus seven Jewish intinerant, wandering exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of Jesus over those who had evil spirits. What followed was as a result of their prayers, the man set upon them and they fled. They perhaps had good intensions, but these seven men had no power to exorcise the man.
They were not true followers of Jesus.

Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 334
“The Jews at Ephesus encountered by Paul illustrate an attempt to mix pagan traffic in demonology with expulsion of evil spirits by the power of God. Acts 13: 13-19

The question as to why the Pharisees denounced Jesus’ healing ministry I thought that it was because main stream Judaism did not practice exorcism.
Mainstream Judaism believed that only God had the power and authority to deliver them from all of their enemies.
I’ve searched the scriptures: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua they did not practice exorcisms.
David the shepherd boy was invited by King Saul to play his lyre at court as his playing released Saul from the evil spirit. But we read that God had allowed this spirit to come upon Saul.
David on the run from Saul did not practice exorcisms on anyone. He looked to God for deliverance.
“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help! Draw the spear and Javelin against my pursuers!
“Say to my soul, I am your deliverance!” Psalm 35: 1-3.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.” 2 Samuel: 22: 2.

Job looked to God and not to his three friends to deliver him from his affliction. Job 3: 11
Job’s three friends had been unable to convince him of his guilt of sin and Job had been unable to convince them of his innocence. God was his vindicator, his redeemer. Job 19.

Jesus is God and Deliverer
Jesus, the spoken word of God clothed in the flesh, ministered God the Father’s power to cast out evil spirits.
It is recorded in the Gospels that Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease, blindness, fever, those who were deaf and dumb, mental illness and he healed those who were paralysed, he cast out evil spirits and even raised the dead. He manufactured bread and fishes, re-created flesh (leprosy), turned water into wine and he stilled the storm.

Two examples of Jesus healing in two different ways in Mark’s gospel Chapter 7: 24-37
The Syrophoenician lady came to Jesus for him to cast the demon out of her daughter who was at home. Jesus’ response was an unusual one, he said, “Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” verse 27. The children – Jesus was referring to the descendants of Abraham, and the bread – Jesus’ words and actions fulfilled the covenants and promises. Jesus under the old covenant was gathering the outcasts, those who had fallen away from the law, bringing healing and wholeness to their lives with the promise of eternal life through faith in him. Jesus establishing the New Covenant in his death and resurrection. (Jeremiah’s covenant.)
The promise to the Jews that God would send a Leader and Saviour, the Messiah.
The dog is a term referring to the Gentiles.
The Syrophoenician ladies persistence was rewarded by her response to Jesus words in verse 27 with the words,”Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. The Gentiles are loved by God and included in the New Covenant. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16.

Another way of looking at the Syrophenician’s daughter’s healing.
The lady came to Jesus on behalf of someone very dear to her asking him to heal her.
There was a barrier: her daughter’s illness kept her at home, the lady was a Greek outside of the Jewish faith, she was a woman, and she was at first turned away.
But love and faith working together overcame the barriers, her persistence, her heart felt pain she released her daughter into Jesus’ care.

Jesus by the power and authority of God told her that the demon had left her daughter. When she arrived home she found her daughter well.

A Time to Heal Report.
The Anglican Church provides on request Christians with this ministry to exorcise a person from demonic possession. “A Time to Heal Report” guidelines 1975

Second Example
The man who came to Jesus to be healed of his deafness and his impediment speech. Jesus did not cast out demons out of him, but instead by his actions and words. He put his fingers into his ears, his spittle onto his tongue and said, “Be open.” The man was healed. He was released immediately.

Christ in You
Jesus said the Father is greater than I, “In that day you will know that I am in the Father and you in me, and I in you.” John 14: 20, 28.
“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 5.
Great miracles were brought about by faith in Jesus through Paul, he prayed over handkerchiefs and aprons and they were taken to the sick and the people were healed.
Again we see the role of Christian in bringing someone’s need to Jesus for his healing touch upon them and being used by the Lord to bring the means of healing to a person’s need.

Paul came to know Jesus as his personal Saviour through the ministry of Ananias, he prayed for the healing of his sight and through the laying on of his hands Paul was baptised into Jesus’ Baptism.
(See blog Christ in You Part 2)
We see a parallel with his conversion and with the incident on the Island of Cyprus. Serguis Paulus had asked to hear the message about Jesus from Paul and Barnabas. Elymas who was with him came against the Christian message; he tried to turn Serguis away from the faith. Paul I believe saw himself in Elymas in the way he came against the disciples and followers of Jesus. Blindness had come upon Paul after his encounter with Jesus. The Lord using blindness as a means to show Paul his spiritual blindness. Jesus Christ now being in him, he imitated Jesus. Paul he used his authority to show Elymas his spiritual blindness. Blindness had come upon Elymas after his encounter with Paul. Acts 13: 11.

Christ in us today.
Jesus’ baptism enables us minister in the gifts of the Trinity: prayer for healing, words of wisdom, practical help, listening and were appropriate giving assurance. Faith and love are essential to healing; it isn’t how holy we are or the circumstances that surround the person who needs healing. Simple faith and few words coming from the love that flows from the river of life within every Christian baptised into Jesus’ baptism.

Resting, relying in the promises that are ours in Christ.
Praying in faith: “All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9: 23
Receiving healing: “Whatever you ask in prayer, you shall receive if you have faith.” Matthew 21: 22.
The Lord’s Prayer: “Deliver us from evil.”

The majority of people in our communities who are poorly just need that healing touch from Jesus through having faith in him. Jesus uses ordinary Christians with compassion for those who are suffering. He takes our prayers and graciously answers them.

Jerusalem, Millennium, prophesies, ruling rod of iron, Third Temple, wailing wall

The Messiah’s Secret – The Third Temple

19/08/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Jesus prophesied through the sign of Jonah which inferred his resurrection and the Jews rejection of that sign.
The scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign from him, he gave them the sign of Jonah saying that has Jonah was three nights and days in the belly of the whale so would the Son of man be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will condemn this generation as they repented when they heard the message from Jonah and take notice something greater than Jonah is here. Some one greater than the Wisdom of Solomon was in their midst, it was Jesus who instituted the temple.

The Messiah’s Secret page 166
“Jesus was with his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, speaking to them about the kingdom of God. One of the disciples remembered his confrontation with the Pharisees when Jesus had told them the parable of the Vineyard owner. After the tenants had killed the heir, the vineyard was let out to another nation to produce the fruit of it. The disciple asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus said that only his Father knew the time of his return and the circumstances of it. He said that he would return within their lifetime, but some of them would not see death before the Son of man would return with the angels and power of the kingdom. Mark 8:38. 9:1”

The Messiah’s Secret
The disciple thought that Israel had lost their opportunity to accept Jesus as their Messiah/Christ – the Anointed One. He did not realise that the Messiah had to die be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could be accepted by the leaders as their Leader and Saviour. Acts 5: 31. For their leaders to accept Jesus the apostles first had to proclaim him as the Christ. Acts 2: 36

The temple was in place, the people were in anticipation of the Messiah’s coming. They were chosen by God to take the good news of the establishing of God’s kingdom on the earth with the Messiah, the King of God’s kingdom at its head. Israel its people, recognised by God as being a kingdom of priests, responsible for the worshipping of God. The nation of Israel had been given the covenants and promises of God. Exodus 19: 24. Ephesians 2: 12.

The Ruling Rod of Iron of the Kingdom.
“Ask of me, and I will make nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel. Now therefore, O Kings, be wise be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet lest he be angry, and you perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2: 8-11. Revelation 19: 15.

“The Messiah’s Secret” page 110 A word from the Lord that I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.”

