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Tag: ezekiel

Ezekiel An Unbelievable Scene
Ezekiel 1:

the word of Jehovah came expressly unto Ezekiel
Ezekiel 1:3a Darby translation
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Context: TIME ~570 years Before Christ; PLACE - Tel-Abib in Babylonia, [later Persia, then Seleucid Empire (Greek) in 21st c. Iraq; PROPHET - yᵊḥezqē'l, captive priest and prophet of Israel taken to Babylon while in his 30's along with his wife and family, the prophets Daniel and Jeremiah (who are in their 50's) and some 10,000 jews.
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Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 1 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

וַיְהִי בִּשְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה בָּרְבִיעִי בַּחֲמִשָּׁה לַחֹדֶשׁ וַאֲנִי בְתֹוךְ־הַגֹּולָה עַל־נְהַר־כְּבָר נִפְתְּחוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וָאֶרְאֶה מַרְאֹות אֱלֹהִים׃

Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 1 :: Septuagint (LXX)

καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ τριακοστῷ ἔτει ἐν τῷ τετάρτῳ μηνὶ πέμπτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς καὶ ἐγὼ ἤμην ἐν μέσῳ τῆς αἰχμαλωσίας ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ Χοβαρ καὶ ἠνοίχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοί καὶ εἶδον ὁράσεις θεοῦ

Do you believe this?

Take a look at this scene Ezekiel describes:

CLICK to read NASB20 Translation of Ezekiel 1: OR LISTEN to Ezekiel 1 ESV [4’19”]
- a high wind .. a great cloud with fire flashing intermittently and a bright light around it,
- in the midst of the fire something like gleaming metal
- And within it there were figures resembling four living beings.
  - they had human form.
  - Each .. had four faces
    their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward.
    each had a human face;
    the four of them had
    the face of a lion on the right
    the face of a bull on the left,
    and.. the face of an eagle.
  - and four wings.
    their wings touched one another
    were spread out above; each had two touching another being,
    and two covering their bodies.
  - Under their wings on their four sides were human hands.
  - Their legs were straight
  - and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they sparkled like polished bronze.
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.
Ezekiel 1:12 NASB20

In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire.
Ezekiel 1:13 NASB

This is Ezekiel’s description of just the glorious creatures!

Do you believe it?

IF you are a Christian or a Jew — perhaps.

But IF you are like most other twenty-first century human beings, you probably DO NOT believe such fantastic scenes from the Bible.

And their actions are even more fantastic!

14 [ESV] And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.

15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl.

And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. 18 And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.

19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose.

20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads. And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body.

24 And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.

But wait, there’s more; you sceptical (believer?) of the Bible!
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(MORE Scripture to read in the LINK below.)
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Ezekiel’s Vision of Divine Glory

And a voice came from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they let down their wings.
Ezekiel 1:25 NASB20

.. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.
Ezekiel 1:28b NASB

Tell the truth (in your comment to this post)
- Suppose you gave this fantastic detailed description of events to just ten (10) of your closest friends or family?
- OR imagine that you read the scroll of Ezekiel 1 to a gathering of one hundred (100) citizens of your town?
- HOW MANY WOULD BELIEVE YOU?
One, perhaps?

Even if some cannot believe this Scripture a few may believe you because of your own integrity.

THAT is the burden of the Prophet — his Word from God will be difficult to receive.

a caution to Pastors & Prophets

IF you speak any word NOT from God, claiming that God spoke it, no one with ears to hear should believe what you preach.

Do you swerve from Scripture to substitute your own visionary words? Good luck convincing your viewers that Ezekiel spoke the very word of the LORD.

Are you quite selective in how much of the HOLY BIBLE you preach? By all means, let us know how your church responds when you preach that this experience of Ezekiel really happened.

And IF you are a Pastor unwilling to confirm that all Scripture is ‘God-breathed,’ your gathering will never have ears to hear Ezekiel or even Christ, who revealed a similar vision to the Apostle John.

The Prediction and Predicament of the Prophet

“SO WHAT?” say the rulers of this world.

