1) Thou hast the words of eternal life, John 6:66-69
The following words from John's Gospel can be an inspiration for us in times of difficulties and the burdens of life. The apostle Peter was convinced that Y'shua was the Messiah and he showed the way of salvation to those who would believe and hear his words. Peter had faith and believed that there was no other way to life beyond our mortal existence.
Peter's response to Y'shua's question as to whether he would leave the Messiah, as many had done despite the miracles that he had performed, revealed Peter's trust in Y'shua and his belief that he was the Messiah, the son of Yahweh and that it was through Y'shua the promise of eternal life was to come. Consider the simplicity of Peter's response and his faith.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:66-69)
The following two references from the Old Testament record the faith of two remarkable women. Neither of them were Israelites but they professed that Yahweh was an all powerful God. Rahab of the city of Jericho hid the two men of Israel, who spied out the land when Israel were about to enter and invade the land. Not having seen the miracle of Israel's escape from Egypt and bondage, she believed all the reports that she had heard and acknowledged the great power of Yahweh, the God of Israel. She acknowledged the power of the God of the Israelites and more than that she believed and had the faith to request to be saved from the destruction she knew would come upon the city of Jericho.
And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. (Joshua 2:9-13)
Ruth the Moabitess, after her husband died in Moab, begged Naomi her mother-in-law that she could go with her when she returned to Israel. Ruth was prepared to forsake her native land and its gods for the God of Israel.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where you die will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (Ruth 1:16-17)
Both of these women were women of faith and were not Israelites, but they both married into the tribe of Judah and were both in the direct line of Judah, from which Y'shua came. (See the genealogy of Y'shua in Matthew 1) They were women who had great faith in the God of the Israelites. They were women who forsook the idols and gods of their own people and were adopted into the nation of Israel.
David in many Psalms praises Yahweh and acknowledges his power and that there “is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works”.
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. (Psalm 86:3-9)
David was also a person who throughout his life demonstrated an unswerving faith in and love of Yahweh. His Psalms and prayers reveal his confidence in Yahweh. Through difficult times in his life he did not forsake his belief in Yahweh's power and promises. And it was for this type of trust that he was promised a seed, a son, who would rule the world in righteousness, the Messiah.
This same type of trust and faith in Yahweh led faithful men such as Noah, Moses. Elijah, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel to do amazing things that showed their conviction that the God of the Israelites was the only true and living God who could offer any hope of salvation beyond our mortal life.
It was this faith that made Peter respond to Y'shua as he did. Despite the difficulties that he would endure in his life of service in proclaiming the Word of salvation, Peter's faith and conviction remained firm to the end of his life. If we look at what he says in his first letter we can still capture that sense of trust that he revealed as a young man in the presence of his Messiah. He gives comfort to those who are suffering trials and temptations saying that the promise of resurrection is sure. If they face trials, the memory of these will fade away in that day and there will be rejoicing.
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (I Peter 1:2-10)
This salvation remains today for those who seek it, believe and trust in Yahweh's infinite power and love, and that Yahweh will accomplish his purpose on this earth.
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Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