Looking and Watching for Jesus’ Return
They had been told by Jesus to be awake, watching, looking for his coming within their life time, to be about their master’s business.”
Soon after Pentecost the apostles set up a community in Jerusalem. The Mishna rules allowed the setting up of a community with a ruling body that must be one tenth of the whole. There were 120 followers in the house at Jerusalem; Mathias made the number of officers up to twelve fulfilling the requirement of this law.

The disciples had been told by Jesus that in the new world they would as Jesus sat on his throne, they who had followed him would sit on 12 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19: 28
On the evening of the day of the resurrection Jesus came amongst his disciples and breathed on them the Holy Spirit and gave then his authority to retain of forgive the sins of people.
Peter carried out judgement in the case of Ananias and Saphira. Acts 5
Simon who joined the church had a Godly fear of Peter’s authority and repented. Acts 8: 24
Herod Agrippa1 was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they sent representatives to the king through Blastus the king’s chamberlain to seek peace as they depended on the king’s country for food.
On the appointed day they came before Herod as he sat on the throne, he spoke to them, in response the people present proclaimed that he had the voice of God not of a man. Herod at that moment was taken ill and soon after he died. Luke recorded the words of the person who gave him this account, “Immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12: 20-23.
I understand that the apostles were putting in place the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom of God. They were going about their master’s business in readiness of his return.

John the last of the Apostles did not see Jesus return even though Jesus had implied that he might see the kingdom come in. “The saying went abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was going to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you.” John 21: 23

A God of Justice
Our Lord God in his great love, gave Israel the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Christ at Pentecost and soon after. Acts 3: 17-21 and 70AD (See blog Wheat and Tares)

Today, now is the time to accept Jesus as your Saviour. Jesus has made it known to us in his word that we must make that choice to accept him in our present life. The parable of ‘The rich man and Lazarus’ confirms this. Also Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote of those who die without hearing about Jesus will be judged according to their conscious.
Short prayer: Lord, take me as I am, I accept you into my life, in faith I come to you. Amen.
Luke 16: 19-31. Romans 2: 14-16.

‘One World Government’ before the Tribulation.
In 2008 the discovery of more holes in the ozone layer across the world had caused the world leaders to enter into discussion as to what we should be doing about it. As these debates were going on in the TV and newspapers, these three words came into my mind, ‘One world government.’ In response to these words, I turned to my Bible to the Book of Daniel and to Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983.
I subsequently wrote about it briefly in our local newspaper.

“View from the Pulpit” Rossendale Free Press August 8th 2008

Bible prophesies are being fulfilled in our time. The prophecy in Daniel states that in the last times there will be an increase of knowledge. Daniel 12: 4.
I was born before television, computers, CD’s, mobile phones, and artificial hearts, gene technology and dishwashers. This amazing increase of knowledge has come about over my life time.
Another prophecy in Daniel chapter 7 verse 24 “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise.”
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983. He writes that the division between the Soviet Union and the Western Alliance has to come to an end before a one world government will come into being made up of ten world powers (ten horns). He argues that this government is not the European Common Market but a world government. This one world government will eventually be dismantled, followed by ten world rulers (ten kings) from which the antichrist will emerge.
Since Fruchtenbaum wrote his book, in 1989 the Berlin Wall that divided West Berlin and East Germany was pulled down by the people living on both sides of the wall. The wall had been a symbol of the cold war between Soviet Union and the Western Alliance.
One world government is on the horizon.
The G6 that was formed in 1975, six world leaders met informally making voluntary agreements on global economic issues. In the 1980’s politics gradually came onto the agenda.
Out of necessity, to save our planet global issues have to be addressed by the nations of the world.
At July’s (2008) meeting of the G8 they had a ‘shared vision’ on climate change, however, the developing nations have declined to sign up to the G8 set emission targets.
Bible prophesies will come true. 32 prophesy were fulfilled in one day when Jesus was crucified.
The Bible also prophesies that those who accept Jesus as their Saviour will come to know Jesus the living God and that prophecy has come true for me and for millions more.”
—————-
The Third Temple
Herod the Great pulled down Zerubbabel’s temple and started to rebuild in 20BC. It took 46 years to complete his rebuild. The Jewish people and the church have never accepted that this temple was the third temple or Ezekiel’s temple because of the prophecy of Haggai, “The latter splendour of this house (Zerubbabel’s temple) shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2: 9. Jesus accepted Herod’s as his Father’s house.

The question arises will the Israelis build a third temple? Only the ‘Wailing Wall’ remains of the temple that once stood there.

The Jewish Temple Institute in Jerusalem has made replicas of the furniture and equipment according to the pattern given to Moses by God (tent tabernacle) Solomon and Zerubbabel temples. Herod extended the second temple.
Extract taken from The Temple Institute website.
The Temple Institute (in Hebrew, Machon HaMikdash), founded in 1987, is a non-profit educational and religious organization located in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.
“The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which G-d commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our headquarters in Jerusalem. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple.”

The Third Temple known as the Tribulation Temple.
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”. “Nevertheless, prophetically speaking the Old City of Jerusalem had to fall under Jewish control. This can be deduced from the prophesies dealing with the third temple, sometimes known as the tribulation temple. There are four passages of scripture that speak of a specific event in relationship to the tribulation temple that will occur in the middle of the tribulation. They are as follows:

The prophesies of Daniel was quoted by Jesus in reference to his return, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” Mark 13: 14

“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offerings to cease; and upon the wings of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.” Daniel 9: 27

“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.

“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise up and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there . . . And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11: 1-3.”

We do not know when and where the third temple will be built in Jerusalem and the course of events that will bring it about, only time will tell. Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes that whilst none of these passages spell out a time factor as to when this was to occur. . . While the six day war itself was never predicted by scripture, what it accomplished clearly was.” Chapter 9 page 69

There are Three Millennium Views in connection with the Second Coming of Jesus (See Blog ‘Saved by the Blood)
I take the pre-millennist’s view that the church will be called out from the earth by Jesus before the tribulation takes place. 1 Thessalonians 1: 10. Romans 5:9. We are raised together with those who have died in the faith and we meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-17 Together we ascend with Jesus to where the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) takes place. The Bride being the church, followed afterwards with the marriage supper. Revelation 19: 7-9.
Jesus returns to the earth with the saints and the armies of heaven and will defeat the antichrist and his allies and a remnant of Israelis will be saved. Revelation 19: 11-21.
We shall reign with Jesus Christ during the Millennium. Revelation 20: 4

Our bodies the temple of Jesus
The church on earth is the body the living temple of Jesus Christ; we are Christ’s presence on earth. The church will for ever be the temple of Christ’s body. “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 22.
But the millennium temple that Jesus builds is in fulfilment of this prophecy in Chronicles. It is in looking forward to these future events we can not limit God because they are part of the plan of God.

Jesus will fulfil the Davidic Covenant.
“He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son; I will not take my steadfast love from him . . . In accordance with these words, and in accordance with this vision, Nathan spoke to David.” 1 Chronicles17: 12 -15. 2 Samuel 7: 11-16. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. Psalm 89: 3,4,29,34-37. Jeremiah 33: 15-26. Zechariah 14: 16-21.

Ezekiel’s Millennium Temple
This is about Jesus building a house for worship at the beginning of his 1,000 year reign on the earth, ruling with a rod of iron. “From his mouth issues a sharpe sword with which he will smite the nations.” Ezekiel 40 Revelation 19:15.
Millennium Temple Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” & ‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.

Christ’s house of worship will be on top of a mountain.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”
“At the time of the second coming of Christ the land will undergo some tremendous geographical and topographical changes. One of the key changes in the land of Israel will be the rise of a very high mountain which will become the highest mountain in the world. On this mountain the millennium temple will stand. Isaiah 2: 2-4. 27:13. 66: 20 Ezekiel 17: 22-24
But not Jews only, for Isaiah 56 6-8 points out that this great mountain of Jehovah’s house will become a place of prayer for all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike: Isaiah 66: 20-23. Psalm 24.

‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.
In the book of Isaiah we find millennium worship. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. 66: 20-23. Zechariah 14: 16-21
The sacrifices made in this millennium temple are made by all the people living on the earth.
Ralph Alexander writes that the sacrificial system described in Ezekiel is similar, though not identical, to the Mosaic system. Not all of the Old Testament Feasts or pieces of temple furniture are included; like the Feast of Pentecost, the Day of Atonement. No lamb is offered in the Passover in the millennium. No High Priest in the millennium instead the prince acts as both ruler and priest, a representative of the people.
Gentiles (foreigners) worship with the Jews and offer sacrifices. Isaiah 56: 6-8

Theologians make a comparison with the Lord’s Supper saying that the bread and wine are to commemorate the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary. The sacrifices made at the millennium temple will too will be commemorative, looking back to the Mosaic Covenant.

Alexander makes distinctions between Ezekiel’s Temple and Jerusalem and John’s Jerusalem in Revelation
In both there is no temple in the city of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 48: 8-22. Revelation 21: 22. Jesus’ body is the temple of God.
In Ezekiel the temple and Jerusalem are two separate identities. In Revelation there is no temple at all and the measurements are not the same.
Both Fruchtenbaum and Alexander give detail diagrams of the layout of the temple, priest’s quarters and city.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum “The Footsteps of the Messiah” Published by Ariel Ministries Press 1983.
‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976. The Moody Bible Institute at Chicago.

Barnabas, Elymas, Living bread, new covenant, Paul

The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Christ in You’ Part 2

09/08/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Evening Service following the Lectionary
The ‘Hovis’ advert on the TV is an interesting one, as it shows a young boy going to the shop to buy a loaf of bread. On his journey back home the streets he passes through are scenes from 100 years of our nations and the bakeries history.

In John’s Gospel Chapter 6 the Jews ask Jesus for a sign like the one God gave Moses the ‘Manna’ that sustained their ancestors on their wilderness journey. This took place 1400 years before Christ. In response Jesus said to them, “ Their fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.” John 6: 49, 50.

The Jews were outraged at Jesus suggestion that he was the bread of life, coming from God. He went on to say, ‘unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have life within you.’ Even some of his own disciples were upset by Jesus saying this and they ceased to follow him.
For Jesus to suggest that they should eat his flesh and drink his blood was against the laws relating to food.
Under Law they were not allowed to eat shell fish, pork and other foods that would make them unclean. No meat could be eaten without first draining the blood from it, because life is in the blood. The blood removed from the meat made the food spiritually sinless and clean. Food was spiritually part of them. Leviticus 11: 1-end 17: 11
What the Jewish people did not understand was that to enter into the New Covenant, the Old Covenant had to come to an end. Jeremiah 31: 31-36
Jesus’ body, his flesh would be the final sacrifice ending the laws relating to food. Mark 7: 19.

When Jesus said ‘unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood’ he was referring to them partaking of his death and resurrection, his sacrifice, the final sacrifice.

The Messiah’s Secret page 93
“At the last supper Jesus introduced the New Covenant through his body and his blood, his life laid down for the final atonement, for sins against a Holy God. When a Jewish person made a sacrificial offering for sin, an offering of an animal, fowl, or meal, was brought to the temple, were the person would place their hand on to the head of the animal to be sacrificed, their sin was transferred by prayer into the sacrifice; its blood was then sprinkled upon the altar to make atonement, a covering for sin. This was repeated time and time again. Leviticus 1: 4. 3: 2
This offering would be accepted to make atonement, reconciliation, and pardon. This meaning of the word atonement is ‘to cover.’ The transfer of guilt to the sacrifice, brought forgiveness to the offender. The sacrifice was regarded as a person’s substitute for breaking the laws of Moses.”

Today, when we turn to Jesus in repentance saying sorry to him for our sins against God. Jesus becomes our substitute taking our sin upon him on the cross, so releasing us into the freedom of God’s forgiveness through his resurrection.

On the night of the Passover Jesus introduced the New Covenant.
The Bread
The bread is representing Jesus’ body.
Luke 22: 19 ‘Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Chalice
The Chalice holds the wine representing the blood of Jesus, the blood of the new covenant.
Matthew 26: 27 ”Jesus gave thanks and said,’ Drink this all of you for this is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.’ ”

New Covenant”
It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is no avail; (profits nothing) the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” John 6: 63.
Signifying a change from being under law to grace which means undeserved giving from God.

John the Apostle in his first letter described Jesus as the word of God covered in flesh.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life. The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 1-3
We are nourished and sustained by Jesus’ words becoming to us spiritual food.
The word, the ‘Bread of Life’ Jesus said “I am the bread of life.’

Christ in You
At Antioch the followers of Jesus were given the name of Christians meaning ‘Christ-like’ people.
St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians, “The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1: 26, 27.

Paul knew personally the meaning of ‘Christ in You’. In his encounter with the Proconsul Sergius Paulus and the Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus also known as Elymas the sorcerer.
On the first ministry tour Barnabas and Saul arrived at Cyprus. They proceeded to travel around the island preaching the Good News about Jesus. At Paphos they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus. He was with the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was regarded as an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Paul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Bar-Jesus or Elymas (which means sorcerer) withstood them, seeking to turn Sergius away from hearing their message. Paul said these words to Elymas, “And now the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind and unable to see the sun for a time. Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.” Acts 13: 11.

This is what happened to Paul on the Damascus road after he saw the vision of Jesus and heard the Lord’s words to him. When he arose from the ground he could see nothing; so the soldiers led him by the hand and took him to Damascus.
In that situation with Elymas coming against the Christian message, Paul saw himself in those early days were he came against the disciples and followers their message about Jesus. Now through Jesus Christ being in him, he imitated Jesus.

The words Paul used, he put the hand of the Lord upon Elymas, 1400 years before Moses had used those same words when he approached Pharaoh asking him to let the people of Israel go and he refused. The animals of the Egyptians were hit by a plague but the animals belonging to the Israelites were not touched by the plague. Pharaoh was seen as an rival of God.
Paul saw Elymas as an opponent of God when he tried to turn Sergius Paulus away from hearing their message about Jesus. In Paul’s words he was making the path of the Lord crooked. I do not believe that God penalized Elymas, just as in other instances were blindness was used by God to show the works of God. John 9: 3
Paul was seen as an opponent of God when he rounded up the Christians and put them in prison and when he was consenting to the stoning of Stephen. Steven forgave him and all those involved in his death. Acts 8: 3. 7: 60
Paul was visited by Ananias who prayed for him: to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

From reading the Acts and letters we do not know if Elymas became a Christian.

In the next chapter of Acts Paul and Barnabas were witnessing to the crowd at Listra where we read a crippled man was healed. Acts 13: 8-20
Paul and Barnabas were applying the Christ-like ministry giving the bread of life to the people listening to their message about Jesus. One man in particular caught the eye of Paul. He saw that this crippled man had faith to be healed. Perhaps Paul saw in his mind this man standing and walking.

From the perspective of the man who received healing, he had accepted the good news about Jesus. This meant that he was entitled to all the blessings of the risen Christ.
Jesus’ body had not been corrupted by all the sickness and disease that he bore on the cross, ‘the uncorrupted bread of his risen body.

Matthew realised the significance of what Jesus did for us on the cross, in his death and resurrection. Jesus has redeemed us from the causes of sickness and disease and through faith in him healing and wholeness comes as the application of the word that is acted upon by the Holy Spirit.
“That evening they brought to Jesus many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8: 16, 17. Isaiah 53: 4

Paul shouted to man, “Stand upright on your feet.” and the man sprang up and he was healed.

