The gospel of Jesus christ Appeared through Matthew, Mark and Luke

 

 

 

 

The gospel of Jesus christ

Appeared through Matthew, Mark and Luke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Head

Because of the striking similarities between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, these three Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels. The word synoptic is a combination of two Greek words and means “to see together.” In other words, it means seeing with the same eyes. The Bible explains the life and teachings of Jesus Christ from a common perspective, using the same vocabulary, the same materials, and the same arrangement.

The characteristics of the Synoptic Gospels are, first, that the Bible follows a common arrangement order. Birth, Baptism, Satan's Temptation, Galilee Ministry, Travel to Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Resurrection, etc. Second, the Bible records the words and actions of Jesus in a similar way. Third, the Bible appears as a teacher who teaches the power and words of Jesus as the Son of God through his miracles.

Mark wrote in the form of a letter of comfort to believers who were suffering great persecution in a foreign country. Mark tried to highlight that the Jesus they believe in is the King of kings and the Savior. And he tried to strongly emphasize that "the kingdom of God is a kingdom that comes in the hearts of believers." He wanted to express that the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross are also connected to saints, and that the death and resurrection of the cross are also realized in the present for saints. It was done. That is why he advised them to keep their faith and live firm even when difficult times come.

Considering that the Gospel of Mark was written in Greek, there must have been many expressions that were difficult for Jews to understand. The Jews crucified Jesus, but after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and many Jews converted and turned to God, Matthew thought that it was necessary to systematically and comprehensively organize the words in Mark's writings so that Jews could understand them better. The Gospel of Matthew was written from the perspective that Jesus was the king of a new kingdom prophesied as a descendant of Abraham and David.

Luke preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations, targeting Gentile believers. He describes the life of Jesus in detail and emphasizes that Christ's salvation is universal and global. He said, "The birth of Jesus is good news of great joy that will bring to all the people," and unlike Matthew, he traced Jesus' genealogy backwards, connecting it to Adam and beyond to God.

Among the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of Mark was written first. Among the contents of the Gospel of Mark, 93% overlaps with the other two Gospels, 58% overlaps with the Gospel of Matthew, and 41% overlaps with the Gospel of Luke. Therefore, it would be appropriate to focus on the Gospel of Mark but add the additional parts (purple) of Matthew and Luke.

September 2024

 

Missionary Church of Truth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Index

 

Part 1 The birth and growth of Jesus/ 1

 

Ⅰ. birth of ㅓesus

1. Annunciation of John the Baptist/ 1

2. Annunciation of Jesus/ 7

3. The birth of Jesus/   9

4. The story of the Magi/ 17

5. Genealogy of Jesus/ 19

6. Christ and the Son of David/ 20

 

Ⅱ. growth of ㅓesus

1. Jesus flees to Egypt/ 25

2. Childhood life in Nazareth/ 27

 

Part 2. Jesus is certified as the Son of God/ 38

 

Ⅰ. John the Baptist, Jesus, Satan

1. Make straight the way for him to come / 38

2. Trinity and Baptism / 46

3. Jesus is tempted by Satan / 51

 

Ⅱ. Proclamation of the Gospel of God’s Kingdom

1. Preaching the gospel in Galilee/ 59

2. Calling the fishermen / 66

3. Appointing twelve disciples/ 76

4. Sermon on the Mount/ 81

5. About eight blessings/ 100

6. The Lord’s Prayer/ 110

 

Part 3. A full-scale missionary trip/ 127

 

Ⅰ. Healing the demon-possessed and the sick

1. Healing a person possessed by an unclean spirit/ 127

2. Healing fever/ 133

3. Healing the paralytic/ 138

4. Healing the man with the withered hand/ 142

5. A woman with an issue of blood for twelve years is healed/ 146

6. The Zerophoenician woman’s faith/ 150

7. He heals a deaf and stuttering man/ 155

8. Healing the blind man at Batheda/ 162

9. Blind Bartimaeus is healed/ 171

10. The centurion’s healing/ 179

11. Raising the dead son of the widow of Nain/183

 

Ⅱ. Arguing with the Pharisees

1. The fasting controversy / 188

2. Sabbath controversy/ 192

3. Traditions of elders / 196

4. Controversy over the authority of Jesus/ 200

5. Beware of the scribes/ 207

 

Ⅲ. The Core of Spiritual War

1. Target of spiritual warfare/ 212

2. Jesus’ mother and brothers and sisters/ 220

3. Rejected from home/ 227

4. The leaven of the Pharisees and Herod/ 232

5. For me and the gospel/ 237

6. I came to bring a sword, not peace/ 242

7. Sign of the times/ 246

8. The importance of repentance/ 251

9. The sword of the squadron and backpack/256

 

Part 4. Controversy over the identity of Jesus/ 261

 

Ⅰ. Jews who do not believe that they are the Son of God

1. Parable of the sower/ 261

2. The lamp on the lampstand/268

3. Parable of a growing seed/ 271

4. Parable of the mustard seed/ 275

5. Parable of wheat and weeds/ 280

6. Parable of the treasure, the net, the pearl, and the householder/ 285

7. Parable of finding the lost sheep/ 289

8. The parable of the woman who found the lost drachmas/ 295

9. Parable of a father who found his lost son/ 300

10. Parable of the wrong steward/ 306

11. Parable of the widow and the judge/ 312

12. Parable of the Pharisees and the tax collector/ 319

13. Parable of ten pounds/ 323

14. Parable of the rich and the beggar/ 330

15. Parable of the narrow door/ 336

16. Metaphor of new and old/ 340

17. Parable of the Ten Virgins/ 344

18. Parable of the wedding feast/ 351

19. Parable of the talents/ 358

20. Parable of sheep and goats/ 365

21. Parable of the wheat and tares/ 370

 

Ⅱ. The disciples' faith in Jesus

 

1. Peter’s confession/ 375

2. Jesus' transformation/ 381

3. Disciples unable to cure a demon-possessed child/ 388

4. Who is a spiritual child/ 391

5. Who is bigger/ 397

6. Jesus riding a donkey/ 401

7. Judas’ betrayal/ 408

8. Peter’s wife and disciples all flee from the cross/415

9. The young man runs away naked/ 421

10. Sending the Seventy/ 426

11. The resurrected Jesus gives instructions to his disciples / 434

 

Ⅲ. Is Jesus God or the Son?

1. Calming the wind/ 438

2. Two fish and five barley loaves/ 442

3. Feeding 4,000 people/ 449

4. Raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead/ 453

5. A story about spirit, soul, and body/ 457

6. Taking pity on the crowd/ 463

 

Part 5. Those who are one with God and those who are not / 466

 

Ⅰ. Temple story

1. Corruption of the Temple/ 466

2. Parable of the fig tree/ 476

3. Parable of the vineyard farmer/ 482

 

Ⅱ. marriage metaphor

1. Moses’ divorce certificate/ 493

2. The meaning of man and woman becoming one/ 498

 

Ⅲ. The Story of Tithing

1. To Caesar what is Caesar’s / 505

2. Is it necessary to pay tithe /         510

 

Part 6. Death, Resurrection, Second Coming/ 514

 

Ⅰ. death on the cross

1. To fulfill the Bible/ 515

2. Foreshadowing death and resurrection/ 523

3. A poor widow’s offering/ 527

4. The collapse of the temple/ 532

5. Pouring perfume on Jesus’ head/ 541

6. Blasphemy/ 557

7. The harassing guard/ 563

8. Jesus' death on the cross/ 566

9. Guards guarding the tomb/ 578

 

Ⅱ. Three days before death on the cross and resurrection/ 585

 

Ⅲ. Resurrection and Second Coming

1. Resurrection controversy/ 593

2. Martha and Mary/ 599

3. Keeping the Passover/ 605

4. Resurrection and Appearance to the Disciples at Emmaus/ 611

5. Ascension of Jesus/ 616

6. Second Coming/620

 

Ⅳ. greatest commandment

1. Love for God and love for neighbors / 629

2. The story of the rich man and the camel/ 640

Part 1.  The birth and growth of Jesus

 

Ⅰ. birth of Jesus

 

1. Birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1:57-66 『Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; But he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.』

On the eighth day after the child was born, relatives came to circumcise the child and tried to name him Zacharias after his father's name. At that time, when the family was good or influential, the name of the grandfather or father was used for the child. Elizabeth said, "No, I will call it John." The relatives considered it strange. So he asked his father Zacharias for his opinion. Zacharias asked for a tablet and wrote the name John on the tablet. At the decision of his father, Zacharias, the child's name was finally confirmed as John.

Why did the Elizabethan couple name their child John? He did what God said. The angel tells the vision that this child will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will bring the children of Israel to their God with Elijah's spirit and power. Zacharias accepted that this child was raised as a servant of the Lord who was used in the work of God's redemption, not a person who continued the family tradition.

『So his mouth immediately opened, his tongue loosened, and he spoke to praise God.』 The first thing Zacharias did as soon as his tongue was loosened was to praise God. His father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, "Blessed, O Lord God of Israel, you have cared for and redeemed your people, and raised up the horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David."

The hymn of Zacharias has a total of twelve verses. However, two verses were devoted to the story of his son John, and the remaining ten verses were all about God and Jesus. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel”. He is speaking of the God of Israel. God chose Israel among all the people of the world. Through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God promised a promised land with all the people. Israel does not mean one nation, Israel, but contains the promise that all the people of the world will be saved.

At the time of the Exodus, Pharaoh ignored God’s words, “Send my people out.” He said, “Who is God that I should listen to him?” and he looked down on God. However, it was only after God used his strong hand to bring down ten plagues on Pharaoh that he finally surrendered. When the powerful power of the last Zhuangzi disaster was unleashed, Pharaoh finally released God's people as free people. Jesus, the horn of salvation, saves from Satan and those under Satan.

In Luke 1:13-17, “But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.』

『THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias.』At that time, there were about 20,000 priests. All priests were divided into 24 classes, and each class took turns serving in the temple. Thus, each class was to serve God twice a year, a week. Zacharias followed the eighth Abijah division to which he belonged and went to the temple to serve. Zechariah was not a man of special status. He was an ordinary priest among about 800 to 900 priests. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was barren, and because they were old, it was difficult to expect children.

Zacharias served as a priest at the temple twice a year. Because there were so many priests, offering incense was something that only those who were chosen by lot could do, and once they did that, they would never have another chance. Zacharias, who had lived as a priest for sixty years but had not been able to enter the sanctuary and offer incense to God, took this opportunity. It was something he could only do once in his life. When you enter the sanctuary, there is an altar for incense, on which you have to place a charcoal fire and sprinkle incense. The smoke of the incense is a symbol of the saints' prayers ascending to God.

Suddenly an angel appears to him and tells him that Elizabeth will give birth to a son. 『But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.』The angel revealed who he was. 『I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; Gabriel was an angel who appeared to Daniel in the Old Testament and showed him the history of mankind.

The incense burning didn't take that long, but the people waiting outside thought it strange that Zechariah was late. Afterwards, the people who saw Zechariah outside the temple thought he had seen a vision inside. Not only did he become unable to speak, but he also became unable to hear, forcing people to gesture when they spoke, and for people to also gesture when they spoke. Afterwards, Elizabeth conceived a baby as the angel said, and Zacharias was able to speak only after the prophecy was fulfilled.

Malachi 4:5-6 『Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to Their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.』

This is the last word of the Old Testament (Malachi). God said that before the Messiah came as the king of this world, Elijah would come first. And there is a similar saying in Luke 1 of the New Testament. In chapter 1, verse 17, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.』This John the Baptist, whom the angel spoke about, is Elijah who was prophesied in the Old Testament.

 

2. Annunciation of Jesus

Luke 1:26-31『And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.』

“Call Jesus” In Hebrew, the name means Jehovah is salvation. Matthew 1:21 explains the meaning of the name Jesus. "He is the one who will save his people from their sins", and of Jesus, "He will be said to be great and the Son of the Most High." But for John, "He will be great before the Lord."

Compared to John the Baptist, Jesus is explaining that he is the greatest. “The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever.” The words of David's kingship to be given to Christ in Mary's womb appear in the Old Testament. Jesus is the Messiah the Jews have been waiting for. However, the Jews understood the Old Testament words only as the king of the nation at the time of Jesus. But God didn't. He was the king of kings and had to be the king of all mankind.

Christ's kingship is the kingship to save humans. According to Romans, Jesus Christ is called the Second Adam. This is the saying that he is a sinner. Because of Adam's transgression, sin and death came to all people. And Christ became a sinner, died on the cross, resurrected, and ascended into heaven. Since he has kingship, now, by the grace of God, the righteousness of Christ is imputed and justified to all who are associated with him.

『 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 』 The angel not only announces that the incarnation of Jesus was accomplished through the direct power of the Holy Spirit, but also clearly declares that He who will be born human through the Holy Spirit will be a holy one without any sin. Jesus had to be completely holy because sinful beings could not achieve the mediation of reconciliation for the sins of others. Angels strongly emphasize the omnipotence of God. So, the angel is proclaiming that the word of God is impossible. God's message delivered to Mary through an angel was not a command. It was simply an indication of what he was going to do. Mary is completely obedient to the will of God.

 

3. The birth of Jesus

Luke 2: 1-7『And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.』

Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem to register, but no one helped them. On that day, Mary thought only about the birth of Jesus. The first Christmas was Jesus, whom no one accepted. Also, when God gave birth to Mary, He did not reveal, “Go to which house.”

As prophesied in Micah chapter 5, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. The word Christ means one who is anointed, and anointing is a ritual given to high priests, prophets, and kings in the Old Testament. All three positions apply to Christ. Therefore, he is high priest, prophet, and king. And the essence of his identity is God. He who the world could not bear was born secretly and very shabby in a stable. He was laid in a manger (Pate Omai). Patheomai comes from the word to eat.

His cradle was a manger, a feeding trough for animals. This was because of the role he would play as Adam, the last man representing humanity. This is because, through his suffering and death, people who were bound by Satan are brought to the kingdom of God.

By his thorough humiliation, it was "so that the righteousness of God may be imputed for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of their sins, and become united with Jesus." Here is God’s righteousness. Even though Jesus was a baby, he was made to fulfill the role of Adam, the last man, from the time he was born.

However, God prepared two types of celebrants. One group is the wise men from the East, and the other group is the shepherds. And God used them to testify the mystery of the birth of Christ. It seems that the shepherds who were camping at night found the baby lying in a manger, so it was not that far from where Joseph and Mary were staying. The appearance of shepherds indicates that Jesus is a shepherd. Somewhere in the fields near Bethlehem, shepherds were silently guarding their sheep under the dew of the night.

An angel of the Lord stood next to them. He appeared to them suddenly. The shepherds were afraid because of the glory of the Lord. The angel of the Lord did not appear to the king of Judah, to the high priest, or to the scribes. And the angel of the Lord did not appear to the inhabitants of Bethlehem. But the angel of the Lord visited the shepherds. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and announced the birth of Christ, indicating that Jesus was a shepherd looking for the lost sheep.

The second good news is that the Savior, Christ the Lord, has been born. The news brought by the angel is news of great joy that will be brought to all the people. It is news of joy to all mankind, including Israel. In Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.』

The word savior means liberator or savior. He becomes the Savior who frees those who are slaves from sin and Satan. The birth of Jesus Christ is the result and revelation of God’s glory. This is because with the coming of Christ, God’s revelation was fulfilled. Therefore, honor and glory belong to God, and all praise for the event should go to Him in the highest heaven. The birth of Christ does not bring peace to everyone in the world, but to those who repent and enter into Christ. So those who are in Christ are those with whom the Lord is pleased.

The shepherds would have talked about what they had witnessed. The people who heard the shepherds' story were astonished. Jesus is the Christ whom our ancestors have been waiting for for generations. Mary took all these words to her heart. And she thought with her heart. She would have remembered the words of the angel who came to her and the words of Eli Sebet, whom she praised as she was filled with the Holy Spirit. The shepherds gave glory to God “for what they had heard and for what they had seen.”

Jesus was in suffering right after his birth. In Matthew 2:13, “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there.” until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.』 The first Christmas in Bethlehem was not a festival but a tragedy. Herod killed all the male children under the age of three. There has never been a tragedy like this in the history of the world. The first Christmas had only weeping. It was also an anxious and painful day for Maria. It was a life or death day for her. Jesus takes refuge in Egypt.

And when Herod died, Joseph returned to Jerusalem and visited the temple to purify baby Jesus according to the laws of Moses. On the eighth day after his birth, Jesus was circumcised according to the law. It was a duty imposed on all Israelites who were descendants of Abraham.

Jesus came to this world with grace, not the law, but he obeyed the law. Because Jesus was born in the flesh. However, obedience to the law lasts until the day Jesus is baptized and appointed as the Son of God. From then on, Jesus was above the law. And he fulfilled his law with his death on the cross. In order to save those who are bound by the law, he must first die to the law. Jesus fulfilled the law by dying on the cross according to the law. Those who are in Christ also become the end of the law.

After Jesus was circumcised, he was officially given the name Jesus. In the ritual of purification, mothers who give birth to a boy are unclean for 33 days, and mothers who give birth to a girl are unclean for 66 days. This was also a warning to humans not to forget their sins in Eden. It is mentioned in Leviticus 12:1-5. God tells them to remember that humans are beings who have left God since they were born.

After Mary had spent 40 days in Bethlehem (7 days and 33 days total), she went up to Jerusalem to purify herself. According to the law, two young pigeons were offered, one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. Originally, the burnt offering at the time of postnatal purification was to be offered as a lamb, but a provision was made to allow pigeons to be offered to the poor. (Leviticus 12:6-8)

Likewise, Jesus was born into a very poor family. Joseph and Mary, who came to Jerusalem for purification, unexpectedly met two pious people. One was a Jerusalemite named Simeon, and the other was a prophetess named Anna.

Simeon was a pious and righteous man. He was a person who received instructions from the Holy Spirit that God would comfort suffering Israel. When he saw baby Jesus appearing in Jerusalem, he realized through the Holy Spirit that he was Christ. He held the child and praised God.『Lord, now let test thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, while thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Simeon knew that “Jesus is not only the comforter of Israel, but also the one who will save the world and all nations by shining the light of truth.”

However, it was not something that would happen smoothly and peacefully. 『And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.』

Another person was Anna, the prophetess. She was the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She lived with her husband for seven years. After her husband died, she remained a widow for a long time, fasting and praying day and night. When she saw Jesus, she also testified to the people.

Joseph and Mary, who had gone to Bethlehem to register, returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee was first occupied by Assyria and was a place where many Gentiles immigrated. In Isaiah 9:1, the Jews called Galilee “the Galilee of the Gentiles” and looked down on it. Galilee itself was a rich source of crops, but most of its inhabitants were tenant farmers or laborers, and at the time of Jesus it was one of the poorest towns in the world, with a heavy tax of as much as 200 talents a year levied due to past rebellions. It is not known how Jesus grew up after he returned to Nazareth. However, his childhood is said to be, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

 

4. The story of the Magi

Matthew 2:1-2 『Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.』

East means today's Persia. Astrologers would have been scholars who studied astrology. The Bible contrasts “these wise men of the East” with “the lowly Jews.” One day, astrologers in the east suddenly saw a huge star appear in the sky over Judea (in their view, the west). While reading books about Judea, they realized that a king (Messiah) would appear in Judea.

His star represents the star of Jesus. In Israel, the star symbolizes kingship like King David, and represents Jesus Christ, the king of all the people of the world. The East represents Eden and the lost kingdom of God on this earth. Because of the angels who sinned in the kingdom of God, God hid His light, and the world became a material world of darkness.

The stars contrast against the relatively dark night. God sends light to illuminate the spiritually dark world. That light is the King, Jesus Christ. The wise men of the East refer to those sent from the kingdom of God to the world of darkness, and the Greek word for “magician” is magoi (μάγοι), meaning astrologers. Astrologers are criminals punishable by death according to the law. All those thrown into the world are like this. However, they are trying to meet Jesus Christ, the light and king.

How to meet Jesus Christ can be learned through the written words of the Bible. But ultimately, just as the magicians see the star and visit it, those in the world should visit and worship the King, Jesus Christ. If people have a strong desire to find Jesus Christ who came to the world, his star (Holy Spirit) will guide them.

Before Jesus comes to the world, he shows a certain preliminary appearance. John the Baptist appears in the Gospel of Mark and John, and in the Gospel of Luke, he appears from the birth of John the Baptist. However, in the Gospel of Matthew, astrologers appear before John the Baptist. Why did Matthew introduce the astrologer first? The Bible tells us that meeting Jesus Christ the Messiah is never easy. It is true that salvation is not achieved simply by believing in Jesus, but only by becoming Emmanuel in the hearts of believers. The starting point is the target. Signs can also be said to be experiential faith, but faith without actual experience is only a theory. Based on experiential faith, believers meet and converse with Jesus Christ.

 

5. Genealogy of Jesus

In Matthew 1:1 it says, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” There are three characteristics in Jesus' genealogy. First, the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the descendant of Abraham and David. And the Bible explains it from the perspective that “Jesus is king.” So, Chapter 1 of the Gospel of Matthew describes the genealogy of Jesus, showing that Jesus is a member of the royal family who inherited the throne of Israel.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Second, the names of five women are recorded in this king's genealogy. They are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary, and among them, Rahab and Ruth are all foreign women. These women were all flawed people, and it was through these people that the royal family of David was created and continued.

At that time, the Israelites who lost their country but did not repent, and who claimed that we are the descendants of Abraham and the people of God based solely on physical lineage, are not Israel following physical lineage, but are spiritual Israel established through faith in Christ. The Bible shows the emergence of .

Third, this genealogy continues to be born again and again. This is because the world of Jesus Christ, the son of David, is a world of life. The Bible declares that Jesus did not bring judgment and death to us, but came to save us humans who deserved to die, save them, and give them new life.

 

6. Christ and the Son of David

Mark 12:35-37 『And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself called him Lord; and whence is he then his son his? And the common people heard him gladly.』

The Bible talks about “Christ before he came to this world, about the One who came to this world in the flesh, about Christ who is resurrected, ascended to heaven, and returns.”

Before Jesus Christ came to this world, He was Jehovah God (The LORD). Because of the spirit of the angel who sinned, Jehovah God predestined Christ (the Lord) to go into the dust and become the first man, and then put him to sleep again (death: a type of the cross) and separated him into men and women, and gave him to all humans. He gave away his physical body. So, God pours the spirit of the angel who sinned into the bodies of humans being born. However, as planned, God was born as the last man, Adam (a type of resurrection), and gave a spiritual body (resurrection: clothes of Christ) to those who repent, opening the way to return to the kingdom of God.

Christ (The Lord) came into the world in various forms. He appeared in various ways, such as in the form of Melchisedek, the king of Shelem, in the form of the one who judged Sodom and Gomorrah, and in the form of the one who gave the covenant to Abraham from the oak tree. Jesus said he was with Abraham.

In John 8:55-59, “Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews to him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then they took up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.』

“Christ born into the world to fulfill the covenant of atonement” refers to Jesus who had to die on the cross. This person was the first man, Adam, who came to the world and gave humans a mortal body, and had the mission of making atonement for the body of sin. That is why Jesus said, “It is finished on the cross.” Regarding Jesus Christ, who was born for this purpose, the Bible explains the lineage issue.

In Matthew 22:41-45, “They say to him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and is it marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.”

『Jesus, Son of David』 appears in Matthew 1:1. 『The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.』 Hiu means son (descendant). A son does not mean a son through physical lineage, but a son as someone who can do ministry. At that time, only men served in ministry. So, a man who became an adult was expressed as a son. Rather than the concept of a descendant, a son is a son as a minister of the kingdom of God.

In the Bible, the person who appears in the genealogy is usually one of the children. Sometimes there are two, but the reason one appears is to continue the genealogy of people of faith. However, the Bible divides the fourteen generations from Abraham to Jesus into thirds. So there are 42 households in total. The Bible shows that over the course of 42 generations, each generation of faith continued uninterrupted. This means that faith began with Abraham, and the same faith as Abraham has continued. Jesus is not the one born from Mary's husband Joseph, but the Christ born from Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. So, it's not about lineage. The faith of Abraham is a faith that is believed even though it cannot be hoped for. Christ's faith can be summarized in death and resurrection.

It mentions Christ's resurrection, ascension and second coming. Jesus died on the cross, resurrected three days later, stayed with his disciples for forty days, and then ascended to heaven. In Matthew 23:37-39, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a he gathereth her chickens under her wings.” , and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. That is why Jesus Christ, who came to this world, is the Lord.

『The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.』 The LORD above is the God of the throne. The “my Lord” in the back refers to Christ who was resurrected and sits on the right side of the throne. And Christ returns. For those who have a new temple built in the hearts of faithful believers, the second coming of Christ has occurred and the kingdom of God has appeared. However, for those who do not, the White Throne Judgment will come on the last day.

 

Ⅱ. growth of jesus

 

1. Jesus flees to Egypt

In Matthew 2:13, “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there.” until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.』Egypt symbolizes the world. The ruler of the world is Satan. Jesus was born into Satan’s world. “Baby Jesus fleeing to Egypt” means that he was born into the world and had a mission to die on the cross. And his return to Israel is a foreshadowing of his future death on the cross and resurrection.

On the surface, the Bible does not record in detail the events of Jesus' flight to Egypt. According to tradition, the family of Baby Jesus, his father Joseph, and his mother Mary visited more than 30 places in Egypt, from El Farama to the Muhalraq region, before returning to Jerusalem for three years and six months.

Quoted by Matthew (2:15), “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” is Hosea. In Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt,” my son refers to the young Israelite community. It tells how God called the Israelites out of Egypt when they apostatized because of Baal. 『Out of Egypt have I called』means the fact that God rescued the people from the oppression of Egypt through Moses, and spiritually, the Exodus event has the meaning of freeing sinners bound by Satan..

However, in Matthew 2:12-15, the object of “the one called out” is Jesus. He quoted the prophet's words about the young Jesus fleeing to Egypt because he was in danger. So, the mainstream interpretation is that the people of the covenant in Jesus Christ were called out through Jesus.

At the time of Jesus, Israel was in a situation that was almost like captivity in Egypt, so the Jews did not consider themselves liberated, and had a strong sense that they would be liberated from this oppression when the Messiah came. However, what Matthew intended was that Jesus was like Moses to the Israelites who were oppressed by King Pharaoh. Just as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Jesus, the Messiah, was the same as Egypt, oppressed by Rome and Herod, and further by Satan. It is explained as the person who will liberate the covenant people from the chains of.

 

2. Childhood life in Nazareth

Matthew 2:19-23『But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father his Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.』

Herod the Great, knowing that he would be deceived by the wise men, committed a terrible act of killing the children near Bethlehem in order to get rid of the baby Jesus. However, Jesus fled to Egypt, but when Herod died, following the angel's instructions, Jesus returned to the land of Israel and spent his childhood in a town called Nazareth.

“He will be called a Nazarene.” In Isaiah 53:1-3, a representative Messianic verse, “Who hath believed our report?” and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.』

The expression “man of Nazareth” means that Jesus is not a person worthy of attention. Jesus is called a man of Nazareth, a town that has never received attention in the Old Testament, and is far from Bethlehem as pointed out in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2). Regarding the reason why Jesus was called a Nazarene even though he was born in Bethlehem, the Gospel of Matthew states that while Jesus was avoiding various adversities and dangers, he happened to arrive and live in a town called Nazareth through the instructions of an angel. It is being recorded.

However, in the Gospel of Luke, a parallel text to the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded quite differently. In Luke (2:2-5) 『(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.』

The Gospel of Luke records that the domicile of Joseph, the father of Jesus, was Bethlehem, and his home at the time was Nazareth. Joseph was ordered to have his family registered, so he and his fiancée, Mary, went to Bethlehem, his domicile. It was only natural for Joseph to finish his work there and return to his hometown of Nazareth.

However, the Gospel of Matthew says that Jesus happened to go and live in an unfamiliar town called Nazareth. The reason is because of Jesus’ parents, namely Joseph. He fled, but when Herod the Great died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and instructed him to go to the land of Israel. Joseph followed these words and returned to the land of Israel. However, when he heard that “Archelaus has succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea,” he was afraid to go there. Joseph was instructed by an angel in a dream to go to the region of Galilee. .”So Joseph and Mary happened to go to Nazareth.

Judges 13:1-5 『 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.』

In Numbers 6:5, if a man wanted to live as a Nazarite for a certain period of time, he could not cut his hair during that period. However, when he returned to normal life, he was able to shave his head. However, unlike this, a man who was designated as a Nazirite from the fetus could not shave his head throughout his life, because he had to remain a permanent Nazirite until his death.

The Hebrew word 'Nazir', which corresponds to Nazarite, is a noun derived from the verb 'Nazar', which means 'to consecrate, sanctify, set apart', and means 'one who is set apart as holy.' These regulations for the Nazirites are mentioned in Numbers 9:12, and were given by God through Moses just before the Israelites left Mount Sinai. Nazarites were not allowed to eat fruit from the vine or drink strong drink, they were not to cut their hair, and they were not allowed to approach a corpse. From a redemptive historical perspective, these Nazarite regulations typify Jesus Christ, who offered himself as a perfect sacrifice before God. The story of Samson, the last judge, is directed to David. And David is turning to Jesus Christ.

The contents of the period of the judges are mostly about "idolatry and the resulting invasion of foreign nations, the cries of Israel, and God's requests by appointing judges." However, the story of crying out against the law does not appear in Judges 13. And it is said that Gideon was peaceful only for 40 years. After Gideon, through Abimelech and Jephthah, the word peace disappeared. In Judges 13:1, there is no peace, and there is no crying out to God. The Israelites thought of it as peace amidst the invasion and domination of the Philistines.

The Philistines were a people who lived as pirates and engaged in intermediate trade around the Mediterranean Sea. Even before Samson was born, Israel was already being harassed by the Philistines. And Samson served as a judge under the Philistines for only 20 years, and the Philistines continued to harass Israel even after Samson. However, considering that there was a temporary lull in the Philistine oppression towards the end of Samuel's reign, the period up to this point can be viewed as approximately 40 years. Afterwards, even during the reign of Israel, the Philistines continued to harass Israel, and when King David conquered them, the Philistines' oppression finally came to an end. It tells us that the period of the judges is heading towards the period of David.

After Solomon's time, when Israel was divided into two, Jeroboam, who presided over the north, made golden calf idols and placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. Dan could be said to be a shrine to idols. In Danjipa, a man named Manoah appears. Manoah is reminiscent of Noah. Its meaning is rest. The cause of the flood of anger was the marriage of the sons of God and the daughters of men. This is spiritual adultery in which those who have the seed of promise mix with those who do not have the seed of promise. This is the story of how God judges God with water because they served both God and idols, and Noah and his family are saved through the ark. Salvation is rest. However, there was no rest during the time of the judges. Not having rest means not being in God.

Manoah's wife was barren, but God opened her womb. Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, was infertile before her marriage, but God made her pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Infertility refers to her inability to bear a son and represents the condition of Israel. People have to have sons to continue the generations. However, God gave a son to the barren woman. From Manoah's wife to Samson, from Mary to Jesus Christ. Samson is a name that means light. In John 1:1, Jesus also became a light during the spiritual darkness of Roman rule.

“The Annunciation of the Son to the forefathers of faith who could not bear a son” extends not only to Manoah’s wife, but also to Abraham’s wife Sarah, Samuel’s mother Hannah, John the Baptist’s mother Elizabeth, and Jesus’ mother Mary. In Luke 1:31, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”

The church today is women who could not get pregnant. A woman must meet a man. The story of Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31-32 explains this relationship. 『For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one. flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.』 Church does not mean the church building, but the saints. Because the saint (woman) meets Christ (man), the two become completely one. And they can have sons. That is the gospel and salvation. In Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation, there is a scene where a son is born, and the dragon (Satan) interferes with the woman's birth.

Becoming one is something that takes place in the hearts of believers. A temple is built in the heart, the Saint becomes a priest and enters the temple, and when Christ also returns and enters the temple in the heart, the two meet.

In Isaiah 54:1, “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.』 The answer here is 『Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.』

God informs the people that “Israel’s condition under Philistine rule is spiritually barren.” The Bible tells us that just as Israel cannot escape spiritual infertility on its own, neither can it give birth to a spiritual son. That means there is no salvation. A virgin giving birth to a son is a sign of spiritual salvation. In Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.』

According to the regulations, "in order to become a Nazarite, a person must not drink wine, cut hair, or touch a corpse for a certain period of time." Nazir is related to the vine. It means not to prune the vines during a certain period of time. In Leviticus 25:5, “That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.”

Psalm 104:15 says, “Wine makes people happy.”

In Deuteronomy 14:26, “And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,』

This means that it is okay to drink wine during the Feast of Tabernacles. The tabernacle means rest. The words “Noah came out of the ark, dwelt in a tent, and became drunk with wine” mean rest. Those who rest can drink wine, but those who cannot rest cannot drink wine. The reason saints drink wine during the Holy Communion is because they rest. Those who have been baptized participate in the Holy Communion, but those who have not rested must not participate in the Holy Communion.

In Matthew 26:29, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” After drinking wine three times during the Holy Communion the night before his death on the cross, Jesus said he would not drink a fourth glass of wine. He said he would drink new wine to replace the Passover wine. So, through this scene, Jesus Christ is identified as a Nazarite. The old wine was the wine of suffering, but the new wine is the wine of joy and the wine of the feast. It is the wine that turns water into wine. In Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Jesus said, “When the bridegroom is taken from you, fast,” but when you enter the wedding feast with the bridegroom, you drink wine.

Wine is an expression of rest. “He who does not rest” fasts, but he who rests drinks wine. Being a Nazarite is an expression of having no rest, and Israel is like that. In the Bible, the phrase “do not get drunk” means that you are spiritually restless. Nazir (Nazarite) has a pronunciation almost similar to Nazar (Nazareth).

 

Part 2. Jesus is certified as the Son of God

 

Ⅰ. John the Baptist, Jesus, Satan

 

1. Make straight the way for him to come.

Mark 1:1-76『The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out to him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about him. loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey』

The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, appears in the writings of Isaiah.

『I send my messenger before thy face』My messenger means John the Baptist. This John the Baptist is Elijah, as seen in Malachi (Chapter 4, Verse 5). 『Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:』 The great and dreadful day of the LORD is mentioned in more detail in Joel 2:31-32.『 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.』

The prophet Joel talks about appearing on that great and fearful day in Joel 2:28-30. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.』

Peter, a disciple of Jesus, received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and began speaking to people based on what Joel had said. (Acts 2:16) In Acts 2:5, “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”

On the day of Pentecost, devout Jews from foreign lands came to Jerusalem and heard the disciples speaking in different languages. As they were talking to each other in amazement and wonder, Peter quoted Joel's words to them. Peter further comments on what the prophet Joel said in Joel 2:20. 『The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come』

These words are similar to the content of Matthew 24:29. 『Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:』 Regarding this, church people speak of the great tribulation that will occur during the end times, when Jesus returns to the air. Additionally, in Matthew 24:30, “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven.” With power and great glory.』With these words, people are saying that Jesus will return in the air on the last day.

However, these words do not refer to the second coming of Jesus on earth at the end of time, but to the second coming of Christ entering the temple built by the power of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers. Through the prophet Joel, Jehovah said that he would pour out my spirit (Holy Spirit) on my servants.

The servants of Jehovah, on whom the Holy Spirit will be poured out in the future, are saints who believe in union with Christ through death on the cross. For believers who believe in present resurrection, their old self (old temple) is destroyed and a new temple is built in their hearts.

The collapse of the old temple is expressed in the Gospel of Matthew as the power of heaven shaking. In fact, the Jerusalem Temple (Old Temple) collapsed in A.D. 70. And the Bible says that people see Christ coming in the clouds with power and glory, “the sight of Christ entering the hearts of the saints.” This is the second coming of Christ in the hearts of believers. The second coming of Christ is for those who believe in present resurrection.

『Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.』 His paths are the path of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, born into the world through the spirit of Elijah, straightens the path of Jesus Christ. In the meantime, the prophets had been preaching the coming of Jesus Christ in various twists and turns, but now John the Baptist is going to preach the message in a straightforward manner.

It means that Heaven (He Basileia ton Uranon) has come near. What is the relationship between Elijah and heaven (heaven in the heart: resurrection)? It is the resurrection faith. Instead of seeing his death, Elijah ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot. This means ascending to heaven with a body of eternal life, similar to Jesus dying and Christ being resurrected and ascending to heaven. So ultimately, the kingdom of heaven preached by John the Baptist is resurrection and the kingdom of God in the heart.

『John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 』

The prerequisite for resurrection is union with death on the cross. The Bible connects this to baptism. In Romans 6:3, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” John the Baptist only spoke of water baptism. Water baptism means death to sin. However, Jesus also received baptism from John the Baptist. In Matthew 3:13-15, “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comet thou to me? And Jesus answered unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.』

Jesus being baptized means dying with the body of sin to atone for all sinners in the world. At this time, the body of sin is the first man, Adam (the old man), and the last man, Adam (Jesus), redeems (through death on the cross) all who are in the first man. In Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:』

Baptism by fire represents the death of the old self (physical soul). The soul is like clothes. Burning the old soul with the fire of the Holy Spirit. This symbolizes judgment. This is the judgment (second death) that appeared in Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore, those who have been burned by the fire of the Holy Spirit are considered by God to be condemned to the second death.

Water baptism is death to sin, and fire baptism is death to the soul (old self). The combination of these two results in the death of Jesus on the cross. Being united with Jesus' death on the cross means dying to sin and dying to the soul. And Christ is resurrected as a new person (new soul: spiritual body), and those who are united with Jesus on the cross are resurrected by God with Christ. In other words, God gives believers a new body. Therefore, the saints' old self dies and they take on the body of a new self (resurrection: clothes of Christ). Romans 6:5 『For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:』

『John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about him. loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey.』These words are an image of the Israelites leaving Egypt. The camel symbolizes the law. Israel, Pharaoh's slave, is the image of a person under the law. And before the Exodus, the tenth and final plague, the death of the eldest son (death of the lamb), appears. So, the people smeared the lamb's blood on the doorposts and lintels, and quickly ate the lamb's meat. They wore leather belts around their waists and prepared for the Exodus.

Grasshoppers symbolize judgment. The death of the eldest son symbolizes that everyone, whether Egyptian or Israelite, is dead. However, eating the meat of a lamb (baptism of fire) means that the Israelites died along with their old self, the eldest son (the first Adam), and became new people. The Red Sea split, and everyone who entered it drowned. (Water baptism) Everyone died, whether they were Egyptians or Israelites. This death is death by drowning for sin. However, the Israelites who escaped the Red Sea also died to sin (death on the cross), but became alive to righteousness (resurrection) by the grace of God.

Wild blue symbolizes Canaan. Canaan is the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Just as Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, new people and children born in the wilderness enter the Promised Land with Joshua (Jesus) and Caleb (the Gentile). Canaan symbolizes resurrection. Entering Canaan from the wilderness means that “those who died on the cross with Jesus were resurrected with Christ.”

The gospel of Christ means “present death on the cross” and “present resurrection.” The gospel is good news. The present resurrection is truly good news. However, today there are not many people who accept the present resurrection. Because they look with physical eyes.

 

2. God of the Trinity and baptizm

Mark 1:9-11『And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.』

The Trinity means that God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. So, Jesus Christ, who came to this earth for the first time, is not God, but the Son of God, and he is the one (Messiah: Christ) who came to do the work of the cross to save all people in the world. Jesus says that all his work in the world is done by listening to the word of God the Father. He shows the appearance of leaving God's place.

Most churches explain the Trinity as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each existing as a person in the kingdom of God and being one with each other. Therefore, they explain with the logic that God is three hypostasis, but one. This is theology. God the Father is on the throne, and God the Son is the Creator who created the world, appeared briefly on this earth, and is Jesus who came as a human being. And God the Holy Spirit is the God who makes everything operate. However, we must realize that Jehovah God is one, and that He is capable of operating the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit at the same time.