What IF I do not preach the WORD OF THE LORD as GOD has said it?

Place Ezekiel into the year of our Lord 2022, or the Lord Christ Jesus into our contemporary ‘evangelical christian‘ church and you will encounter the same predicament.

God has chosen a faithful remnant to receive his testimony with eyes to see and ears to hear. The others of the multitudes have heard the Word of the LORD through you AND rejected it.

Ezekiel 2:

Then He said to me,

“Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have revolted against Me to this very day. So I am sending you to those who are impudent and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the LORD [YHWH] GOD says:

As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Ezekiel 2:5 NKJV

7 “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

Ezekiel 3:

NLT 3:10b

“Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”

3:12

Then the Spirit lifted me up, and as the glory of the LORD rose from its place, I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me.

It was the sound of the wings of the living beings as they brushed against each other and the rumbling of their wheels beneath them.
Ezekiel 3:13 New Living Translation

But will Your Hearers have ‘ears to hear?’

— Ears to hear Scripture spoken by the LORD — ears to hear the Word of the Lord Christ Jesus — eyes to see the same glory of Heaven revealed by Jesus Christ to the Apostle John — ears to hear the scene of heaven as the LORD showed and spoke to the prophet Ezekiel?
July 7, 2022
Peter Replied: Signs Preached from Solomon’s Porch
..all the people ran together to them at the portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people..
Acts of the Apostles 3:11b-12a NASB20

It’s MASSIVE and Magnificent!

Herod the Great left a temple to Jerusalem’s elite where MULTITUDES could enter stadium-sized courts rivaling Rome’s great temples. Jewish religious officials would continue their façade of political power in a city held captive to a tolerant Roman ‘peace.’

Signs of the Holy Spirit of God

Previously..

Miracles, Wonders & Signs: Peter’s Amazing Answer

NOW the crowds see a lame beggar walk!

Jerusalem was all abuzz. Tongues of fire, Galileans preaching about the Messiah Jesus to men in their own languages, and now a well-known beggar lame from birth STANDING beside Peter and John as they walked to worship in the Temple. The public courts seem more packed than usual and everyone looks for explanations of all this from the Apostles. So multitudes follow Peter to Solomon’s portico.

Simon Peter replies: “Men of Israel,

why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

But you denied the Holy and Righteous One,

and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life,

whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Do you have a question about the signs of God before your very eyes?

PETER preaches his response to the questions of the crowds who witness what has just happened. And the Apostle takes no credit for this miracle either by his personal power {dynamis} or piety, reverence or respect (eusebeia – often translated as godliness).

Amazed multitudes run to the Apostles, crowd in on them, look to them for an explanation in their response.

Peter replied to their amazement, yet with the same personal conviction AND compassion of his Lord Jesus who offered to those with ears to hear grace when He preached to the crowds.

Luke has already shown our Lord’s gracious encouragement though Jesus’ replies in his Gospel.

ἀποκρίνομαι Replies in Luke’s Gospel
- And Jesus answered^G611 and said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
- And Jesus, answering^G611 them, said, “Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,
- And He answered^G611 and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them.
HOW MANY SIGNS OF THE MESSIAH DO YOU NEED?

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe [literally, fear was occurring to every soul]; and many wonders and [confirming miracles ] signs were taking place through the apostles.
Acts of the Apostles 2:43 NASB20

Luke now shows the Apostles preaching to men wondering about many SIGNS of the day in ACTS of the APOSTLES. Peter replies in effect that ‘JESUS has done this through faith as a sign to you.’
- Strong’s Number G611 matches the Greek ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrinomai),
- which occurs 21 times in 21 verses in ‘Act’ in the TR Greek.
“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts of the Apostles 3:16 NASB20

“And now, brothers,

He first addressed them as ‘men of Israel.’ Peter replied to their fear (or awe) more personally now as the Apostle of Jesus calls them brothers.

adelphos – brethren

I know that you acted in ignorance..

(Are any already convicted by the Holy Spirit by the signs they have just witnessed?)