2,000 years ago the Holy Spirit acted upon the word spoken by Paul about Jesus that bringing healing to the crippled man.
In 1978 I was healed as the Holy Spirit acted upon the words spoken by Harold Oldham Minister of Winton Baptist Church about Jesus, followed by prayer and the laying on of hands.

“Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and for ever.” Hebrews 13: 8

The Messiah’s Secret page 148 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.
“If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make their home with him.” The apostles and followers were the first fruits of Jesus’ resurrection having received from Jesus the Holy Spirit. The combination of Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit made those who believe ‘Christ-like,’ Christ in you this was the mystery that Paul spoke of in his letters through faith in Jesus; God has made those of faith sons and daughters, children of the living God.
Jesus said to his disciples,” Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will do greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. What ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14: 12, 13, 23.
Love, joy and peace are the nature of Jesus Christ. We are called to abide in his love that his joy and peace may be in us. The promises that are made by Jesus are part of the divine nature of God. A Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit manifests the life of Christ in the world. The graciousness of Jesus, abundant kindness, patience, humility, gentleness, longsuffering and faithfulness.”

job cuts, life guard, oars, rowing, Walking on water

The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Christ in You’ Part 1

08/08/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

After the 5,000 people were fed, it was evening so Jesus sent the crowd home. He gathered his disciples together and made arrangements; they would go to Capernaum by boat. Whilst he went to spend some time quietly on his own before rejoining them at Capernaum.

In John’s account we read that they rowed across the Sea of Galilee. John 6: 16, 19.

When I was growing up my father and mother used to take my sister and me and sometimes my cousins to Heywood Park where we would make straight for the rowing boats. On one occasion my cousin was about to alight into the boat when the boat moved away from the jetty and as a result she had one foot in the boat and one on the jetty and ended up in the water. She eventually saw the funny side to her falling into the water.

The team work involved when rowing in a big boat like the Oxford and Cambridge boats is very significant, pulling together in perfect timing. The Helmsman has an important role he keeps watch on the rowers timing so they pull together in order to propel the boat forwards.

Our Scout leader brought some oars and we had a demonstration and a bit of fun as some of the congregation had a go at rowing, sitting on chairs with their oars.

Jesus calls us to pull together in our churches, he is at the helm.

On the Sea of Galilee a strong wind prevailed against the disciple’s boat so they struggled to make progress.

The western governments are struggling to make progress as they are try to get a grips with their countries finances. The results of this are now being felt by most families in the UK in various ways: price increases, redundancies, stress levels rising. In my own family we have experienced this.

In times of stress we tend to focus on the problems and fall back on ourselves to sort things out and lose sight of putting our faith in Jesus to help us.

The disciples were making headway painfully slow. They had been rowing for several hours and had only travelled 3-4miles. They must have been tired and wet and when they saw the figure walking on the water coming towards them, they were afraid. Jesus realising this, shouted to them, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come to me” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; and when he saw the wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got to the boat the wind ceased.” Matthew 14: 27-32

If you are going through a difficult time turn to Jesus and fix your eyes upon him. Find the time to share your situation with a Christian friend and pray about it together.

In the 90’s my daughter’s friend Julie came to stay with us, she told me a remarkable story of an instance were the unexplainable happened. I wrote her story down. Julie was a Life Guard at Blackpool, a busy place in summer.

Julie’s own words, “This particular day I was walking along the promenade, the tide was in and the sea was choppy, when I heard racing past me the sirens of the police, ambulance and fire brigade. They stopped at the pier; I began to run towards the pier, on arriving a policeman told me that someone was in the water at the end of the pier. I could just see something bobbing about near the stanchions. I took a lifebuoy and jumped into the sea. I reached the person in the water and grabbed out to get hold of her. The waves were so big I lost my hold of her and she hit her head on the stanchion and disappeared under the water. I remembered feeling afraid and I thought that I was going to drown. I prayed for God’s help. I found the person again and began towards the shore, bouncing along on the sea bed, holding the woman in front of me.

We both survived the ordeal. On returning to the Life Guard base, I was debriefed, I told them what had happened, bouncing backwards on the sea bed. But the guards told me that it was impossible to have done that because of the depth of water.”

Julie went on to say that God had put a platform under her enabling them to reach the shore.

I have since wondered if this is what Peter experienced, a platform under him as he walked towards Jesus on the water of the Sea of Galilee.

Even though it had been a struggle for Julie the Lord needed her arms to uphold this lady and save her life.

Both Peter imitated Jesus walking on the water and Julie her faith enabling her to save the ladies life, Christ in her.

On the Sea of Galilee the disciple’s boat had veered off course they landed the boat on the shore at Gennesaret. Matthew 14: 34

Don’t let go of Jesus, this recession may mean a change in direction or cutting back on the things we may now consider essential like cars, mobiles, 48” TV, designer clothes, but consider this: Graham Kendrick put it into words in his hymn;

“All I once held dear built my life upon.

All this world reveres and wars to own.

All I once thought gain I have counted loss;

Spent and worthless now, compared to this.

Knowing you Jesus,

Knowing you, there is no greater thing.

You’re my all, you’re the best,

You’re my joy, my righteousness,

And I love you, Lord.”

Kendrick Graham 1993 Make Way Music.

Ended with a prayer for families effected by our nations debt crisis.

Antioch, Bar Jesus, Barnabas, blindfold, Elymas, new age, Paul, sorcery, spiritualist.

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus removes the blindfold.

01/08/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Evening Service following the Lectionary

Saul and Barnabas set off from the church at Antioch having been called by the Holy Spirit to take the good news about Jesus to the Jews in other lands. Acts 13: 1-13
It was in the plan of God for the Jewish people to be the ambassadors of the good news to the rest of the world.
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46,47

Later in this chapter the Jews were filled with jealousy as the Gentiles were readily accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
“And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Fasting and Prayer The church at Antioch sought the will of God through fasting and prayer. Fasting enables a Christian to be more focused on prayer and less on the appetite, the delights of food.
Prayer is simply talking to the Lord as you would a friend, preferably finding a quiet place, free from the distractions of family, friends, TV and computers.

Paul and Barnabas travelled to Seleucia, from there they sailed to Cyprus were John Mark joined them. In the early days when they arrived at a town they always found their way to the synagogue, to tell their fellow Jews the good news about Jesus being the Christ.
They made their way from Salamis in the north to Paphos at the southern end of the island, preaching the good news about Jesus as they went. Jesus had said to his disciples when they asked him what they should do to do the works of God, “Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, and that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6: 28, 29. The work of God – the message of faith in Jesus taken out.

At Paphos Paul and Barnabas met the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus who was accompanied by a Jewish man called Bar-Jesus, who was described by the disciples as being a false prophet. He was also known as Elymas the magician, a sorcerer.

Sorcery – is the practice of the occult arts under the power of evil spirits or demons and has been common in all of the world’s history. Ungers Dictionary
Since the fall of Adam and Eve sorcery entered the world.

Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus summoned Paul and Barnabas to hear the word of God. But Elymas intervened trying to turn Sergius away from the two disciples; he didn’t want Sergius to come to faith in Jesus.

Elymas was the Proconsul’s personal fortune teller/prophet.

Whilst I was studying this passage I had a phone call from a Christian friend who has since given me permission to write it about it on this blog.
My friend asked me to pray for her son’s wife who had come into contact with a lady who is a member of the Spiritualist Church. The Spiritualist Church do not believe that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh, and their spirituality is like Elymas the Jewish false prophet.(They also falsely communicate with the dead)

My friend said that her daughter-in-law was sat in the waiting room at her doctor’s surgery and as we often do we make conversation with the person we are sitting next too. The result was that she befriended this lady, who on another occasion proceeded to tell her fortune through tarot cards. She has become her personal counsellor.
My friend continued, ‘Whilst this was going on, my friend’s son, his best friend has become a Christian’, Her son told her that his friend had prayed with him and has invited him and his family to join him at the church where he attends.
However, her daughter-in-law is resisting going with her husband to his friend’s church and therefore is making it difficult for her son to go and hear the good news about Jesus.