When Jesus was tempted by the devil, in Luke 4:6-7, “And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.” Satan makes his son Jesus recognize himself as Jehovah God and induces him to sit in the position of God the Father.

However, when he came into the world, it was in the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He came to the world as the Son of God. In Luke 4:8 Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 』He said. Here, God is called “Kurion” (Jehovah God) in Greek. In fact, Jehovah God, whom Jesus on this earth told the devil to worship, is God the Father.

Today, most church people recognize Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as God the Son, and equate believing in Jesus with believing in God. When they say, “Believe in Jesus and you will be saved,” in their eyes, Jesus is already in the place of Jehovah God. And we see the double aspect of them demanding the blood of their son Jesus to be forgiven for their sins. While church people talk about the Trinity, they obscure the relationship between the Father and the Son by using the term “God the Son.”

Fake prophets (pastors) deny the relationship between the Father and the Son based on this strange logic. They identify Jesus Christ as God, blurring the relationship between Father and Son. If Jesus, who came to this earth, is God, sinners have no choice but to be judged by justice. Because God is a God of justice. The God of love provides love only through the cross of His Son, Jesus Christ. So, without Jesus Christ, the Son of Man who died on the cross, there is no one who can be saved.

1 John 4:13 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him (en auto), and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” “En auto” means in Christ. When the Holy Spirit comes, believers become in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. So, Christ also becomes within the saints through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is Christ who gives the Holy Spirit. Strictly speaking, Jehovah God gives the Holy Spirit to believers. The one who gives the baptism of the Holy Spirit is Christ and Jehovah God.

In the kingdom of God, the Father is Jehovah God, and the resurrected Jesus Christ is also Jehovah God. That is, there is only one Jehovah God. However, Jesus Christ, who lived on this earth, is the Son of God the Father who came to this world in the flesh (the Son of Man). Therefore, God's work on this earth appears as a relationship between the Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. And since saints are also on this earth, they establish a relationship with Jehovah God through the Father, the Son of God (Christ), and the Holy Spirit. If the saint is in Christ, the saint is to the Father (Jehovah God) by the power of the Holy Spirit, and if Christ is in the saint, the Father (Jehovah God) is to the saint by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 4:14-15 『And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” “We” are a group of disciples, including John. They are those who have seen Jesus Christ directly. Those who acknowledge that they are the sons of God are those who are in Christ, and God the Father dwells in the saints. The image of the Trinity can be seen here too.

The Trinity is the image of Jehovah God working on this earth, and the image of God working in the saints. To help believers understand God and the kingdom of God, Jesus' disciples explain God as the Trinity. In the kingdom of God, there is no need to talk about the Trinity. Because Jehovah God is one.

Jesus Christ, who appeared for the first time in the world, is a man, the Son of God, with whom God exists. The resurrected Jesus Christ is Jehovah God. People are confusing the Trinity. Jesus Christ, who came to establish the kingdom of God on this earth, is not God, but came to this world as the Son of God and died on the cross as a ransom, but Jesus Christ who works in the saints is Jehovah God.

Theology says that the One who came to this earth (the Son of God) is also God, God the Father is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, making us recognize God as three people.

By saying that each of the three has a hypostasis, they are saying strange things such as saying that there are three hypostasis of God in the kingdom of God, but they are one.

The Trinity is explained by theology to help believers in Christ understand Jehovah God. Therefore, when we look at God on this earth, we are told to know Him through the Trinity.

 

3. Jesus is tempted by Satan

Matthew 4:1-11 『Then was Jesus led up the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning. thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee henceforth, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.』

In worldly terms, Satan and Jesus play the roles of prosecutors and lawyers. God can be likened to a president. According to the law, the president created a prosecutorial system and gave it the power to prosecute criminals. The whole world is made up of sinners, so it has become a prison. That is why the president is attempting to grant pardons to those who repent in prison. He left the power of pardon to his son, who would act as his lawyer. However, the prosecutor naturally did not find this lawyer challenging his role. And to make people doubt whether they really have the power, we will meet them countless times in the future, where the lawyer introduces his position to the prosecutor, and the prosecutor tests the lawyer. The President's Chief of Staff took on the role of bringing prosecutors and lawyers face to face. Lawyers have been preparing measures to pardon criminals for a long time.

『Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.』 The Holy Spirit symbolizes the President's Chief of Staff. The phrase “fast and starve for 40 days and 40 nights” means that the lawyer had to find repentant sinners and made a lot of preparations. Lawyers achieve their goals, but they are hungry. The prosecutor asked the lawyer three questions, and a tense battle ensued.

The first question is, “You say you have the power to absolve sins, but you brought a sinner here. Why don’t you pardon him here?” However, the lawyer responded by saying that he would not pardon just any sinner, but only those who repent. A repentant heart is one who realizes the sin that broke his father's heart and turns to him. However, the prosecutor cannot respond to the lawyer's words.『And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.』 These stones represent sinners under the law. The loaves of bread are life-giving bread and represent those who have taken off their sins and become righteous. In other words, what Satan means is to pardon sinners and make them righteous. This is what causes people to misunderstand that they can be saved just by believing in Jesus. Jesus, the lawyer, says that those who eat the word of God become righteous. It is not enough to just eat the bread (life in heaven); sinners must first eat the Word. At this time, the Word will be the Old Testament. Every sinner killed an animal and offered it as a sacrifice to God. It means that through this sacrifice, we must look to Christ (the promised seed who is the descendant of the woman) who will come in the future. The Word contains the meaning of death on the cross and resurrection.

This is the second question. A strange question arises, since you have the power to pardon sinners, should you allow yourself to pardon yourself if you commit a sin? This question subtly leads to the idea that lawyers are also subject to the laws of the world. When the President sends a lawyer to the prison of the world, he decides that he will not be subject to the laws of the world. However, if a lawyer falls for the prosecutor's leading questions, law enforcement becomes possible, and at any time, if the prosecutor, even a lawyer, violates the provisions of the law, he or she can be prosecuted. However, the lawyer firmly tells the prosecutor's leading questions not to test the president's authority. So this time, the prosecutor could say no more.

『Then the devil takes him up into the holy city, and sets him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge. concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.』

When a person jumps from the top of a temple, it is an act of suicide. The law prohibits harming one's own body. What will God do if Jesus breaks the law? So, Satan's leading question is that Jesus must also be someone who strictly obeys the law. In the church today, we are talking about the active and passive obedience of Christ. These are people who have fallen for Satan’s questions.

Active obedience means that Christ observed the law for sinners as a condition for gaining eternal life. Passive obedience is said to mean that Christ suffered by paying the penalty for sin and paying the debt of all his people. So, Christ's subjection to suffering and death is part of his active obedience, and Christ's living in subjection to the law and working in the image of a servant are part of his passive obedience. The idea contained in the meaning of active obedience is that salvation is achieved only when Jesus' work on the cross and Jesus' legal obedience are combined. These are truly heretical remarks. Jesus was above the law, but he died according to the law to save all mankind.

This is the third question. The President has given me all the power to prosecute criminals, but if you have the President's power to pardon, then my power means nothing. Since you are no different from the President, you should say a word of sorry to me. Wouldn't you? Then, they are saying, “I will hand over all prosecution rights to you and you can do everything.” So, the lawyer said, although I am granted the power to pardon, the president values procedure, so he is not taking away your power. Jesus, the lawyer, responded by saying, “The President has made such a big decision out of a desire to show grace by freeing repentant sinners, so please do your best as instructed by the President.” Then the prosecutor could not say anything, so he left the scene. This is the story of how the lawyer also left the place after receiving guidance from the Presidential Office administrator.

『Again, the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.』This Bible verse is from Matthew 4:8-10.

However, if you look at Luke 4:5-8, it says, “And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power.” will I give them, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.』

When Satan says, “Because it was handed over to me,” it means that God has handed over to Satan the right to prosecute sinners. The Greek word for “worship” in 『If thou therefore wilt worship me』 is the word proskuneses (προσκυνήσῃς basic form proskuneo). It has meanings such as flattering, prostrating, showing respect, and worshiping. Here, proskuneses refers to a degree of respect that is apologetic rather than worship. But internally, it is a test of whether one can serve both God and the world. This is equivalent to spiritual adultery. The meaning of returning the world to Jesus is equivalent to spiritual adultery.

In the church today, most people say that the spiritual war is a war against Satan. The criminal naturally fights with the prosecutor to avoid going to jail. When a criminal looks at the prosecutor, he will seem like the reaper of the underworld. However, if one escapes the law and is born from heaven, like Jesus Christ, the saints in Christ have nothing to do with Satan (the prosecutor). Because he is dead to sin, he is terminated with no right to prosecution. Therefore, the enemies of believers are false prophets and the fleshly self. First, false prophets distort the Bible and speak evilly toward God. Second, the physical self is something that must be fought. Jesus told him to deny himself. He is his physical self. The spiritual self fights with the physical self until death. It is the same principle as the Israelites entering Canaan and fighting the seven nations. Jesus' words to deny oneself correspond to this. If you think that your physical self is good and your spiritual self is good, then you are committing spiritual adultery because God is good and idols are good. Believers can only live by standing on the truth and not being deceived by untruth.

 

Ⅱ. Proclamation of the Gospel of God’s Kingdom

 

1. Jesus preaches the gospel in Galilee

Mark 1:14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent yes, and believe the gospel.』

“Now after” means “since the prophets existed until the time of John the Baptist, the era of the law has passed and the era of the gospel has come.” So, Jesus came to Galilee and preached the gospel of God. The content of the gospel is『the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.』

A similar sentence appears in the Gospel of Matthew, in chapter 3 verses 2-3, 『And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.』

The subject of Mark 1:14-15 is the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God symbolizes Jesus Christ. Now that Jesus Christ has come near to the people, he calls them to repent (turn to God) and believe in the gospel. The gospel is that Jesus is the kingdom of God.

John the Baptist's words to the Jews mean, "A person named Jesus who represents the kingdom of God has come. Listen to him and believe in the kingdom of God (and bear fruit)." John the Baptist said something terrible: if a tree does not bear fruit, it will be chopped down with an ax and thrown into the fire. To bear fruit, one must undergo water baptism, fire baptism, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Since the Jews had already received water baptism (forgiveness of sins) from John the Baptist, the next step was baptism in fire (death of the old self: death on the cross) and baptism of the Holy Spirit (new self). The Bible tells them to receive birth: resurrection.

As soon as Jesus received water baptism from John the Baptist, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Before being baptized by fire (death on the cross), Jesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Mark 1:9-10, “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

So, he receives the title of God's Son from God. This foreshadows the future death on the cross (loving) and resurrection (rejoicing). My beloved son is the son of God who, through agape love, died a substitutionary death for all mankind. But “whom I am well pleased.” Death is sad, but resurrection is joy. “Jesus Christ receiving the title of Son of God” is a foreshadowing that he will die on the cross and be resurrected.

In Matthew 3:2-3, “And say, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.』

Here, the subject is heaven when viewed in English, but when viewed in the Greek Bible, heaven is not the subject.『Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias』If you look at this part in the Greek Bible, it is as follows. :

ἤγγικεν (Engiken: came near) γὰρ (Gar: for) ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (He Vasileiya Uranon: Heaven). οὗτος (This One) γάρ (for `) ἐστιν (is) ὁ (Ho: man), ῥηθεὶς (Leseis: who has spoken) διὰ (dia: through) Ἠσαΐου (Esaiu: Isaiah)

To translate this again, “The man who came near for the kingdom of heaven is the one who fulfills the words of the prophet Isaiah.” Therefore, the subject is this man (οὗτος). This man is Jesus Christ.

The kingdom of heaven in Mark 1:15 is Jesus Christ himself, In Matthew 3:2, heaven means the kingdom of God within the hearts of believers. The purpose of Jesus coming to the world is to restore the kingdom of God in our hearts. The kingdom of God in the heart means heaven, or in other words, the spiritual Garden of Eden. People were driven out of the Garden of Eden. In other words, this means that God does not exist in the temple (old temple) of the heart. So the Bible tells us that a new temple must be built in the heart. So, the old temple (old man) dies with Jesus, and the new temple (new man) is resurrected with Christ. Those who believe in present resurrection will enter the kingdom of God in their hearts. This is what bears fruit.

『repent yes, and believe the gospel.』Repentance means that believers turn away from what they did in the old temple. In other words, it means deny yourself and take up your cross. This is being united with Jesus Christ on the cross. Eve (spirits who sinned in God's kingdom) wanted to be like God, so she left God.

Because of Eve's greed, the material world was created and people were created, but there was an idol in their hearts that wanted to be like God. Denying oneself means that the greedy person must give up reigning in the old temple, be reborn, become a spiritual new man (resurrection), and return to God in the new temple.

Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden into the world. In Genesis 2:15, 『And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it..』God created the material world called the world, made people, and built the Garden of Eden ( Eden of the Garden). However, God took the man out of the Garden of Eden. Where is the Garden of Eden? Even today, there seem to be people looking for that Garden of Eden. This is a symbolic statement. The Garden of Eden is compared to a temple.

In the garden, the mountain represents God's temple (sanctuary). The temple (sanctuary) is a model and shadow of what is in heaven. In Exodus 25:40, “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” God told Moses to build the sanctuary according to the pattern of heaven. What is the pattern of heaven? The pattern of heaven is a word about Christ. In Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the truth; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:』 Examining the relationship between the garden in Eden in the East and the temple made according to heavenly patterns is very important in understanding the kingdom of God.

The Bible said that in the Garden of Eden, God placed a man whom he had created. Man is Adam. Adam is the first person born in the world. The first man, Adam, is a symbol of the last Adam, Christ. In Romans 5:14, 『Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come..』

The word model has the same meaning as form and attribute. This is related to sin. The first man, Adam, came to this world as a sinner, and the last Adam became like a sinner, died on the cross, and was resurrected. So, God informs us that all people are born with a body of sin and must die to sin. And the Bible tells us that sinners can repent, turn around, and be resurrected with a spiritual body. The first man, Adam, is Christ who was born into this world to give the world's people a body of sin, and the last Adam is Christ, who was born to die to the body of sin and live as a spiritual body (body of righteousness).

In order to enter the temple (Garden of Eden) in the soul, the believer's soul must be struck by the angel's flaming sword and the Durduo by the flaming sword. This is baptism of fire. So, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, one puts on a spiritual body (clothes of Christ: a priest's clothes) and enters the most holy place of the temple.

Jesus hopes to restore the Garden of Eden. Therefore, by destroying the old temple (old man) in the hearts of the saints (dying on the cross) and giving a new temple (new man) (resurrection), God allows the saints to build the kingdom of God.

If believers believe that they died in present union with Jesus and were resurrected in union with Christ, a new temple is built and the kingdom of God in the heart is established. This becomes the fruit of “heaven’s will being accomplished on earth.” So, Christ returns into the hearts of believers and holds a heavenly wedding feast.

 

2. Jesus Disciples Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee

Mark 1:16-20 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little farther then, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him』

Jesus made his first disciples from fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Among Jesus' twelve disciples, there were five fishermen who were fishing in Galilee: Peter, John, James, Andrew, and Philip. Jesus told them, “You will be fishers of men.”

Fishermen have skills in catching fish. They know from experience where a lot of fish gather. Some fish seek shelter to protect themselves. So, some of them hide near rocks or in the sand at the bottom. However, fish swimming in the middle of the water do not have such a strategy, and sometimes move in groups, wandering here and there in search of food. However, these fish are targets for fishermen. They are the lowest group of fish's survival strategies.

If we talk about the lowly fish as people at that time, they can be compared to the weak and incompetent people of Galilee. Dividing the twelve disciples of Jesus by family name, it is known that five were fishermen, two were farmers, and Thomas was a boat builder. Simon, named Zelot, was from the Zealots, and it is presumed that James' son Judas, that is, Thaddaeus and Judas Iscariot, who were close to him, were also Zealots. Matthew and James the Less, who were tax collectors, were from an underprivileged class who were always recorded low on the list of disciples. However, what they have in common is that they are all from Galilee. Galilee was originally the land of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali.

In Isaiah 9:1, “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.”

And B.C. In 169, when Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Dynasty erected a statue of Zeus in the temple of Jerusalem, sprinkled pig blood in the temple, banned sacrifices, and subjected Jews to severe persecution, many people from the tribes of Levi and Judah escaped the persecution. They flocked to the Galilee area.

This area became a hideout for the resistance group, the Zealots. The Roman army, the tetrarch Herod Antipas of the Galilee region, and the Sadducees in Jerusalem always monitored the people of Galilee, and the Pharisees attempted to use the resistance as a base for their power.

The reason Jesus chose the people of Galilee as his disciples was not only because they were people who needed comfort and healing, but also because he wanted his disciples to become guides to the suffering people to the kingdom of God.

Among the sermons Jesus preached about the Beatitudes, there is a saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.” A person who is poor in spirit (pneuma) means a person who does not have the Holy Spirit with him. So, they are poor in spirit. Those who are poor in spirit refer to those who have left the kingdom of God and are trapped in this world, and those who realize this can inherit heaven. So he becomes a blessing to the kingdom of God.

In Revelation 3:17, 『Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:』

Even though he is a beggar, he thinks he is rich. Although Peter was also a disciple of Jesus, he became a denier of Jesus. He is poor in spirit. That is why Peter mourns over his three denials before the cross of Jesus. He was serving a different Jesus. However, Jesus dies on the cross, is resurrected, and comes to Peter. And Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter is saying that the Lord knows.

These things also happen within the church. “The God in whom believers believe” can become the God who achieves his own purposes. There are times when we sit in God's place and act like God. They are exploiting God.

A representative example is the belief in blessings and fortunes. Believers ask God to “do this or that, and when they don’t do it, they express their dissatisfaction.” However, those who realize that this is a mistake become those who mourn. He thought he was rich in the kingdom of God, but he realized that he was poor. Those who do not realize their spiritual bankruptcy do not mourn. Those who realize their state of spiritual poverty mourn. God comes to those who mourn and establishes heaven. That is the kingdom of God in the heart. So they will receive comfort.

The way they can receive comfort from God is to become like dead and return to their father, like the parable of the prodigal son. Repentance is the death of the old self. When the old self dies, God creates believers into new people. One mourns over the death of one's old self, realizing that one's spirit has entered the body of sin. If he does not deeply meditate on why he became a sinner, he will not have a heart of sorrow or a heart of conversion. If a believer does not understand the parable of the prodigal son, he does not know the meaning of turning back.

Jesus ate with the poor, the sick, tax collectors, prostitutes, and those possessed by demons, and treated them like friends. In Luke 5:29-30, “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?』The Pharisees went around criticizing Jesus. They are people who do not know about heaven.

Heaven is the kingdom of God in the heart. Just as a fish is caught in a net, salvation is caught in the word of God, just as a believer is caught in a fishing hook. If a believer is hooked on the word of God, he or she will be sucked into heaven. That is why heaven is being invaded by them.

Matthew 11:12『And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται), and the violent take it by force.(βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν .)』

It contains two sentences. In other words, the former means that the kingdom of God (heaven) in the heart is invaded. In (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται), viajetai (βιάζεται) is being forcibly dragged, and is like a fish being forcibly dragged by a fishing hook. In other words, believers are forcibly captured by the word of God and taken to heaven.

The word heaven is read in Greek as 『(ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν he basileia ton ouranon』. Here, heaven does not mean the spiritual kingdom of God where God on the throne resides, but heaven on earth (the kingdom of God in the heart). It means. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What is achieved in heaven is the kingdom of God where God on the throne resides, and what is achieved on earth is the establishment of heaven (He Vasilya ton Uranon) in the hearts of the saints.

In the words 『from the days of John the Baptist until now』, the word “now” refers to Jesus Christ who came to this earth. In other words, from the time of John the Baptist to Jesus Christ, heaven is being invaded. The saints are united through the death of Jesus on the cross and the resurrection of Christ, and heaven is invaded by the resurrected spiritual body.

To be “violated” is to be raptured. This applies to those who believe in present resurrection. Rather than the concept of being raptured by a physical change at the end of time in the distant future, those who believe in present resurrection are raptured now. Therefore, saints achieve heaven in their hearts.

The second sentence is 『The violent take it by force.(βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν .)』

Arpazosin (ἁρπάζουσιν) means to take by force. This word is used in Acts 23:10. 『And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 』

Heaven is invaded by those who are caught in the net, but there are those who try to forcibly and violently take away the kingdom of God.

Who wants to take away the kingdom of God? These refer to religious leaders such as Pharisees, scribes, and priests. Today, fake pastors promote fake gospels and say things that prevent believers from entering the kingdom of God. The false gospel means legalism, humanism, and gnosticism. This fake gospel is rampant in most churches.

Regarding the words of Matthew 11:12, the church emphasizes that “saints should make more active efforts for salvation.” So, false prophets speak as if salvation requires individual effort to enter the kingdom of God. They are expressing that they are struggling to enter the kingdom of God. How can believers invade the kingdom of God? They say that living a religious life diligently is committing violence. So they are talking as if something must be added to entering the kingdom of God by faith in Christ. The way for believers to invade the kingdom of God is to believe in present resurrection.

The (none) part of verse 14 varies depending on the Greek Bible. It is absent in the Netsul Aland Bible, but it is included in the Stephanus Bible. If we translate verse 14 according to the Stephanus Bible, ουαι δε υμιν γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι υποκριται οτι κατεσθιετε τας οικιας των χηρων και προφασει μακρα προσευχομενοι δια τουτο ληψεσθε περισσοτερον κριμα

『Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation..』

This means that the Jewish leaders, like the owners of the temple, extort the helpless people while outwardly appearing as hypocrites. So, there is no kingdom of God for them. Today's fake prophets have nothing to do with the kingdom of God. This means that these people are violent against the kingdom of God. Jesus was also killed by violent people. Heaven (the body of Jesus) was taken from this earth.

However, because God resurrected Christ, Christ restored heaven on earth. Those who are in Christ also enter heaven (the kingdom of God). Through the Holy Spirit within the saints, those who are in Christ also restore heaven (the kingdom of God). Paul used the term third heaven to refer to heaven, which is distinct from the Kingdom of God the Father. Of course, the third heaven, heaven, is also the kingdom of God, ruled by God. God enters the temple built in the heart and becomes the kingdom of God. .

 

3. Appointing twelve disciples

Mark 3:13-19 『And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordered twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into a house.』

The meaning of twelve can be found in Hebrew letters. They are ten (yod: י) and two (ved: בּ). Yod means hand, and Bede means the house (temple) of God. 『And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained (Epoiesen ἐποίησεν) twelve』mountain means the heavenly temple in a spiritual sense. “him whom he would” refers to the person whom Jesus unilaterally selects. The word ordained (epoiesen) appears in Genesis 1:1 in the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek.

ְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ

ἐν ἀρχῇ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν

The Hebrew word bara ( בָּרָ֣א ) means to create, and in the process of translating it into Greek for the Septuagint, ἐποίησεν (epoeisen) was used. Thus, Jesus ordained (epoiesen) the twelve disciples to indicate that God had made something with his own hands in his temple. The “something” is the disciples. God predestined Christ, so that in due time He was born in the flesh into the world. The reason was to represent the Garden of Eden hidden from the world. The Garden of Eden hidden from the world is none other than the kingdom of God in the heart.

Because of an angel who sinned in the kingdom of God, God created humans made of the material world and dust and put their spirits into them, and humans became trapped in the world. However, Jesus came to give them freedom from the net of sin. This means that when Jesus dies on the cross and is resurrected, the twelve disciples will unite with the resurrected Christ and take charge of the work. So the disciples become spiritually recreated beings.

Looking at the disciples, they are divided into three categories. The first group consists of three (3) people: James, Peter, and John. Jesus often took them to special places. The second group is eight (8): Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon of Canana. And the remaining one (1) is Judas Iscariot.

Three (3) means fulfillment of the covenant. The fulfillment of the covenant is the establishment of a new temple in the heart through death on the cross and resurrection. James symbolizes the Jacob of the Old Testament, who fought with God and was given the name Israel, but the tendon in one of his legs was cut and he became limp. So Jacob dies and is reborn as Israel. Therefore, James was the first to be martyred after Jesus ascended to heaven and after Pentecost. John described the kingdom of God (resurrection) in the heart through the Book of Revelation. John was a figure symbolizing resurrection. James (death on the cross) and John (resurrection) were given the name Son of Thunder. The Son of Thunder symbolizes the presence of God.

And Peter received “the name Peter, which means rock” from Jesus. The rock represents the church and represents the saints who have formed a temple in their hearts. So these three names symbolize the fulfillment of the covenant of death on the cross and resurrection.

The second category, eight (8), contains the meaning of Genesis 2:1. 『the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.』 Looking at the Hebrew Bible, [Waikulu (were finished) Hashamayim (heaven) Wohaaretz (earth) Wokal (all the host of them) chabam (army)]

(וַיְכֻלּ֛וּ הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ וְכָל־צְבָאָֽם) Chabam (the basic form is Chaba) is the military. It should have been translated as “heaven and earth and all armies are fulfilled.”

The heavenly army refers to the angels in the kingdom of God, and the earthly army refers to the angels (humans) who sinned on this earth. So, this means that the arrangement was completed on the 7th day of creation. So God rested. Eight (8) means re-creation. When the child was born, he had it circumcised on the eighth day. The heavenly army symbolizes three people (James, Peter, and John), and the earthly army symbolizes Judas Iscariot.

The name Judah means Hebrew. Hebrew finds its origins in Ivri. Ibri means one who crossed the river. It is a name given to Abraham in the sense that he left Ur of the Chaldees, crossed the Jordan River, and entered “Canaan.” However, the spiritual meaning is that the spirits who sinned in the kingdom of God were sent to this land to migrate. That is why the armies of the world are sinners. Judas was the one who betrayed Jesus.

It contains the meaning that after the armies of heaven and the armies of earth are reorganized through the eight disciples, a new creation is created through the disciples (eight people) of Jesus. Of course, all twelve disciples will carry out God's will with this mission.

『And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:』 (Mark 3:14). There are three missions. First, he allows his disciples to be with him. This means that Jesus dies on the cross, is resurrected, and returns to enter the hearts of his disciples. So he always stays with his disciples. Christ helps his disciples as a Comforter.

Second, the power to preach and cast out demons was given to the disciples. On the surface, by showing the miracle of casting out demons, the capacity for evangelism will also be strengthened. However, spiritually casting out demons means that all people are possessed by demons. However, when a sinner hears the gospel and repents, God gives the sinner the grace to free him from the net of the law. This is the gospel and the main content of evangelism. So, Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive their sins. Only by receiving forgiveness of sins can one escape from the net of the law. By escaping from the net of the law, sinners who were managed by ghosts (angels in charge of evil acts) are released.

 

4. Sermon on the Mount

The core of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is "to revive dead spirits and lead them to the eternal kingdom of God." So, sinners must realize their sins against God and repent. So he says that God frees those who repent from the law. Then, the content is that God gives eternal life. The conclusion of this content contains the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection.

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount includes the "Beatitudes, light and salt, meaning of the law, do not be angry, do not commit adultery, do not resist evildoers, love your enemies, give alms in secret, the Lord's Prayer, store up treasures in heaven." , The eyes are the lamp of the body. Do not be anxious. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Do not give holy things to dogs. Treat others as you wish them to. Know them by the narrow gate and fruits. These are stories such as “Doing the will of God the Father.”

To summarize, the most important contents are the law and legalism, the kingdom of God in the hearts of believers, spiritual warfare, and the spread of the gospel.

 

(1) Law and legalism

In today's Christianity, people distinguish between the gospel and the law. Some say, “We are not saved by the law, but by the gospel.” But there is a pitfall here. If we do not distinguish between the law and legalism, we can fall into this trap. Therefore, it would be correct to say that we are not saved through legalism, but through the gospel. All acts of keeping the commandments commonly spoken in the church are legalism.

The distinction between law and legalism is very important for salvation. The law is God's word given to the Israelites by God. God commanded the people to keep the law to attain the righteousness of God. The people tried to keep the commandments of the law, but they could not. That is why everyone tried to be freed from sin through animal sacrifices. The purpose of God giving the people of Israel the law is that you are all sinners, and if you realize that fact through the law, you should discover the seed of promise (Christ) through the sacrifice.

God promised the descendants of the woman in Genesis 3:15. And God wanted them to discover Christ, the descendant of the woman, through the daily sacrifices. Therefore, the law is the Word of God that finds Christ. Hebrews 11:24-26 says that Moses met Christ. After Jesus was resurrected, in Luke 24:27, while he was having a conversation with two of his disciples on the way, he said, “Then he began to explain in detail the things about him that he wrote in all the scriptures, beginning with the writings of Moses and all the prophets.” means Jesus Christ. And on the Sea of ​​Galilee he says the same thing in Luke 24:44: “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.“I” is Jesus Christ. After all, it is Jesus Christ who is revealed in the Old Testament law.

In John 5:39, Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. What the law is saying is that it is the story of Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 34:16, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” The Book of Means the Law. When the people read all the laws, it tells us that Jesus Christ is in them.

Jesus Christ in the law is the one who died on the cross to save all sinners. Sinners killed animals and sprinkled their blood on the altar. The priest transfers the sin from the sinner to the animal, and the animal dies in the sinner's place. However, the dead animal is none other than a sinner. Although the animal dies instead, the sinner and the animal are united, and the sinner dies. That is why it is through the sacrifice that the rebirth is announced. Those who are united with the death of Jesus belong to the new creation, born again. In Hebrews 9:11, it is not something like the creation of this world. "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building"

The scene of Jesus and Nicodemus having a conversation with each other about the kingdom of God appears in John 3:1-9. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Only by being born again of water and the Spirit can we see the kingdom of God.” However, Nicodemus did not understand the meaning of Jesus’ words at all. So Jesus said in John 3:10, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice his : and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” The Israeli teachers (rabbis) must have been well aware of the rules for sacrificing. This means that we do not understand the truth that animals are sacrificed on behalf of sinners through sacrifice, and that sinners die and are reborn as a result.

Thus, Christ is hidden in the law. Therefore, the law is strictly the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the same principle as the tree of life (Christ) is hidden in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (the law). Through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God makes man aware of sin. Sin is a desire to become like God before eating the fruit. Human beings should look through the tree to see that there is a heart of greed. The dichotomous logic of “keeping the commandments is not a sin, and not keeping the commandments is a sin”. This is what prevents the believer from finding Christ in the law. That is what legalism is.

The law is the word of God that leads to the discovery of Christ, but legalism is a humanistic idea that removes Christ. Legalism and humanism are closely related. Legalism (humanism) ideas that are prevalent in the church do not deny me, but make me stand out. An example of this is the Ten Commandments. Humans must discover sin in the Ten Commandments and enter the cross of Jesus Christ, but they are bound by the commandments and debate whether or not to keep them. The Ten Commandments are God's commandments, but they contain God's love for sinners. It reminds us of the love of parents for their children. To be bound by rules is legalism.

Also, all the words that pastors force their members to lead a holy life like Jesus or give guidelines to lead a godly life of faith are legalism. They say that they are saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ on the cross, but they are trying to reveal themselves in their lives. Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, but many pastors are saving themselves. We must remember that all human beings are sinners, and as mortal beings before God, there is no other way than to live in union with Jesus Christ on the cross. If you do not remember the words of the Apostle Paul who shouted, “I die every day,” you will fall into legalism (humanism).

The figure of those who indulge in legalism emphasizes action. It is to listen to the rules that James speaks of and let the action appear. In James 2:26, ​​it is said, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Those who are in Christ are shown by works, but if ministers make them think of their works as a mandatory rule, it is legalistic thinking. Those who emphasize action are no different from other religions based on legalism (humanism). Therefore, Christianity, which mixes the gospel of Jesus Christ with legalism (humanism), is no longer the true gospel of truth. We must be aware that all religions are already progressing in an integrated way. So, today's believers are living in an age that requires spiritual discernment in the church. If there is spiritual discernment, like the parable of the ten virgins, you can see that the gospel of Christ and legalism (humanism) are mixed in the church. The parable of the wheat and the tares is the same, and the parable of the sheep and the goats has the same meaning. Satan continues to try to mix the gospel of Christ with legalism (humanism).

 

(2) The kingdom of heaven in the Hearts of Saints

In Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” A distinction must be made between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.

The Hebrew word "ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν" is translated as the kingdom of heaven, which is the kingdom of God in the heart. Jesus tells the people to turn to God as God draws near into their hearts. The kingdom of heaven is Jesus Christ. For those who repent, Jesus Christ enters their hearts.

 Angels who sinned in the kingdom of God took off their clothes and their spirits were imprisoned in a pot and became humans. Humans are beings trapped in the world. So humans die twice.

In Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” The Hebrew Bible says, “die and die.” there is. And in John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” It is expressed as “be born again.” The previous one is to die (twice) and be born from heaven. Regarding the two deaths, the first death is death to sin (baptism in water), and the second death is death to the soul (baptism in fire).

 The death of the cross is the process of dying to sin and taking off the dirty clothes of the soul. So Jesus preached the gospel to the spirits in prison. In other words, He entered into the hearts of all humans and revealed to them that you must die. In 1 Peter 3:19-20, “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.』

 Water baptism means death to sin. Romans 6:6-7 『Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.』

 The death of the soul is a baptism of fire, the death of the soul (the first man, Adam) that came from the body. A believer changes from a physical body to a spiritual body (clothes of Christ). In Matthew 3:11-12, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.』

 There are three days between the death and resurrection of Jesus. The third day signifies the building of the temple. In John 2:19, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The saints who die with Jesus have a temple built in their hearts. And resurrection is a change of clothes from a physical body to a spiritual body (new soul). In 1 Corinthians 15:44-47, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam created a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterwards that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; The second man is the Lord from heaven.』

 Those who die on the cross with Jesus (water baptism) and believe that their physical body (soul) has died (fire baptism) will wear clothes from heaven. This is resurrection. Resurrection is not the resurrection of the former body, but the putting on of a spiritual body (clothes of Christ) from heaven. That is why saints become priests and wear the priest’s holy clothes.

Ascension means that the believer enters the temple built in the heart. This is because the temple means the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

And Jesus told the Pharisees to repent, for the kingdom is at hand. Heaven becomes the kingdom of God in the heart. This foreshadows Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension to the kingdom of God. Therefore, saints are also at the right hand of the throne in the kingdom of God.

The Second Coming is God entering the temple in the hearts of believers. This is Immanuel, and in Greek it is Parousian. It means the presence of God. Church people still wait for the second coming of Jesus, but the second coming of Jesus has come true for those whose temple has been built in the hearts of believers. So, the saints and Christ meet in the temple and have a heavenly wedding feast.

 

(3) Spiritual War and Spread of the Gospel

Spiritual warfare is an invisible war. Many people living in the world live with their own religion, and there may also be people who do not have a religion. However, among them, a significant portion of people have Christianity as their religion. If you ask these people about spiritual warfare, they will almost always say that it is Satan or an evil spirit. 

Spiritual war, like physical war, is a state in which you will not be able to fight if you do not know how to identify enemies. If you do not know who you are in a spiritual war and who you are fighting against, you will lose the war. 

When a person is born, passes through infancy and enters adolescence, he or she begins to develop self-consciousness. So, people come into contact with their identity. If you do not know your identity, you cannot engage in spiritual warfare. The self that everyone appears at birth is the physical self. This physical self is a collection of approximately seven characteristics. These are the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideologies, religiosity, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate. These may develop or shrink as we grow, but overall they do not change. However, because this physical self is in hostile opposition to God, it ignores the spirit trapped in the body or rejects the very existence of the spirit. So they also reject the words of the Bible. 

Only when we are clearly aware of the existence of spirit can we properly stand on our own identity. The Bible speaks of humans as beings in which body and spirit are combined. However, the spirit is trapped in a body called dust. So the spirit does not know God and is in darkness. To use a metaphor, it is like a person who commits a crime while living in the world and is in prison. So, it is like a person living freely in the world, but having the clothes and everything they used to wear in the world taken away, wearing a prison uniform with a number on it, and living in prison for a certain period of time. In prison, a person's identity will be the number on his or her prison uniform. The spirit trapped in the human body is likewise trapped in the body by sinning in the kingdom of God, and is wearing the clothing of a soul. 

In order for someone imprisoned to realize their former identity, they will have to remember their parents, think about the house they lived in, and think about the family they lived with. Likewise, humans also get a glimpse of what spiritual identity is only when they are interested in the spirit. When that happens, identity confusion arises. In the Bible, the secrets of heaven are explained through the parable of the sower. Just as a farmer tills the soil, sows the seeds, waters them, and cultivates them while the sprouts of life grow, one can come to realize the spirit trapped in the body through countless meditations and reading the words of the Bible. 

In the Bible, it is said that the fundamental reason why the spirit was trapped in the body was because the spirit wanted to become like God. That is greed and idol. That is why the Bible says that this is a sin against God. Sin means opposing God and turning away from Him. The Bible says in Genesis 2:17 that sinners against God must die twice. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die..” 

The English translation of the Bible says, “you shall surely die.” The Hebrew Bible says, “Die and die.” Those who realize that they must die twice like this are those who realize that they are sinners who have left the kingdom of God and are trapped in the dust, and have a desire to repent. They realize that they have no choice but to die to God, and a desire to ask God for forgiveness arises. This is repentance. So we participate in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

 In the first death, the saint must die to sin. This is water baptism. Romans 6:3-7 talks about baptism and sin. 『Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.』Since humans cannot die on their own, God uses His Son Jesus Christ to redeem those who repent by dying on the cross. This is a method of making people believe that Jesus not only died on behalf of humans, but also died with him, so that sinners can also die and be forgiven of their sins. So, those who become saints have already been judged. The White Throne Judgment will be received by all those who are in the law. 

The second death is the death of the soul. This is a baptism of fire. The saints take off their former clothes and burn them in the fire. The soul is like a leather garment that becomes a human being when the body and spirit meet. This is the clothing that God gave to the first man, Adam. However, since these are clothes that come from the flesh, believers must take off those clothes and change into clothes that come from heaven. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is called the garment of Christ. Those who change into the clothes of Christ wear new clothes (spiritual bodies), so their spirit receives light and comes to life. In 1 Corinthians 15:43-44, Apostle Paul explains the spiritual body.

The spiritual body can be said to be the body of a resurrected person. Saints also have a body, so they just don't recognize it. If he does not believe that he is the resurrected one, then he has not changed his clothes. When a saint believes in the resurrection, a temple is built in the saint's heart. This is called the kingdom of God (heaven) in the world. The kingdom of God in the hearts of believers is also called the third heaven. That is why Christ enters the temple in the hearts of believers. This is the Second Coming. Those who do not believe in the second coming of Christ will not find heaven in their hearts.

So, in the body, the self-identity revealed from the body and the spiritual self-identity born from heaven through the Holy Spirit become mixed. Here, the saints became able to identify their enemies. The “true me” is a spiritual identity born from heaven, and my enemy is none other than an identity born from the flesh. This is where most Christians get mistaken. Since they cannot identify their enemies, they do not know what Jesus means when he says to deny oneself. The object of self-denial is the physical self, and the subject that must be denied is the spiritual self. These two fight until their bodies die.

Humans are born into the world, but unfortunately, the world is like a prison for the spirit. There are people in this world who manage prisons. There is a prison warden, and there will also be subordinates. They can control prisoners by law, punish them by law when they commit illegal acts, and even make them do labor. To use a spiritual analogy, we could say that these people are public officials who play a villainous role against sinners. Spiritually, the prison leader is Satan, and those under him are angels who play villainous roles. That is why it is expressed as a dark spirit (devil, etc.). Everyone just does their part. 