Countenances diminish from amazement in their crowd curiosity to faces of men showing humility as they cling to Peter’s words:

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
Acts of the Apostles 3:17-18 ESV

Like his Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, the Apostle replies with great compassion, ‘I know that you didn’t know what you were doing’ (ignorance).

John had heard such forgiveness even from the foot of the Cross. Peter had experienced it from the risen Christ forgiving his ignorance and denials.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Gospel of Luke 23:34a KJV

Yet Peter replied also inviting their response.

μετανοήσατε οὖν καὶ ἐπιστρέψατε

REPENT, THEREFORE, AND RETURN.

Repent.

What does repentance mean once we are no longer ignorant?

“Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn away from all your offenses, so that wrongdoing does not become a stumbling block to you.
Hurl away from you all your offenses which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why should you die, house of Israel?
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live!”
The Prophet Ezekiel 18:30-32 NASB20

Peter replied to their ignorance in familiar fashion from the preaching of the Prophets.

And Jesus responded and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans just because they have suffered this fate?
No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Or do you think that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse offenders than all the other people who live in Jerusalem?
“No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Gospel of Luke 13:3-5 – Jesus preaching on repentance

Peter replied much as Jesus had taught, as well as John the Baptizer had warned and others.

“Repent G3340, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent G3340, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Gospel of Matthew 3:2; 4:17 NASB20 – Repent – Strong’s G3340

AND notice how frequently in the Bible REPENT follows ‘THEREFORE’

‘Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 3:19 NASB20

AND Return

Peter replied also with an implied action required of those with ears to hear his call of repentance. You must now return to God.

You know the LORD God [brothers] and you are not ignorant of God’s requirements in the LAW, the Commandments Moses gave you from the Lord our God.

¹⁹“Therefore, make teshuva (repentance, turning from chet [sin] to G-d) and turn in order that your chatta’im, your averos (sins) may be removed, [TEHILLIM 51:1; YESHAYAH 43:25; 44:22]
Acts Gevurot 3:19 Orthodox Jewish Bible

ἐπιστρέφω
- Return
  - to the worship of the true God
  - to the love and obedience of God
  - to the love for the children (of God, your fellow brothers)
  - to love wisdom and righteousness (now that you are no longer ignorant of G-d’s Messiah, WHO IS our Savior.)
Peter then proceeds with an amazing invitation to those who not only have rejected their Messiah, but some in the crowd of the Temple gathering at Solomon’s Portico who may have been part of the shouting crowds calling for Jesus’ crucifixion at Jerusalem’s most recent festival.

Revival of the Spirit
- And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.. – Ephesians 2:1
- Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. – Psalm 51:9
- Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.. – ACTS 3:19 NASB
  - ἀνάψυξις anápsyxis, an-aps’-ook-sis; from G404; properly, a recovery of breath, i.e. (figuratively) revival:—revival.
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus..

You denied the Holy and Righteous One.. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead..

that your sins may be blotted out,
- in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
  - NO, brothers (and tell our sisters and children as well), we know that God will not and can not have any sinner in His Presence — NO sacrifice is sufficient to blot out our many sins.
- and that He may send Jesus, the [Messiah, the anointed one] Christ appointed for you,
- whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things,
  - The Christ, the One Who came to us in body and soul, Who Is now the presence of the Lord, will cover your sins by His Perfect Sacrifice – He has blotted out your sins so that you may in your living spirit be with Him until your body dead to sin is restored with all things.
- about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times.
Peter replied pointing to Scripture

The Apostle includes Moses with God’s holy prophets, separated to speak the One truth of the Lord God.

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Acts of the Apostles 3:22 KJV

Moses also a Prophet

Of course every faithful Jew not only knew the Law of Moses, but also heard the Scripture of Moses WHEN rabbis chose to preach all of the truth of Scripture.

Therefore, many standing at Solomon’s Portico listening to Simon Peter preach knew these things Simon [שִׁמְעוֹן] Peter preaches..