It seemed that the reading spoke directly into the situation that she was faced with. We prayed over the phone lifting her son and his wife and the spiritualist medium to the throne of God’s grace to undertake in opening their spiritual eyes to the true faith in Jesus.
The following day the Lord gave me a word, ‘he came to release people from captivity and spiritual blindness.’ I use this word in my prayers for them.
(Update January 7 2012 Good news the lady is no longer having fellowship with the spiritualist lady.)

Paul used his gift of discernment and the power of the Lord Jesus’ victory over sorcery and prayed physical blindness upon Elymas. This was a witness to Sergius and he believed and he came to faith in Jesus.

I have found it difficult to understand why Paul prayed for this man temporarily to lose his sight. But what the Lord has shown me through this word is the spiritual blindness on Israel.
“Let their (Israel) eyes be darkened so that they can not see and bend their necks for ever. . . Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren, a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in and so all Israel will be saved as it is written. . . . As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake, but as regards the election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” Romans 11: 10, 25, 28.

I now realise that at Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road when he opened his eyes he could not see and he was led by the hand to a house in Damascus. The Lord sent Ananias to pray for him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9: 8, 17.

Jesus was blindfolded by Roman soldiers. Jesus after his trial was blindfolded by the Roman soldiers who attended him.
“Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” Luke 22: 63, 64
Jesus bore on the cross every spiritual blindness.
“So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying, “He saved others but he can not save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 31, 32.

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus’ death was hidden (Blindness)from the disciples and the people’s understanding.
Luke wrote in his gospel from material given to him from eye witnesses, the disciples and followers of Jesus. “And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marvelling at everything he did, he said to his disciples. “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of man.” But they didn’t understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Luke 9:43-45
“And taking the twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” Luke 18:31-34
What Jesus had told them about his death conflicted with what they had been taught that when the Messiah came he would live for ever.

The people were taught that when the Messiah comes he will live forever. Peter’s response to Jesus’ words concerning his death,”God forbid. Lord! This shall never happen to you,” confirmed what the Jewish people were taught from the Law of Moses that when the Messiah came he would live for ever. “The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 34.

The Jews at that time didn’t believe that God would allow their Messiah to come and die. They expected the Christ to come and take up the throne of King David and rule from Jerusalem the eternal kingdom of God. They were the people who God would use to take the news of the Christ to the ends of the earth.

Jesus opened the eyes of his disciples and released them from their spiritual blindness. In Luke’s account of the evening of the Day of the Resurrection when the disciples where gathered in the house Jesus came among them. Jesus opened up their minds to understand the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection.
“Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened up their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness should be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:44-47

I now realise the Paul when he was converted on the Damascus Road when he opened his eyes he cound not see. He was led by the hand to a house in Damascus where the Lord sent Ananias to pray with him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9: 8, 17.

Today there is a blindfold over the eyes of many millions of people. The church today like the Christians at Antioch we are separated and sent out by the Holy Spirit to tell people the good news about Jesus our Saviour.

The church is a sanctified people. Jesus in his humanity was sanctified, “I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth, as thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they may be consecrated in truth.” John 17: 15-19
Sanctification -This means belonging to Jesus made holy by faith in him. It also means being separated from the world by following his ways, and by what he taught, the words of Jesus.
We should pray for the gift of discernment of spirits so that we made aware of the dangers we face when we are being tempted to engage with the practices of other religions. Especially be aware of the spirituality that comes from New Age or the age old practices of Sorcery.

The things we do in secret are seen by a wider audience. The angels watched the shepherds as they watched over their flocks by night in the fields at Bethlehem.
Satan watched Job and challenged God to allow him to test Jobs Godly fear and trust in God.
Many a Christian have fallen into the snare of the evil one, but through sincere love for the Lord’s word and having fellowship with the Holy Spirit, faith triumphs over evil.
The Lord is on our side; his love is always ready to defend us and draw us back to himself and rescue those whom we love through faith in him.

Tell the world that Jesus is risen God uses our weaknesses to reveal Jesus to the world. Jesus uses the church, his body which is made up of people from all over the world, to witness to the world of God’s love towards us.
Nothing can take away the truth about Jesus. Jesus speaks for himself through his recorded words in the gospels, his words are alive and when they are received in faith they have the power to open the eyes of anyone’s understanding.

Jesus' return, second coming, sowing seeds., Zecharaih

The Messiah’s Secret – Wheat and Tares

15/07/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Jesus gave his disciples and us the meaning of the parable of the ‘Wheat and the Tares.’ The good seeds are sown by the Son of man, the seeds are the sons of the kingdom, and the field is the world. The weeds are the sons of the Devil, the enemy of God, the harvest is the close of the age and the reapers of the harvest are the angels of God.

Jesus often gave examples of what was going on in the daily lives of people and their surroundings to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. Maybe he had heard or seen at first hand the result of someone being the victim of their enemy’s handiwork, when the wheat seeds began to show they found black seeds appearing on the husks. Someone had sown in amongst the wheat Zewan seeds, which is a plant that when it is growing has the appearance of wheat until the seeds show through which are black and poisonous. Dakes Bible Concordance.

Jesus was making the distiction between good and evil, good things come from God like the wheat seeds that we grind to make flour and bread and kindness when people are kind towards one another.

The things that are not good for us like the Zewan seeds, if we ate those seeds they would make us very poorly and when people are nasty to each other it makes us feel bad.

Some times we describe a person as being the salt of the earth meaning: a good person with integrity. Jesus described himself as a seed, a grain of wheat.
The good wheat seed sown by the Son of man – A title of the Messiah
Jesus first had to die to bring forth the new seed in the likeness of himself; the seeds of eternal life.

Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies; it bears much fruit.” John 12: 24
A seed of wheat has first to die before germination begins. In the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested his disciples fled, he was left on his own. On the cross he cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Jesus died alone and was buried in the darkness of a tomb. God brought the lifeless body of Jesus back to life, giving him new life, eternal life.
Those who have faith in Jesus receive the eternal seed through the combined action of the Word, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father. God’s love touches the seed that has been planted in our heart and mind and it begins to grow in the knowledge of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We recognise that our sin separates us from God, we ask the Lord for forgiveness and receive the Jesus into our heart and the Holy Spirit acts upon our faith in Jesus God our Father raises us to new life, to know him.

The good news sown by the children of God We read in the Acts of the Apostles were Paul and his companions were taking the good news into the world. Paul had been working with twelve disciples at Ephesus establishing the church there. Lots of people became Christians and the Church flourished as God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. He prayed over handkerchiefs or aprons and they were taken to the sick and they were healed.

The church founded upon the Rock, the true God overthrew the false god, Artemis or Diana the fertility god.
Ephesus was the main centre for the worship of Artemis; the temple at Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the known world. This would make it a very busy place with tourists and worshippers.
Paul’s ministry impacted the silversmith’s trade of making idols of Diana. The discerning Christians did not want to buy their idols.

The seeds of discord were sown in the field at Ephesus. The silversmith Demetrius decided to act against the church, by sowing seeds of discord, he brought the silversmiths together inciting them to riot as he quoted what Paul had said, “That gods made by hands are not gods and that the temple of the goddess would count for nothing.”

Paul had taken the teaching from Isaiah, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit; their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an image, that is profitable for nothing? Isaiah 44: 9,10.
The silversmiths were angry and went in number to demonstrate and taking hold of Christians Gaius and Aristarchus they dragged them into the theatre. There action caused confusion, and those who found themselves caught up in their protest did not know why they were there.