However, God stamps those who “die twice to the flesh” acknowledging their innocence even before they leave the world (prison). They (saints) are no longer sinners. The guards who played the role of the villain do not and cannot interfere with them any more. We only live in the world because of our bodies. In 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” In 1 John 5:18, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.』 However, even if you are free from the bondage of a sinner, it is not Satan or a dark spirit that torments you, but the fleshly self that torments your spirit. That is why there is a constant battle with oneself. 

People get results according to their thoughts. What we say with our mouths becomes the standard for judgment, and what we say with our thoughts is the result of spiritual warfare. So, everyone falls and stands up in battle, but there is someone who will help those who realize this identity to win. That person is God. For those who are established in the temple in the hearts of believers, Christ will return to help and remind them through the Word. Those who realize their spiritual identity must be strengthened by the word of life every day to gain spiritual strength. 

 

5. The eight blessings              

(Matthew 5: 1-12)『And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 』

You should be familiar with Blessed. The law (the law of wrath) tells all humans that they are sinners. If people do not find Christ in the law, they are still sinners. Blessed are those who find Christ in the law. The source of blessing is Jesus Christ. The Bible says in Romans (3: 19-20).

『Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 』

Those who realize that they are sinners are poor in spirit. What the law tells us is that your souls are poor. In Israel, “poor” refers to a state in which there is no land to eat and live. When the Israelites came out of Egypt and entered Canaan, God divided the land by tribe. However, over time, changes occurred. The land is sold for a variety of reasons, leaving no land for cultivation. Thus, God set up a jubilee system to get it back.

However, the jubilee system was not well maintained because the people did not keep the law. The poor who have no land are deprived of it. Poor spirit means that the spirit has been taken away from home. Unless someone gives home to the Spirit, he can never escape poverty. But those who realize the meaning of the spirit in poverty can be blessed, because those who realize can repent to God and put on the body of the spirit.

The Bible says in Leviticus (25:23).『The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 』The Hebrew word for resident is the word ger. Moses' name is Gershom. It means being a foreigner. Precisely speaking, a foreigner comes to live in another country. Israel received land as an inheritance, which is a promise. The promise means giving God's kingdom as an inheritance. That is, in this land (material world), humans are strangers. It is a stranger from God's kingdom. Residents are the same as permanent residence, while those living in a dwelling are temporary residence. Residents represent Israel, and dwellers symbolize Gentiles.

In Hebrews 11:13『These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 』 So, the place where people go back is the kingdom of God. We cannot go back on our own. So we plead with Jesus. Jesus allows those who died together on the cross to return to the kingdom of God. So we must repent of our departure from God and cry out.『Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 』 To mourn means to feel overwhelmed. The spirit in men was with God in the kingdom of God. By the way, when he realized that the spirit was deceived by Satan and robbed the tabernacle of God and was trapped in the dust of the material world, he was so cylindrical.

The Bible says in Luke (18: 7).『And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 』 Those who have been brought to the temptations of Satan to cry out for the night and day to restore the body of spirit that has been taken away. The chosen must pray like this. The way they can be comforted by God is to return to the Father as dead, like the parable of the prodigal son.

In Psalm 135: 14『For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. 』 Here, the word comfort is expressed in Exodus 32:14 as the word “repent”.『And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. 』 In the case of the golden calf of the Israelites, it is God's turning to hear Moses' earnest prayer.

The Greek word for "turn around" means "call back", a compound word for "para" (towards) and "careo" (call back).『Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 』 The word meek is the same word ana in Hebrew as the word poor in spirit. The word ana in Hebrew means a poor state without the ability to save oneself from the economic exploitation and social oppression of the rich and powerful. They can't do anything, so they become humble. The Bible says in Numbers (in 12: 3).『(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 』 Moses was proud when he was the prince of Egypt, but after 40 years of fled to Midian, he became insignificant. God promises to those who do not have a stranger on earth and are ready to leave. The land is the land of Canaan. The inheritance is the word of God's promise.

To receive the land as an inheritance is a promise to inherit the kingdom of God in the future. When people realize that they are deceived by Satan in God's kingdom and are driven to live on this earth, they are meek by the humility of nothing on earth. Thus, the meek repent and enter into Christ. The kingdom of God is promised.

『Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 』 Blessing becomes full. In the which which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, righteousness is the righteousness that God requires. People can enter the kingdom of God only when they receive the righteousness that God acknowledges. No one can attain God's righteousness by his own efforts. The way to get right from God is to deny self. When we die on the cross with Jesus, God gives righteousness. The meaning of “hunger” is what Joseph said when he became prime minister in Genesis, when the people of Egypt had no food for famine.

Thirsty, the Israelites blamed Moses for lack of water in Meriva. The Bible says in Exodus (17: 3).『And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 』 God commanded Moses to water him out of the rock, which Moses struck twice with his staff. The rock represents Jesus Christ.

God gave the law to the Israelites. Thus, the people would keep the law and do right. But God gave the law to realize that it was a sinner who could not achieve righteousness, and the people did not understand it. The meaning of “do hunger and thirst”, which Jesus speaks of, refers to a time when the people keep trying to do righteousness by keeping the law and realize that they can hardly achieve it.

『Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 』(5:7) Mercy means God's mercy. The object of mercy we can think of is man. To love a brother is to save the brother's dead spirit. A merciful person is merciful from God. The Bible says in Leviticus (19:18).『Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. 』 Love means saving the spirit. Brother's spirit is in death, and we must give the light of life.

The Bible says in 1 John (3: 14-15).『We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 』

The Bible says the same thing in 1 John (4:20).『If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 』

『Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 』(5:8) The meaning of cleanliness of the heart can be seen in Psalm 24: 4. 『He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 』

The purity of the heart means "one who does not put his will in vain and does not swear falsely." In Psalm 19: 8『The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 』 He who is pure in heart brightens his eyes and sees God. The law is pure.

Thus, when they try to keep the law, they realize that they cannot keep it, and they discover the Christ of salvation. To discover Christ is to look to God. For Christ is God. In John 14: 9『Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 』 Today, those who keeps the law are not pure in heart.

『Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 』(5:9) Jesus is the reconciler between God and sinners. Sinners cannot come to God. But because of Christ, sinners can reach out to God. When sinners repent and die with Jesus, who died on the cross, all sinners' sins vanish, enter into Christ, and be at peace with God.

Thus, those who are in Christ make other sinners at peace with God. By preaching the word of God, we let other sinners repent and return to God.『Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 』(5:10)

Many church people think that this is "persecuted by the world as they go to church." For in Roman times Christians were persecuted for believing in Jesus.

In "For Righteousness" you should know well that "righteousness". Jesus is telling the Jews who want to realize the meaning of God through the law. The Jews did not even understand the meaning of John the Baptist or Jesus' repentance toward the Jews.

To repent means to find Christ in the law, but not. So Jesus is persecuted by the Jews. Today we are to be freed from the law of the church and to enter into Christ.

Nevertheless, there are many who practice law. Many church people still think that they can only be saved by paying tithing, that the church building is a temple, and that they can only meet God there, and that they can only be saved by repenting their sins every day. All of this comes from legal thinking.

Jesus died on the cross because God is just. Jesus died on behalf of all sinners. But unless sinners repent, God does not forgive sin. Those who repent of their sins that have left God can receive righteousness from God. Repentance is united with the death of Jesus and dying on the cross with Jesus.

There must be judgment in sin. For sin that leaves God, the result is death. Sinners must die with Jesus to be forgiven. The dead with Jesus are forgiven not only of the original sin (the original sin of heaven, the original sin of the earth), but of all the past, present, and future sins of this world. But those who think legally in the Church condemn and persecute these words. What they think is the way to righteousness. They say that they are saved only by faith, but they are not free from legal thought.

『Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 』(5:11) There will be many of these things in the church. As to what happens between the gospel and the law in the church, Jesus spoke in the parable of the ten virgins. The wise five virgins prepared another oil jar, but the foolish five virgins could not prepare another. Another oil barrel means the Holy Spirit.

By dying on the cross with Jesus Christ, we are born again into the body of the Spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit, receiving the filling of the Holy Spirit. But the one who did not prepare for the other oil canisters thought of Jesus as the bridegroom, but still considered the law, saying that there was no holy spirit.

Jesus told the Jews about the eight blessings on the Sermon on the Mount. God gave the people the Law and told them to keep righteousness. The fundamental reason is that you realize that you are sinners who cannot keep the law and are sinners who have left the kingdom of God, and that you cannot be saved unless you find Christ.

So Jesus told the Jews to repent. Blessing is finding Christ in the law, realizing that they are sinners. But the people did not find Christ, and Jesus was crucified.

 

6. The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer (1)

『After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 』 (Matthew 6: 9-13) Prayer is not telling my requirements before God, but asking God's will to be done on earth. God decides all wills and plans, but man's supplication to God is God's glory.

① Jesus said 『Our Father which art in heaven』.『 God is in heaven. Those who pray are on earth, "God and I are not one." That is why humans on earth pray to God in heaven. This has the same meaning as God put Israel into Egypt. Those who pray are those who have left God and are confined in the world. In John (17:11), Jesus prayed.

『And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 』Jesus prayed in John (17:22).

『And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 』 This is Jesus' prayer before the cross, and it is a prayer to be one. There can be many purposes for Jesus to come to the world, but ultimately humans are to be one with God. For the Father in heaven and the humans on earth were not one.

Why can't God and humans become one? Because he has left God. To be one, we need to return to God. Paul said in Ephesians (5: 30-32).

『For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 』 Those who are in Christ are men of Christ. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) This means that Christ comes to earth and forms one body (union) with the church (those in Christ). It was originally one.

Through the Garden of Eden, the man (Adam) and the woman (Hawa) were originally one, which the Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians. "Christ and the Church were originally one. Who are the churches? Those who came into Christ. Therefore, they were one with Christ before they left God. The reason why Christ and the church were united was because they were originally one member. So, the apostle Paul says, "This secret is great." What great secret can be "to be one as a couple" between men and women?

②『Hallowed be thy name.』This means that God's name is not sanctified. 『 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. 』(Ezekiel 36:20) Because the Israelites were unclean and idolatry in their land, God scattered Israel into nations. Jehovah's name was defiled in the lands of nations. The time when God's name is sanctified is found in Ezekiel (chapters 34-37). God calls Israel into their homeland, making it like a paradise and sanctifying his name. Then all people sanctify the name of Jehoa, saying that they have Israel and are Jehovah's people. Those who have left God are sanctified when they return to Him. For only God is good and holy.

③ “Thy kingdom come.” This word means “Let God's kingdom be on this earth.” What is the kingdom of God? It is the place where the perfect rule of God is achieved. Governance is a place in the Holy Spirit. The concept of the kingdom of God is not a concept of place but of the working of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes 100%, God's kingdom comes and God's reign comes.

As Jesus says in John 17, "God and people become one, as the Father and Jesus are one." "Thy kingdom come" means "to come to this world", and "to make it in me." If Jesus asks, "Let the kingdom of God come," this is not the kingdom of God. The Bible says that humans have left God and realize it, so let the kingdom of God come.

The primary meaning of the coming of the kingdom of God is the coming of the Messiah's kingdom into this world. It is a nation where Jesus Christ returns and reigns. This refers to the millennial kingdom of Revelation. Secondly, it is God's kingdom for me. Jesus said in Luke (17:20-21). And when 『he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 』 Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God in you. If the kingdom of God is in me, then I will have perfect rulership of God. It is to be one with God.

In John (17: 11-15), Jesus said, "Be one." This word speaks of the perfect reign of God in the Holy Spirit. That is, perfect communion with God in the Holy Spirit. 『 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 』 (Genesis 2: 23-24)

This content has profound meaning. Originally, because it was one, it must be one again. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians (5: 30-32):『 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 』

What is the great mystery of the apostle Paul? It is not easy to see. This mystery is about the relationship between Christ and the church. The union of Christ and the church is one. In Genesis (2:25) the Bible says:『 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. 』The word naked was unknowing about the kingdom of God. Jesus called the Pharisees blind, which is blind to the kingdom of God. The fact that Adam and Eve were naked is not physically naked, but spiritually naked. Paul says in 2 Corinthians (5: 1-3).

『 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 』 This is a description of the tabernacle of the flesh and the tabernacle of the kingdom of God. It is spiritual nakedness that took off the tabernacle of the kingdom of God. Taking off the veil of the flesh is the death of the flesh. The apostle Paul explains the desire to put on the tabernacle of God after the death of the flesh.

The Lord's Prayer (2)

④『Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 』 What Jesus tells us in the Lord's Prayer is not to ask for anything in the world. People are now living on earth, but what people ask of their heavenly Father is to fulfill what God has planned since the creation. Many do not know about God.

People say that God is omnipotent, but humans think of God as their omnipotent. God created the world and it was "very good" in God's eyes. People believe that God is omnipotent. However, if God tried to create the world perfectly, but he understood that Satan was involved and the world must be destroyed because of human error, they did not regard God as “all-powerful”.

It is like thinking that God's omnipotence can be changed by some external factor. This is God's omnipotence in the human way, not really knowing about God's omnipotence. Although people believe that God created all things in this world, perfect and blessed, they are forced to think that "God must destroy this world."

Only God is good. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus also speaks with a rich young man, saying, "Only God is good," but people think that God judges good and evil. It is not judgment, but everything but God is evil. People misunderstand that God is involved in evil as people misunderstand God as good and evil.

To judge evil, one must know about evil. Knowing evil means "experientially knowing evil." God has nothing to do with evil. There is no evil in the kingdom of God. "Leaving from God" is evil. There is no good and no evil before God. Evil is Satan who left God. Followers of Satan are evil.

Escape from God is evil. People do not know about the goodness of God. These are the ones who drop God's name to the ground. Therefore, we must know well about God's omnipotence and God's absolute goodness. If we believe in almighty God, we must believe that God "planned from creation to the end." Satan's intervention or human error does not transform God's creation.

God has accomplished the will in heaven. God's will is said in John (6:40).『 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 』 The Bible says in Ephesians (1: 4-5):『 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will』

God's will is that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved, and this will be established before the foundation of the world. God did not make this will for those who are holy and unblemished, but for those who are faulty and unholy. A blemished and unholy person is one who has left God. Why did God mean this when nothing happened before the creation? When we say that God knows and made this will about what will happen after creation, it is as if God's creation is not perfect but will be transformed. This will bring forth the results of an omnipotent, good God in vain.

Satan's opposition to God occurred before the creation of the world. By the way, does it make sense to say that nothing happened before the creation of the world, and that it was expected to happen after creation, and that God had planned in advance? If God knew beforehand that man would fall after creation, why did he leave the Son of God even to die on the cross? Those who do not believe in the Son of God must enter hell. If God had known of man's fall beforehand, wouldn't God change it so that man did not fall? This makes it impossible to say, "The God of perfect good."

When did God intend to presume Christ and save all who believe in him? The word before creation means eternity. The meaning of eternity is taken by humans as meaning "endless time." Human thought cannot escape this. Eternity cannot be understood within the concept of time and space because it is not in the spirit world.

The world of time and space is different from the world of eternity. However, people try to understand the world of eternity based on the world of time and space. The material world exists to express the spirit world. God created the material world for this. Jesus said, "I have come to save the one who is trapped in darkness."The prisoner of darkness was originally a spirit in Christ.

Why is the spirit in Christ in darkness? Says in John (1: 9).

『That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world』 The Bible says in John 1: 5.『 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.』 Darkness as used here and darkness as used in Genesis (1: 2) are synonymous.『And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 』

Because there was no light, it was shining in the dark. As Jesus shined in darkness, Jesus Christ, the light of life, was shining on human beings in darkness, indicating that Jesus came in darkness. The darkness in Genesis is the darkness of the world. The world without God is darkness.

Jesus says in John (6:63):『 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 』

⑤『 Give us this day our daily bread 』 This means, “Give me the food of the kingdom of God,” so that the will of heaven can be done on earth. Today, most people think that “daily food” is a fleshly food that is eaten every day. Jesus said in Matthew (6:25)『 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 』 And Jesus also spoke in Luke (12:29).

『And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 』 The bread of life is needed for the will of heaven to be done on earth. The same thing is said in John (6:27). Do not work for rotten food, but for food that is eternal. The bread of life is the everlasting covenant (the covenant that all people will be saved by the seed). When Jesus gave bread to the disciples before the cross, he said, "This is my body," and gave the cup, "This is the new covenant in my blood." The new covenant is the eternal covenant God speaks. The eternal covenant refers to Jesus Christ, the covenant with God, Abraham, and Isaac, and the seed of promise. The bread is the eternal covenant. Those who die with Jesus enter into God's eternal covenant.

The Lord's Prayer (3)

⑥『 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  』 This is literally an ambiguous expression that doesn't seem right. We must forgive our sins first, and God will forgive us. Some biblical scholars say that they have changed back and forth. They claim that we should forgive others' sins, just as God has forgiven our sins.

But what is said in the Lord's Prayer is almost the same as in Matthew (14: 14-15).『And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 』

"God's forgiveness of human sin" is a Greek grammar of the past perfect usage. Our forgiveness for the sins of others is now in progress. According to the tense, the grammar is incorrect: It is not good to say that God has forgiven our sins in the past because we have forgiven the sins of others. Then the phrase “because God forgave our sins, we forgive the sins of others,” is tender in tense.

By the way, the translation of our words is in the opposite tense. And logically, it doesn't make sense to say that "God forgave us first, we forgive others first and God forgive us on that basis." God seems first, but man first seems to be wrong.

By the way, let us examine the background of Jesus' words. In Matthew (vv. 18: 23-35), we can understand the parable of the 10,000 Tarland debtors, who did not forgive the 100 Dennaron debtors.

『So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.』(Matthew 18:35)

This is the same as Matthew's (14: 14-15) saying, "If you forgive a man's fault first, God forgives him." This is man's forgiveness first, and God's forgiveness comes after. The reason why God does this, however, is to understand well what we are talking about in connection with 100 denarius and 10,000 Talent debt relief.

Peter asks Jesus, and when my brother sinned against me, how many times should I forgive? Peter asked if I could forgive my brother seven times. Jesus replied that you must forgive seventy times seven times. This is to forgive indefinitely. It is the words of Matthew 18: 23-35 that explain indefinite forgiveness. For all men owe 10,000 talents, and brothers owe 100 denarius. 10,000 talents and 100 denarius are incomparable. Ten thousand talents are equivalent to about one billion dollars today, and 100 denarius is equivalent to three months' wages (a few thousand dollars). That's a billion dollars and thousands of dollars. Therefore, people must be forgiven unconditionally.

When I think about it, I have already been forgiven a lot of debt from God. So my sin is solved. Now after I have been forgiven, I have a 100 denarius bond I have. We must forgive others. If the 10,000 talents who have been forgiven do not forgive their debtors, the cancellation of 10,000 debts is cancelled.

God has forgiven sin, which means "to invalidate" the forgiveness, but if we forgive others afterwards, God will restore him to the original position where he had forgiven his sins in the past. Thus, God forgives our sins, as we forgive our debtors. But if a forgiven person does not forgive others 'sins, then the sinner later realizes his fault and forgives others' sins, and God returns to the past where he forgave his sins. So, I forgive my brother for now is the progressive, and forgiveness of my sins for God is the past. Since I forgive others' sins, God has forgiven my sins in the past.

This can be seen as saying that salvation from God can be canceled. However, it is difficult if so accepted. If you can't forgive others, it means "you don't repent and believe in Jesus Christ only by words." True repentance is the one who forgives everyone's sins. Thus, it is possible that those who cannot forgive others have not been saved. Even though he thought himself “convinced of salvation,” it is possible that he was not saved. Look back on your first repentance. Those who repent and enter into Christ cannot be canceled. But those who do not repent are those who think they are saved, even though they are not saved.

In addition to denying oneself, repentance includes forgiving others. Those who do not repent do not have the grace of God to love others. If there is God's grace, it means, "You must forgive your brother's sin." In other words, if you realize God's tremendous love, you must naturally convey God's love to others, but hating your brother makes no sense. .

⑦『And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil』, God chose the foolish way of evangelism to achieve salvation. Jesus made twelve disciples and preached the gospel to the end of the world. However, because of having a weak body in the process of evangelism, the prayer, "Let us not fall by Satan's deception," is the prayer "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Jesus also said, "Do not fall into evil." The Bible says in John (17:15).『I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 』 Although Jesus' disciples could fall into evil when they go out into the world and preach the gospel, Jesus prayed to God for his disciples so that they might not fall into that evil. Jesus was tested by Satan before God began his public works. Jesus defeated all temptations and defeated Satan. We are not to be tempted from Satan. As we expand the kingdom of God and witness the divine forgiveness of our sins, we must pray that we will not be tempted and fall into evil while in this world.

It is evil to leave God. This is an old man derived from the flesh and from Satan. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians (6:12).『 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 』 Those who have a body have no power to fight wicked spirits. The power to fight evil spirits is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. That is the gospel of salvation. Satan has everything in the world and is trying to knock down the saints. Because the saints have a body, even if there are temptations of the world, they must pray for their evangelism, not to fall, to fall into evil, and to overcome them.

Says in Matthew(24:24).『For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.』 To those who carry life, Satan will not just look. Pray for evangelism. In order for God's name to be glorified, we must have God's will done on earth. We must make those who have left God repent and turn back to God. This is evangelism.

 

Part 3. Jesus’ missionary journey

Ⅰ. Healing the demon-possessed and the sick

1. Healing a person possessed by an unclean spirit

Mark 1:23-27『And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.』

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Jews did not gather publicly and perform religious ceremonies on the Sabbath. This day was a day of rest and not a day for performing any religious duties. Of course, there were rituals observed privately in Jewish families, but there were no separate rituals held publicly. Jews visited the Temple in Jerusalem three times a year. During the Jewish holidays of Tabernacles, Weeks, and Passover, all Jewish men had to come to the temple.

However, temple-centered religion ends with the destruction of Judah. In 587 B.C., Judah was occupied by Babylon, and Jerusalem was destroyed. The temple was destroyed, and its objects were moved to Babylon. Until now, the temple was the center of Israel's faith, a symbol and focal point of Israel. But all those religious symbols disappeared. So what they found was the Word. During the captivity, they were rather obsessed with the Word. The sacred documents were organized and compiled into books. This was something that was neglected in the temple tradition where ancestral rites were the center. And instead of a temple, they created an institution called a synagogue.

When more than 10 Jewish men gathered together, they were required to build a synagogue. The important thing is that the synagogue was not a building, but people, that is, a community, were its constituent elements. Also, it was possible to build a synagogue by gathering just 10 Jewish men. Only 10 people were needed, no larger building was needed, and no priests or Levites were needed. That is why synagogues could be built everywhere. There, the Jews began to have liturgies centered on the Word rather than sacrifices.

Any adult male could take a Bible scroll and read and interpret it in front of the congregation. There were no complicated restrictions. The best use of that system was the ministry of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. Wherever they went, they found a synagogue, took out the Word, read it, and interpreted it according to the new gospel. Such a synagogue tradition had already been passed down for hundreds of years since the time of exile.

The most important significance of the synagogue was that it created the religious rituals they would perform on the Sabbath. Based on a community of 10 or more adult men near people, a ritual centered on words rather than ancestral rites arose. Thanks to their accessibility, people can visit the synagogue, a religious institution, every Sabbath. As the ancestral rites disappeared, the privileged classes such as priests and royal family could not rule. In their stead, anyone could become the center of the liturgy. With this, the Sabbath became not just a day of rest, but a day of worship to God. The Sabbath became a day to read, interpret, and engrave the meaning of the Word.

In the synagogue demon-possessed (Tophneuma to akasarton), Tophneuma (τὸ πνεῦμα) is the spirit (Holy Spirit). Spirit means angel. To Akasarton (τὸ ἀκάθαρτον) means impure, meaning a sinner. In other words, ghosts are angels who manage sinners. This sinner has nothing to do with Jesus. They mean those who have nothing to do with the kingdom of God. “What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth?”

The meaning of a person possessed by a demon refers to a demon (angel) and a sinner managed by a demon. Ghosts are also angels. Ghosts are just angels who take on the role of villains who manage sinners. What the angel is saying is, “Jesus, this person is a sinner under my control, but it has nothing to do with you, does it?” Every human being has an angel like this. He confines sinners in the dirt and does not allow them to come out. However, when a sinner becomes a free person, the angel becomes an angel preaching the gospel to him.

This is what the demon says to Jesus: 『 art thou come to destroy (Aporesai) us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.』Apo means to separate from ~. Resai comes from the word "olethros" and means to be destroyed. So, in Aporesai, the ghost asks, “Will this sinner be separated from us and our management will end?” And the ghost clearly knows who Jesus is. He knows that the Holy One of God has the power to forgive sins.

『And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.』 This is the moment when a sinner becomes a free person because the demon comes out of that person. Even if the ghost goes out and you become a free person, you can return to being a sinner again. Because if you are not reborn through water and the Holy Spirit, demons can enter again.

『what new(Kaineκαινῆ) doctrine(Didache διδαχὴ) is this? for with authority(Exousian) commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.』Didache is a legal term, meaning judicial authority. Caine Didache, a new teaching, is used in 2 Corinthians 3:6. 『Who also hath made us able ministers of the new (Caine) testament (Didache); not of the letter, but of the spirit(pneuma): for the letter killeth, but the spirit gives life.』

Here, Didache is translated as covenant, and it is said that the new covenant is made of spirit (pneuma), and the spirit is what gives life. In other words, the imprisoned sinner was released due to the special pardon power of the Son of God. In Luke 22:19-20, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” So the new teaching is the new covenant, which means “drinking the blood of Jesus (dying with him on the cross), It means that “one who eats flesh (is resurrected with Christ) is free from sin.”

『for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits (to pneuma to akasarton), and they do obey him.』 Jesus commands the angel (topneuma) who supervises sinners, and the angel (demonic) obeys the Son of God. The reason why the angel obeys Jesus is after Satan (the devil) tested Jesus and clearly confirmed that he was the Son of God, the angel who manages sin obeyed Jesus.

Therefore, all angels (ghosts) who play the villain must obey the Son of God. In Mark 1:13, “And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts (Derion); and the angels ministered unto him.』Derion is a beast, meaning a sinner in the form of a beast wearing a human mask. Jesus (the lawyer) argues with Satan (the prosecutor) to free the criminal. As a result, the sinner is released thanks to the victory of Jesus (the lawyer).

 

2. Cure a fever

Mark 1:29-30『And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they told him of her.』

Simon and Andrew were brothers. Simon was married and his mother-in-law lived with him. Simon and Andrew became disciples of Jesus and became spiritual people, but Simon's mother-in-law is still portrayed as a physical person. To “lie down with a fever” means to be under Satan’s control. So Jesus frees her from Satan's control.

The Bible expresses that "Simon's mother-in-law was lying (catekeito) with a fever (pureso)," and in Luke 4:38, Simon's wife's mother was taken (synekomene) with a great (puretos) fever. In Matthew 8:14, the expression is to lie down sick (veblemenen).

Pureso, a fever, is used in Acts 28:2, “And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of.” the cold.』Pyran is derived from pyr (πυρ), which means fire. In Acts 2:3, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire(πυρ), and it sat upon each of them.” Here, fire means the fire baptism of the Holy Spirit. The tongues of fire are reminiscent of lightning, and represent the fiery judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The word "lay sick of" (Veblemenen: base form "ballo") is used in Matthew 3:10, "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire(ballo).』"lay sick of"(ballo) is the fire(ballo) judgment. Therefore, the Bible tells us that a person “lying in bed with a fever” is a person who must be spiritually judged by fire.

In the Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptist spoke of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of fire, which is used in Luke 12:49. 『I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?』What Jesus did for three years was to throw fire on the earth. In chapter 12 verse 50, “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Baptism by fire symbolizes the death (judgment) of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Bible tells us that all people will be judged by fire like the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The first judgment by fire occurred in Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:24-25『Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that grew upon the ground. 』

וַֽיהוָ֗ה הִמְטִ֧יר עַל־סְדֹ֛ם וְעַל־עֲמֹרָ֖ה גָּפְרִ֣ית וָאֵ֑שׁ מֵאֵ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה מִן־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

וַֽיַּהֲפֹךְ֙ אֶת־הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔ל וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־הַכִּכָּ֑ר וְאֵת֙ כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הֶעָרִ֔ים וְצֶ֖מַח הָאֲדָמָֽה׃

The darkness has passed and the day is bright. The brightness of the day means the darkness is disappearing. In sulfur and fire, sulfur is the resin of the cedar tree. The gin used in Noah's ark was cedar tree gin, symbolizing the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The fire is the fire of the Holy Spirit (Esh), and it is the judgment that engulfed Sodom and Gomorrah. In Deuteronomy 4:24, “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

『And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.』"God's righteous judgment" is the salvation of all sinners through the righteousness of one man.  For all sinners who enter into Christ through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross: It means that the old self is burned to death and a new person is born from heaven (baptism with the Holy Spirit) and is saved.

In Revelation 20:13-15, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to his works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.』

In the lake of fire, the fire is the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the lake is water, signifying the Word of God. Those who are not in Christ will fall into the lake of fire. In other words, the old self (soul) is burned to death in fire (baptism by fire), and the body of sin (physical body) is drowned in water (baptism by water). This is what John 3:5 says, “being born of water and the Spirit.” Through the baptism of fire, death and Hades fall into the lake of fire. In the second death, everything (body of sin and old soul) dies, and the spiritual body (new soul) is reborn (resurrection) through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It says, “he came and took (egeiren) her by the hand, and lifted her up,” which symbolizes rebirth and resurrection. Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began to Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised (egerdenai: ἐγερθῆναι) again the third day.』Egerdenai (ἐγερθῆναι) is expressed in English as be raised to life (niv) and be raised again (kjv). It means to rise (from the dead). Through Simon (Peter)'s mother-in-law, Jesus foreshadows the death and resurrection of the cross.

『 and she ministered(διηκόνει) unto them. 』διηκόνει means to become an attendant, to perform the work of a deacon. Simon's mother-in-law dies physically and becomes an attendant in Jesus' ministry in spirit. She was under the control of Satan and came into Jesus Christ. Even Satan tested Jesus, but after the test was over (passed), Satan also served Jesus Christ in the role of an angel. In Mark 1:13, “And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.(Diekoun διηκόνουν)

 

3. Healing the paralytic

In Mark 2:3-12, we see Jesus healing a paralytic patient. However, Jesus said to the patient, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” And then, in chapter 2 verses 9-12, “Whether it is easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.』

In Luke 5:21, “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaks blasphemies? The thought is, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Jesus said to the paralytic, “thy sins be forgiven thee.” The paralyzed man came to be cured. Why did Jesus say this? The Jews thought that Jesus' words were 『this man speaks blasphemies』. The Jews believe that the only one who can forgive sins is God, but when a man named Jesus comes and says he has the power to forgive sins, the Jews think that he is insulting God.

『When Jesus saw their faith.』 The church people think that because the paralyzed man came with earnest faith, he was healed of his illness. So, the interpretation is expanded to say, “If we pray earnestly, the problem will be solved.” Jesus saw the faith that the paralyzed man had. So Jesus was well aware of the faith of the paralyzed patient. There is a difference between the faith of the paralytic that Jesus saw and the faith that church people think of today.

Jesus was the Messiah the Israelites had been waiting for. Because they had been waiting for the Messiah for a long time, they had expectations about Jesus. The expectation is for Israel to realize and welcome Jesus, the Messiah. However, Israel does not realize the Messiah. Although they were waiting for the Messiah, they did not have earnest faith in the Messiah.

The paralyzed person was unable to move on his own, so he was in such a state that he could not move without the help of another person. Likewise, the spiritual meaning of a paralytic patient means a person who cannot enter the kingdom of God without the help of Jesus Christ. The paralyzed person did not just come to receive healing for his body that was unable to move. He came to cure a paralytic, but his greater purpose was to meet the Messiah whom he had heard about for a long time. The paralyzed man discovered the Messiah in the law, and finally met the Messiah in the field because of his paralysis.

Jesus saw their faith. The name “Jesus” means the one who will save his people from their sins. Jesus knew that “the paralyzed man came to confirm that Jesus, the Messiah, was the one who fulfilled God’s promise.” Jesus said to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus said this because he saw the paralyzed man's faith.

Luke 5:22-26 『But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things. to day.

『thy sins be forgiven thee..』 In this scene, the scribes did not think that the paralyzed man had been forgiven of his sins. They cannot believe in the forgiveness of sins. So, to them, saying, “Your sins are forgiven,” seemed more difficult than saying, “Get up and walk.” The reason Jesus said this was to let people know that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins in the world. As soon as Jesus spoke, “I say to thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house..” Then the scribes and the people gathered there became afraid of Jesus, and they began to fear God. He realized that the power of came to Jesus. The saying, 『that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins』 means that the Son of Man came to the world to forgive sins.

 

 

4. Healing a man with a withered hand

Mark 3:1-5『And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he said unto the man which had the withered hand, stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.』

The Greek word for “the man which had the withered hand” is “ἐξηραμμένην ἔχων τὴν χεῖρα”. In Revelation 14:15, “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; “Exerande” is the same word as “Exerammenen” (ἐξηραμμένην) in Mark 3:1. The basic form is exeraino, which means dry, dry, land.

It is an expression that means “a sickle wielded to reap the grain of the earth.” Land means Israel (Jews). Jerusalem was destroyed around A.D. 70. The harvesters are the Jews who harvest from the land (old temple). These are old people.

The harvest is in Mark 4:26-29, “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And he should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.』

In addition to the harvest (end) for the temple in Jerusalem, there is also a personal end. Each individual also has an old temple (old person). “The collapse of the old temple and the creation of a new heaven and new earth” is the concept of harvest. So the apocalypse does not occur at the end of history.

Ultimately, “the man who had the withered hand” is the one who must be harvested. Those who are not being harvested are “those with withered hands.” Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? 』He asked. The Lord of the Sabbath is Jesus Christ. Those who do good on the Sabbath have accepted Jesus Christ and are bearing fruit. This becomes “a person with a withered hand who realizes the meaning of the death and resurrection of the cross and accepts it with faith.”

『Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole』(ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρα.

“Stretch, ekteinon (ἔκτεινον)” is a combination of ek (from) and teino (stretch out). Ek is a way of expressing one’s ideology or idea. Those who agree with this raise their hands. It means to stretch out. So it has the same meaning as “those who agree with Jesus, stretch out their hands.”

Regarding Ek (ἔκ), in Colossians 4:11, “And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision (Ek Peritomemes ἐκ περιτομῆς). These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.』

In the circumcision sect, ek (ἔκ) corresponds to a faction (class). The circumcisionists are legalists. Among the legalists, there was one who understood the gospel and kept the faith, and it was Jesus called Justus. 『Stretch forth thine hand. In And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole, the ulterior meaning of this is, “I (Jesus) am the master of rest, and if you agree with what the “Lord of rest” does, you also can rest. Now that we have arrived, we have escaped from the law. Then the question is, “Will you agree with what I do?” So, the one with the withered hand stretched out his hand.

All who are under the law have withered hands. They are the ones who should be harvested, but they were not able to do so. That is why Jesus came to harvest as the Lord of Sabbath. Therefore, all who are in Christ are those who have reached out to Jesus.

『when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts』The expression “the hardness of their hearts” appears in Romans 11:6-7. Τί οὖν; ὃ ἐπιζητεῖ Ἰσραήλ, τοῦτο οὐκ ἐπέτυχεν, ἡ δὲ ἐκλογὴ ἐπέτυχεν· οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ ἐπωρώθησαν,

『And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; But the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. The Greek word for “were blinded.” is Ephorodesan (ἐπωρώθησαν), which means stubborn.

However, Israel is actively seeking him (God). Israel is currently actively seeking God through the Old Testament.

This is what Israel is trying to gain through the law. They try to find God through the law, but the Bible tells us that they do not find God that way, but that they discover Him momentarily and by chance.

We can see that meeting God is not achieved through human will, but through God's sovereignty. The reason Israel became stubborn was because they adhered to the law and did not receive the Holy Spirit.

 

5. A woman with an issue of blood for twelve years is healed

In Mark 5:25-34, “a woman who had been suffering from an issue of blood for twelve years” thought that if she touched the hem of Jesus’ clothes, she would give birth, so she came behind Jesus and touched the hem of his clothes, and the issue of blood stopped immediately. So when Jesus asked her who it was that touched her, she told everyone why she had touched her and how she had been healed. “Jesus said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’”

『 thy faith hath made thee whole; (ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε)』What does this mean? The Greek word for it is “healed.” It is an incurable disease that cannot be cured by human methods, but the sick person had a firm belief that Jesus could cure it, and this faith cured the disease. This means that God's power healed the sick through the sick's faith.

So what is this faith? “Jesus is the only one who can cure his illness,” is the belief held by the sick person. If this believer has faith, power can come from God. However, today there are countless patients, among whom are suffering and dying from disease. There will be many Christians among them. Therefore, believers try to receive prayers by laying hands on them to cure their illnesses, and they also visit prayer centers and pray earnestly for their illnesses to be cured. But how many die without any effect? How strongly do they desire to be healed? So what is the difference between cases of healing in Jesus' time and people dying today even if they pray hard? Is it the difference between whether Jesus exists or not?

Jesus appointed the Seventy and sent them on a missionary journey. In Luke 10:8-9, “And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come.” nigh unto you.』Jesus' disciples also performed amazing miracles, curing the sick and even raising the dead. Even today, is it possible to perform the same amazing miracles of healing as in the days of the early church?

Two conditions must be met. It is a situation between the person who heals the illness and the person who is healed. He who heals the sick is said in 1 Corinthians 12:9, “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;』

The Holy Spirit gives faith to some people and the gift of healing to others. This means that illness cannot be cured without the power of the Holy Spirit. And the sick person also needs to have a firm belief that the power of the Holy Spirit will heal their illness. Ultimately, this cannot happen without the Holy Spirit. Healing occurs through people who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The reason for healing with the Holy Spirit is related to salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 12:10-11, “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.』“His will” is the will of God. God's will is to believe in his Son. In John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

However, mysticism appears in the church today. People in mysticism say that they have been healed by the Holy Spirit. Numerous church people cheer at the sight and approach them. Do they really heal with the power of the Holy Spirit, or are they just pseudo-believers? How to judge?

Diseases are broadly divided into two types. There are physical illnesses and spiritual illnesses. As for physical illnesses, modern medicine has advanced to the point where it is possible to treat any number of illnesses, except for a very small number of illnesses. However, the illnesses mentioned in the Bible are mostly mental or spiritual. The illness mentioned in the Bible is related to sin. At the time, Jesus cured people with hemorrhages, lepers, the blind, withered hands, and the lame, and this often appears in symbolic expressions. It shows that all humans are in this state. So, the meaning of curing an illness includes the purpose of repenting of sins, turning around, and gaining salvation. The Bible links illness and sin.

 

6. The faith of the Syrophoenician woman

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she thought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not to meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; The devil is gone out of your daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon her bed.

This is the conversation between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. A Canaanite woman said her daughter was possessed by a demon, and she begged Jesus to heal her. However, in Matthew 15:24, Jesus described the Canaanite woman as a dog, saying, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The Canaanite woman knew that Jesus was the Messiah. In Matthew 15:22, “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.』

In the words, “Son of David,” we can discover the meaning that Jesus is the Messiah. Nevertheless, Jesus intentionally ignores the woman. But the Canaanite woman said, “yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ’ she responded. Here we see that salvation is spread from Jews to Gentiles. A dog means a stranger.

When the Bible refers to a dog, it refers to the habits of a dog. In Proverbs 26:11, 『As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.』 These words apply to the people who lived under the law when God gave the Israelites freedom from the law. Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Paul said, “The people will again be subject to the yoke of bondage.”

