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Tag: blasphemy

2 Timothy 3 Standing Strong against Apostasy
Apostasy

to fall away – The abandonment of one’s religion.

The word apostasy is rarely found in the Eng. Bible.. But the reality expressed by the word is found frequently. Israel’s history was one of continual apostasy as the people deliberately turned away form the God who had redeemed them out of Egypt, and followed false gods and sinful ways… In the NT apostasy occurs when men turn aside from following Jesus and deny Him after having previously confessed Him as Lord.

The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, p.216

Why is the Apostle Paul so concerned for some small misleading by men within the church?

How do some teachers oppose the true worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Who are they?

But Mark This:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

χαλεπός – chalepos –
- perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.
The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

Paul’s WARNING from his previous epistle

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will [aphistēmi] fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience, ..

1 Timothy 4:1-2 LSB

The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

2 Timothy 3:

The Apostle has already cautioned in his second epistle to beware of men like Jannes and Jambres who betrayed Moses. Now Paul reminds Timothy and others of his personal example to them from the time he first witnessed to them.

You, however, know all about my teaching,

my way of life,

my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—

Second pastoral Epistle of Paul to Timothy 3:10-11a NIV

And Paul then outlines some life-threatening events many of them witnessed which proved his faith through several persecutions and many injuries suffered:

—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.

Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

2 Timothy 3:11b NIV

Iconium – A Pattern of Persecution
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Who would endure such suffering for Jesus Christ if not a witness to Truth? 
```
And it will not ONLY be Apostles, cautions Paul:

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13
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HOW do faithful believers discern the difference between true Christ-followers and those misrepresenting JESUS for their own worldly gain?
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The DANGER WITHIN threatens the CHURCH often unnoticed during DIFFICULT TIMES, because its leaders overlook Scripture.

Last Days and Difficult Times

2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times
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The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos... 
```
kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

Avoid such people!

YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

Knowing What You Know

The Apostle compares his own life to a different life promised by false teachers.

(For these are only the beginning of the last days before Christ’s return).

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV
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So how does a pastor like Timothy, or Elder, or simply a humble saint know who to believe? 
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Questions for a Common Era christian church
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Have any priestly men of your parrish repented of the calf replaced by idols of a woman worshiped?
 
Did episkopois above bishops elevate hagios long passed as ancient intercessors worshiped? 

Do spotlights illuminate your idols on stage for a multitude little different than what Moses witnessed on descent from Sinai?

Does your vaulting cathedral show wooden pillars of pastoral vision as the calf gathering those led by Jannes and Jambres into the worship of a new King? 

Has worldly refreshment replaced Scripture in the house of the Lord?

Is the Christ of true Scripture rejected in place of some other calf-like JESUS proclaimed king without taking up a Cross? 
```
But they won’t get away with this for long.

Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

Recognizing Apostasy from Scripture

As mentioned earlier we will not find the word “apostasy” frequently in the Bible, but Scripture reveals apostate acts of turning against God and Christ throughout.

Follow the meaning and connection of some of these related root words from both the Greek and Hebrew of the Bible:

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the [apostasia] apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, exhibiting himself as being God.

Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians 2:2-3 LSB – regarding letters from false teachers
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ἀποστασία apostasía, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah; feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth 
```
And they said, “Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE G647 [apostasion] AND [apolyō] SEND her AWAY.”

But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote for you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE…”

Gospel of Mark 10:4-6 LSB
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ἀποστάσιον apostásion, ap-os-tas'-ee-on; neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of G868; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce:—(writing of) divorcement. 
```
“And those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy,
and these have no root;
they believe for a while,
and in time of temptation
fall^G868 away^G868.
Gospel of Luke 8:13 LSB — Strong’s G868 – aphistēmi – to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.:—depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

LXX – Septuagint – O.T. translations from the Greek

Old Testament
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The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, traditionally said to have been translated by seventy or seventy-two Jewish scholars in the 3rd century BC. 
```
The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek was necessitated by the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the Hellenistic world, particularly in Egypt, where many Jews had lost their Hebrew language skills.

The Septuagint holds particular significance in early Christianity, as it was the version of the Old Testament most frequently quoted by the New Testament authors.