The Town Clerk questioned some of the people, and then he spoke to the crowd and defused the situation. He said that the silversmiths should settle the matter in court/Assembly. Acts 19: 23-41.
We can see that Demetrius was looking after his business interests rather than the consequences of a starting a riot. Underlying this action the devil was trying to antagonise the people against the church.

In recent times the seeds of violence sown in the field of Ireland. Those who wanted to see a united Ireland incited violence over many years through the religious divide to achieve their aims.
We give thanks for the peace process in Ireland that has brought an end to the hostility. Our prayer is that in Ireland, its people will continue to live in peace with each other.

Signs of Jesus’ return The Apostles and followers of the first century church were expecting Jesus to return within their lifetime. Jesus had said “If, it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you.” referring to the disciple John. John 21: 22
For the first time at Pentecost the apostles proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ.

The return of the Christ was a possibility soon after Pentecost.
“The Messiah’s Secret” page 108
“God was calling his people to repentance. Peter had told them that the rulers and people had acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus; he had to die to accomplish the plan of Salvation for the Jews and for the world. If they would repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus would return. The times of refreshing, after his coming he would restore the throne of King David, an everlasting throne and Kingdom, and the restoration of the land given to Abraham by God for an eternal possession. Those who were expecting, waiting would see the Kingdom come with power. Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

The crowd were gathered in Solomon’s Portico around Peter and John. Peter said to them, “And now brethren I know that you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that the Christ should suffer he has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” Acts 3: 17-21
This was a national calling for the people to repent so that the sin of Israel against God would be forgiven and as a result God would send the appointed Christ, who was Jesus. The leaders did not recognise Jesus as the Christ, Caiaphas who was the high priest that year, he was a Sadducee. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and with the Roman’s defiling Jesus through his death on a cross. It would seem that Caiaphas was unable to overcome these things and accept Jesus as the Christ on behalf of the nation.

The second time the Christians expected Jesus to return was around 70AD
Jesus prophesied the signs that would precede his coming are recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, the gospels recounts Jesus’ words. The disciples were stood admiring the beauty of the temple.
Josephus wrote in his book, “The Wars of the Jews” Book 5
“The outward face of the temple in its front was covered all over with plates of gold of great weight, and at the first rising of the sun, reflected back a fiery splendour, and made those who forced themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would have done at the sun’s own rays.” The forty foot columns were of white marble each one was of a single block of stone.”

The disciples were proud of the magnificence of the buildings, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings.” Mark 13: 1.
Jesus responded by telling them that it would be levelled to the ground. How shocked the disciples must have been hearing this from Jesus.

The first century Christians saw the destruction of the temple as a sign of Jesus’ return.
Jesus went on to say as they marvelled at the splendour of the temple buildings, that false Messiah’s and prophets would arise and lead many astray. His disciples would face persecution as they took the gospel to the known world. There would be wars and famine, earthquakes. The heavens would be shaken and darkened along with the moon and the stars would fall from heaven.
All these things took place before and around 70AD. St Paul was involved with the persecution of the early church as a result the Jerusalem community were scattered. I’ve no doubt that false Messiah’s and prophets arose. There was a terrible famine during the reign of Claudius and a devastating earthquake at Laodicea.

Josephus and Tacitus the Roman historian wrote of strange happenings in the heavenlies. A comet appeared over Jerusalem for 12 months. A bright light for the space of half an hour, shone so bright in the night between the temple and the altar that it seemed as if it were noonday and a flaming sword was seen over Jerusalem.

Before and during the Roman move against Jerusalem with its army made up of various nationalities, many Christians left Jerusalem and fled to Pella where they found sanctuary. The Romans took Jerusalem and the temple was set on fire, afterwards they searched and removed the melted gold from the temple ruins, as a result it was demolished, just as Jesus had foretold.
Josephus wrote that gradually afterwards the Christians moved back to the outlying parts of Jerusalem. Zechariah 14: 1-4 After the onslaught of Jerusalem, the return of Jesus to the Mount of Olives.
The Christians were expecting Jesus to return but it wasn’t to be. The nations surviving leaders did not bring the people to repentance or recognise that Jesus was the Christ, (the time of his visitation Luke 19: 43, 44)

Today we are still expecting Jesus to return.
“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 12: 32.

This year 2011 Mr Camping was reported by the ‘Daily Mail’ of spending millions of dollars on Billboards across the US forecasting that the day of judgement was to come to fruition on Saturday May 21st 2011. However sincere he and his followers were, they were wrong, sowing seeds that have led many astray.

The question of the third temple I’ll leave it for another time.

Israel will recognise Jesus as the crucified Christ. Zechariah prophesied the nations coming against Jerusalem and in that terrible situation the Jewish leaders will bring their nation to repentance as they recognise Jesus as their Christ.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, so that, when they look at him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weeps bitterly over him, as one weeps for the first-born.” Zechariah 12: 10

The Mount of Olives

Zechariah also prophesied that when the Christ comes he will stand on the Mount of Olives. As the apostles watched Jesus ascend into heaven, the man in white standing there with them told them that Jesus would return to the same place where they had seen him leave, the Mount of Olives. Acts 1: 11.

“Behold the day of the Lord is coming, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in the midst of you. For I will gather the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward.” Zechariah 14: 1-4

Zechariah goes on to described in verse five that this splitting of the ground on the Mount of Olives as being like an earthquake, so when the Lord comes, the earth will shake. We have the example in Acts; the house shook when the Holy Spirit came and filled the followers as they rejoiced and gave thanks and prayed after the release from prison of the Apostles Peter and John. Acts 4: 31.

Christians return with Christ Zechariah informs us, “Then the Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones withy him.” 14: 5
He shows us that Jesus has two titles, he is the Lord and our God. The holy ones coming with him is generally thought to be the church made up of Christians.
John confirms this, “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses. From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which he will smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. . . On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19: 14-16

We pray for the Lord to come soon. Come, Jesus, come. Amen.

Note: The book “The Messiah’s Secret” is available just for the cost of postage and packaging.

burden, Palm Sunday, rule book, tent, vineyard.

The Messiah’s Secret – Children at Play in the Market Place

05/07/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

It has become a tradition at Wimbledon that strawberries and cream are almost as important as the hallowed turf. This year, each day 8,6165 punnets of Kent strawberries were consumed.

Jewish traditions passed down the generations; Jesus refers to traditions when he said, “But what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling their playmates, ‘We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’” Matthew 11: 16, 17.

The children at play in the market places were imitating their parents who probably played their pipes at weddings and feast days, and wailed and cried at the homes of the families of those who had died. Matthew Henry Commentary page 58
Jesus draws our attention to the children who would not join in the dancing to the playing of the pipes.

First of all lets look at the children who were dancing; they were the Jewish people who were eagerly looking for the coming of the Messiah, who sat listening to Jesus expound the scriptures, while others brought their sick to be healed by him.
Also there were those who stood by the roadside welcoming Jesus with joy, as he entered Jerusalem riding on a colt the foal of an ass. They shouted out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!” I don’t think that they realised that they were fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9: 9.
We understand when we read John’s account about this occasion that a lot of those people waving their palm branches had earlier been with sisters Mary and Martha consoling them in the Jewish tradition, wailing and crying, after the death of their brother Lazarus. But as we know it was not for long, when Jesus arrived he prayed to God his Father and Lazarus was brought back to life after being dead for four days. Even today I’m told it is medically impossible to be resuscitated after being dead for so many days.

Others in the crowd had heard from these witnesses of the great miracle that Jesus had performed. John 12: 17,18.
Jesus was referring to the children who danced, as the people who recognised him as their Redeemer King.