God led the Israelites out of Egypt and performed the amazing miracle of the Red Sea parting, and the people tried to return to Egypt from the wilderness. In the eyes of God, this is as foolish as carrying a yoke of slavery. In Philippians 3:2, 『Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the precision.』

Injuring the body means circumcising the body according to the law. “Dogs, evildoers, and those who are circumcised in the flesh” refer to those who think they are saved by believing in Jesus Christ, but still cannot escape legalism. Jesus was crucified under the law, and those in Christ have all died to the law. If they try to apply the law again, they will become like dogs in God's eyes, ignoring what Jesus accomplished.

In 『Do not give what is holy to dogs』, the holy thing is the word of God. Holiness means the gospel that “those who repent and enter into Christ will be saved.” In other words, there is no need to give this gospel to those who say they believe in Jesus but say they must follow the law. God forbids those who came out of Egypt and try to return to Egypt from entering Canaan.

Although a believer has received forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ and is free from the law, if he still tries to follow the law and enter into sin, the Bible calls them dogs and pigs. Although all sins of a believer have been forgiven in Christ, if a believer tries to become a holy person by judging whether or not he will sin again based on the law, he will become a dog or a pig before God. So, 『Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you..』The legalists (dogs and pigs) are damaging the church. will be. Those who follow the law trample and hurt the saints in Christ. In the early church, legalists tried to persuade believers within the church to return to Judaism. They harassed the believers through persecution and cajoling.

In 1 John 5:16, “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.』

Sin unto death means not believing in what Jesus Christ accomplished. Jesus Christ died under the law, and those in Christ also died with Jesus under the law. So, Jesus died to all the sins in this world. Those in Christ believe that Jesus took all the sins (past, present, and future) in the world. Because those who are in Christ are dead to the world. However, if a believer says that he is saved by believing in Jesus, but that he must repent of his sins every day and receive forgiveness, he does not believe in what Jesus Christ has accomplished.

People like this commit sins that lead to death. Instead of daily asking God for forgiveness of his sins, he must first check whether he is dead to sin, to the law, and to the world. Since the believer is not dead to sin, but thinks he is in Christ, he considers repentance for forgiveness of sins necessary. In Romans 6:7, “For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

In Matthew 12:31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

Because Jesus died on the cross, all the sins of believers were resolved. However, when these words are testified, those who do not believe them are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This is because when the gospel is preached, the Holy Spirit testifies to it. So, anyone who does not believe these words of Jesus commits the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Even though Jesus Christ took all the sins of the world for those who are in Christ, If a believer still tries to repent of his sins and achieve sanctification, and thinks that he must do something to achieve salvation, he is committing the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Instead of a believer trying to achieve something, he must check “I die every day.”

Therefore, anyone who commits the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit becomes like the dogs and pigs mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 7:6). If a believer is under the law, he or she becomes a slave to sin, and anyone who commits a sin while trying to keep the law becomes a slave to sin. Those who are slaves of sin are those who do not abide in the words of Jesus. However, if a believer escapes the law, he becomes free from sin and becomes the sons of God. Those who had ears to hear Jesus heard, but those who had no ears to hear did not listen. Tax collectors and sinners believed what Jesus said, but they did not believe the Pharisees. The same would be true today. In the church today, if a believer does not stop trying to keep the law, he or she is not in Christ.

 

7. Jesus heals a deaf and slurred man

Mark 7:32-35 『And they brought unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.』

Ears mean ears to hear. If a person listens to the world, but does not spiritually hear the words of the kingdom of God, he or she is spiritually deaf. Those who stutter are those who cannot properly preach the gospel because they do not understand the meaning of God's word. They preach the gospel, but they spread the word of truth in a distorted way, making them double the children of hell.

“He put his fingers (dactylus δακτύλους) into his ears (otah ὦτα) (evalen ἔβαλεν) and spit (phthysas πτύσας) and touched his tongue (gloses γλώσσης) (hessato ἥψατο).”

“Dactylus,” a finger, has the root deka (10:10). In Matthew 20:24, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.” Ten (10) means perfection. The finger of Jesus is an expression of someone who has complete authority. The sentence to which otah (ear) is applied is Luke 4:21, “And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Here, ear means spiritual ear. Those whose spiritual ears are open will receive the full power of Jesus.

“Evalen” means to throw, as in Matthew 3:10, “And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire..』In Luke 14:35, 『It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.』If Jesus' spiritual ears are not opened, he throws them away. However, when spiritual ears are opened, the power of God enters.

Ptyusas is translated as spitting, which means “folding a scroll.” In Luke 4:20, “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down.” And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.』Folding the scroll (Bible) means folding it around the part where Jesus wanted to say.

Glosses means tongue, language, and dialect. In 1 Corinthians 14:5, 『I would that ye all spake with tongues (Glosses) but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 』

Hepsato means “to touch, to belong.” The root of hexato is derived from hexaz (to light a fire), and is found in Luke 8:16, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but set it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.』

This is best expressed in Revelation 3:22: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” The seven churches in the Book of Revelation typify the churches of today. Even today, there are churches like the church in Laodicea. When Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea, he says, “I know your works.” Usually, church people understand the “actions” that Jesus spoke of as “no faith, no zeal.” They understand Jesus’ words to mean, “It’s not that you don’t go to church, and it’s not that you come to church and work hard.” However, the action referred to here is related to something.

In John 6:27, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” This has to do with food for eternal life. Anything related to food for eternal life is God's work, and it is about believing in the one whom God sent. In other words, everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will receive eternal life. Regarding gaining eternal life, it is said, “It is neither hot nor cold.” Jesus said, “Neither cold nor hot; I will spit it out of my mouth.” “My mouth” is Jesus. From the mouth of Jesus comes the word of God, which is, “You are lukewarm and not mine.”

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:』 This is a lukewarm state. Jesus said to the church, “A rich person means a saved person.” People think they are saved, but Jesus says, “No.” They are wretched, deaf, blind, and stutterers regarding the kingdom of God. Jesus is saying to the Laodicea believers, “You go to church and say that your sins are forgiven and that you are saved, but as for the kingdom of God, where you are not saved, you are poor, wretched, and pitiful.” They think, “I believed in Jesus and was saved,” but Jesus says, “I don’t know you.”

Although they say they believe in Jesus, they believe according to their own thoughts, saying, “The Holy Spirit is good and the law is good, even though they are bound by the law.” It belongs here. These people have never actually met Jesus. It means that they are not awake to the word of God, and a veil is still hidden in front of them. In 2 Corinthians 3:14, “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail unkened away in the reading of the old testament; He said, “which vail is done away in Christ.” Jesus points out that they are “people who say they believe in Jesus Christ, but they are still keeping the law because they are covered with a veil.”

『Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.』Jesus is knocking outside the church door. However, they cannot open the door because they have no ears to hear. This means, “Because they do not open the door, Jesus cannot enter.” This means, “I do not believe in forgiveness of sins and salvation through Jesus Christ.” However, if one says, “I received forgiveness of sins and was saved through Jesus Christ,” he must be a person who has nothing to do with the law. Jesus is above the law, and it is difficult for someone to say, “I believe in Jesus,” but believe in the law below Jesus.

Jesus said, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The people of the Laodicea church think, “All are saved,” but they said, “Buy from me (Jesus) gold (the word of God) refined by fire (the Holy Spirit).” Jesus tells believers, “Understand the Word of God written with inspiration by the Holy Spirit.”

『Be Rich』 means being rich for the kingdom of God. This means that the Church of Laodicea is not rich. It means that the Church of Laodicea does not have the word of God. White clothes speak of God’s righteousness. In order for believers to buy white clothes, they must not rely on anything else, but only enter into Jesus Christ. In order for a believer to enter into Christ, he must die on the cross with Jesus. Being “naked” means “not a righteous person but a sinner.” The phrase “Buy eye salve and apply it to your eyes” means “Hear the word of God and understand it.”It means, “Open your eyes to the kingdom of God.” With your eyes opened like that, it means, 『Meet Jesus on the cross.』 The word “meet” means being united with Jesus on the cross.

He said, “Repent, for I rebuke and discipline those whom I love; be zealous.” The word repent means, “Turn to God.” This does not mean, “Reflect on the wrongs you have done to the world,” but rather, “Return what you have turned towards the world towards God.” Regarding the church in Laodicea, the words, “Repent,” mean, “Jesus is outside the door; turn to Jesus, and let Jesus, who is outside the door, come in.” Jesus does not come in just by turning to Jesus, but when you become united with Jesus on the cross, Jesus comes in.

Jesus said, 『To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne』. He who overcomes must overcome like Jesus. Jesus overcame the world by abandoning it. Jesus triumphed over the world by dying. Because Jesus died to the world, to sin, and to the law, he overcame the world. It is explained in Romans 8:3-4: 『For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walked not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.』Although we cannot fulfill the law because our flesh is weak, God allows the law to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ, “to those who do not follow the flesh, but follow the Spirit.”

8. Jesus heals a blind man at Batheda

Mark 8:22-26『And he came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man unto him, and thought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any. in the town.( )』

There is a difference between the Netslaland Bible and the Stephanus Bible. In Chapter 7, Verse 26 of the Stephanus Bible, there is a part that says, 『μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην (Komen) εἰσέλθῃς. (And he said, “Do not tell it to anyone in the village.”)』, but it is not in the Netslaland Bible. It is not in the Revised Version and English Bible (NIV), but since the KJV Bible translates the Stephen Bible, it is expressed as “nor tell it to any in the town.”

Duplon (τυφλὸν), translated as blind, comes from the word tupou, which means arrogant. In 1 Timothy 3:6, “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fell into the condemnation of the devil.” A proud person means someone who is in legalism.

In addition to the meaning of “to touch, to touch,” ἅψηται also has the meaning of “to relate.” This word is also used in Mark 7:33. The root of hexato is derived from hexaz (to light a fire), and in Luke 8:16 it says, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but set it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.』

Epilabomenos (ἐπιλαβόμενος) means to strengthen or hold on (to achieve a goal), and in Acts 9:27 it says, “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them.” how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.』 And in Luke 9:47, “And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took(Ephilabomenos) a child, and set him by him,” here, this is a message to a legalist (blind person) who does not know about the kingdom of God. It means holding on tightly in order to know the gospel.

Ommata (ὄμματα) is translated as eye, but its etymology is derived from ὄμματα, which means “with wide-open eyes, directed toward something remarkable.” Those who do not know the kingdom of God have their eyes turned to the law. Those who keep the law and practice righteousness look to the rules of the law.

Pthysas (πτύσας) means “folding a scroll.” In Luke 4:20, “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down.” And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.』"Folding the scroll (Bible)" means folding it around the place where the words Jesus wanted to say are located.

In "Episeis tas cheiras" (translated as ἐπέθηκεν τὰς χεῖρας laying on hands), epi means to add something on top of a distribution. Tas is an article, and cheiras means hand or power. In Luke 1:66, “And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be!” And the hand of the Lord was with him.』

Regarding Blephais (Can you see?) and Anablepas (ἀναβλέψας), Jesus asked Blephais, and the man (the blind man) answered Anablepas. Blephais means to see, know, and realize, and here, Jesus is asking whether you understand the kingdom of God. However, the blind man replies, “I see with my physical eyes.” Jesus asked a question spiritually, but he answered with his physical eyes. So Jesus tries again.

『I see men as trees, (Andropus hotihos dendra ἀνθρώπους ὅτι ὡς δένδρα) walking. (Peripatuntas περιπατοῦντας) 』

Andropus is a man. In Ephesians 3:5, “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;” The secret was revealed to the holy apostles and prophets. The other generation refers to the generation without the Holy Spirit. The Sons of Man of another generation represent Jews caught up in legalism.

Tendra is derived from Drus (oak tree), symbolizes a fig tree, and means Israel. This refers to Jews who have fallen into legalism. A person who cannot see the kingdom of God is spiritually blind, and all he sees is legalism.

Peripatuntas (περιπατοῦντας) means to act, to follow (the doctrine of the Word, etc.). In Ephesians 4:1, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

Ofdalmus (ὀφθαλμοὺς), like Ommata in the previous part, is translated as eye. Ophdalmus is a word derived from Ophtanomai, which is a variant of the word Horao. An example of this word being used is Hebrews 9:28, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear(Horao) the second time without sin unto salvation.』We can know that the kingdom of God appears through Jesus to the spiritually blind who cannot see the kingdom of God.

In the difference between "Episei tas queiras (ἐπέθηκεν τὰς χεῖρας) and laying hands on him again" and "Episei tas queiras (laying on hands)" in the previous part, ephedeken has the meaning of adding, laying down, and Jephthah. In Luke 4:40, “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.』

Episeis (ἐπιθεὶς) is a demonstration of the power of miracles to help those who have fallen into legalism come out of it. However, Jews do not view Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but as a powerful Messiah. So, the Jews thought of Jesus as the Messiah who would overthrow Rome. However, secondly, ephedeken (ἐπέθηκεν) is seen as Christ dying on the cross and being resurrected. So, the spiritually dead sick people died in union with the hands of Jesus and were raised (resurrected) by his hands, and all their illnesses were cured. He (the blind man) came to know about the kingdom of God. The Bible makes us realize that the kingdom of God does not lie in legalism, but in discovering Christ hidden in the law and accepting Christ.

『made him look up(Dieblesen διέβλεψεν, Apecateste ἀπεκατέστη): and he was restored(Telaugos τηλαυγῶς), and saw every man clearly. And 』 Dieblessen means opening the eyes. (He opened his eyes) Apecateste means to recover. In Acts 1:6, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” People are criminal beings on this earth. Although they were in a prison called the world, the kingdom of God is restored through Christ and they become free people.

he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any. in the town(komen κώμην)』

Oikon has the meaning of temple in addition to the meaning of house or home. Jesus sent the man to the temple. This temple represents the kingdom of God (heaven) in his heart.

“Apestelen” means to send or dispatch. Matthew 10:40 『He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.』 As the spiritually blind establishes the kingdom of God, he becomes a minister sent by Jesus. He will preach the kingdom of God in his heart (Heaven: He Basileia ton Uranon) to people.

Komen is translated as village, and village refers to the old temple (stone temple) that has already been built. Not going into the village means not going back into legalism.

We also need to look at parts that are not in the Netsle Aland Bible. 『μηδὲ εἰς τὴν κώμην (Komen) εἰσέλθῃς. (And do not tell it to anyone in the village.)』Again, this means do not even talk to the legalist in the village (old temple). Legalists are those who hinder the gospel, they are the ones who crucified Jesus, and even today, legalism is distorting the gospel.

If I were to parody and explain the contents of Mark 8:22-26, it would be as follows.

One day, while Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem, a scribe came to see Jesus, judging that through the miracles Jesus performed, there was a high possibility that this man was the Son of God. He did not come alone, but another scribe had already experienced the power of Jesus and introduced him to him, so he came to see Jesus in the temple.

So, he tells Jesus how he came to visit him. He asked Jesus, “He is a scholar of the law, but he sees your power and thinks he is clearly the Son of God. How can he enter the kingdom of God?” This question is similar to the scene where Nicodemus secretly comes to Jesus one night and asks. This was because the Pharisees and the scribes had a negative view of Jesus, and if a scribe met Jesus and talked to him in this way, problems could arise. Jesus knows the situation well, so he takes this man out of the temple and talks about the kingdom of God.

Friend, you cannot enter the kingdom of God by keeping the law; you must escape from sin and get rid of your physical body. Sacrifice is performed in the temple, and killing an animal and cutting it into pieces has the meaning of “dying the fleshly self, which is a sinful nature,” and “burning its flesh” means burning the garment of the soul. So, sacrifice. Although animals die instead, sinners also die. But isn't it in the Bible that the Messiah will come to the world and save the people in place of the animals that die every day through sacrifice? That Messiah is me. If you do not pass through me, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. Do you understand now?

However, although this scholar of the law seemed to know a little, he could not speak clearly to Jesus because the law still did not leave his mind. God chose our people and gave us the law, so he keeps thinking, why can't we enter the kingdom of God through the law?

Jesus once again explained the kingdom of God. Jesus is saying that he will die on the cross and be resurrected. So, the meaning of death on the cross has the meaning of redemption, and only by being united with this redeemer can the dead spirit be resurrected. Jesus explained well that I will be the first to do so, and that those who believe in this will also be resurrected, and only then did the scribe realize what the way to enter the kingdom of God is. It was the death and resurrection of the cross.

Jesus told him, “Since the stone temple is no longer where God resides, a temple will be built in your heart, and you can meet God and worship in that temple.” And Jesus told him not to visit the old temple again. This is because only legalists thrive in the old temple. He also added that they should not visit the old temple or meet the scribes there.

9. Blind Bartimaeus is healed

Mark 10:46-47 『And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.』

When the Israelites entered Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, the first thing they encountered was the city of Jericho. According to the Book of Joshua, the walls of Jericho fell and fell in just seven days, and the walls collapsed in an instant. The meaning of the fall of Jericho has the same meaning as the fall of the old man of the saints. Seven (7) is the fulfillment of the words in Genesis 2:1, “The armies of heaven and the armies of earth were completed.” The earthly army refers to angels who have sinned and become humans who have sinned against God and must die on this earth, and the heavenly army is the angels of the kingdom of God. This arrangement symbolizes the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

『And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people,』This is Jesus and the disciples entering the city of Jericho and coming out. It shows the future death of Jesus on the cross (collapse of the old temple) and resurrection (establishment of the new temple).

Mark 10:48-49『And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.』

『blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus.』Blind beggars are those who cannot spiritually see the kingdom of God. It symbolizes Israel trapped in legalism. This foreshadows those who do not know the death and resurrection of the cross that will take place in the future through the city of Jericho. Today's believers also only know the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross, but currently, they do not realize that their death and resurrection on the cross are taking place.

『And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.』 That means I was aware of it. The word “Nazareth (Nazar)” is the Hebrew word nazar. The Hebrew word for Nazarite, Nazar, is a noun derived from the verb 'nazar', meaning 'to consecrate, sanctify, set apart', and means 'one who is set apart as holy.'

This regulation for the Nazirites is “given by God through Moses just before the Israelites left Mount Sinai in Numbers 9:12.” And a Nazarite was not to eat anything from the vine or drink any strong drink, and he was not to cut off his head, nor was he to come near a corpse to defile his body. From a redemptive historical perspective, these Nazarite regulations typify Jesus Christ, who offered himself as a perfect sacrifice before God. The story of Samson, the last judge, turns to David. And David turns to Jesus Christ.

『Jesus, Son of David』 appears in Matthew 1:1. 『The book of the generation (Geneseos) of Jesus Christ, the son (Hiu) of David, the son of Abraham.』Geneseos (γενέσεως) means generation. The genealogy of Jesus Christ refers to one generation of Jesus Christ. At that time, a generation was usually considered to be about 30 to 40 years. In other words, it means the period of time that person does ministry (work). Hiu means son (descendant). A son is not a son of physical blood, but a son who is capable of doing ministry. At that time, only men served in ministry. So, an adult man was expressed as a son. Therefore, rather than being a descendant, a son is a son as a minister of the kingdom of God.

In a genealogy, usually one person appears among the children. Sometimes there are two people, but the reason why one person appears is to continue the genealogy of people of faith. However, the Bible divides the fourteen generations from Abraham to Jesus into thirds. So there are 42 households in total. The Bible shows that over the course of 42 generations, each generation of faith continued uninterrupted. The genealogy began with Abraham, and the same faith as Abraham was inherited. Jesus was not born from Mary's husband Joseph, but was Christ born from Mary through the power of her Holy Spirit. So the Bible does not talk about lineage. Abraham's faith is a faith that believes in something that cannot be hoped for. Christ's faith can be summarized in death and resurrection.

Mark 10:50-51 『And he cast away his garment (himation), rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.』

Himation (ἱμάτιον) is clothing, and in Mark 6:56 it says, “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were.” but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.』

Jesus' clothes symbolize the mortal body of Jesus on the cross. “The blind man throws away his cloak” means running to Jesus, who had to die on the cross, and uniting with him. So, this is also a foreshadowing that “the blind (blind to the kingdom of God) will open their eyes when they meet the resurrected Christ (Messiah).”

『Lord, that I might (ἀναβλέψω) receive my sight.』Anablyeso (ἀναβλέψω) means to look. In Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering (Anablesin) of sight to the blind (Typlois), to set at liberty them that are bruised,』

Here, Anablabisin sees the kingdom of God spiritually. Tuplois is a word derived from tuplois, which means arrogant. He means a person who is proud and cannot spiritually see the kingdom of God. Bartimaeus symbolizes “one who hears the news of the Messiah and wants to know about the kingdom of God.” Many of the Jews who came to Jesus were blind people like Bartimaeus, but they came to Jesus to learn about the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:52 『And Jesus said unto him, Go(ὕπαγε) thy way; thy faith (Pistis πίστις) hath made (Sesoken σέσωκέν) thee whole (Sesoken σέσωκέν) . And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. 』Hypage has the meaning of “to seclude, to turn downward.” This does not mean “go away from me,” but “humble yourself.” The Bible tells Jews, who have a superior sense of being the chosen people, to humble themselves from legalism and discover Christ through the law. Faith is the faith that discovers Christ through the law. “The belief that Jesus can open Bartimaeus’ eyes” means that the kingdom of God can be discovered through Jesus.

“Discovering Christ through the law” means discovering the descendant of the woman whom God promised long ago, and “this person is the Lamb of eternal atonement for the daily sacrifice.” He discovered such a Messiah in front of Pharaoh. , He will be healed of his broken heart. Being healed means being freed from wrong thoughts and coming to think right thoughts. This does not lead to salvation.

Many Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but “the Messiah they thought of” was a powerful Messiah who would bring down Rome. They have discovered the Messiah, but are virtually blind to his death on the cross and resurrection. They may have their eyes opened physically, but they remain blind to the kingdom of God. It is unknown whether Bartimaeus met Jesus, was healed of his broken heart, and came to see the kingdom of God, but the path to salvation is not to heal a broken heart, but to unite with the death and resurrection of the cross.

Many of the Jews who followed Jesus suddenly turned around and shouted for Jesus to be crucified. Of course, after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, many Jews were pricked in their hearts and repented after hearing Peter's sermon. A believer is also led to the church, but unless he is united with the “present death of Jesus on the cross” and the “present resurrection of Christ,” he cannot be said to be saved.

 

 

10. The centurion’s healing

(Matthew 8:5-13) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west. , and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him. The centurion heard rumors about Jesus and knew about him. He came to Jesus and said, “Lord, please heal my servant, for he is sick and suffering.” At this time, he heard Jesus say, “I will come and heal him,” and the centurion said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” This is truly great faith. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. At the same time, Jesus said to his followers, “Truly I tell you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.” What does Jesus see in the Gentile centurion that makes him say, “I have not seen such faith even in Israel?”

The centurion’s faith is “that Jesus is the Son of God with the power of God.” He believes that “if Jesus speaks, it will come true.” But how could “a faith not found even in Israel” come from a Gentile centurion?

In the Gospel of Matthew, the centurion himself is said to have come, but in Luke 7:1-10, the centurion says that he did not even dare to approach Jesus. So, he sent Jewish elders instead. The Jewish elders say, “The centurion is a Gentile, but he loves his people and built a Jewish synagogue, so he should grant this man’s request.” Then Jesus asked to go to the man's house and was on his way. When the centurion heard that Jesus was coming to his house, he sent another man.

“The reason why the centurion did not come directly and sent someone else,” he said, “is because I did not dare to come before the Lord, so he sent the elders, and all you have to do is say the word.” So, Jesus said, “I have never found faith like this in Israel.” When the men sent by the centurion returned home, they found that the servant had already recovered.

The Gospel of Matthew shows that Jesus and the centurion met face to face, but in the Gospel of Luke, they do not even meet face to face. The Gospel of Matthew focuses on the Jews, but the Gospel of Luke focuses on the Gentile centurion. Without any mention of the centurion's good deeds, the scene of "meeting Jesus, pleading with him, and being healed" is even more shocking to Jews. The centurion is a foreigner. Jesus did not see this kind of faith in Israel, and was surprised to see this kind of faith in Gentiles.

Jesus said that through the centurion's faith, Gentiles would enter heaven before Israel. Today, many church people say, “The centurion was a humble, servant-loving man and completely dependent on God, which resulted in this amazing faith.” However, because Jesus said, “I have come to call sinners,” the Jews accepted it as something that had nothing to do with them. However, all people in this world are sinners because they have left God.

The word “gentile” means that, except for Israel, the rest are not foreigners, but that all sinners are foreigners to the kingdom of God. In the Bible, when it comes to Gentiles, on the surface it refers to all nations other than Israel on this earth, but on the other hand, in the Kingdom of God, all those who have left God are Gentiles.

“The way for those who have left God to be saved” is to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Believing that he is the Son of God means that “people accept him as the Messiah, and that Jesus brings sinners to salvation.” Regarding the "difference between the beliefs of the Jews and the Gentiles," the Jews believed that "Jesus had the power to free them from Rome," but the centurion said, "He is the one who solves the problem of sin through healing." "I believed that. So faith saves him and his servant. Since the problem of sin is solved, “believers and Jesus” become one through faith in Christ.

The centurion's faith is "like the faith of Abraham, who believed despite all hope." Today, it is the same belief as, "If a believer dies in union with the cross of Jesus, he or she believes in union with Christ and is resurrected."

Through the centurion’s faith, Jesus said, “many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” Abraham is the father of faith. This means that if everyone believes in God just as Abraham believed in God, they will enter the kingdom of God like Abraham. Even though Abraham was 100 years old and found out that Sarah's womb had died, he believed God's promise to give him a child. “Completely letting go of one’s thoughts” is the source of faith. God tested Abraham's faith by saying, “Sacrifice Isaac.” Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ. Abraham believed that Isaac would be resurrected after his death.

『The centurion will sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven』 means, “Those who have the same faith as the centurion will also be like that.” Only those who enter into Jesus Christ will become like that. The Bible says that those who follow the law like Israel will not be saved. Believers must find Christ in the law and meet Christ.

 

11. Raising the dead son of the widow of Nain

In Luke 7:11-17, “And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and he said to her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother, and there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Those who are deprived of the hope of the kingdom of God are the poor in spirit. If you lose your land in Canaan, you lose your inheritance. This is losing what God promised. Those who lose their land lose all hope. Just as Canaan is an inheritance to Israel, so men are an inheritance to women. The man symbolizes Christ, and the woman symbolizes the church (spirit). A man is a woman's business, but her husband has died. The death of her husband means that her wife will lose her business. In other words, you lose your promise. However, when the husband dies, if there is a son, the inheritance continues, but if there is no son, there is no hope of inheritance.

In Luke 7, even the widow's son died. Israel receiving the land as an inheritance and losing the land and a widow losing her son after her husband died have the same meaning. In the Old Testament, Israel's Husband is Jehovah God. In Jeremiah 31:31-32, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers.” in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they break, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:』If God leaves Israel, Israel will have no hope.

As Deuteronomy 7:7-11 states, the law states that one must not treat widows or the poor poorly. Exodus 23:11 also talks about the poor. 『But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.』Leviticus 19:9-10 also says this.

Here, the poor are “those who have nothing to eat in this world, but ultimately, those who have left the kingdom of God and have no hope of returning.” “Help the poor” means making people aware of this fact. Therefore, helping the poor is “giving them the hope of returning to the kingdom of God through Christ.” A widow whose son has died is poor, and cannot survive without taking care of her. Spiritually, this means a person who has lost the hope (promise) of returning to the kingdom of God. “Many of the people of the city came out with him.” Most of the Israelites are well aware of the meaning of losing their inheritance.

“When the Lord saw the widow, he had compassion on her.” Jesus knew the pain of this woman. In Exodus chapter 2, God placed Israel in Egypt, and when Israel complained of suffering from Pharaoh's oppression, God remembered her promise and delivered them. God heard the suffering of Israel and brought them out of Egypt through the Passover lamb. Likewise, it is Jesus who “can be the hope for this widow who cries desperately.” 『He touched the coffin, and those who carried it stood.』 So Jesus said. 『Young man, I say. to thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak』Jesus restored this woman's hope. By raising the widow's son, Jesus gives people the hope of her future resurrection.

Jesus showed people “the sign of raising the dead.” This news spread throughout Judea, and even John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard it. John sent his disciples to Jesus and asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come?” In Matthew 11:5, Jesus said, “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” He did it. Through this sign, Jesus is saying, “Let the Jews understand the promised Christ.”

“Jesus raising the dead young man” shows that he is the Christ of promise. “Jesus said to him, ‘Young man, I tell you, arise.’” Jesus said to the dead young man, “Rise.” When Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, to life, he said, “Rise, child.” Even in chapter 11 of the Gospel of John, when He raised Lazarus, He expressed, “Let us go and wake up Lazarus.”

Regarding resurrection, the spirit that died first comes back to life. The spirit must rise from the dead. Then, the spirit wears the spirit body (clothes of Christ) that comes down from heaven and becomes a new person. When one dies, the old person dies. The new person becomes a new temple in the heart. The new temple is Christ. This is the meaning of resurrection.

Ⅱ. Arguing with the Pharisees

 

1. Fasting debate

Mark 2:18-20『And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast in those days.

In the Old Testament, “one of the representative piety in serving God” was fasting. God commanded all the people to fast on the Day of Atonement. On that day, priests were also required to wear linen, burn incense, and sprinkle animal blood before approaching God. In addition, all the people had to stop eating and come together to God. Also, whenever the people felt God's wrath for something, they had to fast and weep all day. They had to tear their clothes, sprinkle ashes, stop eating, and cry. This is what fasting looked like in the Old Testament era.

The fasting of John's disciples and Pharisees according to the order of the Old Testament was an act of piety. However, the word of the Lord is, 『Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 』 is asking. Jesus "speaks of himself as the bridegroom of a wedding house, and his disciples as guests of the wedding house. And through Jesus himself, the bridegroom, a joyous wedding feast has begun in the kingdom of God. Jesus is the arrival of a completely different new era. By declaring, he is answering the question of fasting.

Even now, if we teach fasting in the Old Testament sense and require it as if it were a standard of righteousness, it is neither teaching God's people as the gospel nor is it correct. Christianity does not lead a disharmonious religious life, like cutting a new piece of cloth and weaving it into an old, holey piece of clothing. Regarding the fasting requirement of John's disciples, Jesus said, “No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment.” If they do that, because the fabric of the new clothes has a lot of tension, if they try to weave it on the old clothes, they will end up making the old clothes even more frayed.

Jesus says: The kingdom of God is not the old clothes of the Israelites in the Old Testament era based on the law, but the fresh cloth based on the law of the Holy Spirit. So it tells you what cannot be mixed. Today, in many churches, the practice of attaching old linen to raw linen continues. Although they believe in the Holy Spirit, they live a religious life based on the law.

『the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.』The new covenant enters into the new person chosen by God. A new person refers to someone who is born again of water and the Holy Spirit.

In John 3:3-5, Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.』 In order for a believer to become a new person, the old person must die. The old self refers to the physical self.

Jesus said that one must be born again of water and the Spirit. Water represents the law. Jesus was first invited to a wedding feast in a place called Cana in Galilee. However, the wedding feast ran out of wine. These words speak of an imperfect wedding feast, that is, the situation in the Old Testament. In John 2:6-7, “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.”

Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.』

The six stone jars represent the law. The water in it is water for washing hands, washing away sins and showing purity. Water in the Old Testament means washing away sin. But Jesus said to the jar, “Fill it with water.” This is the fulfillment of the law. The fulfillment of the law is death on the cross. So water represents death. In the rite of baptism, water represents death. Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death.”

But the water became wine. Wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus. In the Old Testament, the issue of washing away sins was expressed through water, but in the New Testament, it appears through the blood of Jesus. The meaning of precious blood represents the meaning of atonement. God gives the blood of Jesus to Satan and buys sinners who repent. So, God forgives people’s sins. So sinners become those crucified with Jesus. In Romans 6:2, God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 』Romans 6:6-7』Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.』

 

2. Sabbath controversy

Mark 2:23-28『And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the Sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said to him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.』

Many people think of Sabbath as just resting. In Genesis 1:1, 『In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.』, before God created the heavens and the earth, the kingdom of God is rest itself. The Bible (Book of Revelation) says that in the end times, “those who enter the new heaven and new earth will enter into rest.” God himself is the rest, and Jesus Christ is the rest. When it comes to rest, which is commonly spoken of, if you think of it as ‘resting,’ then the day will come when you have to work again, but when you enter rest in the kingdom of God, it is not a concept of working and resting.

Before the creation of heaven and earth, it was rest, but with the creation of heaven and earth, the rest was broken. And after completing the creation of heaven and earth, God took his hands off this earth and rested. In Genesis 2:1-3, the words, “God blessed the seventh day and rested,” are the same as the kingdom of God, that is, the rest under which God rules. “The rest spoken of in the creation of heaven and earth” means the pause that ends the work of creation in this world. When God says, “He blessed the seventh day,” it does not mean that God blessed the world, but that He blessed that day. That day is a day in the time and space of the material world. God's blessing on that day in the material world does not mean material blessings, but the blessings of God's kingdom. In other words, there is a promise that God will give us eternal rest on the day this world ends.

Believers should look into how the Bible explains rest. In Hebrews 4:8-10, “For if Jesus had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day.” There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.』

If Joshua gave rest to Israel, it was the land of Canaan. The land of Canaan is a model symbolizing the kingdom of God. That means it is not true rest. Therefore, it means that there remains a time of rest for God’s people. True rest is entering into Jesus Christ, because God is the true rest. If a person who has been born again is connected to the Trinity God in Christ, he or she has entered into rest.

In Ephesians 2:6, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Those who are in Jesus Christ have their old self (physical body) die with Jesus Christ and new self (spiritual body). The body is raised to new life with Jesus Christ.

That new person will be seated in heaven with Christ. Likewise, in Colossians 3:3, it says, “For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Dead people are old people. And it says, “The life of a new person is hidden in God.” Hebrews 4:10 says, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Those whose old self dies with Jesus Christ and who are born into new life with Jesus Christ have already entered into rest.

Jesus was born into this world as required by the law, and died as required by the law. And although He was resurrected, He cannot come again to save humanity as required by the law. So, those who believe in Jesus believe that they all died with Jesus and are resurrected as required by the law. Those who still think and act according to the law are admitting to themselves that they have not died under the law with Jesus. Apostle Paul said, “To be baptized is to be buried on the cross with Jesus Christ and to receive new life through resurrection.” Those who believe in Jesus believe in death in union with Jesus Christ. When he died, he died within the law.

Jesus is not under the law but in the kingdom of God. Those who are united with Jesus are not under the law but are at rest in the kingdom of God. That is why the saints are said to be those who have been redeemed from the law. Those who cannot be redeemed from the law are still those who look to rest. All those who are in the law are sinful. Since leaving God is a sin, they are all people who have left God. They left God in order to become like God through their own efforts. Likewise, those who claim to fulfill the law with their own strength are under the law. Those who are under the law are those who cannot enter rest.

 

3. The tradition of the elders

Mark 7:5-9 『Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands? He answered and said to them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.』

In the Galilee region, Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They came with accusations against Jesus. This is because Jesus' disciples neglected washing their hands, a Jewish ritual of purification. They called it “the tradition of the elders.” The Jewish leaders criticized Jesus because the disciples did not strictly follow the teachings of the religious leaders. Since it was not something that God commanded, it is not appropriate to say that he committed a sin. However, they wanted to condemn Jesus' disciples as blasphemous to God because they did not keep the traditions of the elders.

The “tradition of the elders” was developed by the Pharisees into a traditional custom due to their obsession with obedience to the law. It became a bondage and barrier to the commandments of the Bible. The idea is to act as a barrier to protect Jews from falling from Biblical commandments.

Exodus 20:8-11 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any. work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in they are, and rested on the seventh day: before the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Regarding this, the tradition of the elders says, “When Jesus’ disciples cut the grain, it is the harvest. Therefore, considering the tradition of the elders, when Jesus' disciples cut the grain and ate it as they passed through the fields, they were considered to have committed the sin of breaking the Sabbath.

In Exodus 30:17-21, the Bible commands the priests to wash their hands and feet at the laver before offering sacrifices. The elders' tradition regarding this is that "everyone should wash their hands before eating to prevent uncleanness from being passed on to the food." Otherwise, they think, the whole body will become unclean. But the elders' tradition was that "rather than as a sanitary precaution, they would pour water over their wrists as a ritualistic act."

Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee”. The elders' tradition on this is that "when money is offered to God, it frees the son from the obligation to use it in providing for his old parents."

Jesus scolded the Pharisees and the scribes who were knowledgeable about the law. That is, they placed the burden and yoke of the law excessively on people in a way that God never wanted. Also, many of them are hypocrites and put more effort into showing outward piety and righteousness than people with poor hearts toward God. Jesus wanted practical faith.

Jesus says, “People become unclean not by lack of outwardly conventional behavior, but by the evil thoughts in their hearts.” Jesus spoke only of essential actions that people should follow and practice. Therefore, Jesus scolded them for perverting God's will by putting forward the traditions of the elders.

“Jesus’ criticism and hostile actions against the social leaders” enraged them and gave them a reason to harm Jesus. The disciples recognized that “Jesus’ teachings would stimulate the Jewish leaders.” Although Jesus preached “the essential intention and teachings that God wants humans to carry out,” there was a risk that this would be accepted by the Jewish leaders as “a complete denial of the existing value system, their legitimacy, and their identity.” It was a teaching so shocking that it caused them to stumble.”

 

4. Controversy over the authority of Jesus

Mark 11:27-33 『And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there came to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave this authority to do these things? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things 』

When “Jesus, who announced the judgment of the temple,” appears again in the temple, the Jewish leaders begin to challenge Jesus. They had no idea who Jesus was. Jesus told them about their situation through a parable, but they did not pay attention. Jesus revealed important themes from the moment he entered Jerusalem. “The cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple” meant “the end of temple Judaism, which was only splendid on the outside and a tree that was fruitless and full of leaves for a long time in defiance of God’s will.” And he addresses the topic of “authority.” The argument begins when the religious leaders ask Jesus by what authority he overturned the temple grounds the day before.

Religious leaders believed that their authority had divine origins. However, they thought that Jesus was making a fuss because of the authority they did not give them. In this respect, Jesus is a heretic to them. Accordingly, Jesus exposes the illusion of their authority through his parable of the vineyard. Jesus, who judged the temple as the Messiah, received a challenge to his authority from the Jewish leaders.

Jesus dodges their questions by questioning John the Baptist's authority, Through the parable of the vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7, the parable shows that the religious leaders of Israel have become evil tenants, disobeying the commands of God, the owner of the vineyard, and ultimately committing the sin of killing their own sons. Religious leaders are even more angry, saying that this metaphor is directed at them.

The chief priests, scribes, and elders came before Jesus. That is why the temple cleansing incident the previous day was very shocking to them. Also, because they had previously conspired with each other to kill Jesus, they came to Jesus to find a reason to kill him.

The Jewish leaders ask two consecutive questions. They asked Jesus “by what authority” were his actions and teachings in the temple carried out. Also, they ask Jesus who gave him that authority. The question of the Jewish leaders was, “Who gave Jesus the authority to do this?” It was “things like this” that the Jewish leaders took issue with. Jesus' actions and teachings represent judgment through the cleansing of the temple and teachings about the essential function of the temple. However, they viewed not only the temple cleanliness actions but also the teachings that followed as a challenge to the temple system they were maintaining.

People were amazed and followed Jesus' teachings and miracles, but even though the Jewish leaders saw Jesus the same way as the people, they did not acknowledge Jesus' authority. They were “those who had eyes but did not see, and had ears but did not hear.”

Jesus does not directly answer the leaders' questions, but rather asks them questions in return. Jesus responded by asking, “Did John’s baptism come from heaven or from man?” The reason for asking this question is that although the majority of religious leaders believed that John's authority came from God, they did not recognize John as a prophet. This is because the baptism given by John was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, but forgiving sins through baptism by an individual rather than the temple was accepted as a challenge to the temple. Nevertheless, John was so popular with the people that they could not do anything wrong with him.