The use of the Septuagint by the early Church Fathers further solidified its role in Christian theology and exegesis.

source: BibleHub.com

Strong’s G868 – aphistēmi – LXX
- to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove
  - to excite to revolt
- to stand off, to stand aloof
Strong’s Number G868 matches the Greek ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi),
which occurs 150 times in 138 verses in the LXX Greek.

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 23:7 KJV

For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

Deuteronomy 7:4 KJV

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

2 Kings 15: (4X)

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

Psalm 6;8
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 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; 
and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 
 The sinners in Zion are afraid; 
fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. 
 Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? 
who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 

- Isaiah 33:14-15 KJV 
```
more Apostasy from the Hebrew Bible [O.T.]

Various Hebrew words could be translated into English as ‘apostasy.’

If you read more books of the Prophets, such as Isaiah {above}, you will see their turning against God repeatedly.

Your evil will chastise you,
and your apostasy will reprove you.
Know and see that it is evil and bitter
for you to forsake the LORD your God;
the fear of me is not in you,
declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

Jeremiah 2:19 ESV
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Strong's H4878 - mᵊšûḇâ
turning away, turning back, apostasy, backsliding 
```
Hosea

The entire book of Hosea essentially outlines the faithlessness of God’s ‘chosen people.’

Historical Context [8th century B.C.]:
Hosea’s prophetic career spanned the reigns of several kings of Israel, including Jeroboam II, and possibly extended into the early years of the Assyrian conquest. This period was marked by political instability, social injustice, and rampant idolatry. The Northern Kingdom was prosperous but spiritually bankrupt, having turned away from Yahweh to worship Baal and other Canaanite deities.

source: BibleHub.com

.. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

Hosea 1:2a KJV

Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

Hosea 4:15

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:

it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

Hosea 8:7-8

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt…

And my people are bent to backsliding [mᵊšûḇâ – מְשׁוּבָה ] from me:

though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

Hosea 11:1,7 KJV

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

I will heal their apostasy [mᵊšûḇâ];
I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned from them.

Hosea 14:1,4 KJV

live a godly life in Christ Jesus

But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

2 Timothy 3:13-14 NLT

NEXT: All Scripture

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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
February 3, 2026
2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times
χαλεπός – chalepos –
- perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.
But Mark This:

The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

2 Tim 3:1 NLT

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Tim 3:1 KJV

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress.

2 Tim 3:1 RSV

The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

Last Days and Difficult Times
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The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos... 
```
We will not speculate (as do so many) when these last days were, are or will be. The emphasis of Paul’s added reminder is NOT the last days, but his long list of evidences found in the unfaithful, whether in the first century, the time of Moses or in the 21st century of this Common Era.

Further HEADINGS of this from various Bibles:
- A warning of what to expect – J.B. Phillips New Testament
- Godlessness in the Last Days – ESV
- The Tasks of a Man of God – New Catholic Bible
  - Repulse the Onslaughts of False Teachers – [sub-heading] NCB
AND in verse 2, Paul immediately gets to his long list of characteristics (or perhaps I should say, lack of character) against which the Apostle warns.

3:2 ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι

For men [anthrōpos – lit. human beings, whether male or female] shall be…

2 Timothy 3:2 gar anthrōpos esomai – For men shall be

Familiar (yet Infrequent) Warnings to the Church

first, from their Greek words and the King James English translation,
1. philautos – lovers of their own selves
2. philargyros – covetous
3. alazōn – boasters
4. hyperēphanos – proud
5. blasphēmos – blasphemers
6. apeithēs goneus – disobedient to parents
7. acharistos – unthankful
8. anosios – unholy
9. astorgos – Without natural affection
10. aspondos – trucebreakers
11. diabolos – false accusers
12. akratēs – incontinent
13. anēmeros – fierce
14. aphilagathos – despisers of those that are good
15. prodotēs – traitors
16. propetēs – heady
17. typhoō – highminded
18. philēdonos mallon – lovers of pleasures more
19. ē philotheos – than lovers of God;
echō morphōsis eusebeia – Having a form of godliness,

de arneomai ho dynamis autos – but denying the power thereof:

2 Timothy 3:2-4,5a Transliterated – KJV – source BLB.org
```
Paul urges Timothy not to accept soft faith threating the church like a ship in a storm.
```
kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

A warning of what to expect

secondly, J.B. Phillips taking these oft-forgotten concepts directed into our more familiar English.

But you must realise that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become

utterly self-centred, greedy for money, full of big words.

They will be proud and contemptuous,

without any regard for what their parents taught them.

They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, purity and normal human affections.

They will be men of unscrupulous speech and have no control of themselves.

They will be passionate and unprincipled, treacherous, self-willed and conceited, loving all the time what gives them pleasure instead of loving God.

They will maintain a facade of “religion”, but their conduct will deny its validity.

You must keep clear of people like this.

J.B. Phillips New Testament

Some English Synonyms and Scriptural Reminders

Considering a few descriptive adjectives:

Honestly, who doesn’t have some love of himself [philautos].. or love of money [philargyros] to pay our creditors?

But do you love me, Jesus asks a disciple?

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers G5366 of G5366 money G5366, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus}.

Gospel of Luke 16;14
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You likely know the Old Testament command using this same word, covetous:
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Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Exodus 20:17 KJV
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[hyperēphanos alazōn] Proud boasters WE know, not only in politics and business but in our own church. 
```
God resisteth the proud, G5244 but giveth grace unto the humble.