15 נָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵאַחֶ֙יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן׃
16 כְּכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ מֵעִ֨ם יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ בְּחֹרֵ֔ב בְּי֥וֹם הַקָּהָ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֣א אֹסֵ֗ף לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ אֶת־קוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י וְאֶת־הָאֵ֨שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לֹֽא־אֶרְאֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת׃
17 וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י הֵיטִ֖יבוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ׃
18 נָבִ֨יא אָקִ֥ים לָהֶ֛ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם כָּמ֑וֹךָ וְנָתַתִּ֤י דְבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יו וְדִבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוֶּֽנּוּ׃
19 וְהָיָ֗ה הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע֙ אֶל־דְּבָרַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְדַבֵּ֖ר בִּשְׁמִ֑י אָנֹכִ֖י אֶדְרֹ֥שׁ מֵעִמּֽוֹ׃
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

“Moshe Rabbenu indeed said, “NAVI KAMOCHA [T. N. i.e., a prophet like Moses] for you Hashem Adonoi will raise up from your achim; to him you will give heed according to everything whatever he may speak to you.” [DEVARIM 18:15,18] ..
Gevurot 3:22 Orthodox Jewish Bible
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How are you doing with 'hearing' all this in the native 'tongue' of your birth?
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Peter replied to those God chose in the Temple to hear by the Spirit.
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You will see shortly that Simon Peter's preaching truth from the Scripture of Moshe will not be received by all, in deference to the great sign Peter has just performed at the Beautiful Gate.

From the back of crowds temple officials begin to push their way to the front where Peter, the Apostles and a formerly lame beggar stand before Jerusalem's largest crowd praising God and the Messiah of Israel.
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It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘ And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
Acts 3:25

.. God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Acts of the Apostles 3:26 ESV – Simon Peter Replies to the jews at Solomon’s Porch by Preaching Christ Crucified & Risen

Who will God save?
- And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” – Romans 11:26
  - “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” – Isaiah 59:20-21
    [The true sons of Israel (Jacob) know the true Word of Scripture. – Roger@TalkofJESUS.com Let’s talk.]
  - You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. – Gospel of John 4:22 – The Messiah Jesus to a woman in Samaria
And why does Peter preach also to those at the Temple who will not be saved along with those who by the Spirit have been blessed with ears to hear?

Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 3 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat.. And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel—

.. But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.

Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads..

If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Ezekiel 3:19 ESV

3:19 וְאַתָּה כִּֽי־הִזְהַרְתָּ רָשָׁע וְלֹא־שָׁב מֵֽרִשְׁעוֹ וּמִדַּרְכּוֹ הָרְשָׁעָה הוּא בַּעֲוֺנוֹ יָמוּת וְאַתָּה אֶֽת־נַפְשְׁךָ הִצַּֽלְתָּ׃ ס

Herod’s temple authorities respond.

Simon Peter preaches repentance in Jesus Christ to Spirit-called crowds. Yet while the Apostles proclaim the Good News of the MESSIAH from Solomon’s Porch..

authorities of Herod’s religious/political bedfellows of the Sanhedrin (their ‘Congress,’ so to speak) move to oppose the Gospel.

Acts of the Apostles 4:

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed

because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Christ, who IS risen, had been arrested by some of these same officials a few weeks back while Peter and the Apostles stood helpless.

And what would these men have just heard as Peter preached from Solomon’s Porch?

“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
ACTS of the Apostles 3:13 NKJV

“Repent therefore and be converted..
ACTS of the Apostles 3:19a

.. “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.‘ And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
ACTS of the Apostles 3:22-23 NKJV

Peter replied differently than in Gethsemane

Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”
Ezekiel 3:8-9 ESV

The Apostle preached with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter is a rock now in the strength of the Word of the Lord. This is no cowering Disciple denying Jesus as he huddled up to a campfire within earshot of false testimonies.

ACTS 4:

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them..

And they laid hands on them and put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening.
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To be continued...
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November 10, 2021
12 Men Texting as their Messiah approaches – Part 3
The Plot to Murder the Messiah!