Jesus knew this and asked the question in reverse. “And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.”

Jesus already knew “what the religious leaders were thinking.” “The fact that the religious leaders discussed it” means “it shows that they were taken aback by the unexpected question of the Lord.” They could not even say that John's baptism came from a person. This is because all the people thought that John was truly a prophet. This means that John’s words are true. John prophesied that “Jesus, who would come after him, would be more powerful than he.” Therefore, since everyone recognized John as a true prophet, his prophecy was correct, and Jesus is superior to John, that is, he is a person who has the authority of God.

Religious leaders had no choice but to remain silent. So they answered, “I don’t know.” The reason they say that is “not that they do not know the source of John’s authority, but that they reject that John’s authority came from God,” and it reveals their disbelief.

Jesus does not answer the question, “By what authority do religious leaders do these things?” Instead, he tells a parable. The vineyard is a symbol that shows the relationship between God and his chosen Israel in the Old Testament, and is a metaphor that often appears in the Bible. The description of “planting a vineyard, putting up a hedge, making a winepress, and building a tower” is very similar to the parable of the vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7. This content reveals God's anger and judgment on the people of Judah, who abandoned God's love and expectations and produced wild grapes instead of good grapes.

God sends his servant three times. And the degree to which each servant is humiliated becomes more and more severe. It is expressed as “take a servant and beat him severely, wound his head, humiliate him, and kill him.” This shows that Israel's rebellion grew over time. The climax of their rebellion was when they murdered their master's son. The reason God continued to send servants was to enlighten Israel by continuing to send prophets despite their rebellion. In particular, the expression “he struck the servant’s head” refers to John the Baptist.

Mark consistently reveals that the fates of John the Baptist and Jesus are the same, and that the fates of the disciples who follow him correspond. In other words, John's death predicts the death of Jesus, and the Bible predicts that the disciples will also follow that path. In a parable in the Bible, the master's son is described as “the beloved son,” and this was the same voice heard from heaven when Jesus was baptized and transformed on the mountain.

Farmers were too greedy. They do not hesitate to kill to satisfy their greed. In that situation, even though the tenants had no possibility of taking possession of the master's vineyard, God told them the "parable of killing the master's son" because "man blindly pursues and becomes foolish and brings about evil." reveals. The peasants who own the vineyard represent people who want to own as much as they can, without regard for the sacrifices of others.

To conclude this parable, Mark quotes Psalm 118:22-23. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes..” These words are “words often discussed by early church members when talking about the Lord’s suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension.”

In particular, the word “abandon” is used in only two places in the Gospel of Mark, and it is used in the prediction of the Passion in Chapter 8, verse 31, when He prophesies that He will be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes. “Builders” refers to religious leaders who reject Jesus and try to kill him, like the evil vineyard farmers who killed the vineyard owner’s son.

However, “the stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone through Jesus” means “the resurrection of Jesus Christ by God.” In this sense, in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7, “ The Bible explains that God resurrected Jesus, who had been abandoned by people. Saints in Christ also died on the cross with Jesus and are currently resurrected with Christ. Therefore, the authority Jesus received from God is given to Jesus' disciples and today's believers.

In Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; He said, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Also, in 1 John 5:4-5, it says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” As you can see in the words, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

The authority of the saints is the saving power of God in Christ. Therefore, believers die with Jesus and now believe in his resurrection. Resurrection is the power of this power. Those who think “resurrection is something that will happen after the body dies” have never received the power of God.

 

5. Beware of the scribes

Mark 12:38-40『And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms. at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.』

The scribes liked to sit at the head of the synagogue. In the synagogue, in front of the Holy Ark where the Bible scrolls were preserved, there was a special bench facing the congregation. The person who sat there could see everyone at a glance, and the person who sat there could be watched by the congregation. The scribes liked the highest seats at banquets. Seating at the banquet was strictly limited. The highest seat was on the owner's right, and the second highest seat was on the owner's left. Then, alternating between right and left, and going around the table, the seats at the head of the table were determined in that order. A person's reputation can be easily determined by where he or she is sitting.

The scribes and Pharisees were famous for their long prayers. The scribes who did such things were mostly to be seen by people, not prayed long to be seen by God. When the scribes prayed, they did so “in a place and manner so that anyone could see how pious they were.” The prayers of the tax collector and Pharisee introduced in Luke 18 clearly demonstrate this fact. They looked emaciated from fasting and liked to pray at crowded intersections.

Following Jesus' criticism of the scribes, he exposes specific sins. They exploited the widow's property. Jesus says that they swallowed up the widows' property. At that time, widows, along with orphans, were protected as people without economic ability. This proves that exploiting the property of the weak was common among religious leaders.“The scribes abused the legal judgment authority entrusted to them, caused damage to the property of widows serving in the temple, or exploited them as legal agents who manage other people’s property. Through this, we can see the wrongdoing of the scribes. there is.

The scribes could not receive compensation for their teachings. Since they had to teach without pay, they had to work other jobs and earn their daily bread on their own. But they taught the people that "there is no nobler duty or privilege than that of supporting the rabbis in their well-being." They taught that a person who served a rabbi well would certainly be qualified to occupy a high position in heaven.

“People who lack understanding of the Bible” are deceived by religious charlatans. The scribes and Pharisees deceived these people and stole their family wealth. It is said that these people committed this act while praying more than others. For these people, prayer was not an aspect of hearing God's voice or fellowship, but a means to reveal and maintain their religious behavior. Jesus warned that they would receive a more severe judgment.

Jesus always taught his disciples what they should and should not imitate. Jesus said to listen to the teachings of the religious leaders of the time and keep them, but not to follow their actions. In Matthew 23:3, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” The scribes and Pharisees did not live “as they taught others, so themselves.” Therefore, they became a model of formal believers.

Jesus cursed the Pharisees in Matthew 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be based; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.』Because the Pharisees kept the law well, they thought of themselves as righteous. According to the Bible, those who exalt themselves will fall to the bottom of the pile, and those who do not have formal attire will eventually be driven out to a dark place. “Those who humble themselves” are “those who beat their chests without looking up to heaven and confess that they are sinners.”

In Matthew 5:20, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The scribes and Pharisees consider themselves righteous by keeping the law. What does it mean to “be more righteous than them?” So, the current situation is that church people are being taught that they should try their best to gain faith.

God gave the Israelites the law, and through that law, they realized that they were sinners and told them to return to God. They did not return to God because they were revealing their own righteousness by saying they were God's people.

The righteousness of the Pharisees is “self-righteousness.” However, the righteousness that is higher than the Pharisees' own righteousness is the righteousness that God gives. In order to obtain the righteousness that God gives, he must humble himself.“Humbling myself” means that I must realize that I am a sinner before God, repent, and become one who enters Christ.

“Self-righteousness” refers to “things that believers strive to sanctify themselves, examine themselves every day to see if they commit sins, and live a holy life.” Those who are in Christ can only become as dead. Jesus clearly tells us to deny ourselves, but people live their religious life according to their own thoughts. Jesus tells believers to take up their cross, but people are trying to exalt themselves.

 

Ⅲ. The Core of Spiritual War

 

1. Target of spiritual war

Mark 3:22-24『And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided ainst itself, that kingdom cannot stand.』

The scribes thought that Jesus was casting out demons with the help of the king of demons. Even Jesus' mother and earthly brothers thought Jesus was crazy. If Jesus casts out demons, but the scribes define Jesus as a servant of Beelzebub (the king of demons), the result would be Satan casting out Satan, which is illogical.

“Jesus casts out demons” because he forgives the sins of demon-possessed people through the power of God. So, since the person possessed by a demon is freed from sin, the demon has no right to rule over him. Although translated as a ghost, he is an angel who oversees sinners. Therefore, the target of a believer's spiritual warfare is not ghosts (angels), but the removal of sin in the heart. The sin in the heart is the fleshly self that wants to be like God.

Mark 8:34-35『And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life his shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.』

Spiritual war is a war with the invisible self. Many people living in the world live with their own religion, and there may also be people who do not have a religion. However, among them, a significant portion of people have Christianity as their religion. If you ask these people about spiritual warfare, they will almost always say that it is Satan or an evil spirit. 

Spiritual war, like physical war, is a state in which you will not be able to fight if you do not know how to identify enemies. If you do not know who you are in a spiritual war and who you are fighting against, you will lose the war. 

When a person is born, passes through infancy and enters adolescence, he or she begins to develop self-consciousness. So, people come into contact with their identity. If you do not know your identity, you cannot engage in spiritual warfare. The self that everyone appears at birth is the physical self. This physical self is a collection of approximately seven characteristics. These are the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideologies, religiosity, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate. These may develop or shrink as we grow, but overall they do not change. However, because this physical self is in hostile opposition to God, it ignores the spirit trapped in the body or rejects the very existence of the spirit. So they also reject the words of the Bible. 

Only when we are clearly aware of the existence of spirit can we properly stand on our own identity. The Bible speaks of humans as beings in which body and spirit are combined. However, the spirit is trapped in a body called dust. So the spirit does not know God and is in darkness. To use a metaphor, it is like a person who commits a crime while living in the world and is in prison. So, it is like a person living freely in the world, but having the clothes and everything they used to wear in the world taken away, wearing a prison uniform with a number on it, and living in prison for a certain period of time. In prison, a person's identity will be the number on his or her prison uniform. The spirit trapped in the human body is likewise trapped in the body by sinning in the kingdom of God, and is wearing the clothing of a soul. 

In order for someone imprisoned to realize their former identity, they will have to remember their parents, think about the house they lived in, and think about the family they lived with. Likewise, humans also get a glimpse of what spiritual identity is only when they are interested in the spirit. When that happens, identity confusion arises. In the Bible, the secrets of heaven are explained through the parable of the sower. Just as a farmer tills the soil, sows the seeds, waters them, and cultivates them while the sprouts of life grow, one can come to realize the spirit trapped in the body through countless meditations and reading the words of the Bible. 

In the Bible, it is said that the fundamental reason why the spirit was trapped in the body was because the spirit wanted to become like God. That is greed and idol. That is why the Bible says that this is a sin against God. Sin means opposing God and turning away from Him. The Bible says in Genesis 2:17 that sinners against God must die twice. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die..” The English translation of the Bible says, “you shall surely die.” The Hebrew Bible says, “Die and die.” Those who realize that they must die twice like this are those who realize that they are sinners who have left the kingdom of God and are trapped in the dust, and have a desire to repent. They realize that they have no choice but to die to God, and a desire to ask God for forgiveness arises. This is repentance. So we participate in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

 In the first death, the saint must die to sin. This is water baptism. Romans 6:3-7 talks about baptism and sin. 『Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.』Since humans cannot die on their own, God uses His Son Jesus Christ to redeem those who repent by dying on the cross. This is a method of making people believe that Jesus not only died on behalf of humans, but also died with him, so that sinners can also die and be forgiven of their sins. So, those who become saints have already been judged. The White Throne Judgment will be received by all those who are in the law. 

The second death is the death of the soul. This is a baptism of fire. The saints take off their former clothes and burn them in the fire. The soul is like a leather garment that becomes a human being when the body and spirit meet. This is the clothing that God gave to the first man, Adam. However, since these are clothes that come from the flesh, believers must take off those clothes and change into clothes that come from heaven. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is called the garment of Christ. Those who change into the clothes of Christ wear new clothes (spiritual bodies), so their spirit receives light and comes to life. In 1 Corinthians 15:43-44, Apostle Paul explains the spiritual body. The spiritual body can be said to be the body of a resurrected person. Saints also have a body, so they just don't recognize it. If he does not believe that he is the resurrected one, then he has not changed his clothes. When a saint believes in the resurrection, a temple is built in the saint's heart. This is called the kingdom of God (heaven) in the world. The kingdom of God in the hearts of believers is also called the third heaven. That is why Christ enters the temple in the hearts of believers. This is the Second Coming. Those who do not believe in the second coming of Christ will not find heaven in their hearts.

So, in the body, the self-identity revealed from the body and the spiritual self-identity born from heaven through the Holy Spirit become mixed. Here, the saints became able to identify their enemies. The “true me” is a spiritual identity born from heaven, and my enemy is none other than an identity born from the flesh. This is where most Christians get mistaken. Since they cannot identify their enemies, they do not know what Jesus means when he says to deny oneself. The object of self-denial is the physical self, and the subject that must be denied is the spiritual self. These two fight until their bodies die.

Humans are born into the world, but unfortunately, the world is like a prison for the spirit. There are people in this world who manage prisons. There is a prison warden, and there will also be subordinates. They can control prisoners by law, punish them by law when they commit illegal acts, and even make them do labor. To use a spiritual analogy, we could say that these people are public officials who play a villainous role against sinners. Spiritually, the prison leader is Satan, and those under him are angels who play villainous roles. That is why it is expressed as a dark spirit (devil, etc.). Everyone just does their part. 

However, God stamps those who “die twice to the flesh” acknowledging their innocence even before they leave the world (prison). They (saints) are no longer sinners. The guards who played the role of the villain do not and cannot interfere with them any more. We only live in the world because of our bodies. In 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” In 1 John 5:18, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.』 However, even if you are free from the bondage of a sinner, it is not Satan or a dark spirit that torments you, but the fleshly self that torments your spirit. That is why there is a constant battle with oneself. 

People get results according to their thoughts. What we say with our mouths becomes the standard for judgment, and what we say with our thoughts is the result of spiritual warfare. So, everyone falls and stands up in battle, but there is someone who will help those who realize this identity to win. That person is God. For those who are established in the temple in the hearts of believers, Christ will return to help and remind them through the Word. Those who realize their spiritual identity must be strengthened by the word of life every day to gain spiritual strength. 

 

2. Jesus' mother and siblings

In Mark 3:31-35, “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.” And the multitude sat about him, and they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seeking for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.』

When Jesus' mother, Mary, and his brothers saw him performing his ministry, they thought he was possessed by a demon. So they came to Jesus, and Jesus emphasized that his family was a spiritual family. The obstacle to living a life of faith is physical identity. Physical identity is the self, and is established as a solid castle in the hearts of believers. Jesus told us to deny this. It is a spiritual war against oneself.

Mark 10:26-30『And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Then Peter began to say to him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed them. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.』

What surprised the disciples was that “Jesus told the rich man to sell everything and give it all to others.” The disciples can be seen superficially accepting it. What this means is that believers should crucify their physical identity and speak well to others about their spiritual identity.

Even when a new temple is built in the believer's heart, the seven physical identities remain. It is like the people who came out of Egypt and entered Canaan and fought against seven tribes. Physical identity appears in seven ways. The seven tribes of Canaan can symbolically express what is located within the physical interior of humans. Things that are firmly established in the hearts of believers include the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideologies, religious spirit, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate.

First, the nature of the body has an emotional aspect, but the most important aspects are material possessions and sexual satisfaction. The Bible advises us to be extremely careful with these people. The Bible also prescribes not to love the world (material things) and not to commit adultery.

Second, blood relations mean parents, siblings, and children. Your child may become your idol. When believers treat their children like idols, family relationships can break down. This is that serious. Children are a key element in maintaining a family, but if children are treated too much like idols, they can become a factor in the breakdown of the family.

Third, although experience and knowledge have positive aspects in a spiritual life of faith, there are also many negative aspects. Apostle Paul was a persecutor of Christians before he met Jesus. Such a memory must have been the most difficult for Paul when working as an evangelist. Also, high knowledge about the world can be a factor that hinders the word of God. This is because there are parts of the Word of God that cannot be understood by human abilities.

Fourth, ideas and ideologies can be mobilized to deny and suppress religion. Ideology and communist dictatorship were and are still ongoing.

Fifth, religiosity is the desire to seek God. However, this religious belief can also lead to the mistaken idea that one can become a divine being.

Sixth, it is self-righteousness, in which people do good deeds, make their own rules, try not to do illegal things, and try to have a good heart. They further recognize themselves as good beings. So, everyone wants to be noticed, and even when they judge others, they judge themselves based on themselves.

Seventh, the desire to dominate others. People always want to be better than others. So, they get angry when they are inferior to others, and even bully others, fight against them, set traps to trip them up, steal from others, and even kill others. This includes people who are violent, including verbal abuse.

 

Can believers fight against this physical identity and win? No one will be able to completely win a fight against themselves. Peter asks Jesus who can be saved? However, 『And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men(παρὰ ἀνθρώποις) it is impossible, but not with God: for with God(παρὰ τῷ θεῷ) all things are possible.』

Para Andropoise (παρὰ ἀνθρώποις) means not with people, and Para To Deu (παρὰ τῷ θεῷ) means with Christ (God).

This means that believers can do the same if Christ is by their side. Deu without article means Christ. This means that those who have the faith of Emmanuel (parousia) can do it, but those who do not can't. Those who have faith in Immanuel will have God fighting ahead of them. So the spiritual identity that fights against the physical identity is fought with the power of the Holy Spirit.

The gospel revives the spiritual identity of those who are spiritually dead. So the gospel kills the physical identity received from parents. We can see that the gospel is higher than blood relations. This is the same as the things of the kingdom of God being higher than the things of the world. 『There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,』 This means that for the faith called Immanuel, the Lord and It means a life of companionship. When a believer becomes the Immanuel faith, worldly things become insignificant to him. Immanuel faith is “a faith that obeys the words of Christ (Hologos) in the heart.” It is a move from the physical to the spiritual. “Those who do not believe that the present resurrection and the subsequent second coming of Christ have occurred” cannot win the spiritual war.

In Mark 10:31, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.』 The faith that follows Jesus is the Immanuel faith. The disciples left everything and followed Jesus. Even today, saints are followers of the Ho-Logos (Christ). Those who came first are believed to have believed in Jesus and lived a religious life diligently, while those who came later are those who have weak faith. However, the last ones come to realize the faith of Immanuel and enter into the true faith. It is not a matter of who comes first or last, but the one who moves forward with the faith of Immanuel becomes the first.

A person with the Immanuel faith means “a person who is presently united to the death and resurrection of the cross.” That is why believers believe that Christ enters their hearts and is with them. A temple (Holy of Holies) is established in the hearts of believers, and God is present (Parusian) in the temple. So, saints become priests and share the word with God in the temple. 

 

 

 

3. Jesus being rejected in his hometown

Mark 6:3-6 『Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.』

When people look with their fleshly eyes, they end up rejecting Jesus. However, if believers look with the eyes of the spirit, they can come to know the work of the kingdom of God through the signs and wonders of Jesus. A believer must be able to discern between the things of men and the things of God, and then he will receive the Son of God.

God's work is "to believe in Him (Christ) sent from God." Peter confessed to Jesus, “You are the Son of God,” but suddenly rebelled against what Jesus said. In other words, you should not die. From Matthew 16:21-23 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.』

The same case as Peter is in Acts 21:10-14. 『And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.』

Many of the disciples, who had heard through the Holy Spirit that “Paul will be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles,” advised Paul “not to go up to Jerusalem.” Paul already tried to fulfill his mission as a person who did God's work and as a person who spread God's will without thinking about his own life. The disciples who told him not to go to Jerusalem were worried about Paul's death. At that moment, they are thinking about human affairs. God's work is for believers to preach the death and resurrection of the cross no matter what the circumstances. Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection were to save all mankind, and the disciples must also convey this. This is God's work.

John 6:29-30 also talks about the work of God. 『Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?』

The one whom God sent is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God's work is to believe in Jesus Christ. What does the Bible tell us to believe? In chapter 6, verses 38-40, “For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.” And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.』

The last day means the end for all people, but for those who enter into the Son of God, it means physical death. That is, in Romans 6:4-5, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 』He who believes in the Son of God believes in the Son of God in Christ. This is the faith that unites one who died on the cross and was resurrected.

The Greek word for “rejecting Jesus” is “escandalizonto en auto,” which means stumbling upon an obstacle. It means that they stumbled over obstacles and were unable to enter Him (Jesus). The obstacle is the physical eyes, because they have seen the physical appearance of Jesus. They do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus was surprised that the people in his hometown did not believe in him. Here, the phrase “he marveled (edaumazen) because of their unbelief” is the word “edaumazen” in the Greek Bible. In Mark 5:20, the man who was possessed by a military demon was healed by Jesus and then went to Decapolis. When he went to the people and told them about the great things Jesus had done for them, everyone said, “were marveled,” which is the same word used back then. The Decapolis people experienced amazing works of power through Jesus.

However, they were amazed by the great things Jesus did, but they did not believe in Jesus as the Son of God. They asked Jesus to leave Decapolis. Just as the Decapolis people were amazed at the great things Jesus had done, but did not believe in him, Jesus was rejected in his hometown. Jesus was amazed at the stubborn unbelief of the people of his hometown, Nazareth.

This incident must have been an important lesson for the disciples. This is because they themselves will experience this kind of rejection when they carry out their own evangelism work in the future. Jesus left his hometown of Nazareth for the second time. Jesus left Nazareth and traveled through various villages teaching his gospel. He went around all the villages surrounding Nazareth, teaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. After Jesus was rejected from his hometown, he went around all the villages around his hometown of Nazareth, teaching the gospel of God. Then Jesus called his twelve disciples and sent them out two by two on a missionary journey. These contents contain “the meaning that in the future Israel will reject Jesus and Gentiles will accept the gospel of Jesus.”

 

4. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

Mark 8:14-20『 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he said unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.』

Jesus performed the miracle of feeding 4,000 people with seven loaves and two fish. The Jews who saw this miracle should believe, “He is the Son of God,” but instead, they were testing Jesus and demanding a greater sign. It depends on whether you see Jesus’ miracles through human eyes or through God’s eyes. From the perspective of man, it is the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

After Jesus showed this miracle, the disciples took a boat across the lake and on their way to a region called Dharmanuda, the disciples saw that they had only one fish to eat, so they remembered the bread left behind through Jesus' miracle and took it. They say it didn't come.

If you look at Jesus properly, you don't have to worry about food. It can be seen that the disciples momentarily forgot that Jesus is the Son of God. However, on the contrary, the Pharisees saw Jesus' miracles and demanded more signs. They are telling Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God. Although the disciples said that Jesus was the Son of God, they did not achieve the faith that Jesus wanted, and the Pharisees only had the intention of causing Jesus to stumble even though they saw Jesus' miracles.

『Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.』Yeast makes bread rise. The Pharisees must realize that Jesus is the Son of God through his miracles. They only try to see Jesus' weaknesses in order to keep causing him to stumble. When people see it with their physical eyes, they may think so. However, the point of Jesus' leaven is related to sin. Leaven symbolizes sin. Leaven leaves something to rise, but it also transforms the original. So leaven symbolizes falsehood.

“The leaven of the Pharisees” is that they do not see what Jesus is doing and cause Him to stumble. That is hypocrisy and hypocrisy. They should look at the work of God's kingdom through the miracles of Jesus, but they seem to be using their power to further disparage Jesus. They were a group of priests chosen by God, but they were very offended that someone like a country bumpkin dared to say he was the Messiah and perform miracles. So the Pharisees only think of ways to kill Jesus. All they could think about was catching and killing Jesus. We can see that the hearts of the Pharisees were filled with sin, just like leaven spreads in bread.

『beware of the leaven of the leaven of Herod.』Herod was a descendant of Esau and was not an orthodox Jew. After the Hasmonean dynasty established in the Maccabean War was destroyed by Rome, At the time, there was a war between Octavian and Antony (War of Actium). Herod falsely negotiated with Octavian that he would help Octavian become Roman emperor if he would make him king of Judea, claiming that he was a Jew. Eventually, Herod becomes the king of the Jews. And he reorganized the temple on a grand scale to win the favor of the Jews. He had always heard from the Jews that the Messiah would appear.

However, one day Herod heard through a rumor that the Messiah had been born. Herod thought that in order for him to continue as king, he had to kill everyone who was born as the Messiah. He called the scribes together and asked them where the Messiah was born, and the scribes answered that it was Bethlehem. So, the tragedy of babies dying in Bethlehem occurred. His greed to become king and his wrong thoughts to keep his position as king continued to spread like leaven, reaching the point where they were killing children.

Herod's leaven continues to his son. Herod Antipas, meaning 'son of a hero who replaced his father', was the second son of Herod the Great and was the tetrarch of Galilee and Berea (4 B.C. - 39 A.D.). Herod Antipas remarried Herodias, his niece and his half-brother's wife. When John the Baptist rebuked him for unlawfully remarrying his brother's wife, Rather than turning around and repenting of his sins, he instead imprisoned the innocent John the Baptist.

Herod Antipas committed the immoral sin of remarrying his brother's wife. However, his sins did not end there. In order to justify his illegal remarriage with Herodias, he ultimately committed another sin: killing John the Baptist. In this way, human sin does not end once and for all, but has the property of causing other sins to be committed in a derivative and serial manner. In James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.』

The reason Jesus told his disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod” was because the disciples at the time also thought of Jesus as the Messiah who could overthrow Rome. So, they argued about who would be greater, and when Jesus became the King of kings, they showed that they wanted him to sit on the right hand or the left hand.

If you look at Jesus with human desires, your thoughts will spread and spread like leaven. That was the mindset of the disciples. Judas Iscariot sold Jesus to the Pharisees for money. He may have believed that Jesus would exercise tremendous power as the Messiah. However, upon seeing Jesus being humiliated and being dragged to the cross, he hanged himself and committed suicide. Greed gave birth to sin, and sin gave birth to death. Likewise, when Jesus stood on the cross, all the disciples ran away. Wrong thoughts of desire continue to spread like leaven. That is why Jesus warns them that thoughts that spread like leaven bring destruction. Today, the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod would be humanism based on faith in blessings and fortunes. Numerous humanistic religious acts, such as people doing business using the name of Jesus and passing the church on to their sons, are the leaven.

 

5. For me and the gospel

Mark 10:26-30『And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Then Peter began to say to him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed them. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.』

What surprised the disciples was that Jesus told the rich to sell everything and give it all to others. The disciples can be seen superficially accepting the meaning. However, spiritually, it means nailing all of your physical identity to the cross and speaking well to others about your spiritual identity. Even when the kingdom of God is established in the believers' hearts, the seven physical identities remain. It is like the people who came out of Egypt and entered Canaan and fought against seven tribes.

Physical identity appears in seven ways. The seven tribes of Canaan can symbolically express what lies within the physical interior of humans. Things that are firmly established in the hearts of believers include the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideologies, religious spirit, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate.

First, the nature of the body has an emotional aspect, but the most important aspects are material possessions and sexual satisfaction. The Bible advises us to be extremely careful with these people. It also prescribes not to love the world (material things) and not to commit adultery.

Second, blood relations mean parents, siblings, and children. Your child may become your idol. When children are treated like idols, family relationships can break down. It's that serious. Children are a key element in maintaining a family, but if they are treated too much like idols, they can become an element of ruin.

Third, although experience and knowledge have positive aspects in a spiritual life of faith, there are also many negative aspects. Apostle Paul was a persecutor of Christians before he met Jesus. Such memories must have been the most difficult for him while working as an evangelist. Also, high knowledge about the world can be a factor that hinders the word of God. This is because there are parts of the Word of God that cannot be understood by human abilities.

Fourth, ideas and ideologies can be mobilized to deny and suppress religion. Ideology and communist dictatorship were and are still ongoing.

Fifth, religiosity is the desire to seek God. However, this religious belief can also lead to the mistaken idea that one can become a divine being.

Sixth, it is one's own righteousness. Do good deeds, make your own rules, try not to do illegal things, and try to have a good heart. They further recognize themselves as good beings. So they want to receive attention from everyone, and even when judging others, they judge themselves based on themselves.

Seventh, the desire to dominate others. They always want to be better than others. So, they get angry when they are inferior to others, and even bully others, fight against them, set traps to trip them up, steal from others, and even kill others. This includes people who are violent, including verbal abuse.

Can believers fight against this physical identity and win? He will not be completely victorious in his battle with himself. Peter asks Jesus who can be saved? But he said, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men this is impossible, but not with God, but with God all things are possible.’

Para Andropoise (παρὰ ἀνθρώποις) means not with people, and Para To Deu (παρὰ τῷ θεῷ) means with Christ (God). This means that we can do it if we have Christ by our side. Deu without article means Christ. This means that those who have the Immanuel (parousia) faith can do it, but those who do not can't. Those who have faith in Immanuel will have God fighting ahead of them. So the spiritual identity that fights against the physical identity is fought with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Serving the gospel is reviving the spiritual identity of those who are spiritually dead. Therefore, believers kill the physical identity they received from their parents. We can see that the gospel is higher than blood relations. It is as if the things of God's kingdom are higher than the things of the world. The phrase 『for my name's sake』 means a life of walking with the Lord for the faith called Immanuel. When believers become Immanuel believers, worldly things become insignificant. Immanuel faith is a faith that obeys the words of Christ (Hologos) in the heart. This is moving from the physical to the spiritual. Those who do not believe that the present resurrection and the subsequent second coming of Christ have occurred cannot win the spiritual war.

In Mark 10:31, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.』 The faith that follows Jesus is the Immanuel faith. The disciples left everything and followed Jesus. Even today, saints follow the Horogos. Those who came first are those who believe in Jesus and think they have lived a religious life diligently, while those who came later refer to those who have weak faith. However, the latter refers to those who came to realize the faith of Immanuel and entered into the true faith. It is not about who comes first or last, but the one who moves forward with the faith of Immanuel becomes the first.

Immanuel faith currently means one who is united with the death of the cross and resurrection. That is why we believe that Christ enters the hearts of believers and is with them. A temple (Holy of Holies) is established in the hearts of believers, and God is present (Parusian) in the temple. That is why believers become priests and speak with God in the temple.

 

6. I came not to send peace, but a sword

Matthew 10:34-37 『Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.』

Jesus is said to be the Prince of Peace, but he said, “I did not come to bring peace.” In Isaiah 9:6, it says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,” The Prince of Peace.』He was called the Prince of Peace. But he came to give swords to the people of the world. Most churches interpret and say that “discord arises because believers and non-believers are mixed in the family.” Although it may not be that wrong, it cannot be considered a complete interpretation. And we can see discord arising even within churches that claim to believe.

The purpose of Jesus coming to this world was to save sinners and redeem sinners from under the law. The words “Jesus came to give a sword” should be understood in the same context as “He came to save sinners.” He called Jesus the Prince of Peace, but Jesus came not as peace and peace in the world, but as the King of Peace who mediates peace between God and sinners. Jesus came to bring peace between God and mankind, who were enemies. He becomes the King of Peace by breaking down the enmity and coming for the sake of reconciliation between God and humans. These words of Jesus cause discord in the world.

He is telling the Israelites, “Jesus came to give us a sword.” The sword is the word of God, and this word was not given to the Gentiles, but to the Israelites. Because at that time, the Israelites all had the word (law) of God. The discord Jesus speaks of does not mean fighting, but separation. When Jesus took away the sins of the world by dying on the cross, he said, “It is finished.” In other words, all of God's promises have come true. These words apply to the people of Israel. God gave the law to the Israelites, and God fulfilled the law through Jesus on the cross.

When Jesus died on the cross, he said, “It is finished,” and then died. There is a separation between those who believe that Jesus Christ, whom God sent, has accomplished everything, and those who do not. This is discord. That is why Jesus expressed it by saying that he came to give Israel a sword. So, the gospel was spread to the Israelites through Jesus Christ, but most of the Israelites rejected Jesus' words and even crucified him and killed him.

Even today, there are those who believe that the death of the cross provides forgiveness for past sins. Those who claim this are all within the law. So conflicts arise within the church. And they are divided into those who believe in present resurrection and those who believe that resurrection will occur in the future when the body dies. Likewise, disputes arise in churches.

Those who do not believe in present resurrection are like old people who have not been reborn into resurrection life. The old self must die. (Romans 6:6) Those who are born again have lost their old self. The person whose old self dies is a new person with a spiritual body who was born of the Holy Spirit from heaven. Regarding those born of the Spirit, Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Apostle Paul also says in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail unkened away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.”

The Old Testament means the law. Even though the Apostle Paul said that Jesus came and fulfilled the law, Paul points out that when people read the Old Testament, they do not know what it means because the meaning of what Jesus fulfilled is obscured.

Today, there is conflict between those who believe that Jesus took away all the sins of the world through his death on the cross and those who do not believe, and those who believe that Jesus was reborn into heavenly life through his present resurrection and those who do not believe that he took away all the sins of the world. This is not a story of conflict between people inside the church and people outside the church.

 

7. Sign of the times

(Matthew 16:1-4) The Pharisees also came with the Sadducees, and temptingly desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Jonah was an Israelite prophet who lived during the reign of Jeroboam II. Jonah received God's command to "go to Nineveh and cry out God's judgment." However, he avoided God's command and boarded a ship heading to Tarshish. Suddenly a storm arose on the sea, and the ship could no longer move forward. While wandering through the four seas, the sailors gathered a piece of wisdom. They say, “Let’s find the reason why this happened.” They cast lots, and Jonah was cast. Only then did Jonah confess his sin, but he was drowned in the sea. So the violent storm stopped immediately. God prepared a big fish for Jonah, who was drowning in deep water. And the fish swallowed Jonah. Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. In that womb, Jonah repented greatly. So the fish vomited Jonah out onto the dry land, and Jonah went to Nineveh as God commanded. Then he spoke of God's impending judgment and called for them to repent. However, the people of Nineveh greatly repented after hearing Jonah's words. They tore their clothes, covered themselves in ashes, and knelt on the street. A great awakening and repentance truly took place in Nineveh.

Jesus has nothing to show other than the sign of Jonah. The sign of Jonah that Jesus spoke of was, “Repent.” To those who repent, Jesus “gives them rebirth, just like the resurrection of the Lord who will rise from the grave in the future.” However, none of the people at the time who heard these words understood the intention of Jesus' words. They see but do not perceive; they hear but do not understand. Instead of repenting, they crucified Jesus.

Church people often understand the word ‘repent’ to mean ‘repent for a mistake you made, confess it, and ask for forgiveness.’”

“If a believer has done something unworthy in the eyes of God, or if a believer has done something bad to another person, or if a believer has done something that would be criticized by others as a child of God,” they come to church and are criticized for that behavior. Repent and pray that God will forgive you. Jesus said to the Israelites, ‘Repent.’ The meaning of ‘Repent’ that Jesus said is when a believer commits a mistake, regrets it, confesses it, and asks for forgiveness. If they understand it as such, they misunderstand the Bible.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

But the Jews asked, “They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” Jesus said, “Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.” The Israelites thought, “We have the law and kept it well, so we are not sinners,” but Jesus said, “You are all sinners.”

However, if the Israelites thought that they had sins, they thought that if they offered sacrifices according to the law, “all their sins would be erased,” so they thought that they were “not sinners.” The Israelites had nothing to repent of on their own, but Jesus said, “Repent.”

The law is a law given to those who have left God to work hard and achieve righteousness. 『Working out righteousness』 does not mean becoming righteous on your own, but in the law, 『Discover the life of God's salvation.』 is the word.

As the people try to find that life, they realize that they are sinners who cannot achieve righteousness through the law, and they discover Christ, the seed of promise. However, the Israelites thought that perfectly keeping the law was the way to become righteous. So, the Israelites thought that “they were all righteous by keeping the law.” Keeping the law and eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and judging good and evil for yourself have the same meaning. This is because they are not with God, but as a result of keeping the law or eating its fruit on their own without God, it is like judging good and evil without God.

Sin means leaving God. The very thought of ‘judging good and evil on one’s own’ without God or ‘trying to achieve righteousness’ by the standard of the law without God is a sin. So, since it is wrong for them to think this way, do not do it on their own, but the words “return to God” are exactly the same as “repent.” Even today, in light of the law, there are still many believers who “judge whether they commit sin.” The atonement for sins can be solved if you are in Jesus Christ. The word ‘repent’ has the meaning of ‘reconsider once again, repent, change the direction of the path you were taking and come back’.

When Jesus said to the Israelites, “Repent,” he meant, “Give up trying to achieve righteousness by diligently observing the law, and meet Christ.” In other words, it means that you must return to God. It means that you must give up ‘yourself’ and return to God. So repentance means denying oneself. To deny oneself is to become united with Jesus Christ who died on the cross.

 

8. The Importance of Repentance

Mark 1:14-15 『Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.』The gospel is good news. The gospel is the word about the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ. In order for a believer to believe these words, he must repent. Only then can believers return to the kingdom of God. Repentance is realizing that you are a sinner before God and turning away from your body of sin (old self). Therefore, believers can escape from darkness and enter the world of light (resurrection).

In Acts 8:13, “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

The Book of Acts speaks about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Today, very few people talk about the kingdom of God. Simon the magician believed and was baptized, but did not repent. So Peter said, “You are full of malice.” The kingdom of God is a country where Jesus is the master. Even while living on this earth, if Jesus becomes Lord, the kingdom of God will come to him. In order for Jesus to become Lord, he must be united with Jesus who died on the cross. Then, God will clothe us with the clothes of resurrection.

In Acts 28:23, “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.』

First, the disciples preached the kingdom of God. In Acts 28:30-31, “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all.” Confidence, no man forbidding him.』 The kingdom of God and Jesus Christ cannot be separated. Why can't the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ be separated? Because Jesus Christ is the king of the kingdom of God. Those who repent and are born again through resurrection are those who have entered the kingdom of God.

In Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

The Bible teaches those who repent to be baptized. Baptism is dying with Jesus. The old self must die to receive forgiveness of sins. Rather than asking for forgiveness of sins, sinners must first live a life of death with Jesus. When the old person dies, the forgiveness of past, present, and future sins is achieved. That is why the Holy Spirit is given as a gift (resurrection) to sinners who repent.

In Acts 3:19, 『Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.』

Sinners repent, are converted, have their sins blotted out, and are made new through resurrection. A sinner cannot escape from sin at all, so he is judged by God on the cross. So he repents. He is judged together with Jesus. Because the sinner has been judged with Jesus, his sin is gone. So the sinner who repents puts on the robe of righteousness (resurrection).

In Mark 4:12, “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.』 Only when a sinner turns away will his sins be forgiven. For a sinner to repent and be converted is to die with Jesus on the cross. This is because a sinner’s old self must die in order to be reborn through resurrection. Therefore, the conversion of sinners leads to rebirth through resurrection.

In Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

The word “turn around” also appears here. This means to be united with the death of Jesus. So, this means, “Be born again (believing in present resurrection).” Jesus' death not only applies to the cross incident 2,000 years ago, but also to people like Abraham, Jacob, and David before that, and to people today after that. For those who repent, it applies to everyone in the past, present, and future. God crucifies those who repent and allows them to be born again with a resurrected body. They are all in passive voice. All humans have to do is repent. Repentance means self-denying repentance.

Anyone for whom Jesus is not the Lord cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This is because the Kingdom of God is a country where Jesus is the Lord. Why did the King of the Kingdom of God come to this earth as the Son of God? He came to find his lost lamb. He said that only those who repent to God can return to the kingdom of God. Only those who repent will see the kingdom of God where Jesus is Lord. Repentance is the death of the old self of greed that wants to be like God. So, those who repent are resurrected and become sons of God.

 

9. Sword and garment

Luke 22:35-38 『And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.』

This is the last conversation Jesus had with his disciples in the upper room. Also, Matthew, Mark, and John did not record this conversation, and only Luke gives us Jesus' final teachings. Jesus told his disciples to take care of their backpacks, purses, and swords, and the disciples responded, “Yes, I have two swords here.” So Jesus said, “Enough is enough.”Luke's record, consisting of four verses, ends.

In what sense did Jesus convey today’s message to his disciples? 『he said to them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.』These words are connected to what Jesus did at some point in the past when he sent his disciples out. It happened in Galilee, going back more than a year, and is recorded in Luke chapter 9 (Luke 9:1-6).

Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and gave them the power and authority to control all demons and heal diseases. Their mission was to spread the kingdom of God. They received the power of Jesus and were sent to each village in Galilee to preach. At that time, Jesus gave his disciples special instructions, which is what Jesus reminded them of in the upper room.

Jesus instructed, “Take nothing with you for the journey.” 『Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, nor money; He said, “neither have two coats apiece.” For no matter what house the disciples enter, those who welcome them will provide for their needs. If they did not receive him, the disciples shook the dust from his feet and left the house. If accepted, they stayed in the house and received hospitality and support. This was the people's reaction to Jesus at the time. There were some who rejected Jesus and did not accept his disciples, but on the other hand, there were some who accepted the Jesus they preached and accepted his disciples.

Jesus knew that there were people who would welcome and welcome him and his disciples. So, He told His disciples that there was no need to prepare walking sticks, backpacks, food, money, or extra clothes. Following Jesus' words, the disciples traveled to each village, preaching the gospel and healing the sick, expecting people to welcome them with joy. In the upper room, Jesus reminded his disciples of this and asked them: Jesus asked his disciples. “Did you lack anything at that time?” The disciples said, “No. There was none.』

Similar training was given to the seventy, who were also sent two by two to each town and region to heal the sick and spread the kingdom of God. ' At this time, Jesus told the seventy not to have purses, backpacks, or shoes. This was because, like the twelve disciples, whoever received them would stay in the house and eat and drink what was given (Luke 10:1-16).

Of course, it is not that there were no people who opposed the gospel during the trip. There were definitely some who did not accept it. Jesus told his disciples to “shake off the dust from the towns that reject them,” and that there would be a terrible judgment upon them. Anyone who welcomes the disciples welcomes Jesus, and whoever rejects them rejects Jesus.

He said that ultimately it would be abandoning God the Father who sent Jesus.There were people who did not accept and rejected Jesus Christ whom God sent. The disciples whom Jesus sent also experienced the same rejection. But at least at this time, there were people who accepted disciples. There were people who accepted Jesus. According to God's will, there were those who welcomed Jesus and his disciples and fully provided for their needs. So they did not need to prepare separate backpacks or bags.

Why did Jesus remind us of this? Now, “the thoughts of the people in the world with whom the disciples will deal” will change, and their reactions to Jesus will change.

『Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.』Jesus said, “Now,” distinguishing the times. There is something different from the past. In fact, the instructions given in the past have now changed. In the past, he told me not to have a purse, but now he told me not to have a purse. In the past, he told me not to have a backpack, but now he told me to have one. There was a special command about the sword, and he said that the sword was now absolutely necessary.

He told his disciples that if they did not have a sword, they should sell their clothes to buy one. In Jewish society at the time, outerwear was not just one of many garments that provided protection or warmth. For most ordinary Jews, outerwear was an important asset.

There were not many people who could afford multiple outerwear, and most people protected themselves with one set of outerwear and used it as a substitute for a blanket at night. Outerwear was their daily necessities. So, the law prohibited pawning one's outerwear. This is why it was more shocking to the Jews when Jesus spoke about those who steal one's outer garment (Luke 6:29). This is because depriving a person of his outer clothing is depriving him of the most basic necessities of life. However, in his final teachings to his disciples in the upper room, Jesus told them to buy a sword even if it means selling that precious daily necessity.

The point is that a knife is needed. The belt, backpack, and knife now all had to be prepared by the players themselves. This is because people’s reactions to Jesus and his disciples will be different from before. 『They said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.』 The reason why Jesus told us to prepare a knife along with a purse and backpack was because a knife is not only a weapon, but also a necessary tool for activities and a tool for cooking food.

 

 

Part 4. Debate over the identity of Jesus

 

Ⅰ. Jews who do not believe that they are the Son of God

 

1. Parable of the sower

Mark 4:3-9 『Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And the other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.』

This parable tells the secret of heaven. In Matthew 13:11, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Here, “you” are the disciples. Only the disciples of Jesus were allowed to know the secret. All people in Christ are disciples of Jesus. He who is in Christ becomes a disciple not because he believes in Jesus, but because he died on the cross with Jesus. Why does Jesus ask us to deny ourselves? This is because the ‘self’ is the old fleshly person who kills the spirit.

So, “the purpose of Jesus coming to the world” was to save the spirit. The spirit is those who were in Christ in the kingdom of God. However, those who were in Christ separated from Christ and became trapped in this world. The Bible says in Ephesians 5:31-32, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.』The church means the spirit of the saints. Because the spirit was trapped in the earth, the material of this world, it died, and the living being that became a human became a soullike being. “Dead” means that the relationship with God is broken.

In order to know the secrets of heaven, believers must know “who the sower is, who the seed is, and what the field (land) is.” The sower is God, and the seed is the word of God. The field depends on the hearts of people. In John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” God is the farmer and the sower. The story of the Garden of Eden appears in Genesis chapter 2. There is the fruit of the tree of life and the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fruit of the tree of life is the fruit that gives eternal life.

Man eating the fruit of the tree of life and gaining eternal life is explained in Genesis 3:22. 『And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:』 If a person eats the fruit of the tree of life, he will live forever. However, if a person does not eat from the tree of life, he or she will be kicked out of the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3:24, “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.』

『a flaming sword which turned every way』 symbolizes the law. The law makes us aware of sin, and sinners will inevitably die. However, God hidden the fruit of life (Christ) in the law. “Sinners must eat the fruit of life, but God forbids them from eating it” because they cannot eat the fruit of the tree of life while leaving the kingdom of God. So, God puts spirits into the dust, turns them into humans, and asks them to try to become like God themselves. So, when they realize that “it is impossible to achieve righteousness on one’s own,” they should give up and seek the fruit of the tree of life (Christ) hidden in the law. So, God says, “If sinners give up trying to achieve righteousness through the law,” He will send Christ, and He will achieve righteousness for them as long as they enter into Christ.

The seed refers to Christ as the seed of promise. However, the land expresses the human heart, and the land is dirt. The basis of man is soil. In Genesis 3:23, “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” To cultivate the land is to sow seeds. Cultivating a person's heart is to receive the word of God and bear fruit with it.

In Genesis 3:17-19, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast heard unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is.” the ground for your sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of your face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust thou return.』

If a person thinks, "In order to live on this earth, he must make food, and so God did it to cultivate the land and make a living," that is a worldly thought. If he thinks worldly, he does not know the fruit of eternal life. 『shalt thou eat bread』is the food of eternal life. He told us to dig up the ground (heart) to obtain food for eternal life.

In Genesis 2:15, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” God created humans in the world outside the Garden of Eden. So God led Adam to the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden symbolizes the kingdom of God. These words contain God's promise to lead humans to the kingdom of God. In 『to dress it and to keep it』, it means the fruit of the tree of life. God tells Adam to cultivate and protect the tree of life. If people do not cultivate and protect the land, they cannot eat the fruit of the tree of life.

『In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,』We can see that a person must sweat to obtain the fruit of eternal life. So the parable of sowing seeds is to obtain fruit that lasts forever. “The reason why we must eat eternal fruit” is because humans are not eternal beings. In the parable of the sowing field, four types of fields are introduced. In other words, it represents the minds of four types of people. Only one type of person is a good field. A good field is one where the seed of the word can fall into the heart and become life. A good field is a field that is in good condition for plowing and sowing seeds.

『Cultivating the mind』 means that "those who study the words of the Bible countless times and realize that they have sinned in the kingdom of God and are trapped on this earth" become those who have cultivated the field of the heart. However, many church people today think that they "sanctify the state of their hearts so that when they hear the word of God, they understand it well, and so the word becomes life with joy." They believe that in order to create a good field, "one must obey and practice the word of God to attain a state of holy heart." However, humans cannot become holy on their own. “Cultivating a good field” means “realizing that people are mortal beings apart from God, repenting, knowing that salvation is impossible without Christ, and dying with Christ.” To die with Christ is to cultivate. Dying is the death of the heart of greed. Salvation can be achieved only when “a person realizes his or her sins through the law, realizes that he or she must die through sacrifice, and discovers Christ within it.” This is “the meaning of cultivating the land.”

Of the four fields of the mind, except for the good fields, the remaining fields are where people place their minds on the world. So a bad field means a field that has no interest in the kingdom of God. “Those who realize that they are those who have left God, those who are trapped in darkness, and those who need the fruit of life” are the good fields. Therefore, God’s grace and work appear only in good fields. The Bible tells us that “the greed that caused us to leave God must die in order to enter the kingdom of God.” One must “die with Jesus on the cross.” When a sinner dies with Jesus, he is reborn with a spiritual body by the power of his Holy Spirit. Those who are born again with a spiritual body are saved.

 

2. Lamp on lampstand

Mark 4:21-23 『And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hidden, which shall not be manifest; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.』

Expressed from the first day to the seventh day in Genesis chapter 1, it is divided into light, firmament, land (seed), Maor, bird (sea), beast (man), and rest. This can be applied by connecting it with the terminology of the sanctuary and the contents of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation.

On the fourth day, Maor is like a lampstand. The Book of Revelation refers to the seven stars (messengers of the seven churches). The seven stars represent those who spread the gospel (saints). Saints become like stars who believe in present-day resurrection. In Chapter 7 of the Gospel of John, Jesus talks about Jews who cannot recognize the light. So in chapter 8, Jesus says that He is the light. And in chapter 9, Jesus heals a blind man. The season at that time is related to Pentecost. The Book of Revelation is related to the contents of chapters 6 and 7, which are about the seven seals and seals. As the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost, believers receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and go out into the world to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God begins in the hearts of believers. This is Emmanuel.

When a church member becomes Emmanuel, he or she becomes a light within the church. To be Emmanuel is to have Christ with us. In other words, a person who believes that he died with Jesus and was resurrected with him becomes Emmanuel. So resurrection becomes the lamp.

Light radiates within it. There are those who are light in the church, and those who are not light are distinguished. So, it becomes the principle that those who are not light see the light and everyone becomes light. Light first shines inside the house and then goes out. A person who becomes Emmanuel in the church shines to everyone in the house. The house means the church of God. This means that there are those in the church who are shrouded in darkness. Because, there is a divide between those who believe in present resurrection and those who do not. This is the same as the parable of the wheat and the weeds. Before the light illuminates the whole world, one becomes the one who illuminates the house first, and then the light radiates to the whole world.

The light of this world is the light spoken of in Genesis 1:3.『And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.』Because this world is in darkness, God shines light. The original true light is Jesus Christ. In John 1:5, “And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 』God sent Jesus Christ to a world in darkness to become light. However, many people in the world do not know who Jesus is. He doesn't even try to know about the resurrection. Even though he says he is a believer, he does not believe in a present resurrection.

Those who believe in the present resurrection, that is, those who have entered into Christ, can shine light to others. But before that he was in darkness, and he could not shine. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” Jesus did not tell those in Christ to be light, but declared that they were light. We cannot become light on our own. However, in many churches today, people pray, “Let us be the light,” or “Let us be the light.” They cannot be light on their own, yet they say, “Let us be light.” If you are in Christ, you become light, and I pray that you may become light. This is, so to speak, the prayer of those who were not born from heaven. Those who have been resurrected to new life and are in Christ have already become light.

 

3. Parable of a growing seed

Mark 4:26-29『And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And he should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.』

Here, the kingdom of God is “he basileia to deu” (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ), meaning the kingdom of God the Father. God the Father gives the kingdom of God to “saints who have built a new temple in their hearts.” Man means God. Land means people made of dust. God created the shape of the earth and poured the Spirit into it. So, the shape of the earth became “a person with the image (temple) of God.” However, due to the sin of leaving God, the image of God disappeared. The temple in a person's heart has become an old temple (old person) without God. So, in order to give the new temple, God predestined Christ, and Jesus Christ, the last man, Adam, came to the world in the flesh and gave the resurrected body (new temple).

Those who gain the new temple become those who believe that “the old man (old temple) dies (destroys) with Jesus, is resurrected with Christ, and is born as a new man (new temple).” When a new temple is built in the hearts of believers, Christ will return and enter that temple. The “second coming and entering” means the establishment of the kingdom of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you do not believe in the present resurrection, the new temple will not be built. So, the resurrection of Christ is said to be the first fruit, and then the saints continue to bear the fruit of resurrection. And then the saint again bears fruit to others.

『For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself.』 Rather than God bringing forth fruit, man, the earth, must bear fruit himself. That is faith. Faith is “believing that something that cannot be hoped for will come true.” That faith is directly connected to the faith of Abraham. Romans 4:18-22 『Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body his now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but he was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.』

When Abraham first believed, he heard the voice of God saying, “Leave your hometown, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.” Abraham makes the surprising decision to leave his hometown, but takes his relative Lot with him. If a believer does not give up being the master, he will continue to believe according to his own will. We follow the Lord's commands only to the extent that we obey them. God made a promise to Abram. He caused the offering to be split open and showed fire coming down from heaven and going into and out of the offering. Abraham cannot help but believe God's promise. Abraham then receives the covenant. He receives the covenant, but Abram gives birth to Ishmael. It is not possible to obey the words of the Lord. He listened to Sarai, took Hagar, and gave birth to Ishmael. God spoke no more until Abraham became dead to God's promise. He says this until he is 99 years old. Apostle Paul explains this story in Romans chapter 4, saying, “Abraham received the faith that makes him righteous by faith when he was 100 years old.”

Abram laughed inwardly at the words of the Lord. This is because Abram was full of faith and love for Ishmael, the life he gave birth to as a human being. He was one with Ishmael. So there was no room for the words of God's promise to enter him. He had no faith in God's covenant at all. He said, "How will Sarah bear children since her womb is dead?" He said to God, "Let Ishmael live before you."

Today, we hear and see countless churches saying, “Believe in Jesus, believe in the merits of Jesus, believe in Jesus and you will be justified.” That statement is not complete. Even though Abram experienced victory over the war and had a spiritual experience of meeting Melchizedek, he could not obey the word of God. Because those who do not repent trust themselves like Peter. Even though Jesus said to Peter, “You will deny me three times tonight,” Peter, out of self-confidence, said, “Even if I die with you, I will not deny you.”

Peter trusts himself. In the eyes of others, Peter may be seen as the person who believed in Jesus the most out of all humans, but in the eyes of Jesus, Peter believed in himself more. This is what a person who does not repent looks like. Repentance is turning to the word of God. God saves those who believe the words of his Son. The Son's words are to unite with the cross and resurrection. God's will is to die in present union with Him on the cross, and to become fruitful people in present union with Him through resurrection. However, many believers today do not believe in present resurrection. Because they value the body. This is because they expect the body to come back to life after it dies. In John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; You must remember that the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

4. Parable of the mustard seed

Mark 4:30-32『And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it growseth up, and becomesth greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.』

The Bible says, “The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.” The farmer (God) planted this mustard seed in his field. The mustard seed is Jesus Christ. And his field represents Israel. God planted Christ (a mustard seed) in his field (Israel). So, the mustard seed grew into a large tree and became home to the birds of the air. “The flying birds of the air” are the birds that Peter saw in his vision. That is, they are strangers. Jesus Christ was born in Israel, but Gentiles enter the kingdom of God first. The parable of the mustard seed tells us that although the kingdom of God appears weak on earth at first, the gospel will spread to Gentiles through the coming of the Holy Spirit after the death and resurrection of the Messiah. The parable of the mustard seed is about those who believe in present resurrection.

God plants the mustard seed (Jesus Christ) in the field of the believer's heart. In the mustard seed parable, the field represents the temple (Kingdom of God) in the hearts of believers. In Matthew 13:31-32, the word heaven is used instead of the kingdom of God. Heaven is the Greek word “He Basileia ton Uranon,” which means the temple (Kingdom of God) in the heart. 『Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, It is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.』Jesus was the first fruits of the resurrection. Saints also bear the fruit of resurrection, and it spreads as saints share the fruit of resurrection through evangelism. The birds of the air represent the Gentiles, but they also represent those who believe in the present resurrection.

In Matthew 17, someone brought a man suffering from epilepsy to Jesus, but the disciples were unable to cure him. So someone brought the child to Jesus, and Jesus healed him. When the disciples asked, “Why can’t we heal?” He answered, “faithless and perverse generation,” and in verse 20, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove henceforth place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.』

“The reason the disciples could not cure the epilepsy,” Jesus said, “is because they did not have the faith of a mustard seed.” People think that faith the size of a mustard seed is “pure and true faith.” So, many churches say, “We must pray and ask every day to have this kind of faith.” A person cannot have this kind of faith based on his flesh or blood. Only those who repent and deny themselves can receive this faith as a gift. To obtain this faith only one must become a tiller of the land. When the land is tilled, the farmer sows seeds. When a farmer tills the land, sows seeds, and cultivates them so that they sprout, they bear fruit and harvest. Faith is also like this. Plow the field of your heart, sow the seeds of God's word, and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it is connected to the death and resurrection of the cross. Sowing seeds is associated with the death of the cross, and bearing fruit is associated with resurrection. Those who believe in present resurrection can cure epilepsy.

『If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove henceforth place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.』

Faith is the belief that one died on the cross and was resurrected. If the believer believes in the present resurrection, the old temple (this mountain) is moved away in the believer's heart. So, if a believer says, “Move that mountain (new temple) from there to here,” it will be moved. This is what God does. Those who believe in present resurrection will have a new temple built in their hearts, and Christ will return to their hearts, so saints will also receive the power of God. That power is the power to cure illness and forgive sins. Therefore, the reason the disciples could not heal the epileptic was because the power of resurrection did not come.

“Those who do not have the power of present resurrection” remain sinners deserving of death on the cross. So they become faithless and perverse generation. Jesus told his disciples three times that he would die on the cross and be resurrected three days later, but no one listened. It is still faithless and perverse generation. You might wonder how Jesus could receive the power of resurrection before he died on the cross, but because Jesus was given power by God, his disciples could receive power directly while he was alive. However, because they had no expectation of resurrection, the power could not come to them.

 

5. Parable of wheat and weeds

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat. , and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.』

Today, many churches compare wheat and tares; the wheat refers to those who are good at living a religious life, and the tares refer to those who are not good at living a religious life. Living a good religious life is explained by not missing worship, tithing well, and serving the church well. However, this tells us that there are two hearts in the hearts of believers. This means that there are wheat (new temple) and tares (old temple) in the hearts of believers.

The grain is wheat. By the way, tares are poisonous plants that are similar to wheat but cannot be eaten. The Bible tells us to leave the wheat and weeds alone until the harvest. This means that the weeds will be burned during the harvest. The reason Jesus gave the parable of the wheat and the weeds is because it has meaning. What is said in Matthew 24-30 is explained in 13:36-43. 『Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the Tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And he shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.』

Jesus comes to the world and sows good seeds (the Word of God). The Word of God is Jesus Christ. This is because Christ is the Word who became flesh and came among us. God's sowing of Jesus Christ into the world will be "the blood of death on the cross and the flesh of resurrection." Those who eat the flesh of resurrection bear fruit.

God predestined salvation in the world before the creation of the world, and the first covenant is the words of Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.』Based on this promise, God chose Noah, Abraham, and sent prophets to continue the words of the covenant. The people of Israel had heard the promise for generations, and they had come to see the promise from afar as it was to be fulfilled.

The promise that will come true is Jesus Christ. When Christ comes, the promise is fulfilled, and receiving the promise of fulfillment is faith. That faith currently believes in the death of the cross with Jesus and the resurrection with Christ. In Galatians 3:23-24, “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.』Here, faith is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If this present faith in resurrection comes into us, we can enter into Christ and become righteous. The grains that are fruitful through the good seed (death on the cross) become the sons of heaven (resurrection).

“The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed the weeds is the devil.” The sons of the evil one are the children of Satan. When Jesus referred to Israel, he said that they were children of the devil. In John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.』When Jesus said this to Israel, it means that all humans in the world are children of the devil. Being a child of the devil means being a sinner against God.

Wheat and tares exist together in the hearts of believers. God leaves the wheat and the weeds together until the harvest. Harvest means gathering the wheat and burning the weeds with fire. (Baptism by fire) Baptism by fire means judgment. As believers receive water baptism (death to sin) and fire baptism (death to their old self), they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a new temple (resurrection) is established. God harvests the weeds during the judgment of fire. It is the death of an old person.

Wheat and tares do not appear as a result of a certain religious life, but it means that I can be the wheat and I can become the tares. In the hearts of believers who believe in present resurrection, there is an old temple and a new temple. The old temple is represented by the old man appearing from the flesh. However, for those who believe in present resurrection, the new temple comes down from heaven. This is also called a new person. When the new temple is built, the old temple that I previously thought of as “me” no longer has anything to do with me. That is why it is said that the ancient people are dead. In Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Even when the new temple is built, the old temple exists right next to it. Even though it has nothing to do with me, it continues to confuse my sense of existence. It makes it look as if the weeds next to the wheat are the wheat. The tares in my heart are filled with greed and have a strong desire to live according to the flesh. However, the grain is the desire to live according to the Holy Spirit. These two minds coexist. Romans 8:5-8 『For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.』

 

6. Parable of the treasure, the net, the pearl, and the householder

Matthew 13:44 『Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hidden in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.』

Regarding this statement, people may misunderstand that they can buy heaven by selling everything they have. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak in parables?” Jesus answered, He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”

This is to hide it from some people and reveal it to others. Regarding the subject of hidden secrets, Matthew 13:14-15 says, “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.』

“Those who understand the secrets of heaven” that Jesus spoke of are “those who realize that they are sinners and repent.” Therefore, tax collectors and sinners who hope for God's mercy are the ones who realize the secrets of heaven. Because the Pharisees try to reveal their own righteousness, they become people who do not understand the secrets of heaven. Among those who have realized the secrets of heaven, no one can exclude Apostle Paul. He met Jesus in the light in Damascus. Then he ascended directly to the third heaven and heard the secret from God.

The secret is what is said in Acts 26:17-18: 『Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.』Apostle Paul explains this again in Ephesians 3:6.『That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:』

Apostle Paul also talks about this secret in Romans 11:25-26. 『For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:』 This word is mentioned in Isaiah 49:6. 『And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give. thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.』

The reason God chose Israel is because Israel is the model for all people in the world. This means that all nations should learn from Israel. Allowing Gentiles to be saved is a mystery of God that was already established before the creation of the world. So, in order to implement this mystery, God chose Israel first. God spoke to Apostle Peter through vision and revelation. In Acts 10:11-16, God tells him to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. Especially in 10:12-13, “Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; Kill, and eat.』Through these words, the gospel, the resurrection faith, is first spread to Gentiles.

『Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hidden in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.』Here too, heaven is the resurrected Christ. It is said that heaven is like a treasure, so resurrection is a treasure. But the treasure is hidden in the field. The field is the field of the heart. Field is 『Agros』 in Greek. There is cultivated land and uncultivated land. The cultivated fields are those who have found Christ in the law, and the uncultivated fields are those who have not found Christ in the law.

『the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy his goeth.』Here man means God. I am so happy that the saints found the resurrected Christ in the law. There is an old temple in the heart of a believer, and by selling it (dying on the cross), you can buy a treasure (new temple). The word hidden means that the treasure is a new temple built deep in the heart. This is what people don't know.

Pearls likewise symbolize present resurrection. Because saints can obtain resurrection through death on the cross, present resurrection was likened to a pearl. Likewise, among the fish caught in the net, the good fish symbolize the belief in the present resurrection and the establishment of a new temple (new man) in the heart, while the bad fish symbolize the old temple that must die. So, put the good fish in the basket and throw away the bad fish.

 

7. Parable of finding the lost sheep

Luke 15:1-7 『Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it ? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance 』

Regarding the background of Jesus telling this parable, the Pharisees and scribes were dissatisfied when they saw “Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners.” The Pharisees were confident that they were righteous people and that the Messiah would come to them. However, they were dissatisfied with Jesus, who was called the Messiah, because he talked and ate with sinners. Jesus knew this. That is why this parable was told.

Parables have hidden meanings. Only those who hear and understand will know the meaning of the parable. Those who do not have ears to hear do not know the meaning of the parable. There is a parable of the sower in Matthew 13:11-13. He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.』

In Isaiah 55:1, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.』"Those who are thirsty and have no money" are like this about the kingdom of God. This means that God gives it to those who seek it. So, tax collectors and sinners sought the kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “The poor in spirit” is someone who knows that their spirit is poor in the kingdom of God. Those who are poor in spirit are those who have left God. So, if a person who understands this asks God for life that saves the spirit, God will give it to him.

The life that saves the spirit refers to the kingdom of God. In order to obtain the kingdom of God (resurrection), you must repent and ask God. God provides a way to return to the kingdom of God. That way is Jesus Christ. It is to believe that those who repent will die on the cross with Jesus and be resurrected with Christ.

A believer must know about one hundred sheep. The number ten represents completeness and fullness. One hundred is ten of ten. In other words, it is more complete (resurrected). The one hundred sheep refers to all of Israel, and more broadly, to all the people of the world. However, here, the one hundred sheep are Israel. In 『If you lose one of them』, the original Hebrew word for 『lose』 has the meaning of 『die, be destroyed』. In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son repented and returned to his father's house. The father is giving him a feast. However, the eldest son is complaining about this.

In Luke 15:32, 『It was meeting that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again (resurrection); and he was lost, and is found. Here, “I died and came back to life, I lost and found.” Here, the word “lost” is replaced with the meaning of dead. This contains the meaning of “searching for the dead, the lost sheep, among the people of Israel, and giving them resurrection life.” The meaning of 『Dead and Lost』 is that the spirit is dead. Because they left God's kingdom, they became sinners before God. So it died and was lost. So, saving the spirit is resurrection life.

In John 9:39-41, “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remains.』

Blind people are those who have left the kingdom of God and are blind to the kingdom of God (resurrection life). The content of Jesus’ judgment is, “He makes those who do not see see, and he makes those who see not see.” Those who cannot see are tax collectors and sinners. Those who see are the Pharisees. They say they see the kingdom of God.

『Jesus said to them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth..』The Pharisees claim to see the kingdom of God, but the truth is that they are sinners who do not even know much about the kingdom of God. Jesus closes the eyes of those who claim their own righteousness. Therefore, they cannot see the kingdom of God, which is resurrection life.

To repent means to turn back. Most church people think of repentance because of the sins they committed in this world, but the fundamental thing about repentance is to repent of leaving the kingdom of God. “Resisting God and leaving God” is a sin, and that is why sinners turn and return to the kingdom of God. So, repentance is for a sinner to give up the “greed to become like God” and go back. “Giving up greed” means dying of the sinful nature (greed of the flesh) hidden in the body. Fleshly greed appears as a subject called self. He creates the idea that he can do something to gain the kingdom of God. Repentance is giving up what you can do for the kingdom of God. So, God happily welcomes those who repent and return. “God’s word to repent” means to abandon the desire to become like God and return. What a believer abandons is self-denial.

『I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.』"Who is that likewise repentant? He is a sheep who has left God. However, when the shepherd finds the lost sheep, what the sheep does is to return with the shepherd. The sheep does nothing and simply returns. Following the shepherd is Jesus Christ. “Following Christ who died on the cross and was resurrected” means that the sheep that died on the cross and was resurrected together is a sinner. When they meet this shepherd, they can return home. Those who believe in the death of the cross and the present resurrection are the sheep that follow the shepherd.

Jesus explains this again, the story of Zacchaeus. Jesus, through Zacchaeus, says in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The nine sheep of Ahon represent the Pharisees and scribes who call themselves righteous by boasting of their own righteousness. These are the people today who look at resurrection with physical eyes.

 

8. The parable of the woman who found the lost drachmas

Luke 15:8-10 『Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does she not light a candle, and sweep the house, and diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.』

This is the second of Jesus' parables. The first parable is about a shepherd losing one of his hundred sheep, and the shepherd goes out to find that one sheep. It is not that the sheep has lost its way, but that it has lost its shepherd. So, the story is about a shepherd leaving ninety-nine in the field and going in search of one. This indicates that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, abandoned his throne in heaven and came to this earth.

And, the second parable is a story about a woman looking for a lost coin. This is the story of the Holy Spirit coming to the church and the woman, the church, finding lost (dead) coins through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. In the second parable, we can do nothing because the spirit is dead. It is possible to save the spirit only through the work of the Holy Spirit. The last verses of both parables are the same: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Losing the shepherd is the beginning of sin. According to circumstances like these, our condition comes to the second parable.

The human spirit is dead in the dark. What we need is light (resurrection). So the Lord established the church, which was purchased and established by the Lord with the price of His blood. The church is not a church building, but a temple in the hearts of believers. 『On this rock I will build a church.』 When Jesus builds a church, it means 'dry bones attaching themselves, skin attaching to them, tendons attaching to them, and breath of life into them.' This means the resurrection of the saints. This is it. It happened on Pentecost.

God breathes life into the dead, so the dead come back to life spiritually, and the revived spirit takes on a “spirit body.” That is why the saints become the temple and the church. In John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that shall hear live.”

All people are dead in spirit due to sin and transgression, but the dead spirit does not come back to life because “God shows love.” In order for the spirit dead in sin to come back to life, the righteousness of God (death and resurrection on the cross) is necessary. So, Noah preached righteousness. In 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Noah was a spreader of righteousness.

Our goal is to become righteous (resurrection). Only by becoming a righteous person can one become perfect. Only then can God walk with us. First, believers seek one kingdom and righteousness. In Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

God's righteousness (death and resurrection on the cross) is revealed, and God's wrath is revealed to those who block injustice. Today, those who block the truth through unrighteousness consider themselves “righteous.” So, two things are clashing within the church.

When God tries to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He searches for the righteous. He told Abraham that if there were even ten righteous people, God would not destroy them. Being righteous is important. Righteousness comes before love. Love without righteousness is of no use. All the words of the prophets seek justice first. Next, compassion and love follow. Many churches today talk about God's love first. If a believer does not have righteousness, he cannot meet God. Why does reconciliation with God occur when a believer repents? Because God is righteous. In Hebrews, Noah is called “the heir of righteousness.” In other words, he was saved because he was righteous. Because he was righteous, God allowed Noah to build an ark and save his life.

The parable of the prodigal son emphasizes the father’s love. The parable of the prodigal son means that both of his sons are corrupt. Salvation is impossible for both. This is what a human being looks like. Both those who appear good and those who are unrighteous are corrupt. The prodigal son abandons his loving father. While he is loved by his father, he abandons his father. Jesus said, “The hour is coming and now is when the dead will hear the voice of God.” Those who repent hear the voice of the shepherd. When one hears a voice, the spiritually dead come back to life (resurrection).

This means that the woman lights a lamp to look for and find the lost coin. People say that through these words, people cannot repent. They say that only with the help of the Holy Spirit can one repent. This is only half true. “Hearing the voice of the shepherd and turning back (repentance: dying on the cross)” is the believer’s job. Then, God resurrects the believer.

 

9. Parable of the prodigal son

Luke 15:25-32 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safety and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his father came out to him, and treated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a child, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this. thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and he is alive again; and he was lost, and he is found.』

Talk about why Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son. In Luke 15:1, “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him..” Tax collectors and sinners are condemned by everyone. They came to Jesus. And in verse 2 of chapter 15, “the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eateth with them.” They criticized Jesus. So, because the Pharisees criticized Jesus, Jesus spoke the words of verses 3-4.

『What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, do not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it?』 When the lost sheep is found, neighbors and friends are invited and a feast is held. So, in verse 7 of this story, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Jesus is mentioned about repentance.

Next, the parable of finding the lost drachma appears in verses 8-10, where a woman lost the drachma not outside but inside the house. When she found it, she said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Repentance is also mentioned here.

What is repentance? Today, the meaning of repentance has changed from repent to receive. It changed from turning away to accepting. Looking at the finding of the lost sheep and the lost drachma in the parable above, the parable of finding the lost sheep is a parable about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, coming to this world. Many people think that salvation means returning to the Lord. Not like that. The Lord came to this earth in the form of His Son. There is no one righteous, not even one; no one seeks God.

In the second parable of the drachma, the drachma is dead. In Ephesians 2:1 it says, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” This means that all people are dead in spirit. In Chapter 2, Verse 2, 『Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:』

The reason one is “dead in trespasses and sins” is because one follows the world’s customs and is therefore dead to God. “All who are not Lord Jesus” are dead enemies. Even if a believer goes to church, if the believer follows the world, the master is the devil. Ephesians 2:3 says, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.』

This verse says, “They were not children of love, but children of wrath.” However, since the parable of the prodigal son refers to his father's love, it brings to mind a loving God. The parable of the prodigal son is “the prodigal son returning to his father.” Here, believers must think about what “the meaning of death” is in 『Your brother was dead and came back to life, I was lost and I found』. God does not love everyone, but loves “those who died (death on the cross) and come back alive (resurrected people).” A person who dies and comes back to life means a person who has been born again and has resurrection life in heaven.

In the Bible, the Tower of Siloam suddenly collapsed, killing more than ten people passing by. It was truly a pity. Even today, many people die unjustly while passing through construction sites. However, when the disciples said to Jesus, “It is a pity that those who died because of the Tower of Siloam”, Jesus said, “If you do not repent, you will die like that.” It is wrong to say that God loves everyone. This does not mean that God loves even those who have not repented.

People may think that receiving God's love makes them perfect. But God’s righteousness comes first. Those who do not have the righteousness of God do not deserve to receive love. Those who have the righteousness of God are those who first died with Jesus Christ, and those who have the righteousness of God (resurrection life). Therefore, what sinners need is not love, but righteousness. Because God is angry with those who lack righteousness. All people are by nature children of wrath.

Romans 1:17-18 says, 『For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;』

And in Romans 2:5, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” this is the face of all humans. A person who is not born again has the devil as his father, and sinners become servants of the devil. So, God is angry. This means that this is the righteousness of God.

Jesus says that the last days will be like the days of Noah and Lot.

People think that they have been evil since childhood, and that we are living in an age where they have no knowledge of God's righteousness. Even in the church, it is not easy to find people who have "repentance that their fleshly self must die." Although they say they believe in it, there are very few people who are united with the death of Jesus, and there are many false church members who live a life where they are the master, not a life where Jesus is the master. God is angry, and people only believe in the God of love. Therefore, they are not given the present resurrection life.

 

The Book of Revelation says that “those who do not put on the robe of righteousness (resurrection)” will have their names erased from the book of life. Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife.” But people may remember Lot. Lot's wife symbolizes someone who cannot escape from the law. After hearing the gospel (death and resurrection of the cross) and then looking back at the law (self-righteousness), these words became a pillar of salt. Believers must look to God until the end. Those who see to the end are those who repent to find their lost spirit. Just as Noah proclaims the way of righteousness, only those who proclaim the way of righteousness will look to God until the end. Then, God gives him resurrection life, and he returns to the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God means none other than the kingdom of God in the hearts of believers.

 

10. Parable of the Unjust Steward

Luke 16:1-9 『And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of your stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, One hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, One hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habits.』

The unjust manager squandered the owner's property by arbitrarily writing off the owner's property to the tenant. However, the owner looks at this unrighteous manager and says, “Well done.”

In order to understand this parable, you must understand the characteristics of the characters. Master means God. So God wants to forgive his debt. In Matthew 18:23-35, there is a story about a man who owed 10,000 talents. A certain official owed the king 10,000 talents. The king urged him to repay the debt, but when he said he was unable to repay, the king took pity on him and forgave the debt. This ruler withdrew from the king, and on his way home, he found a man who owed him 100 denarii (a very small amount of money) and demanded that he pay the debt.

When he said that the man could not repay, he took him away and put him in prison. However, when another official reported this to the king, the king became angry and locked the official who owed 10,000 talents in prison and did not allow him to come out until the debt was paid in full. In this parable, Jesus said, “A believer must forgive his brother’s sins.”

The second person is "an unrighteous manager, and the unrighteous manager was managing the rich man's property. There is a temple (old man: the first man, Adam) planted in the human heart by God. The person who manages this temple is the unrighteous man called 'I'. The unjust steward, the old man, thinks he is rich because he manages everything that comes from the flesh.

A similar parable appears in Luke 12:16-21. As the farmer's produce increased, he built more barns, filled them with food, and said, “Now I have enough food, so I will have no problem eating and living.” Jesus said through the parable, “God said to him, Thou fool.” , this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? This means that all the wealth in this world is not mine.

When compared to material wealth, the “unjust stewards living on this earth” try to increase their wealth by treating all wealth as if it were theirs, even though it is not theirs. Someone reported to the rich man that the unjust manager was using the rich man's wealth to unjustly accumulate his own wealth and steal other people's wealth. He accumulated wealth unrighteously "by charging excessive interest and taking a portion of the wealth of rich people who lent it to others." When the owner found out about this, he asked to settle the accounts of the transaction in order to end the transaction with the unjust manager. When an unjust steward is fired, he expected that there would be nothing left to do afterward, so he came up with a trick: to later look good on those who owed the master, he would write off the master's debt. However, when the rich man sees this situation, he praises the unrighteous manager.

However, the rich person hopes that the debts of those who owe him will disappear. Do you understand? God praises an unrighteous manager. The unrighteous steward has been managing the things of the old people and exploiting the master, but now he is eliminating all the debts that the old people had. This means the death of the old person. Likewise, it symbolizes the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus came to this world to redeem sinners. He came to forgive the debts of repentant sinners. What the unrighteous manager did and what Jesus did are consistent.

However, what is the meaning of God’s words, “Make friends through unrighteous wealth,” and what is the meaning of the words, “When unrighteous wealth disappears, they will welcome you into the eternal dwelling place?” 『Unrighteous wealth 』 is a fresh (old person) with hidden greed inherited from parents. However, God said, “Make your friends with unrighteous wealth.” Because he leads me to my eternal place (heaven). This means becoming friends with Jesus who died on the cross. The friend is Jesus, who came to this world as a sinner and died on the cross.

Can unrighteous wealth and Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, be friends? In John 15:13-14, 『Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.』So in Romans 6:3-4, 『Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.』"“He who dies with Jesus on the cross” becomes Jesus’ friend.

In John 15:14-15, Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Thereforeforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” To become a friend of Jesus, all you have to do is do what Jesus commands. The command is the content of John 15:12. 『This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.』

In John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.』 Nothing would please God more than if we “use our time, our means, and our power for those who do not know God and are indebted to Him, to bring them back to Him.” However, the people of the world will hate those who preach God.

In John 15:26-27, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear.” witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.』

When a believer preaches about the Word of God and Jesus Christ, he is empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ. The message that believers must convey is the death of the cross and the present resurrection.

 

11. Parable of the widow and the judge

Luke 18:1-8 『And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect him, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?』

The Bible says, “Life is like grass that sprouts in the morning,” and “It’s like sleeping for a little while.” It also says, “Even if our lives are seventy or eighty, they are gone in an instant.” However, humans think in their minds that they will live forever. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” This means “prepare for judgment,” but people don’t seem to have that mindset at all. They have a vague idea, “If I believe in Jesus, I will go to heaven.”

When it is said, “The widow should go before the unjust judge and get her revenge,” the believers think of these words as “a prayer clinging to God.” The Bible says in Hebrews 11:13-16, “The country to which we must return is the kingdom of God.” These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded. of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God : for he hath prepared for them a city.』

Home means “I lived there,” and the human spirit comes from God, but the reason people do not think that home is God’s country is because they do not know the fact.

In order for a believer to return home, he must know that the human spirit came from God. When God distributed the land of Canaan to the Israelites, he said in Leviticus 25:23, “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.”

It could be that God is speaking about the land of Canaan, or believers can think that God is speaking about this world. If we say that the land of Canaan is a stranger, Israel came from Egypt, so Egypt becomes their homeland. It makes no sense to say that Egypt is our hometown. So, I am a stranger to this land.

Looking at the words in Hebrews 11:13-16 above, the ancestors of Israel looked upon God's promise from afar and testified that they were "strangers to this land." In other words, this means that there is a hometown to which one must return. If we are talking about Ur of the Chaldees, which Abraham left, there is a chance to return, but it is not that place. Not even Egypt. In the book of Hebrews, it is said that the better country is “in heaven.” The meaning of “better” refers not to this earth, the material world, but to the kingdom of God, the spiritual world.