Epistle of James 4:6

Blasphemers

Blasphemy is an even more serious offense, much neglected in this Common Era.
- scurrilous
  - once commonly descriptive of those known for vulgar, coarse, or abusive language, especially of a malicious or slanderous nature
- or (specially) impious (against God)
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Gospel of Mark 3:29 KJV – a warning of Jesus

Disobedient to Parents
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Doesn't seem so serious, does it? 
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5:16 כַּבֵּד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee

Deuteronomy 5:16a,b – Masoretic text, KJV

Commandment of the LORD and the Law of Israel.

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: .. lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city,.. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice.. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 excerpt KJV

Unthankful, Unholy, ‘Unaffectionate’.. unChristian?

Every believer associates with christians who do NOT imitate Christ.
- Are YOU one of them at times?
- Do you lack affection or appear unholy to others?
Other hints of false teachers:
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We cannot cover the entire list.
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Incontinent.
- powerless, i.e. without self-control:—incontinent.
- Lacking sexual restraint; unchaste.
```
Such sins (though known, even obvious to church leaders) remain veiled to the saints, until sudden revelation unveils that their witness for Christ always fell short of the Way and the Truth of JESUS. 
```
Trucebreakers and Traitors.

These christians want to do ‘their own thing’ without public vow, or covenant.

AND they will not be convinced to refrain from such worldly things that malign Christ.

Judas wanted to follow Jesus his own way as long as the Lord led him as a conquering King of Israel.
- We can use that money for better things.
- Why should You sacrifice your Life for sinners?
```
Do these descriptions point to some Judas influencing ideas behind a world-like vision of your church?
```
διάβολος – diabolos

When you hear, ‘FALSE ACCUSERS’ on Paul’s list, you may not consider the weight of the Apostle’s adjective.

Recognize the ‘accuser of the brethren’ — diabolos.

[Simon Peter responds] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? G1228

Gospel of John 6:69-70 KJV

Avoid such people!

YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

a Warning to single moms!
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No, you won't find that HEADING for 2 Timothy 3:6-7 in your Bible because the very concept is false teaching of a social gospel. 
```
This danger to a first century Ephesian or Corinthian saint we might label: ‘a Warning to our Widows.’

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:6-7 NKJV
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Those first century saints were vulnerable socially and economically moreso than 21st c. women who lead their husbands, initiate divorce amd refuse to be bound by vows of marriage. 
```
Paul’s point: whether the man or woman claiming Christ, the danger is lusts.

Enemies to the Truth

The Apostle points back to Moses who also faced such opposition, as did Timothy.

John MacArthur in his commentary points out that although Exodus shows no record of Jannes and Jambres, that Paul may know of them from other Jewish writings and traditions.