But also in the crowd were some Pharisees and they shouted to Jesus, “Teacher rebuke your disciples.” Luke 19: 39
These were the people who were like the children who would not join in the dancing to the pipes.

Jesus healed people on the Sabbath Day, as a result the Pharisees saw Jesus as a man who broke the Sabbath Day Laws. Jesus responded by saying it was right to do good on the Sabbath Day. I also believe that the Pharisees heard a lot of laughing coming from amongst Jesus and his friends. Jesus full of the joy of life, which I do not think the Pharisees would have approved of.

Jesus out of love for the Pharisees and all of the people he said, “Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11: 28

Jesus was asking the Pharisees to listen to him, but they would not, instead they laboured over their rules of law and as a result were weighed down by them.
The Jewish person earned their place in the kingdom of God by keeping the law. Jesus was peeling away the laws that the Pharisees had added over generations to the Laws given to Moses by God. “The Messiah’s Secret” page 99

Jesus in the parable of hiring labourers to work in the vineyard makes the point of the labourer not gaining through the amount of work that person had done, even those who had borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. Matthew 20: 1-16

I’ve met Christians who labour for our Lord God, but are burdened by keeping the commandments as a set of rules. It reminded me of the days when we went camping. Our car was on its knees with the weight of camping gear we carried.
Our Scout Leader put together a short sketch, were we made the comparison between the heavy burden and the light weight burden using camping equipment. He read from the old rule book and asked his scouts to bring in their camping equipment; a huge bag containing a tent, bags containing poles, pegs and guy ropes. Calor gas for cooking and a stove, mats and sleeping bags, tilly lamp and other bits and pieces.
Then one of the Wardens came in with a haversack and a small bag. Inside his haversack were the sleeping bag and mat, cooking gear, water carrier, and in the small bag, to our amazement it contained a tent. They errected the tent fitting together the metal rods that formed a half circle which was then attached to the bedroom, lastly an outer fly sheet was placed over the frame.

The rule book and the heavy old camping equipment were made obsolete by the lighter more flexible camping equipment. The comparison making the point the Pharisees struggled to keep the law they were heavily burdened by them. Whereas Jesus released people from generations of added laws by the Pharisees.
Even in more recent times the Jews have added laws like switching on an electric light on the Sabbath Day is not allowed. “The Book of Leviticus” by Charles R Erdman

Jesus wants us to be imitators of him; he fulfilled the law in love. There is no heavy burden in love; we are called to walk in love, love that comes from the Spirit of God.

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

Jesus wants us to enjoy labouring in his kingdom. Graham Kendrick’s hymn “Teach me to Dance, “ expresses so well the joy and excitement of being a Christian.

Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart
Teach me to move in the power of your Spirit
Teach me to walk in the light of your presence
Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart
Teach me to love with your heart of compassion
Teach me to trust in the word of your promise
Teach me to hope in the day of your coming
Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart

You wrote the rhythm of life
Created heaven and earth
In You is joy without measure
So, like a child in your sight
I dance to see your delight
For I was made for your pleasure
Pleasure

Let all my movements express
A heart that loves to say ‘yes’
A will that leaps to obey you
Let all my energy blaze
To see the joy in your face
Let my whole being praise you
Praise you
Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music,
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Prayer
Lord our prayer is that you would teach us to dance to the beat of your heart, to move in the power of your Spirit, to the tune of your grace. May we be attentive to your word to us and in response out of love, may our movements express our willingness to do your will, so our whole being will praise you and glorify your name. Amen.

ascension of Jesus, Aslan, balloons., Dandelion, seeds

The Messiah’s Secret – The Ascension of Jesus

16/06/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Family Service
Can you guess what the flower is below?

It is a Dandelion.

Dens Leonis is Latin for: a lion’s tooth

The name Dandelion takes its name from the shape of its’ leaves, they have points like a lion’s canine teeth.

Jesus’ name: Jesus Christ
Jesus means: Saviour
Christ “ The Anointed One.
Jesus is also known as The Lion of Judah. In C.S. Lewis’ books ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Aslan the lion king represents Jesus he was like Jesus he died and God raised him back to life.
It is set in the fictional realm of Narnia where there is a battle going on between good and evil. The wicked Queen slays Aslan on an altar of sacrifice and the children see him lying there dead, then by a miracle Aslan comes back to life, resurrected from the dead. The children are called upon by the lion Aslan to protect Narnia from evil and restore the throne to its rightful line.
Animals like Dandelions especially rabbits, pigs, goats and horses they eat the leaves and flowers.
The leaves of the Dandelion grow almost straight up, this means that when it rains the rain drops trickle down the leaves to the centre of the plant and straight down into the roots. The soil around the roots needs the water to release the good things out of the soil that the Dandelion thrives on. The Dandelion grows strong and its roots grow long.

Selwyn Hughes’ book ‘Getting the Best from the Bible’ Selwyn wrote that as Christians we need to read a little of the Bible every day. When we do, it is like the rain trickling down into the depths of our being, making us strong and powerful Christians.

St. Paul was saying this to the Christians at Colossae, he told them to be rooted and built up in their faith in what they had been taught about Jesus. In his letter to the church at Ephesus he wrote that they should be rooted and grounded in the love of God. Paul was saying that they should be kind and generous with each other.

The Dandelion Flower (Collect before the service Dandelion flowers and a magnifying glasses, this will allow the children to observe the five points on the petals and the stamens)
Each petal is bright golden yellow and has five points; the number 5 in the Bible means grace- undeserved blessings from God. (Children are invited to look at the flower heads using the magnifying glasses)
The flower produces a lot of pollen and nectar. The bees love the Dandelion flower because it provides nectar for them from spring to autumn. Here we see how God looks after the bees pouring out his grace, his abundance of nectar.

(A tray is prepared before hand, placed on it are the Dandelion products: cordial, Dandelion and Burdock. Glasses, cups and a flask with Dandelion tea.)

We use the Dandelion flower heads for Dandelion cordial, Dandelion & Burdock. Its’ roots when cut up, dried, roasted and ground make coffee, and its’ leaves dried and cut up make Dandelion tea.
(Pour our cordial,Dandelion & Burdock and tea and ask older children to give them out for tasting.)
The young tender leaves of the plant can be added to salad, they are rich in iron.
The Dandelion also has healing properties in the Inulin, this is the milky fluid in the stem and roots.
Many years ago people made medicine from it for: kidney, liver and gall stones complaints.

Taking the flower head with the white fluffy down.
(Allow the children to examine the construction of the seed attached to the pappas.)
After the flower dies a fluffy down appears in the shape of a circle. When I was a little girl we called it a Dandelion clock, we would blow onto the fluffy down and say one o’clock, blow again two o’clock, until all the seeds had been carried on the breeze and out of sight.

(A paper seed attached to string and to three helium filled balloons. Also a fine string attached to pull it down at the appropriate time in the talk. At this point let the balloons carrying the seed are let go, allowing it to float upwards.)

The Dandelion seeds that are carried upwards on the breeze reminded me of Jesus’ ascension into heaven; the disciples watched Jesus ascend, he was caught up in the cloud and disappeared out of their sight.

This also reminded me of our prayers ascending to where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God’s throne in heavenly places.
When we pray, it is good to find a quiet place where we can talk to Jesus, we may want to kneel or sit on a chair, we talk to him like we would to a friend. We put our hands together and close our eyes, so that we are not distracted by the things that surround us.

You may find it helpful when praying to remember the word: A.C.T.S
A – ADORATION
C – CONFESSION
T – THANKSGIVING
S – SUPPLICATION

ADORATION
We express our adoration of God quite often in singing a hymn or a chorus.
“Father we love you we worship and adore you, magnify your name in all the earth.”
As we sing these words or similar words we are honouring God, lifting up his name in reverence and awe.