Every spirit in life is a traveler who comes from the kingdom of God, stays for a while, and then must return. Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; The flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” In Ecclesiastes 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God.” He said, “Who gave it.” The body returns to the earth, and the spirit returns to the kingdom of God.

However, most believers say that “the subject of one’s mind” is a mind that originates from the flesh. In the Bible, the source of the carnal mind is expressed as the old man. Since this old man originates from the flesh, the spirit can be revived only when the flesh dies. What God saves is the spirit. The spirit should not be in the body, but in the spirit world. However, it is unnatural for the spirit to be in the body. Because the spirit is trapped in the body. Even in the Bible, it is expressed as “trapped in prison.” The purpose of Jesus coming to the world was “to free those who were imprisoned.”

In John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” it is said that God is spirit. Since God is spirit, he is in the kingdom of God. Humans also have a spirit. In Luke 8:55, it is said that the daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, died, but her spirit returned when Jesus brought her back to life. 『And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.』 According to Jesus' words in John 6:63, "The spirit is dead." “The spirit is dead” means “the relationship with God has been broken.”

The world in which humans live is called the material world. God created the spirit in the kingdom of God, so why is this spirit not in the kingdom of God but in the material world, the earthy body? In other words, the spirit is trapped in the body. If the spirit is in the kingdom of God, it is free, but if the spirit is trapped in the dirt, it is not free. However, Jesus said that he would free those who were imprisoned. The spirit comes out of the body when the body dies, but the spirit cannot come out of the body while alive in this world, but it can find freedom through Jesus Christ. When “the old self, which originated from the flesh and the sins committed from heaven,” die on the cross with Jesus, the dead spirit rises and returns to the kingdom of God in a spiritual body that is resurrection.

The mind of the spirit is different from the mind that comes from the flesh. The words 『you must deny yourself』 mean that this spirit mind is different from the mind in freshness. The words 『you must deny yourself』 mean to deny the cardinal mind that comes from this fresl. Because, the cardinal mind that comes from fresh has a greed to become like God. This means denying this mind. Because what is in this freshness is the greed (sin) of wanting to be like God.

God put his spirit into the dust and he became human. From the spirit's point of view, this means that this land is a stranger. The phrase “God put it in the dust” means “the spirit was confined in the dust.” In 2 Corinthians 12:4, the Apostle Paul confesses, 『How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.』 Paradise is explained by humans on earth. Paul expressed that it was an indescribably good place. However, the spirit trapped in the material world and in the earthen human being is trapped in darkness.

Through the parable of the unjust judge and the widow, Jesus said, “Cry out, will you not grant the favor of the elect?” The resentment of the chosen ones is the “evil heart of thinking that they can become like God.” The widow symbolizes someone who has left God, Satan plays the role of a prosecutor, and Jesus plays the role of a lawyer. However, the judge is also Jesus. Since Jesus acts as both a lawyer and a judge, this means that he is not fair. It was expressed as unrighteous.

The sinner continues to ask “Jesus Christ, the lawyer and judge,” to repent of his mistakes and forgive his sins. So, as a lawyer, Jesus died to redeem a sinner (a widow), and as a judge, he raised a dead sinner (death on the cross) and made him a righteous person (resurrection).

A believer's greatest wish on earth should be to return to God, and the Bible does not say, "Pray for the world's blessings and do well," but "Pray to return to the kingdom of God." In order to return with Jesus, a believer must believe that he died on the cross with Jesus and was resurrected with Christ. In Luke 18:8, Jesus said, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 』Today, most believers do not believe in present resurrection. Because they see with their physical eyes, they believe that the body dies and is resurrected. So they have no heavenly life. However, “the widow who harassed the unjust judge” will receive resurrection life in heaven.

 

12. Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector

Luke 18:9-14『And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tites of all that I possess. And the public, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house his justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be based; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.』

This word is a metaphor for one’s own righteousness. Comparing the Pharisees and tax collectors, the tax collectors did nothing for justification. Only, the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.』 However, the Pharisees made a lot of effort to obtain righteousness. The Pharisees say to God, “I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” However, the tax collector was justified.

The reason people live in this world is because evil angels (spirits) in the kingdom of God wanted to be like God and sinned against God. God confined the spirits in a dark place. That is this world. God created the material world and trapped the spirit in the dust. So, when humans are born, they become soul.

Things continued where humans revealed their righteousness. After the first man, Adam, humans began to multiply, and God chose a people, gave them the law, and enlightened those who had fallen into their own righteousness. God says, “If they strictly follow the law, I will make them righteous.” However, God's will is for those who keep the law to realize that they are sinners who cannot keep the law, and to repent and seek Christ. However, most of the Israelites are still trying to become righteous people by keeping the law. The image of Israel shows the image of the people of this world. Everyone is like that. So, they think they can become gods through various efforts.

God promised a way for spirits to return. In Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.』The descendant is Christ. And God chose Abraham, made a covenant for his seed, and had Abraham circumcise. And Jesus came to this world as Christ (Messiah). However, the Israelites did not regard him as the Messiah. The purpose of Jesus coming to this world was to save dead spirits.

In Romans 8:3-4, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.』 Those who die on the cross with Jesus Christ free themselves from the law and fulfill the righteousness of God.

However, the Pharisees said that they would achieve righteousness by keeping the law, but the tax collector stood at a distance and did not even dare to raise his eyes to heaven, and confessed, "He beat his chest and said, 'God, have mercy on me a sinner!'" Jesus Christ approaches those who confess like this. Jesus Christ, who approaches the tax collector, becomes for him the death and resurrection of the cross. The publican did not achieve his righteousness through his own abilities, but went only to Christ.

God imprisoned the Israelites in Egypt for 430 years. God wants the people to cry out to God in painful and distressed situations. Being imprisoned in Egypt is the same concept as the Israelites being imprisoned by the law. The people are trying to keep the law, but they must confess that they cannot keep it, cry out, and seek Christ. So in Galatians 3:23-24, “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be.” justified by faith."

God's will is "to have the people abandon the idea that they can do it on their own, repent and return." He causes everyone who believes in his Son to return. Believing in the Son means becoming one with Jesus who died on the cross and one with the resurrected Christ. This means throwing away all thoughts of self-righteousness. That's why Jesus said to deny yourself and take up your cross. Then, Jesus says, resurrection life will be given to those who repent. Those who do not believe in the present resurrection are, like the Pharisees, immersed in the law.

 

13. Parable of ten pounds

Luke 19:11-27『And as they heard these things, he added and sparked a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou hast authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takesst up that thou layst not down, and reapest that thou. did not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.』

This parable is similar to the parable of the talents in the Gospel of Matthew. However, it is different from the parable of the talents. Church people think through this parable that if they evangelize well, God will reward them. The core of this parable is to see how people understood and acted on what Jesus Christ said when He died on the cross, rose again, and went to His Father. This parable clearly shows those who are saved and those who are not saved.

This parable was told when Jesus died on the cross, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. Jesus died on the cross and fulfilled the law, but what he left to the world was not the law, but the word of resurrection life, the gospel of grace. The word of life was expressed as bread. In John 6:48-51, “I am that bread of life.” Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.』These words are fulfilled by Jesus through his death on the cross, and through his resurrection, through resurrection life.

Talent (Greek) is called 『Kikar』 in Hebrew, and was one of the shewbreads of the sanctuary. In other words, it represents the law. In Deuteronomy 18:22, “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follows not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.』 The future prophet appointed by God is Jesus Christ. So, the parable of the talents and the parable of the minas are for believers to see whether “what Jesus Christ did has experience and fulfillment.”

The Greek word for “business” is called “elgajomai.” Jesus performed the miracle of five loaves and two fish. So the Jews tried to make Jesus king. Jesus learned of this and fled the scene. The next day, the Jews came again. Jesus said, “The reason you came to me was not because you saw a sign, but because you ate and were satisfied. Do not work for food that perishes, but work for food that endures for eternal life.” “Work.” This is 『Elgajomai』. It is called ‘Abad’ in Hebrew. Working means cultivating. Cultivation involves sowing seeds and harvesting fruits. Spiritually, it means that believers must plow the fields of their hearts to contain God’s words of resurrection and life. So, the fruit that comes from the saints is the life of heaven. The word 『El gajomai』, 『doing work』, was used in this sense. In other words, this is what the word “do business” means..

The phrase “buried with talents” means to discover eternal life “through the bread of life (resurrection) obtained through the preceding process.” Jesus gave the saints five talents, two talents, and one talent. Five refers to the law. He did business with five talents (the law) and made five talents, which became ten talents. The ten talents signify the completion of the law. The fulfillment of the law is the death of Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s death, he left behind bread (resurrection) and wine (forgiveness of sins). The parable of Dalat is a word spoken to Israel. Those who left behind talents are those who fulfill the law and gain resurrection life in Christ. Two talents are two living breads (resurrection). The person who received two talents earned two talents. The believer gave the two living loaves (resurrection) to others and bore the fruit of resurrection. The saint spread the resurrection to another person, so that heavenly life could be opened to him or her. The one who received one talent took one bread and buried it in the ground. He made it so that no one could know about the resurrection. This is not a present resurrection, but those who think that resurrection can be achieved after the body dies (buries in the ground).

In Matthew 23:13-15, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! “For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” “Believers buried in the ground” means that believers believe in the present death of the cross, but The present resurrection is for those who hold a half-gospel that they do not believe in. Since he believes in the resurrection that will happen one day after the death of his body, he is spiritually dead.

The metaphor of ten pounds is expressed almost in the same way as talent. However, the parable of ten pounds is that ten pounds (live bread: resurrection) were given to ten people. “Bury until I return.” And, someone says, “I left ten pounds with one pound.” The word ten (10) refers to the whole world. The word 『do business』 here is different from 『Elgajomai』 in the parable of the talents.

The Greek word 『Pragma duomai』 comes from 『Phraso』. This means ‘doing’. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.』 “What was done in the body” means the accomplishment of (resurrection) death on the cross with Jesus Christ. it means. In other words, this means dying with Jesus (drinking his blood) and being resurrected with Christ (eating his flesh). Eat the flesh of Jesus, drink his blood, and become a person who has righteous resurrection life. Doing business with ten pounds means sharing resurrection life. Doing business without paying anything.

『Thy pound hath gained ten pounds,』 “ten pounds” means that the Word is complete. This means that we have become righteous (resurrected life) through the body and blood of Jesus. 『And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou hast authority over ten cities.』The city means the city of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem is a shadow of the true temple (New Jerusalem). The ten cities refer to the city of New Jerusalem. Authority means authority that comes from heaven. Coming from heaven means that a new temple comes down from heaven in the hearts of believers in present-day resurrection, and God enters that temple.

A person who received 5 pounds also says that he had 5 pounds left over from 1 pound. So the owner said, “And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.” The word “five” means that there are many who have to harvest. Those who “behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin” are those who believe in physical resurrection. Since the treasure is hidden in the veil, there is no present resurrection, which means there is no life in heaven.

『Wherefore then did not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?』Here, the word bank (Greek: trapeza) means 『table』 in Greek. It refers to the table of bread and bread (resurrection). In Hebrews 9:2, “For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; Which is called the sanctuary.』 In Exodus 25:30, 『And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.』 This means, “Why did you not put the living bread (resurrection life) of Jesus Christ on the table?” will be. If you put living bread on the table, anyone could eat it and gain resurrection life, but that is not what it means. When a believer eats the bread of life, a new life is born. The sin of the one who hides the bread is a great one. A hidden person is a person who believes in the resurrection of the body, and is a person for whom the present resurrection has not occurred.

 

14. Parable of the rich and the beggar

Luke 16:19-31 『There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and spread sumptuously every day:And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom his. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from then. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, least they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they heard not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. .』

Since Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees pointed this out. That is why Jesus spoke in Luke 16. The rich people refer to the Pharisees and scribes. When the Bible talks about the rich, it does not mean the rich of the world, but rather “one who tries to maintain his own righteousness toward God.” A rich person is a person who has nothing to ask of God. This is what Jesus says about the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:17. 『Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:』 The rich have no earnest heart for the kingdom of God.

The Pharisees and scribes are “those who try to justify themselves and be exalted before people.” Because they follow God's laws well, people respect them. It is said that the rich man wore purple clothes and fine linen and enjoyed luxury every day. This word, translated as “luxurious,” has the meaning of “clean (free from sin), indulgent.” When the Pharisees think of themselves, they think that they are living a clean life because they have always kept the law well. The Pharisees thought that they were different from tax collectors and sinners, so they always had no fear of sin and lived a happy life.

Beggars are a byword for poverty. Poverty is poverty toward the kingdom of God. Those who are poor in spirit have left the kingdom of God, and when they realize this, “the spirit is like that.” A beggar, like tax collectors and sinners, is someone who does not dare to raise his head towards God. The name 『Lazarus』 is “Lazarus” in Greek, but in Hebrew it is called “El Asar.” El means God, and Asar means receiving help. So, Lazarus means a man who received God’s grace.

Why was Lazarus able to enter Abraham's bosom? God does not save people by looking at their actions, but by looking at their faith. Entering Abraham's bosom means having the same faith as Abraham. In Galatians 3:6-7, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 』Abraham's faith is the faith that he believed in at the age of 100, even when he could not hope for it. Those who have this faith are the same as Abraham's faith, and it becomes a faith that hopes for Christ in the future.

Hebrews 11:17-19『By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called : Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.』

Lazarus means a person who has received God’s grace. So, Lazarus symbolizes tax collectors and sinners. In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus said that tax collectors and sinners confessed to God that they were sinners and repented. Sin is turning away from God. In the parable of the prodigal son, it is the prodigal son who leaves his father. Repentance means becoming like a dead person and returning to God.

“Now that the tax collectors and sinners have realized this, they eat and drink together with Jesus.” In other words, tax collectors and sinners return to God with Jesus Christ. The Pharisees thought themselves righteous, but the tax collectors and sinners confessed that they were sinners who could not raise their heads before God and asked for mercy. Tax collectors and sinners realized that being in this world itself was tied to the state of sin. Jesus says that when tax collectors and sinners realize their sins and seek mercy, he will give them heavenly blessings. This is resurrection life. God gives Isaac, the resurrection life, to those who have the same faith as Abraham.

『Abraham said, “Child, remember that in your lifetime you received good things, and Lazarus received evil things.” “The Pharisees and the scribes received good things” means that they received praise from people for their righteousness. In Luke 16:15, “And he said unto them, Ye are which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” That is why the rich go to Hades.

“Lazarus suffered.” “Suffering” has the meaning of “bad, evil, sin.” Lazarus accepted that he was a sinner who left God. That becomes faith for Lazarus. When a sinner repents of his sins and turns back, Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.” When Jesus healed the blind, the withered, and the leper, he said these words. The faith that Jesus expected from Israel was the same faith as the centurion, but they did not have that kind of faith.

The rich man went to Hades and asked Abraham for a favor. The rich man said that he would save Lazarus and go out into the world, where his brothers would repent. However, Abraham said, “All you have to do is listen to the words of Moses and the prophets (Christ’s promise).” The rich man did not realize what was contained in the law (Christ) and asked Abraham to send Lazarus, but Abraham told him to find Christ in the law. The law and the gospel become one. There is the gospel in the law. The gospel is none other than Christ. Jesus Christ means death on the cross and resurrection.

 

15. Strive to enter through the narrow gate

(Luke 13:23-27) “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."

Before Luke 13, numerous miracles of Jesus are introduced. The Jews were moved by the word of God. Nevertheless, the Jews ask, “Are there only a few who will be saved?” Man is such a great sinner that the Son of God had to die on the cross. This means that if a sinner is not united with the death of the cross, the sin remains. Although believers believe in the death of the cross to atone for sin, the faith that simply looks at the death of the cross cannot be associated with my death. The Bible says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” The Gospel of Matthew says, “The gate is narrow and narrow, so it is not easy to enter.” So, it is said that “few people find it.” Only those who deny themselves and repent will find this door. Those who have not repented do not like this door because it is narrow and difficult.

Once the gates of heaven are closed, it will not open. People will say, “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught us in the streets.” The Bible points out that this is a religious act. This means that believers will not necessarily be saved if they worship throughout their lives. Those who teach that salvation is easy are probably false prophets. A path that seems easy to salvation is likely to be a path to destruction. The Bible records, “God wants all people to be saved.” Even if the Lord wants it, people cannot be saved because they themselves do not want to repent.

Jesus said, “But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; In this sentence, “depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” The word “whence” refers to a person who has been born again. If you are not born again of water and the Holy Spirit, you will become someone who does not know Jesus. “Being born again” means not receiving a life from your parents. This is not a matter of effort and education. This is a change in character. This means resurrection. Resurrection is being born into new life from heaven. Believing this is the same faith as hoping and believing when it is impossible to hope. Just as Abraham had Isaac when he was 100 years old, life that did not exist must be created. That year, the name changes from Abram to Abraham. The meaning of the name is the father of many nations. It means, “If you are born again with a present resurrection life, you will become a person who saves countless people.” A life that cannot save others spiritually cannot be a life that can save oneself. Such people do not have present resurrection life.

Believing in a present resurrection is a very narrow path. Since most believers believe that the body is resurrected after death, present resurrection is a very narrow path. The resurrection of the body is what the physical self thinks of. However, spiritually, those who believe in present resurrection are those guided by the Holy Spirit. Only those who believe in the present resurrection will have a new temple built in their hearts. That is why the kingdom of God comes. Evangelism is preaching the present resurrection.

If a believer sows a seed and does not make it bloom into life, he or she is dead. A life that cannot save others is like a dead life. In the Gospel of Matthew, many Jews came to Jesus after seeing and hearing miracles, but Jesus chose the twelve disciples. And Jesus said to them, “Whoever wants to follow me is not worthy of me, unless he denies himself and takes up his cross and follows me.” Denying oneself means not trusting the thoughts of the physical self and following the thoughts of the spiritual self.

In many churches today, if believers see the work and miracles of the Holy Spirit, they will believe in Jesus. However, what the believer believes is important. Forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus is half the gospel. Believing that one died on the cross with Jesus and was resurrected with Christ becomes complete faith. Faith is not based on the law, but is only a faith that hopes when it is impossible to hope. This is resurrection life and the way to achieve the kingdom of God in the heart.

 

16. Parable of the new and the old

In Matthew 13:52, Jesus said, “Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” He told five parables about heaven. The first is the parable of the treasure hidden in the field, the second is the parable of the pearl of great price, the third is the parable of the net thrown into the sea, the fourth is the parable of the good householder, and the fifth is the parable of the new and the old.

The new refers to the words of the new covenant, and the old refers to the law of the old covenant. Only those who can accurately unravel and interpret the Law and the New Covenant can become disciples of heaven. When Jesus asked, “Do you understand all this?” the disciples answered, “Yes.” Jesus then compared you, his disciples, to “scribes who have become disciples of the kingdom of heaven,” and said that by learning about the kingdom of heaven well, you can skillfully bring out the old and the new in the Word and teach it abundantly. In order to read the Bible and evangelize to others, believers must be familiar with the law and the gospel and apply them well according to the situation.

However, many churches today have difficulty distinguishing between the new and the old. This is said in Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 』Here, alcohol means wine. Wine is the word of God. When you're drunk, you start talking and talking in gibberish. If a believer does not know how to distinguish between the old and the new, it is not by the Holy Spirit. So the Bible tells us only to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Of course, the Bible says not to get drunk even in this world.

The old one is the law, which binds sinners. So, Jesus Christ came to the world and died as a ransom on the cross. So, believers must now bring in new things instead of old things. The new thing is the new covenant, the resurrection life of heaven. The new covenant is explained in terms of blood and flesh. To die with Jesus is to drink the blood, and to be resurrected with Christ is to eat the flesh of Jesus. Those who do not eat the flesh of Jesus do not participate in the resurrection of Christ. Those who do not believe in the present resurrection are those who keep the flesh of Jesus without eating it.

2 Corinthians 5:17 『Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. When something becomes new, the relationship with God is restored. In chapter 5 verse 21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.』There are two types of faith. It is the faith of being called and the faith of being chosen.

Those who are called “realize and are thankful that Jesus died for them, and think that they have achieved salvation on their own.” However, the chosen one becomes the faith of those who realize that Jesus died on the cross for me and that that death is my death. And they become those who believe in the present resurrection through union with the resurrection of Christ. That is why the Bible says they are new creatures. This faith is a gift from God to the new person.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew people received the Old Covenant in the wilderness, but in the New Testament, new people who are born again receive the New Covenant. In 2 Corinthians 3:3, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.』This is said to a new person who has been resurrected and reborn in the present. In chapter 3 verse 6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit givesth life.』

The Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen. Because those who are called are not born again. This is because they are the ones who have not prepared the wedding garment (clothes of righteousness: resurrection). In chapter 3 verse 14, “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail unkened away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.』 The towel is the law. It is covered like a curtain in the sanctuary, so sinners cannot see it. When Christ died, the veil was rent. For those who are in Jesus Christ, the veil is removed. “Like a veil being torn, the Holy of Holies enters the hearts of saints who died on the cross with Jesus, and the saints who believe in the present resurrection.”

I see churches teaching that if believers believe in Jesus, they are in the new covenant. However, if a believer is not in Jesus Christ, he has never received the new covenant. There is a difference between a believer believing in Jesus and a believer being in Jesus. Those who are called know that they are saved through Christ, but they are not those who have entered Christ. In order for him to enter into Christ, he must receive the sign of the new covenant. The mark of the new covenant must be paid for. Dying on the cross with Jesus. And those who die united on the cross are resurrected with Christ and become those who enter into Christ.

 

17. Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-2 『Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.』

It is very important to know to whom Jesus spoke the words of the text. Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew is a connection between chapter 24 and what will happen in the last days. The original text of the Bible did not have chapters and verses, but chapters and verses were introduced around the 16th century to make reading easier. Therefore, believers must remember that chapters 24 and 25 are connected from the perspective of the original text. Chapter 25 includes not only the parable of the ten virgins, but also the parable of the talents and the parable of the sheep and goats. Therefore, the object in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins is the same as the object in the parable of the talents or the sheep and goats.

As in the analogy of 10 pounds, the number ten (10) has the meaning of ‘completeness, fullness.’ Ten virgins mean all virgins. In 2 Corinthians 11:2, the virgin says, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” So the virgin chose Jesus Christ as her bridegroom. It refers to church members who are thinking and waiting.

However, Jesus Christ, the groom, pours wine for the bride.

Anyone who drinks wine becomes the bride of Jesus. This also appears in Israel's marriage tradition. The groom-to-be visits the bride-to-be's house, pours her wine into a glass and gives it to the bride-to-be, but if she does not drink it, her marriage is not established. The wine Jesus gives corresponds to the blood shed on the cross. In other words, the person who drinks wine means the person who died in union with Jesus who died on the cross. The ten virgins all think of Jesus as Lord, but the only ones who drink wine are the wise five.

There is a word about a wise person in Matthew 7:25: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.』The ten wise virgins are like a person who built a house on a rock. The rock is Jesus Christ. The fool says in chapter 7 verse 26, “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:”

“Foolish people” are “those who heard the words of Jesus but did not do them.”Jesus died a substitutionary death and was resurrected on behalf of all human beings, but among church believers today, there are many who believe in Jesus but do not completely believe in what Jesus has accomplished. Jesus accomplished all of humanity's sins through his atoning death, but believers still think that they have to do something on their own. Also, those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus also experience resurrection in the present, and believers believe that the body dies and is resurrected.

Those whose old self dies abstain from sin. In Romans 6:6, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Those whose old self dies with Jesus Christ receive resurrection life from God. has. In 1 John 5:18, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. Satan cannot approach the one who has resurrection life. So, people who say they believe in Jesus, but who think they must confess their sins every day and receive forgiveness, have not died from their old self. Also, “those who believe in the resurrection of the body after death” are still confined by the law.

Believers must understand well the lamps held by the ten virgins. The light coming from the lamp is the light (resurrection life) given by Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world.” A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.』And in Matthew 5:16,『Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.』Good deeds It is not a good thing to do something in the world, but to awaken a dead spirit (resurrection) is a good deed in the eyes of God. God receives glory when a sinner repents and returns to God.

In John 5:35, “He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” This means that John receives the light (resurrection life) and shines that light (resurrection). all. In Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Because Jesus gives resurrection life to believers, and saints receive resurrection life from Jesus, they shine the light of resurrection life. In other words, it is to spread resurrection life.

All ten virgins had lamps. However, the five wise virgins had a different oil tank. They are those who believed in and accepted the present resurrection. However, the five foolish virgins believed in resurrection through the Word, but because they believed that the body would be resurrected after death, they eventually returned to darkness.

In Matthew 25:4, “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Vessels are also expressed when talking about what a person is. In 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us.』 Light is the light of resurrection.

Here, the words, “Let the light (resurrection) shine in the darkness” are Paul quoting the words of Genesis 1:3. In “I had this treasure in earthen vessels,” the treasure is Greece. Earthenware refers to humans made from clay. The fact that the treasure is placed in an earthen vessel means that Jesus Christ has entered into the saints. 『The wise put oil in their vessels.』 This means that the Holy Spirit has entered into the saints. This is resurrection life. Those who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit can have resurrection life.

Oil means olive oil. Olive oil is used to anoint kings, priests, and prophets in the Old Testament. In Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,』Matthew explains the coming of the Holy Spirit as anointing. And in 1 John 2:20, “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” And in 2:27, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not.” that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” means the entrance of the Holy Spirit (baptism of the Holy Spirit). So this becomes resurrection life.

Ultimately, the five wise virgins are people who have received the Holy Spirit and completely believe in the Word of God, and they can be said to be people of resurrection life. They become light (resurrection) in Christ and become people who can share the life of light (resurrection) with others. The five foolish virgins are people who, even after hearing the word of God, judge it with their fleshly heart and do not completely believe the word of God, but only accept it selectively. Because they believe that resurrection occurs when the body dies, there is currently no resurrection life.

Even though Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” the five foolish virgins do not believe in the present resurrection.

Those who do not have resurrection life cannot believe. Therefore, those who do not have resurrection life are those who believe that they are under the law and must confess their sins every day and receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. These people have not died of their old self, do not have the Holy Spirit, do not have resurrection life, and are equivalent to the five foolish virgins.

18. Parable of the heavenly wedding feast

『And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 』

『The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 』(22:2) The king is God. The Son is Jesus Christ, and the marriage feast is the marriage feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). The marriage feast of the Lamb means taking his bride. The member of Christ means the church in Ephesians. The church is a saint and a spirit. The spirits of those who sinned from God's kingdom and departed from God's kingdom became human beings because the spirits were trapped in soil. But God sends Christ into the world, takes the repentant as a bride, takes him back to the kingdom of God, and holds the marriage feast.

At the end of the day, Jesus comes to pick up the brides of Christ at the heavenly wedding feast. The end of the world is the time when sinful spirits begin in Adam and enter the final body. Those who enter the Lamb's wedding feast are one with Christ. As a man leaves his parents and becomes one with his wife, he becomes one. Therefore, Jesus prayed that the disciples would be one as they were one with God and Jesus before the cross.

First, we must understand why God chose Israel. It was for the salvation of all peoples through Israel. Israel is a model of the world. God made a covenant with Abraham and promised a blessing, which means that all people will be saved. God tells all the world to see Israel. God gave Israel the law. God told Israel that they would give God's righteousness if they kept the law well. Israel failed in trying to keep the law. The purpose of God's giving the law to Israel is to find Christ in the law, trying to keep it, and to realize that it is impossible to keep. So the people of the world are to learn through Israel. It is not to be like Israel, but to find Christ.

God sent an invitation to Israel. The invitation is like the law. The law is to realize sin and to know that you have left God. Thus, Galatians 3:24 says that the law is like an elementary teacher who leads to Christ. The law is the invitation to come to Christ, realizing that human beings are sinners.

This invitation was sent to Israel first. The invitation is the law. Those who received the invitation were the Israelites.
In chapter 21 Jesus told the Pharisees and scribes that the Gentiles would be saved first. In chapter 22, Jesus used the parable of the wedding feast. But Israel, who had been called, refused. The reason is that the Israelites do not realize that they have left God.

The kingdom of God is a place of complete rule by the Holy Spirit. But those who have left the kingdom of God do not know the kingdom of God because they do not have the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Israelites thought they could be righteous through the law. They considered righteousness to be done on earth. That is to say, to build their kingdom on earth. God tells the Israelites to return to the kingdom of God, and they think the land is good. In order to return to the kingdom of God, we had to take off our physical bodies and put on the bodies of the spirit, whose eyes could not see the body of the spirit . Seeing in the flesh seemed to be everything. The body of the spirit is the garment of righteousness. The body of the spirit means to a body born of water and the Holy Spirit.

However, God continued to send servants (prophets), but Israel killed many prophets. They even killed the Son of God. God says in Isaiah 49: 6.『 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 』 God expressed Christ as my servant.
God sent the Law (invitation letter) to Israel,『 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 』(22:5) The people of Israel neglected Christ, hidden in the law, so that they could not know Christ.

『went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise』 They are masters themselves. The man himself is unaware of the dead spirit in the body. Likewise they do not find the treasure (Christ) hidden in the law. So Jesus said to his disciples, "Deny yourself." Being self refers to evil (greedy) who left God because he wanted to be like God. Jesus tells us to forsake it.

Luke's Gospel is different. Because they bought a field, they bought five cattle (25 horses), and because they bought a house, they cannot go to a feast. The appearance of those who refuse an invitation may make sense in the eyes of this world, but they tell us that this world is more important. There is no interest in Christ, whom God speaks in the law. Not only did they not know that they had left God's kingdom, but they did not care. They did not go to Christ because they had no interest in Christ because they believed that they could be righteous by keeping the law. They did not respond to the invitation.『 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 』(22:6)

The Jews who caused Jesus to die on the cross were priestly priests and scribes.『 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 』(22:7) Israel was destroyed by Rome in A.D. 80.
The Bible explains why Israel was destroyed in Acts 13:46.

『Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.』 The Bible is also explained in Acts (28:28).『 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 』 The apostle Paul calls the mystery "the gospel first preached to the Gentiles." The Bible is explained in Romans 11:25.『 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 』

The invitation went to the people of the world. ”Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (22: 9) The highways are the boundaries between Israel and the Gentiles. So Jesus said to His disciples, "Receive and receive the Holy Spirit, and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles."『 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 』(22:10)

Here the wicked and the good are not so called in God's eyes, but are so called in the world. Everyone in the world is evil or good. So people came to the wedding, and there was a man who did not wear a dress. The king found the man and expelled him from the feast.

Who is not dressed? Rather than preparing for the robes, the robes were prepared at the wedding feast, but they were not worn. The people who filled the wedding feast were Gentiles. Those who decided to believe in Jesus Christ. But one of them was not clothed with Christ. To dress with Christ, he had to take off his clothes and change into Christ's clothes, but he did not. If you do not deny yourself, you cannot wear the robes of righteousness. The Bible describes its clothes as "old man." Those who did not die are those who reveal their righteousness even though they say that they believe in Jesus Christ. They are people who try to achieve righteousness by their own power. The robes are not prepared by me, but are prepared at the wedding feast. You just have to take off your clothes and wear the prepared robes. His clothes are the body of the flesh, and the dress is the body of the spirit.

 

19. Parable of the talents

Matthew 25:14-30 『For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods his. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And similarly he had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful. servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent. in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have. put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.』

The Bible mostly speaks in parables because it is not easy to understand the kingdom of God without using parables. The Bible specifically says that the mystery of God's kingdom is a secret hidden from the creation of the world, and that it is revealed through parables through the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Therefore, through parables, believers must carefully examine not the superficial contents of the Bible, but the hidden contents within the Bible.

『When a man goes to a far country』, a man refers to Jesus. The words 『traveling into a far country』 mean that he ascended to the kingdom of God after being in this world. Jesus was born under the law, died on the cross, fulfilled the law, and took all the sins of the world from those who repent. When Jesus went to a foreign country, there was something he left behind with his servants, and that was the gospel of 『The Death and Resurrection of the Cross』. Matthew 28:19-20 says, 『Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.』What Jesus commanded was the death and resurrection of the cross.

Jesus' command is to spread the word of God. Jesus described spreading the word of God as a trade. He said, “He gave him five talents of gold to every man according to his several abilities.” The phrase “to every man according to his several abilities” does not refer to human talent, but is a Greek word. It is called dunamis (power, ability), and according to the power of Jesus (healing the sick and causing various miracles), it makes something that does not have resurrection life into one that has resurrection life.

In the five talents of gold, the expression gold is not found in the Greek Bible. Talent developed from the Greek word talenton (Hebrew kikar: loaf of bread). Five talents means five round loaves. It means that the words of God are five, and this symbolizes the Pentateuch (Law) of Moses. The law is the word of God, but it is not the true image, but a shadow. Since the law (promise) is a shadow, the true image is Christ, the resurrection life. Hebrews 10:1 says, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” The sin offering in the Old Testament is a shadow of the cross of Jesus Christ. Those who become perfect are those who have resurrection life.

In Galatians 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” This means that the law is a schoolmaster leading to Christ (the death and resurrection of the cross). The five talents mentioned above refer to the Pentateuch, which promises about Christ, but this means that people do not come to meet Jesus Christ. Two talents are also like two loaves of bread. The law is a shadow of the good things to come. The law is a promise and a prophecy. The Pentateuch makes us look to Christ. Jesus Christ said that resurrection life is bread (Hebrew: kikar). The two loaves of bread refer to the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross.

Those who received one talent refer to those who are in the law. When the words of prophecy and the words of prophecy are fulfilled and come true, they are one. In Acts 15:15-17, “And to this agree the words of the prophets; As it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.』

This statement says, “If believers believe that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected together, he will give them heavenly life, resurrection,” which means that although they received the prophecy and its fulfillment at the same time, they do not know the meaning of death on the cross and resurrection. .

Five talents and two talents add up to seven talents, and the number seven is a complete number. It means that everything that has come before is over and we enter into rest. In Chapter 2 of Genesis, everything was finished and there was rest, and similarly, it means that those who have resurrection life enter into rest. God has made it known through the words of promise and the fulfilled words, so why do you not know? The reason is that even though he had received one talent, he hid it in the ground. The earth (body) is a chaotic and empty place. They are in the dark. They think of resurrection as something that happens after the body dies. So they are trapped in the body.

Those who received five talents and two talents left money by doing business. ‘Doing business’ means ‘doing something that lasts for eternal life.’ In Genesis, “to work” means to cultivate the land (abbad). Sowing seeds is spreading the word of God.

The Israelites asked Jesus a question. What is the work that allows eternal life (Elgazomine)? Jesus answered, “I believe in the Son whom God sent.” In John 5:17, “My Father has been working until now, and I also work.” Doing God’s work means “doing business.” The saints took five loaves of bread and did God's work of giving life. The phrase, “I made people believe in the one whom God sent” means that the truth revealed in the law was clearly explained, explained, and taught so that they could look to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the bread of resurrection life. If a believer preaches Jesus Christ to people well and enables them to receive resurrection life, then the believer has done a good job. Those who received five and two talents can be said to understand their meaning well. And he can be said to be someone who can do God's work. Those who realize what has been accomplished through the law can do business with their talents, that is, the work of God. “He buried and left behind” means that he made disciples of Jesus of resurrection life.

 

20. Parable of sheep and goats

Matthew 25:31-33 『When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.』

Sheep and goats symbolize “beings without the ability to exist on their own.” They were deceived when they said that they exist on their own. If we are deceived, we each go our own way. The deceived sheep and goats sinned in the kingdom of God and became trapped in the dust of the world. So, they were separated from Christ, but Christ came to this world and took them away.

In Matthew 25:34, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Those on the right take care of the sheep. it means. Those on the left become goats. But why do sheep represent righteous people and goats represent sinners?

The sheep says he has never met Jesus. However, Jesus says he met a sheep. The goat also says that he has never met Jesus. However, Jesus says he has never met a goat.

Chapter 25 Verses 35-39『For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when we saw thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When we saw thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed them? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?』

The sheep are saying they have never done anything like this. The phrase “when Jesus was hungry” means “those in the world should have spiritual children, but that was not possible.” This means that there are very few people who are born again into resurrection life. However, the sheep was born with resurrection life and passed that life on to others. The words “when hungry, when thirsty, when a stranger” are the image of a shepherd visiting a lost sheep. The lost sheep symbolizes the person who has left God. So, the owner must find the sheep, give it resurrection life, and return to the kingdom of God. Jesus died on the cross, was resurrected, ascended to heaven, and entered the hearts of believers. So, now the saints are in charge of that work. “Giving resurrection life to other believers” is the same as accepting Jesus.

He said, 『Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.』, and the sheep did the work of saving the spirit. The work of a believer to save the spirit of a believer is to give resurrection life. In Matthew 7:21-22, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name did many wonderful works?』The believer worked for Jesus all his life, but Jesus said,『I do not know you』. Because although he worked hard, he did something that had nothing to do with God's will. The Father's will is to make the Son believe. The Son is the one who forgives sins and gives resurrection life. If a believer believes that he died on the cross with Jesus and was resurrected with Christ, he will receive eternal life.

The sheep and the goats say, “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when we saw thee an hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?』Both the sheep and the goats say they have never done this. However, Jesus said to the sheep, “I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” But the goats did not do that. The least means a person who is spiritually dead. In other words, the sheep did the work of saving the spirit, and the goats did not.

“What Jesus did when he came into the world” was to spread the gospel to the poor. The poor are driven out into this world and have no knowledge of the kingdom of God, so they are dead in spirit. So, Jesus tells them about the kingdom of God. Jesus frees those who were imprisoned. He is saying that Jesus turns the slaves of Satan into the people of God. Jesus is the one who saves dead spirits and gives resurrection life.

“Love your brothers” means reviving the spirit that is dead in the human body. All humans are spiritual beings and brothers. So, saving the spirit is God's will, and the purpose of Jesus' coming to this world. Those who are in Christ become those who do the same things that Jesus did. Those who do not are not interested in saving the spirit. To love a brother means to be the one who saves a dead spirit. To love a brother is to pass on resurrection life. The saying is that the sheep spread the light of life (resurrection) received from Jesus to “other people who are dead in spirit,” but the goat did not do so. Because the goat does not have the resurrection life it received from Jesus, he failed to do so.

Those who do not have heavenly resurrection life cannot enter the kingdom of God. Both sheep and goats are people who claim to believe in God. However, sheep have heavenly resurrection life, and goats do not have heavenly resurrection life. Sheep are those who are united with Christ who died on the cross, drink his blood (die with him on the cross) and eat his flesh (resurrect together with him), while goats are those who are blocked by the law and cannot receive life. That is why goats are beings that cannot save the spirits of others, nor can they themselves be saved.

 

21. Parable of the wheat and tares

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat. , and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.』

Today, many churches compare wheat and tares; the wheat refers to those who are good at living a religious life, and the tares refer to those who are not good at living a religious life. Living a good religious life is explained by not missing worship, tithing well, and serving the church well. However, this tells us that there are two hearts in the hearts of believers. This means that there are wheat (new temple) and tares (old temple) in the hearts of believers.

The grain is wheat. By the way, tares are poisonous plants that are similar to wheat but cannot be eaten. The Bible tells us to leave the wheat and weeds alone until the harvest. This means that the weeds will be burned during the harvest. The reason Jesus gave the parable of the wheat and the weeds is because it has meaning. What is said in Matthew 24-30 is explained in 13:36-43. 『Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the Tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And he shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.』

Jesus comes to the world and sows good seeds (the Word of God). The Word of God is Jesus Christ. This is because Christ is the Word who became flesh and came among us. God's sowing of Jesus Christ into the world will be "the blood of death on the cross and the flesh of resurrection." Those who eat the flesh of resurrection bear fruit.