Because Jannes perhaps means “he who seduces” and Jambres “he who makes rebellion,” those may have been symbolic names given to these men at a later time. Jewish tradition holds that they pretended to convert to Judaism in order to subvert Moses’ divine assignment to liberate Israel from Egypt, that they led in making and worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law from God, and that they were slaughtered by the Levites along with the other idolaters (see Ex. 32).

New Testament Commentary 2 Timothy, John MacArthur, p.120

The Apostle then assures the Church and Timothy:

But they won’t get away with this for long.

Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

NEXT: Standing Strong against Apostasy

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
January 28, 2026
If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly
The Messiah at Festivals

So what does the Messiah of Israel do at festivals and feasts? How does the Messiah lead followers to worship the Lord our God, our Father in heaven?

It was the Feast of Hanukkah at Yerushalayim.
John 10:22 Hebrew Names Version

Yeshua mashiyach

Just a reminder to Christians of this 21st century, Jesus was Jewish.

Yeshua, from Ἰησοῦς in Greek, Iēsous from יְהוֹשׁוּעַ Hebrew meaning Yĕhowshuwa` (Joshua or Jehoshua = “Jehovah is salvation”) in English: Jesus. (The One born to a Jewish mother, a virgin betrothed to a faithful Jew, Joseph son of Jacob {Matthew 1:16}.)

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Gospel of Matthew 1:1 KJV

Although we have been following Jesus through the Gospel of John, for our understanding of the Messiah and His jewish upbringing as the Son of Man, we have just left some predictions of the Prophet Amos.
Amos – Not immune from judgment
For those who turn justice into wormwood
Amos the Seer: “I told you so (5x) – GOD showed me
Who better to ask about the Lord God in heaven than the one who came down from heaven, sent by God the Father?

This is where we left off in the Good News from the Apostle John.

Jesus healed a man born blind, which has prompted much discussion and considerable controversy in Jerusalem.

The Gatekeeper & the Shepherds – the Door

John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

Is this Man a Gate and the Door to heaven?
```
44:1  וַיָּשֶׁב אֹתִי דֶּרֶךְ שַׁעַר הַמִּקְדָּשׁ הַֽחִיצֹון הַפֹּנֶה קָדִים וְהוּא סָגֽוּר׃
44:2  וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי יְהוָה הַשַּׁעַר הַזֶּה סָגוּר יִהְיֶה לֹא יִפָּתֵחַ וְאִישׁ לֹא־יָבֹא בֹו כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּא בֹו וְהָיָה סָגֽוּר׃
 {Masoretic TextShow Cantilliation Marks OffShow Vowel Points OnMasoretic Text} http://blb.sc/00AONj
```
Then He brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces the east; and it was shut. The LORD said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the LORD God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.
Ezekiel 44:1-2 NASB

“The priest shall take some of the blood from the sin offering and put it on the door posts of the house, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar and on the posts of the gate of the inner court.
Ezekiel 45:19 NASB

John 10:

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

7 Yeshua emphasized, “I can guarantee this truth: I am the gate for the sheep.
John 10:7 NOG

Later Jesus will tell the Apostles to also be wary of these religious hired hands determined to devour all opposition.

John tells us how Jerusalem’s religious leaders opposed the Messiah after Jesus healed a man blind from birth. But Jesus tells the crowds a parable against them.

12 A hired hand isn’t a shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep. When he sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and quickly runs away.
John 10:11 NKJV

19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words…

After this, a most popular Messiah Jesus enters Jerusalem for a festival.

Jewish festivals

22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

A brief overview:

The Hebrew Civil Year began with Tishri [October]. At the Exodus the Ecclesiastical Year was made to begin with Abib [April], which, after the Captivity, was called also Nisan.- Hitchcock’s Topical Commentary

“Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.
Deuteronomy 16:16 NASB

But this minor feast (we now call the festival of lights) held importance to a Jerusalem which presumed to have purified and rededicated the Temple. In commemoration of the cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple after its pollution by Antiochus Epiphanes. –H.

The Story Behind the Feast of Dedication

Prior to the year 165 BC, the Jewish people in Judea were living under the rule of the Greek kings of Damascus. During this time Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes, the Greco-Syrian king, took control of the Temple in Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people to abandon their worship of God, their holy customs, and reading of the Torah. He made them bow down to the Greek gods. According to ancient records, King Antiochus IV defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture.