CONFESSION
Having recognised God for who he is and does for us, we realise that we have let the Lord our God down. This is were we say sorry to the Lord for the things we have said or done wrong. All we need to do is acknowledge in our prayer that we have sinned and say sorry to the Lord Jesus.

THANKSGIVING
In prayer we thank the Lord for his forgiveness, his kindness towards us. We thank him for our daily food, our homes, family, friends, our pets, school, college, work and our church fellowship.

SUPPLICATION
This word means we ask Jesus to bless all those who need help in some way through our prayers; people we know who are going through a difficult time. Those who are lonely, sad, those who are homeless and those who are poorly. We remember the people who are displaced or recovering from natural disasters: droughts, famine, earthquakes and floods. For peace in the world.

Lastly we pray for ourselves.
At the end of all our prayesr we say : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. By saying this we are asking Jesus to bring our prayers before God our Father, for him to answer them.
Amen means – so be it.

Answered prayer is like the Dandelion seed descending to the earth and landing on the soil. In due course will start to grow and the cycle is repeated.(Pull down the seed attached to the balloons.)
It is good, if you have the time to write your prayers down in a diary and as they are answered, record that too.

The Dandelion is a wonder of creation.
The Dandelion I find reflects the Lord our God and creator as it continually gives of itself and helps to keep alive the bees and supply some of our needs: food, drink and medicine.
The Lord wants us to look into the things that he has created, and observe the part they play in supplying our needs and how they show to us that God wants to take care of us. By the example of the Dandelion we also learn that he wants us, to give out of ourselves, especially in our prayers the love of our Lord God for others and his creation.

Mary the mother of Jesus, Reg Bailey, Report of Sexualisation of Childhood

The Messiah’s Secret – Mary the mother of Jesus supported her son

11/06/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Mother’s Love
Mary the mother of Jesus had heard the rumours that were going around that Jesus was ‘beside himself’ and out of love for her son, she went with her other sons to support him.

The Bible says, “Then Jesus went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. And when the family heard it, they went out to seize him, for the people were saying, “He is beside himself.”
Mary was not standing idly by, she went to find Jesus. When she found him he was surrounded by many people, so she asked to speak with him. I do not think that Mary went to apprehend Jesus, she went to protect him, out of concern for him.
Jesus’response maybe would indicate that he was looking for the support of those who were sat listening to him. “Here are my mother and my brothers! Who ever does the will of God are my brother, and sister, and mother.” Mark 3: 20, 21, 34, 35.

The Scribes were behind the rumours
The Scribes and the Pharisees were trying to discourage the people from going to Jesus for healing. As a result there was a division amongst the people over him. Refer to John 10: 19-21.
Jesus was healing people of all kinds of sicknesses and diseases and hundreds of people were going to him. The problem for the Scribes was that Jesus healed on the Sabbath Day and this caused them to seek his demise. Under Jewish Law the people earned their righteousness, so to please God, the Pharisees, Lawyers and Scribes had added extra laws to the Laws of Moses.
Jesus was ignoring those extra laws by healing on the Sabbath Day. “The Messiah’s Secret” page 27 “Kingdom Teaching.” “The Scribes and Pharisees were overburdening the people with added rules, under law they earned their righteousness through keeping the law, their traditions made void the word of God.” Mark 7: 13

We must call for Christian mothers and fathers today to protect their children by supporting the report by Mothers’ Union Chief Executive Reg Bailey on the “Sexualisation of Childhood,” “Sexualised and gender stereotyped clothing, products and services for children.”

Mothers’ Union ‘BYE BUY CHILDHOOD CAMPAIGN’
“We believe that children should be valued as children and not targeted as adult consumers. Children have become a marketing opportunity worth £99 billion in the UK and £350 million is spent in the UK each year persuading children to consume. Manipulative techniques exploit children’s natural credulity and use them as a conduit to the household purse. The materialism this encourages has negative effects on children’s physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing, on their values, educational development and relationships with families and peers. The use of sexualised content to sell to children and the imposition of sexuality on children to market goods is particularly abhorrent.

How can you make a difference?
This campaign guide which outlines three ways in which you can make a difference:
• Analyse your consumer habits.
• Challenge retailers and advertisers who sell or advertise inappropriately to children.
• If you are concerned about the inappropriateness of an advert aimed at children; contact the relevant regulator with your concern.
For print, press, posters, television, radio, cinema, internet (banners and pop-ups etc), emails text and sales promotions, you can log your complaint online: http://www.asa.org.uk/complaints-and-ASA-action/How-to-complain.aspx
Contact Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London. WC1V 6QT Phone 020 7492 2222

The Mothers Union supports families by serving the church and the community in practical ways:
‘Freshers’ Week – University Students especially overseas students are given support by receiving gift parcels containing : coffee, tea, pasta, rice, mugs, pans and other basic needs to help them settle in to their new homes.
The Mustard Tree is a Manchester based organisation which helps to support refugees in Manchester. They asked the Mothers’ Union in Manchester to supply ‘bras’ for refugee women and in response over 5,000 bras from MU members were sent by the Manchester office to help these women.

153 fishes, ben ha elohim, Einstein., fishers of men., Mathematician

The Messiah’s Secret – God the Mathematician

29/05/2011 Dorothy Leave a comment

Extract from “The King of the Earth” by Erich Sauer
“Einstein’s theory of relativity, which postulates a space-time continuum. “Curved” space-time continuum, that is, space closed in on itself.
Albert Einstein was able to calculate the curvature and to draw conclusions from it, and even to predict certain events, such as the change of path of the planet Mercury in its course around the sun.
As a result of this, mathematics, this so “abstract” science, becomes the connection-the only connection-which we can make with the four dimensional world, just as it is the only key which has unlocked the gate into the strange world of the atom.”
Einstein extended his Relativity theory to include gravitation.

Jesus upholds the universe by his word and power. Hebrews 1: 3
In the New Testament we see the link between God the mathematician and the Word Jesus.

The Hebrew and Greek languages each letter has a numerical value. In the Old Testament and the Greek New Testament scriptures there are significant meanings to both words and numbers.

I’ve always wondered why John wrote a precise number 153 fishes that had been caught in the net.

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciple came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out onto land, they saw the charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went on board and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21: 1-14

In the book “Numbers in Scripture’ by E W Bullinger he gives the answer.
Linking Hebrew and the New Testament the word Beni Ha-Elohim having numerical value of 153.

Hebrew letters and numerical value
B
E
N
I

H
A

–
E
L
O
H
I
M

ב = 2
נ = 50
י = 10

ה = 5
א = 1

ל = 30
ה = 5
י = 10
מ= 40

153

This word Ben Ha-Elohim means: “Sons of God”
The 153 fishes caught in the net relates to the “Sons of God.”

When Jesus called Andrew, Simon Peter, James and John to be his disciples he gave them a word in connection with their future ministry, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1: 17 The 153 fishes caught would have confirmed to them the words of Jesus,

Later at Pentecost Peter speaking at Pentecost (cast the net) proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection and that he was the Messiah, 3,000 people received Jesus as their Saviour.

Factor of 8
8 the dominant factor in Jesus’ name
8 this number connected with new beginning
On the evening of the day of his resurrection (the first or 8th day) Jesus came amongst his disciples in the upper room. Acts 2: 19
On the eight day Jesus appeared again to his disciples in the upper room. verse 26

After Jesus ascension the 11 apostles and their followers gathered in the upper room where they were staying at Jerusalem to pray.
“In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry. . . . For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘His office let another take.’ . . . And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. . . .And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1: 15 – 26
Peakes Concordance tells us that in the Jewish rule book ‘The Mishna’ by law there had to be 12 officers, on tenth of the number required to put in place a community. The number of people present is recorded in Acts 1: 15 as 120 fulfilling the requirement of the law.

The Messiahs Secret