On the receiving end of these communications from those who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus we find all of the VIP’s of Jerusalem’s council of leading religious leaders of this captive land.

Previously:

We have looked at the miraculous sign of the Messiah:

Lazarus – HELP from the grave

Lazarus – Death and Resurrection

Lazarus – the Dead Man came out!

We then looked at the Messiah Jesus as He and the Apostles retreated from Bethany into the hills beyond Jerusalem.

Jesus – Traveling to and from Bethany

Our current look at the people of John’s Gospel now focuses on three perspectives of those involved in this great witness of Good News.
1. A traditional look at the Old & New Covenants and prophecy of the Messiah, specifically through Daniel 9. 12 Men Texting as their Messiah approaches – Part 1
2. A brief look at the Sanhedrin & specifically the motives of Judas, the Apostle who was about to betray the Messiah after the Twelve dined with Jesus in Ephraim. 12 Men Texting as their Messiah approaches – Part 2
3. And now we return to Jerusalem for a closer look at it’s religious rulers as they plot the murder of their own Lamb of Sacrifice come to His own.
Returning to Jerusalem

The Pharisees were just one of the religious political parties of Jerusalem, which formed after the return from exile from the east. Other parties and leaders were more influenced by the Hellenistic customs of the west imported to Jerusalem by Alexander and Rome.

The Gospel of Matthew

John, of course, is not the only Gospel writer to record the influence of the Pharisees. Since we follow a storyline of a brief time leading up to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem let’s glance at these men of this Jewish party in power through additional witness as well.

(Of course if you’re following our 21st century approach of communication between everyone most likely the tax collector Matthew knew a few in Jerusalem he had to keep up to date on Jesus — and of course, this recent Lazarus miracle.)

The Leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees

16: The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and tested him, asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

4 “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of[ Jonah.”

Then he left them and went away. The disciples reached the other shore, and they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus told them,

“Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

The Messiah cautions His followers to beware of their own religious leaders.

Sabbath Questions

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat.

But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”

Matthew would have been there. Now as they approached Jerusalem just days before the holiest of feast the Apostles must all have recalled this type of opposition from Jerusalem’s ruling council. (Of course Rome, for whom Matthew had collected taxes, kept a close watch on all of them.)

The Gospel of Mark

John Mark recalls from witness of the Apostles about a healing on the Sabbath ‘violation’ of Jesus:

And He [Jesus] said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?”

But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man,

“Stretch out your hand.”

And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him [the Messiah Jesus], as to how they might destroy Him.
Mark 3:6 NASB

The Herodians, of course, happened to be the party in power (thanks to Rome) in Jerusalem. This consensus against the Messiah would not be so different than an agreement between Democrats and Republicans (in the US), between liberals and conservatives.

The Gospel of Luke

Pharisees and other Jewish leaders witnessed Jesus the Messiah perform many signs of proof throughout His three-year teaching ministry.

A Man Cleansed

5:¹²While he was in one of the towns, a man was there who had leprosy all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged him: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

¹³Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him.

15 But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses…

17 On one of those days while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem…

²⁰Seeing their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

²¹Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think to themselves:

“Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

²²But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them,

“Why are you thinking this in your hearts?Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”

—he told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”

²⁵Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.Then everyone was astounded, and they were giving glory to God. And they were filled with awe and said,

“We have seen incredible things today.”