Source:

Jerusalem’s crowed festival

23 Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews surrounded him and asked,

“How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them.

Do you believe His signs?

Even in this day some will believe and come to faith through the Messiah, He IS the gate to salvation and the door to heaven. Others remain blind to truth.

Jesus has already given several signs, proofs in various places of miracles only God could do. The most recent of these, of course, was giving a blind man sight right there in Jerusalem.

“The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep.

Who do you follow?

Some preacher, a rabbi or teacher?

None are the Son of God, the Shepherd of the chosen ones of God our Father.

The Way to heaven

27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

Why would you doubt the authoritative gentle voice of the Shepherd at the door?

If you believe in God Almighty our God and Father, do you not see His power and compassion in the Only Son, Shepherd of the chosen to enter into His Glory?

Is Jesus your Lord and Shepherd?

For His love and anointing must be clear to those who are no longer blind.

Would you humbly turn from your sin to hear His gentle voice?

“Follow Me.” “I am the way the truth and the life.” *

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

A decision of life or death

How many times can you recall that the LORD strikes down the one who sins?

More times in scripture than we can recall.

The LORD GOD IS ALMIGHTY! Fear only him, the LORD, the Existing One.
- John the Baptist had testified of the Holy Spirit of God descending upon Jesus.
- The Lord Jesus raised the dead, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind. A Man of God thought to be from Nazareth asked men and women to follow Him.
- Jesus, Son of Man as He referred to himself, showed signs and wonders to many.
What is left for the Messiah to tell us?

If we must follow Jesus, is He God in Person? – a “Son of Man” the very human Image of God (as a Son of His Father born to a woman)?

For the LORD God is One and our decision to obey the LORD is a matter of eternal life or judgment and punishment of our soul in death.

“I and My Father are one.”
John 10:30 KJV

Truth? or Blasphemy?
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31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him.

 32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?”

 33 “We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you—being a man—make yourself God.”

 34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? If he called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken— do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?
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Jesus, Son of Man filled with the Holy Spirit of Almighty God! Once again the Lord confronts the hired hands of Herod, wolves luring the faithful away from the Shepherd, with Scripture and Truth.

How can they refute what everyone has seen with their own eyes?

37 “If I am not doing my Father’s works, don’t believe me…”

You too have seen many signs and miracles. Those in addition to Jesus’ compassion and love for the lost who have sinned.

A few repent seeking return to the safety of the Shepherd.

38 “… But if I am doing them and you don’t believe me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.”

Jesus and God the Father are One! Jesus and the Holy Spirit of God are One!

What was it Jesus told the Pharisee Nicodemus?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:21 NASB

Jesus IS Spirit; Jesus IS Flesh!

But those who will not bow down to the LORD God accuse the Son of Man of blasphemy. (Let the casual 21st c. reader understand the significance of blasphemy – a sin against God requiring death of the offender.)

39 Then they were trying again to seize him, but he eluded their grasp.

A return to the wilderness

40 He went back across the Jordan River and stayed in the place where John first baptized people.

41 Many people went to Yeshua. They said, “John didn’t perform any miracles, but everything John said about this man is true.” 42 Many people there believed in Yeshua.

Truth

The Apostle John has already revealed the Good News of the Messiah proven by many signs in many places.
- And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
- “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
- “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
- “You have sent to John [the baptist], and he has testified to the truth.
- “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
- “Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?
The One Truth & nothing but The Truth

“I and the Father are One!”
John 10:30 – Strong’s: b) metaphorically, “union” and “concord,” e.g., Jhn 10:30; 11:52; 17:11, 21, 22; Rom 12:4, 5; Phl 1:27

The Apostle John concludes his Gospel as follows:

21:24 Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μαθητὴς ὁ μαρτυρῶν περὶ τούτων καὶ γράψας ταῦτα καὶ οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς ἐστίν ἡ μαρτυρία αὐτοῦ

This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

What other sign do you need to open your eyes to what Jesus plainly has said?

I and the Father are One!
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NEXT: The Resurrection of Lazarus ... God-willing...
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March 25, 2020