Signs and Miracles

The Messiah is predicted throughout Scripture (Old Testament) by many. First century witnesses no doubt quoted many verses after encountering Jesus. (They would have texted the latest to their friends, things like.)
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Know what I thought of when I heard Jesus today?
What? & who is Jesus?
Ezekiel. Jesus came here from Galilee and Samaria. Jesus is a Prophet!
Like Ezekiel? How?
You know it:
כְּבַקָּרַת֩ רֹעֶ֨ה עֶדְרֹ֜ו בְּיֹום־הֱיֹותֹ֤ו בְתֹוךְ־צֹאנֹו֙ נִפְרָשֹׁ֔ות כֵּ֖ן אֲבַקֵּ֣ר אֶת־צֹאנִ֑י וְהִצַּלְתִּ֣י אֶתְהֶ֗ם מִכָּל־הַמְּקֹומֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָפֹ֣צוּ שָׁ֔ם בְּיֹ֥ום עָנָ֖ן וַעֲרָפֶֽל׃
huh? oh I'm a bit rusty on my Hebrew
“As a shepherd cares for his herd
 in the day when he is among
 his scattered sheep, 
so I will care 
 for My sheep 
 and will deliver them 
 from all the places 
 to which they were scattered 
 on a cloudy and gloomy day.
That's us alright, sheep scattered by Greeks, Rome and everyboby else.
Tell me more about this Jesus
```
Miracles! Miracles no ordinary man could do. And many Pharisees and other religious leaders from all over Galilee, Samaria, Judea and even the highest officials of Jerusalem witnessed the miracles of their Messiah Jesus.

Some saw Jesus’ signs personally and others knew from reliable witnesses that this Son of Man was no ordinary man.

Returning to the Gospel of John

The Apostle John tells us at the conclusion of his Gospel that Jesus did many other things — too many to tell. Pharisees had plenty of evidence about the true identity of their Messiah right before them, yet by His Power they would lose theirs.

In order to keep with our present scene just prior to the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (known as Palm Sunday), we’ll take just one more glance at the Pharisees in the crowded capital, preparing for both the crowds of the Passover festival and simultaneously by stealth seeking ways to kill the Messiah Jesus.

We have been following John’s witness of Good News of the Messiah Jesus. He raised Lazarus from the grave!

John does not follow a strictly chronological presentation of the evidence of Jesus Christ, born as a man, crucified and buried, raised from the grave then after many days and many more witnesses ascended once more into heaven.

John 11:

We’re back in Bethany, Lazarus has just walked out of his tomb, and you’ll have to imagine all of the texts going out to friends in Jerusalem and everywhere. (No photos, just imagine some 20th century communication.)

45 So then, many of the Jews… who were eyewitnesses to what Jesus had done, believed in Him. But some of them went back to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying,

“What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

That’s really it, isn’t it, that those in power will often resort to anything to remain in power.

This, of course, includes religious leaders who do not hold the Lord God dear to their own hearts. Some leading Jews, Christian and other religions have all been guilty of this witness to the world against the LORD.

⁴⁹And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

⁵⁰Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

⁵¹And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year,

he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

⁵³Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

John 12:

Now the Passover of the Jews was approaching

All the talk around Jerusalem, all the chat, all the texts – everyone wondered if this Messiah Jesus would come to Jerusalem for the feast – the sacrifice of the Passover.

Jesus has returned to Judah as far as Bethany to join his resurrected friend Lazarus in a family feast – a celebration at home before the great Jewish feast to which so many traveled yearly from near and far. Word gets out.

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there.

My friend traveling with the crowds saw the Messiah in Bethany!

They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead.

Ahead in Jerusalem, waiting for Jesus

10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

You know well the story of Jesus riding triumphantly up to the city gate of Jerusalem, the crowds worshiping Him laying palms before Him as He rode on the foal of a donkey.

You know well the story of Jesus riding triumphantly up to the city gate of Jerusalem, the crowds worshiping Him laying palms before Him as He rode on the foal of a donkey.

Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”
John 12:19 CSB

What sinister desperate plans will these religious leaders of Jerusalem about to be deposed text to each other next?

You likely know the story of Holy Week and Palm Sunday, preached so many times to numb ears and distracted hearts. I have preached on it before as have so many. https://talkofjesus.com/jerusalem-defiled-awaits-king/

Worship with your church Palm Sunday and ask yourself,

IF I had witnessed the Messiah Jesus in Person, who would I text the GOOD NEWS?

The Messiah approaches our city – SOON!

Could you at least follow our scriptural posts by subscribing to talkofJesus.com and please comment.

May the grace and peace of our Lord the Messiah Jesus be with you and remain with you always through God our Father and the Holy Spirit.
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NEXT: We will continue our series in the 
Gospel of John, God-willing...
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April 4, 2020