God predestined salvation in the world before the creation of the world, and the first covenant is the words of Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.』Based on this promise, God chose Noah, Abraham, and sent prophets to continue the words of the covenant. The people of Israel had heard the promise for generations, and they had come to see the promise from afar as it was to be fulfilled.

The promise that will come true is Jesus Christ. When Christ comes, the promise is fulfilled, and receiving the promise of fulfillment is faith. That faith currently believes in the death of the cross with Jesus and the resurrection with Christ. In Galatians 3:23-24, “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.』Here, faith is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If this present faith in resurrection comes into us, we can enter into Christ and become righteous. The grains that are fruitful through the good seed (death on the cross) become the sons of heaven (resurrection).

“The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed the weeds is the devil.” The sons of the evil one are the children of Satan. When Jesus referred to Israel, he said that they were children of the devil. In John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.』When Jesus said this to Israel, it means that all humans in the world are children of the devil. Being a child of the devil means being a sinner against God.

Wheat and tares exist together in the hearts of believers. God leaves the wheat and the weeds together until the harvest. Harvest means gathering the wheat and burning the weeds with fire. (Baptism by fire) Baptism by fire means judgment. As believers receive water baptism (death to sin) and fire baptism (death to their old self), they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a new temple (resurrection) is established. God harvests the weeds during the judgment of fire. It is the death of an old person.

Wheat and tares do not appear as a result of a certain religious life, but it means that I can be the wheat and I can become the tares. In the hearts of believers who believe in present resurrection, there is an old temple and a new temple. The old temple is represented by the old man appearing from the flesh. However, for those who believe in present resurrection, the new temple comes down from heaven. This is also called a new person. When the new temple is built, the old temple that I previously thought of as “me” no longer has anything to do with me. That is why it is said that the ancient people are dead. In Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Even when the new temple is built, the old temple exists right next to it. Even though it has nothing to do with me, it continues to confuse my sense of existence. It makes it look as if the weeds next to the wheat are the wheat. The tares in my heart are filled with greed and have a strong desire to live according to the flesh. However, the grain is the desire to live according to the Holy Spirit. These two minds coexist. Romans 8:5-8 『For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.』

 

Ⅱ. The faith of the disciples “looking at Jesus”

1. Peter's Confession

In Mark 8:27-29, when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people think I am?” they answered, “Some say he is Elijah, and others say he is one of the prophets.” When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you think I am?” Peter confessed to Jesus, “You are the Son of God.” However, Jesus is saying that after suffering and being killed, he will be raised again on the third day.

Peter suddenly rebelled against what Jesus said. In other words, you should not die. Peter grabbed Jesus and protested. A more detailed defense appears in Matthew 16:22-23. 『Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.』

Because Peter does something like denying the work of God for a moment, the moment Satan (the prosecutor) tries to indict Peter, Jesus Christ defeats Satan to protect Peter.

And Jesus rebuked Peter. Because Peter thinks about human things, he is trying to stumble Jesus. Peter denied Jesus three times until the rooster crowed three times. And Jesus died on the cross. Peter, who denied it three times, says in Matthew 26:75, “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” And he went out, and wept bitterly. 』However, the resurrected Jesus Christ visited Peter and gave him the task of spreading the kingdom of God once again.

John 13:36-38 『Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said to him, Lord, why cannot I follow them now? I will lay down my life for your sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.』

This conversation was spoken by Jesus before he died on the cross. Jesus allowed Peter to experience things that no one else had experienced. Jesus said, “Cast your net into the deep,” and made Peter, who had not caught a single fish all night, catch fish until his net tore, and his mother-in-law’s fever immediately went away. He told me to go. In the Bible, no one experienced as many miracles as Peter. Peter confessed, “You are the Son of the living God,” and he was the Peter who walked on the stormy sea. Peter's confession that he would "lay down my life for the Lord" must have been a significant decision from a human perspective.

But when Jesus was captured and stood on the cross, everything changed for Peter. Jesus died on the cross and became his corpse. He became Jesus, who was abandoned by this world. Can all humans follow Jesus, who was abandoned by the world? What would you do if you faced persecution, tribulation, and disadvantages because of your faith in Jesus? Jesus' death was a cruel thing that could not be compared to anything like this. When the people saw the miracles of Jesus, they thought of making him the king of the world to oppose Rome.

Even those who have not repented can receive the grace of the Word. The unrepentant may prefer miracles. Those who repent do not seek miracles themselves. Apostle Paul confessed, “I decided not to know anything except Christ crucified.” He who repents does not want the things of this world, nor does he desire any blessings in this world. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for us, how can He hope for blessings in the world?

Peter represents those who claim to believe. “You cannot follow me now, but you will follow me later.” Baptism is a sign of salvation, and no one is saved unless they are united with Jesus Christ on the cross. If a person previously lived as he wanted, and he improves his life, he is considered to have been born again. But those things are the same as Peter's resolution. A life in which we have no choice but to receive the life that God gives us and live according to the Word of God. This is grace and the new covenant. However, this cannot be done by human power. If you are caught up in the thought that you have to do something, it is evidence that you are under the law. “I have to pray, I have to go to the early morning prayer, I have to evangelize.” Being obsessed like this is legalistic. Being obsessed with these thoughts is a religious act.

Many churches today are very different from the Christianity of Luther's time. When it was said that "justification is achieved by faith," Luther's time was a Christianity that risked one's life. However, today many churches are united with the world and pursue the things of the world. Those who repent do not care about the successes and failures of the world. Just as a thirsty deer seeks water, believers only seek Jesus. If you do not have such a broken heart, you will not be a repentant. “Should I just believe in Jesus? If you think, “If I accept Jesus, I will be saved,” it is difficult. That's what the physical self thinks. This is the story of Peter who denied it three times.

No matter how many miracles you experience or how much you receive God’s grace, those in the flesh do not change. The only thing Peter couldn't hear was Jesus' words about dying. He couldn't understand Jesus' words, "I came to die in your stead." The disciples think of Jesus as a king, but the idea that Jesus will die as a sacrificial lamb does not reach Peter's ears. For three years, not a single disciple asked a question about the resurrection. This is the body. Even though twelve spies were sent into Canaan, the ten spies said that if they entered Canaan they would die, and all the people believed them and wailed. The priests all heard and remembered that Jesus would die and be resurrected three days later, but the disciples did not even remember. Because everyone is under the flesh. Before we repent before the cross, we are all flesh.

Repentance does not mean remembering the sins you have committed before the cross and listing them all, but it begins with realizing that Jesus died because of you. The pain of Jesus' death must be as painful as my sins. This is the way to be united with the death of Jesus.

Repentance is only united with Jesus Christ who died on the cross. Repentance does not begin with loving the world less, but with dying to the world. To die to the world is to leave Egypt. The Red Sea symbolizes death to the world. But the wilderness is where I kill the world. Then the Lord will regenerate you. So the new man born in the wilderness enters Canaan.

Repentance that is not united with Christ who died on the cross is false repentance. Any faith that claims to believe without repentance can also be considered fake. There can be no change without repentance. Without repentance, there can be nothing other than the life received from parents and the temperament of family. This is only a temporary adjustment. No one responds to the cross. This is because the body cannot respond to the cross. Rather, the fleshly mind becomes enmity with God. The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God. Ultimately, the flesh does not want to repent. The body does not change my life or my habits.

 

2. Jesus' transformation

In Mark 9:1-3, “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” . And after six days Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John, and led them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.』

The Jews and even the disciples of the time were confused about the identity of Jesus. Most Jews thought that Jesus was Elijah or Moses reincarnated. However, Jesus' disciples thought that Jesus was a person with the power of God. Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of God.” However, since the Bible does not say what the other disciples thought, I do not know, but they may have thought of Jesus as a god or a demigod.

The disciples had no concept of resurrection. How will the disciples react when Jesus shows them what the resurrection is like? Jesus was concerned that when they saw the resurrection scene, they would think of him as God. Although Jesus is the Son of God, he was also a man, the Son of Man. Jesus before his resurrection was neither god nor “half-god, half-man”. Today, there are many people in the church who refer to Jesus as God. I understand the purpose, but then Jesus becomes God. Believing in Jesus as God is a kind of idolatry.

In Mark 9:4-5 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.』

The disciples who saw Jesus and Elijah and Moses thought of them as gods because the disciples knew very well that Elijah was transformed into a fiery chariot and ascended to heaven. They would have read through the Pentateuch that Moses also had radiance on his face. So, Peter is saying that he will build three tabernacles (temples) and worship. This is serving idols. It is in the same context that church people today say that they are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It's like making Jesus a god.

However, God the Father gives justice. He is my Son and came to the world to do the work of death and resurrection, so you must follow his words. Mark 9:6-7 『For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.』

Some disciples may have thought that Jesus was Elijah reincarnated. However, the scribe said that Elijah must come first, which is an expression that the scribe said in reference to what the prophet said in Malachi chapter 3. They must have been curious. In Mark 9:11-12, “And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? And he answered and told them, Elias verily cameth first, and restored all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.』

Jesus said to John the Baptist that Elijah must come first. Therefore, the Bible tells us that Jesus is neither Elijah nor God, but the Son of God who is responsible for the work of death and resurrection. In chapter 9, verse 13, “But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.” Jesus did the work of the cross, and John the Baptist did the work of the cross. Jesus made the path straight for His ministry.

Matthew 3:3『For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness (Te Eremo τῇ ἐρήμῳ), Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight .』

Te Eremo (τῇ ἐρήμῳ) represents the person who has left God. He is a person thrown into the world. Repentance is returning to God. If the road back to God was winding, John the Baptist now makes it straight and makes it easier to move forward.

In the Old Testament (Malachi), God said, “Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, God will send the prophet Elijah to bring back the people.” According to the words of the prophet Malachi, the Israelites believed that Elijah must come first before the Messiah comes.

John the Baptist is the spirit of Elijah who was born as a human being. That is why John the Baptist does that. In Luke 1:17, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.』 Here the Father is God. Children refer to Israel. He is the one against whom Israel rebels. So, in order for those who have left God to return to God, the people established for the Lord (John the Baptist) are prepared.

John the Baptist came and called for the Israelites to repent. He said to bring forth worthy fruits of repentance. The saying “the law and the prophets were until the time of John” applies here. The point of John the Baptist's cry is that God's judgment is imminent, so repent, realize that you are a sinner under the law, and find Christ. The fruit of repentance is discovering Christ. This is 『returning the heart of a father to his children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous』. This is to make the way smooth and prepare the way.

The purpose of John the Baptist being born into this world was for this purpose. The Israelites believe that if they keep the law well, they will become righteous, but this is wrong and they should repent. In that law, he realizes that he is a being who cannot escape from sin and must turn back. He is John the Baptist calling out to them to find Christ and turn to Christ. Then, it contains the message, “Christ will come and provide a way to return to God.”

John the Baptist came into the world before Jesus and spoke words that made the way forward smooth (repent), but the Pharisees and scribes who were among the leaders of the Jews did not understand. “The Son of Man will also suffer of them in the same way.” Not only did the Jews treat Jesus like John the Baptist, but the Bible also said that Jesus would suffer.

In Isaiah 40:3, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God,” where are the wilderness and desert referred to? The wilderness and desert that John the Baptist cries out for are Israel and become a cry to the world.

The disciples thought that the kingdom of God and the world were separate, and although most believed in resurrection, they thought that the body was resurrected after death. Jesus shows his disciples in advance how the resurrection will take place. Resurrection is the story of God's kingdom. However, Jesus showed his disciples that it is not something that arises after the body dies, but something that is happening now. He also showed that the kingdom of God is coming in the world.

『After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them.』”He was transfigured before them. "(kjv, niv). Metemorphode (μετεμορφώθη) is a compound word of mete (return) and morphode (image of God). God is also expressed as a shining figure in the Book of Revelation.

Resurrection will transform. In other words, it becomes a different being. Resurrection means ‘transfigure’ in English.

“The reason why resurrection is not used as the word change” is that it is not a concept of gradual change. Resurrection is a change of clothes. It is a change from leather clothes to the clothes of Christ. It is a return from the position of a human being to the form of a god. When saints are resurrected, they also become like that. Returning to the form of an angel. That is why the resurrected saints are referred to as the sons of God. Resurrection transforms the soul from the old soul into a new spirit body. The reason why clothes turn white means that previous clothes cannot become that way.

 

3. Disciples unable to cure a demon-possessed child

Mark 9:17-20 『And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answered him, and said, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.』

In the Gospel of Mark, it is expressed as a child possessed by a demon, but in the Gospel of Matthew, it is expressed as “a child suffering from epilepsy” in 17:15-16.『Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for Ofttimes he fell into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.』“Falling into the water” means one who must die to sin, and “falling into the fire” means one who must be burned by the old man (soul). It means someone who must die. In other words, as an example in the Gospel of Mark, a person possessed by a demon is a sinner trapped in the dirt and under the control of a demon.

In Matthew 17, Jesus said that a man brought to him a man suffering from epilepsy, but the disciples were unable to cure him. So he brought the child to Jesus, and Jesus healed him. When the disciples asked, “Why can’t we heal?” he answered, “faithless and perverse generation,” and in verse 20, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove henceforth to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.』

Jesus said that the reason the disciples could not cure epilepsy was because they did not have the faith of a mustard seed. Faith is connected to the death and resurrection of the cross. “Faith as small as a mustard seed” is the faith of believers united in the death and resurrection of the cross. In reality, there will not be that many people who believe in union with the death and resurrection of the cross. Even if there are people who believe in present resurrection, there will be very few who believe in present resurrection.

『And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove henceforth place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.』

Faith is the belief that one died on the cross and was resurrected. If the believer believes in the present resurrection, the old temple (this mountain) is moved away in the believer's heart. So, if you tell them to move that mountain (new temple) from there to here, it will be moved. God does this. Those who believe in present resurrection will have a new temple built in their hearts, and Christ will return to their hearts, so believers will also receive the power of God. That power is the power to cure illness, forgive sins, and give freedom from demons. Therefore, the reason his disciples were unable to heal the demon-possessed and the epileptic was because the power of resurrection did not come upon them.

Those who do not have the power of present resurrection remain sinners deserving of death on the cross. That is why the disciples become faithless and perverse generation. Jesus told his disciples three times that he would die on the cross and be resurrected three days later, but no one listened. Still they become faithless and perverse generation. You might wonder how Jesus could receive the power of resurrection before he died on the cross, but because Jesus was given power by God, his disciples could receive power directly while he was alive. However, because there was no expectation of resurrection at all, the power could not come to them.

 

4. Who is a spiritual child?

Mark 9:37 『Whosoever shall receive one of such children (παιδίων)in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.』

Looking at the parallel structure, the child can be seen as a disciple through the relationship between “God the Father and Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ and the disciple.”

Regarding children, first of all, if we look at the passage, 『whosoever shall receive me, receive not me, but him that sent me.』, it is important for Jesus to express the will of God the Father. This is because accepting Jesus is accepting God the Father and realizing God’s will. Then, according to this principle, accepting a child is accepting Jesus and realizing Jesus’ will. Jesus' will is to die on the cross and be resurrected.

In Mark 9:31, Jesus clearly told his disciples what he meant. 『For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him. ; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 』Therefore, a child means a spiritual child like the disciples at the time who did not understand even if the words of truth were spoken. On the surface, Painion (παιδίων) means a boy or a girl, but on the other hand, it has the meaning of an immature Christian. Jesus speaks his meaning, but his disciples do not understand what he means, so here the disciples become spiritual children.

Jesus spoke of death on the cross and resurrection, and the disciples argued, “Who is greater?” In Mark 9:35, “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and said unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Today’s spiritual children are It means a person who is more interested in the world than in the kingdom of God. The disciples believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but they are determined to use Jesus' great power to enjoy power in the world. Today, those who have a belief in blessings and blessings would be said to belong to this category.

『Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.』Being in Jesus Christ means dying with Jesus on the cross and being resurrected with Christ. It is a person who believes in something. And to welcome a spiritual child is to receive Jesus Christ. We must teach those who are like spiritual children to accept the significance of the union of death on the cross with Jesus and the resurrection. This is the purpose of the gospel.

In Mark 9:42, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” The little ones are spiritual children. Referring to children, this refers to false prophets who "even though church leaders should teach them the exact meaning of the death of the cross and resurrection, they instill in them wrong things through humanistic legalism, preventing them from understanding God's will at all." It becomes a warning.

When a believer dies with Jesus on the cross, he or she realizes that Jesus who died on the cross is himself, confesses that he was a sinner who had no choice but to die, and accepts that death. This is taking up one’s cross. Baptism represents the believer’s death with Jesus on the cross. Water baptism is death to sin, and fire baptism is death to the soul. So, God resurrects those who died with Jesus together with Christ. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The death of the cross is not something of the distant past, but a death of the present, and resurrection is not something of the distant future, but something that happens in the present. If you do not believe in present death and resurrection, you are spiritually like a child. So, if you are a believer who knows this, you must welcome the brothers of the church and let them know that you are united with Jesus Christ. Because that is the way to receive Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 18:7, “Woe unto the world because of offenses!” for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!』Those who cause offense are false prophets. They are people who neither accurately understand the meaning of the Bible nor convey it accurately. They distort the words of the Bible and lead believers to believe in the wrong direction. The child in Luke 9:37 is spiritually a child, but false prophets speak of children as young children, so they say that parents must take care of children who do not have abilities, or that welcoming a child means receiving Jesus. Since this is what we do, we must live a life of humility, or as children obey their parents, believers must also live a life of obedience to the word of God. They are failing to convey the core message of the Bible.

In Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire(gehenna)』 The eye sees the world There are eyes that look and eyes that look at the kingdom of God. If the eyes that look at the kingdom of God look at the world, they may stumble, and because of that, those who look at them will also stumble. So, don't let yourself stumble.

Gehenna symbolizes the fire (judgment) that burns the garbage in the dump. Even in Mark 9:48-49, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt 』

Jeremiah 7:31-32 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.』

Gehenna appeared in the Valley of Hinnom. The Valley of Hinnom was a garbage dump to the southeast outside Jerusalem. There, animal carcasses are burned. Maggots come out of the corpse. However, in the Valley of Hinnom, among the Israelites, they sacrificed their children to Molech. This signifies the corruption of the temple at that time. To compare it to today, it means the corruption of the church. This is the case in churches where humanistic legalism is rampant. Church people kill the Son of God every day and offer his blood to God in order to receive forgiveness for their sins. Jesus wants to give freedom from the law, but believers do not believe this.

Gehenna has the meaning of burning trash, but it is also used to burn other people's hearts with the fire of the tongue (untruth), or even to bring worldly blessings to believers, just as Israel did the Molech sacrifice in the past, they want the Son of God to continue to be a sacrifice. The fire that falls on a believer becomes a refinement, but when it burns others with the fire of untruth, it literally becomes a hellfire. That's why they live in hellfire.

 

5. We ask that you do for us what we ask for.

In Mark 10:32-35, “And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen to him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scour him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.』

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus told his disciples that he would die on the cross for the third time and be resurrected on the third day. When the disciples heard this, they were embarrassed and afraid. Jesus' death was incomprehensible to them. The disciples believed that Jesus controlled the winds and the sea, healed a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, cast out demons, performed the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, walked on the sea, and healed the sick. Because they witnessed the scene, the disciples thought Jesus was God. However, because he said three times that he would die and come back to life, the disciples were worried, but they thought that one day, Jesus would take a place when he rules the world with power.

Based on the contents of Mark 9-10, Jesus described the spiritual state of his disciples as blind, demon-possessed, idolaters, children, divorced men or women, rich people, and those bound by flesh and blood. It was likened to a ruler. A blind person is a person who cannot see the kingdom of God, a demon-possessed person is a person who believes in Jesus but is still under the control of Satan, an idolater is a person who believes in God as they wish or thinks that Jesus is God, and a child is a person who believes in the kingdom of heaven. A person who thinks about who is greater, so the disciples hope that they will sit on the right or left side of Jesus when he commands the world. A divorced man or woman is a spiritual adulterer who does not know the meaning of becoming one with God; a rich person is a person who, like the Pharisees, believes that he or she enters the kingdom of God through the law; a person who is bound by flesh and blood is a person who does not realize his or her own identity. It can be seen as (a person who recognizes the physical self as his or her identity).

In Mark 10:36-40, “And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said to them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said to him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.』

Many people in the church today who think they are rich in the kingdom of God may be expecting that they too will have a place when Jesus returns and the thousand-year kingdom is established. They secretly hope for a rapture to avoid tribulation, and if this does not happen while they are alive, they hope that they will die and be resurrected and regain their original form. They will think that when they are resurrected, they will be resurrected with the face of a 20-year-old.

The fundamental problem of today's church stems from a misunderstanding of resurrection and the Second Coming. This is because we receive resurrection and the second coming as a future story that will happen someday. When I talk about present resurrection and second coming, most people think this is heresy.

The Bible expresses the resurrection that believers think of in two ways. “He rose from the dead” (Greek egaeiro) and “resurrection” (Greek anastasis, or ten-egersin).

The expressions of resurrection, such as Anastaseos and Anastasine, are used as nouns and are terms that describe the appearance of a person born from heaven. If the Greek word Anastasine is translated as ‘resurrected’ and used verbally, it is correct in meaning.

In conclusion, the words “resurrection” and “rising from the dead” do not mean that the body received from one’s parents comes back to life, but rather that the previous one dies with Jesus on the cross and is reborn as a new life from heaven with Christ. Romans 6:4 explains this well. 『Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.』

(Present resurrection and the second coming of Jesus)

While believing in the resurrection of Jesus, saints must also believe in the present resurrection. So, Christ returns and enters the resurrected ones. There are several places in the Bible that express the present-day resurrection and second coming.

 

6. About Jesus riding a donkey and the temple

In Mark 11:1-6, “And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sent forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against.” you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.』

Since Jesus often visited Bethphage and Bethany, he was familiar with the geography of the area and would have known who had donkeys in the area. Jesus would have arrived in the area and walked around. Bethany also appears in the story of Mary and Martha. It is also the village where Simon, a leper, lived. Therefore, Jesus naturally gave such instructions to two of his disciples.

Jesus riding a donkey is a symbolic expression that has many meanings. Donkeys were unclean animals and were not used as sacrifices. However, in Exodus 13:13, “And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.” If you look at the first part (every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb) in Hebrew,וְכָל־פֶּ֤טֶר חֲמֹר֙ תִּפְדֶּ֣ה בְשֶׂ֔ה 

『Wekal (all) Peter (the firstborn) Hamor (of the donkey) Tibdech (will redeem) Bsekh (with the sheep)』

The first born of a donkey is killed by breaking its neck. However, since the donkey is an unclean animal, it is not used as a sacrifice, but this means that it can be used in place of the sheep used to atone for sins. At the time of the Exodus, when it was difficult to find a lamb without blemish, God provided consideration to use the firstborn of a donkey. The donkey's owner said he would offer it to God as a sacrifice, even though it was an animal that had to be killed anyway, and he readily agreed.

The first birth belongs to God, so no one should touch it or ride it. When a first-born baby is born, it stays with its mother for seven days and is separated when it is eight days old. So, it is tied until its neck is broken or it is offered as a sacrifice. In Exodus 13:12, “That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; The males shall be the LORD's.』

The image of Jesus riding the first-born donkey has two meanings. The first is that Jesus was the first born (eldest son). The firstborn son is offered to God through death. The Bible tells us that all people in the world must die like this. When the angel of death passed by before the actual Exodus, all of the firstborn sons of Egypt died, except for the Israelites who painted the doorposts with the blood of the lamb. And all the Israelites died. Although the sacrificial lamb died instead, the Israelites were also considered dead. So, Jesus riding on a donkey has the appearance of a sinner (eldest son).

Second, the donkey dies a substitutionary death in place of the lamb. Jesus, riding on a donkey, is a lamb and performs a ransom death on behalf of sinners.

However, in Mark 11:8-10, “And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.” And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.』

This scene resembles the disciples' argument, “Who is greater?” even though Jesus told them that he would die on the cross and be resurrected three days later. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey to die on the cross, and the Jews are praising David and mentioning that the Messiah who will overthrow the world has come. Jesus metaphorically showed that Israel's condition was that of a fruitless fig tree. And he entered the temple.

In Mark 11:15-17, “And they came to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them.” that sold doves; And he would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.』

Jesus is saying that the temple is for prayer, but the Jewish leaders made it a place for business. Jesus said that since the temple of prayer was not functioning properly, he would now give them another temple instead of the stone temple.

In John 2:19-21, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body his." Jesus says that all previous stone temples will be destroyed and that he will give believers a temple that will come from heaven. The stone temple represents none other than the mortal body of Jesus, and the temple coming from heaven represents the resurrection of Christ.

Jesus dying on the cross (stone temple) symbolizes the first man Adam, and the resurrected Christ (temple coming from heaven) symbolizes the last man Adam. Therefore, the stone temple (Jerusalem temple), like the death of Jesus on the cross, was built in A.D. It was completely destroyed by Roman General Tito around 70 AD. In Mark 13:1-2, “And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” And Jesus answered unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.』

Today, the temple is not a church building, but a temple built in the hearts of believers. Today, a church is a place that provides a place for believers to gather. However, when church people call the church building a temple, they are still staying in a stone temple and are no different from Jewish legalists. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, he shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.』

In order for the temple to be built in the hearts of believers, believers must become believers in Jesus Christ dying on the cross and being resurrected together with him. Those who do not believe in the present resurrection have not built the temple. The baptism of the Holy Spirit means resurrection. The Holy Spirit raises the dead together with Jesus. Romans 6:5 『For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:』

Those who do not believe in the present resurrection today are still in the law. They may think otherwise, but they do not believe in the present resurrection, do not know that the kingdom of God has arrived in the heart, and therefore do not believe in the second coming of Christ. These are those who are in the law. Jewish leaders rejected Jesus even though he was born in Jewish land as the Messiah.

Just as goods were bought and sold in the temple back then, there may be people today who do business through the church. They do business in the name of Jesus. Some people try to pass the church on to their children like a stock company. As we see the Jewish leaders at the time of Jesus compromising with power and engaging in politics, we see similar things happening today. This may be because many church people are not interested in the kingdom of God and place more importance on worldly wealth, power, and fame. Although not all churches are so corrupt, it is clear that the church today is steeped in legalistic humanism.

 

7. Judah's Betrayal

Mark 14:10-11『And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.』

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver from a priest. He became a disciple of Jesus, but he betrayed and betrayed Jesus. Why did Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus, betray Jesus?

Judas Iscariot was chosen as one of the twelve disciples, but unlike the other disciples, he did not use the title "Lord" toward Jesus. Instead, he called Jesus "Rabbi" and did not acknowledge him as anything more than a teacher. Therefore, it can be seen that he did not have faith in Jesus.

In John 12:5-6, Judas became so consumed by greed that he betrayed the trust of not only Jesus but also his fellow disciples. Judas may have wanted to follow Jesus simply because he knew that Jesus had many followers and he believed he could profit from the money raised for the group. “The fact that Judas was in charge of the money bag for the group” indicates that his interest was in money.

Judas also believed, like most people at the time, that "the Messiah would overthrow Roman colonial rule and assume a position of power to rule over the nation of Israel." Judas may have followed Jesus in the hope of benefiting from association with him who would emerge as the new dominant political power. He expected that after Jesus' revolution, he would become one of the ruling elite. Around the time of Judas' betrayal, Jesus made it clear that he planned not to start a rebellion against Rome, but rather to die. So, Judas may have been convinced, as the Pharisees were, that unless he overthrew Rome, he would never be the Messiah he had hoped for. Ultimately, the mind of Judas Iscariot is the same as the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. If we do not abide in the words of Jesus, we can all become like Judas Iscariot.

There was again a transaction of 30 pieces of silver between the high priest, the elders, and Judas Iscariot. The high priest and the elders gave Judas Iscariot 30 pieces of silver again and said, “What do you have to do with us? Deal with it yourself; we are not responsible.” So Judas took the money again, threw it into the sanctuary, and went away and hanged himself. You can see that he is going to die. Therefore, even today, the Bible teaches us that “those who betray Jesus for the wages of unrighteousness will ultimately end up in death.” Anyone who betrays Jesus is in Satan. The same goes for all hired shepherds who do not abide by the words of Jesus. Jesus gave them freedom from the law, but they are trying to imprison them again with the law.

The term “wages of injustice” refers to a hired shepherd who unjustly receives money from believers.

God is showing the sins they will suffer through the example of Judas Iscariot. They say that offering tithes or offerings to God is an example of serving Him. After Jesus came, the gift we offer to God does not refer to something without a living being, but to the offering of a resurrected spirit as a regenerate person.

People who still think in a legalistic way think that they must offer something material to God. They say that believers in Jesus are not forced to tithe or make offerings by the church, but believers do it voluntarily. The hired hands shift the blame to the believers. Although a budget is necessary for the church's operation, they say so while providing biblical evidence.

If we look at the Bible and only see Judas Iscariot's wrong actions, we are studying history about what happened between God and the Israelites. “What we must realize through Judas Iscariot” is that the high priests and elders sold innocent blood and received money as the wages of injustice, “Just as all the sins are being blamed on Judas Iscariot, even today, believers are being put in danger within the church.”

Believers should understand that this is what the Bible says to Judas Iscariot, as well as to shepherds and saints who believe in God today. Even though we say that we have entered into Jesus Christ and been born again and escaped from the law, who is responsible for ultimately returning to the law? Believers must know that, like Judas Iscariot, the hired hands shift the blame to the believers.

Judah did not try to use the 30 pieces of silver he received for anything else. He realizes his mistake and throws the money back into the sanctuary and comes out. Since Judas Iscariot had always received donations from the high priests and elders, he took the 30 pieces of silver and threw them back into the sanctuary. “What we must understand from these words” is that God does not want worldly materials. God desires rebirth, in which the dead spirit comes back to life. Judas Iscariot chose his own death. The root cause of all this is money. Money makes people arrogant and leads to arrogance and disobedience. Therefore, God's word of truth is not accepted by such people. Therefore, even today, some churches call the church building a temple and force people to make donations in a legal way.

『The high priests collected the silver and said, “This is the blood price.” The high priests picked up “30 pieces of silver that Judas Iscariot had thrown away as worthless” and said, 『This is the blood price』. It has nothing to do with them. They are referring to the money that Judas Iscariot paid for Jesus by shedding his blood on the cross and calling it blood money. In other words, they see 30 pieces of silver as equal to Jesus. 30 means a woman. Today's church is devoid of the word of truth. It refers to churches that say they believe in Jesus but are still mired in the law. Those who do not realize this fact are spiritually blind.

In John 9:41, Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remains.』In Isaiah 1:12: When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? This is what God says about those who think that “believing and having faith in God is.”

After Judas Iscariot returned the 30 pieces of silver to the sanctuary and left, the priests and elders gathered to discuss the money. But for some reason, the high priests and elders said, “It is not right to keep the 30 pieces of silver in the treasury (the treasury in the sanctuary).” They thought that Jesus was a heretic to the priests. Since they thought that “the sanctuary is a holy place where sacrifices are made to God and rituals are performed,” they thought, “It is not right to place the money of Jesus, who belongs to a heretic, in the holy place of God.” These people were spiritually blind and did not know Jesus until the end.

So, what is the reason why they say they use this money to buy a potter's field and use it as a graveyard for travelers? In Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.』The potter is God. He is saying that God formed man with his hands. So then, for what reason did the high priests and elders buy God's field with 30 pieces of silver? The high priests and elders are false shepherds and hired shepherds. God's field is God's people. This means that the high priests and elders purchased God’s people. From a physical perspective, they bought a field made of dirt, but from a spiritual perspective, they bought God's people with this money.

The hired hands spiritually drive believers to death. They begin with the Holy Spirit and finish with the flesh. It is said that the high priests and elders bought God's field with 30 pieces of silver and used it as a graveyard for strangers. They are like wolves trying to kill those who have been spiritually reborn. Even today, hired shepherds are deceiving believers into returning to the law.

 

 

8. Peter cursed and swore, “I do not know this man.”

Mark 14:71-72 『But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.』

In John 13:36, Jesus said to Peter, “You cannot follow me now, but you will follow me later.” He was Peter, who followed the Lord for three years. He left his job and family to follow Jesus, and his faith grew over time, but now he cannot follow. This means that unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, he or she cannot follow Jesus on the cross.

Even when the Lord was standing on the storm, it was Peter who followed on the water. But the Lord says, “You cannot follow me now.” Salvation is not achieved through human decision; it must occur through internal change. Internal change means the old self dies. Salvation is union with the death of Jesus. Jesus said, “I came to die, I die as a ransom, and on the third day I rise again.” No one responded to these words.

Believers believe that if they see miracles and learn the Word, they have faith. However, that faith is not a saving faith. Jesus said, “You cannot follow me now,” but Peter said, “Why cannot I follow you now? I will give up my soul for your sake” (13:37). Peter didn't think he was lying. However, 『Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.』

What we must discover in the conversation between Peter and Jesus is Peter's thoughts that deny Jesus' words. Jesus' words about Peter apply to all humans. Jesus is saying to all humans, “You can’t follow me now.” At this time, there can be two reactions. 『I am a being who cannot follow the Lord.』And, 『No, I will follow with all my soul (pshyken).』Which side are we now?

Psychen is soul. Soul means living thing. The body and spirit meet and become a living being. In Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 』Nepeshhaya means a living being.

Believers need to understand the body, spirit, and soul. The body has a physical self formed from the body. It can be roughly divided into seven categories, including physical nature and blood relationship. Spirit means the Holy Spirit that comes from God. Those who are not in Christ do not have the Holy Spirit, so the spirit is expressed as dead. And the soul is like a garment that reacts to death and eternal life. As death approaches, the soul becomes sad. This is the soul reacting.

People have a desire to live forever. At this time, the mind is also the soul. That is why people wish to become like gods in the sense that they wish to live forever without dying. So they make every effort. This is something that can be seen in other religions. However, the Bible tells us that the soul, which is like this clothing, must burn and die and be put on a new soul that comes from heaven.

In James 5:20, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” In 1 Peter 1:9, “Receiving the end.” of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.』Salvation and the soul are connected. If you misunderstand it, you will think of your soul as your identity and try to sharpen it. However, believers must know that the soul has a physical soul and a spiritual soul.

The physical soul is the soul (old self) that comes from the spirit combined with the earth, and it is something that must be discarded. The spiritual soul is the soul (new man) that comes from heaven and is also expressed as the spiritual body or the clothes of Christ. The old self is like a garment that must die on the cross, and the new man is like a spiritual garment that was resurrected with Christ. When a believer is united with Jesus Christ, the old self (old soul) is united with the cross, and the new self (new soul) is united with the resurrection of Christ. Therefore, a saved soul means a resurrected body. We can see that the resurrected body is not a body but a soul. So, the dead spirit is raised and the spirit and soul are united.

The subject of Peter's denial of Jesus is a soul originating from the flesh. This is due to the body he received from his parents, and he must receive a soul from heaven, which the Bible expresses as being born of water and the Spirit. In water, the old self dies to sin and is reborn as a new person (Holy Spirit baptism: resurrection) through the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that those who are not born of the Holy Spirit are those who, like Peter, will deny Jesus before the cross.

Even though those who are born of the Holy Spirit still have a physical body, there are seven physical selves. So again, even if he is born from heaven, he must fight against his physical self. Even though he falls and sometimes fails, God uses them to achieve the purpose of evangelism. Those born of the Holy Spirit are not subject to the law. They are subject to the law of the Holy Spirit. It is clearly stated in Romans 8:1-2, 『There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.』

Most of the Bible is about people who say they believe in God, but in God's eyes, they are not believers. Jesus' words to Peter also follow the Lord for three years, and the Lord says this. This means that believers cannot follow Jesus’ death on the cross. Although most church people today believe, the Bible points out a faith that is not united with Christ on the cross.

Peter said, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.』 This faith is not the faith of those who have been born again. The core of faith is who is the subject. Is it the spiritual self or the physical self?

The spiritual self is the mind given by the Holy Spirit, and the physical self is the self permeated with greed. Denying oneself and taking up one's cross is denying one's natural self. The physical self is the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideology, religiousness, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate.

Many church people believe in God and believe that Jesus died as a redemption for them, but if they are not in Christ, they are falsely believing in Jesus. This is because the only ones who are in Christ are those who deny themselves and turn and repent. A person who does not deny himself is like this: Even if Peter said to the Lord, “I will lay down my life for you,” it means that he becomes the kind of person who denies Jesus three times.

 

 

9. And a young man ran away naked.

Mark 14:51-52『And there followed him a certain young man(νεανίσκος), having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:And he left the linen cloth(σινδόνα), and fled from them naked.

καὶ νεανίσκος τις συνηκολούθει αὐτῷ περιβεβλημένος σινδόνα ἐπὶ γυμνοῦ, καὶ κρατοῦσιν αὐτόν

The Greek word for youth is neaniskos (νεανίσκος), and its root can be found in neo (English new), which means new or fresh. In this story, Mark records what happened after all of Jesus' disciples ran away on the day he was arrested. This situation is reminiscent of the incident that occurred in the Garden of Eden in Genesis Chapter 3. It is said that when Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded her not to eat from, her eyes were opened and she thought she was naked, so she sewed fig leaves together and made herself a skirt.

This incident in the Garden of Eden symbolically expresses the story of the angel who sinned in the kingdom of God. This is the story of an angel who did not keep his position, betrayed God, had his clothes removed, and was imprisoned in darkness. The incident in which the angel betrayed God can be seen as the same as the incident in which his disciples betrayed Jesus. Regarding a young man, people assume that on the surface it is Mark himself, but this can be seen as a person symbolizing a disciple of Jesus. It symbolizes those who betray God and are naked, and the disciples who betray Jesus and run away.

It is said that the young man wore a linen blanket (Sindo or σινδόνα). Sindona is a type of sackcloth. Revelation 11:3 says, “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Sackcloth is coarse linen (made from goat hair or camel hair). It reminds me of John the Baptist and Elijah. In Jonah 3:6, “For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” It means repentance. In Matthew 11:21, “Woe unto thee, Chorazin!” woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.』

Because Jerusalem was destroyed, John the Baptist proclaimed repentance. The two witnesses are deeply related to the work of restoring the church. Repentance is essential to restore the fallen church.

Sinners must wear sackcloth, but taking off the sackcloth and running away means corruption. Although the young man was not one of the twelve disciples, he may have been one of the group of followers of Jesus. Through the story of a young man, everyone in the world abandons Jesus before the cross and runs away. It tells us that no matter how much we call Jesus Lord, if the flesh reacts in front of the cross, it will do so instinctively.

John 13:36-38 『Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said to him, Lord, why cannot I follow them now? I will lay down my life for your sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.』

After Jesus says this, a sermon follows. The sermon that begins in chapter 14, verse 1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” is very long. Continuing in chapter 15 verses 1-2, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit..』And in 15:26-27, he preaches about the Holy Spirit.『But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning .』

This sermon continues until chapter 16. So finally, in verse 30 of chapter 16, the Jews confess, “Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.”

These are Jews who came to see Jesus. After listening to the long sermon in chapters 14-16, they were moved and said this to Jesus. However, in 16:31-32, Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Do you believe what you said? This is a rebuttal.

It is not that Jesus is scolding, but that everyone is like the life that Adam and Eve had before being united with the cross, the event of his death on the cross and his resurrection three days later. This is the life that hides in the forest of the Garden of Eden. This is a life that has no choice but to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is a life lived according to the fleshly thoughts that are enemies of God.

No matter how many miracles the disciples of Jesus experienced during the three years and no matter how much they learned the word of God directly from Jesus, they were still their old lives before the cross. Many church people today also end up in this state if they are not united with the cross. However, they are seeking the experience of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the work of the Holy Spirit without being united with the cross. That is proof that you have not repented.

The young man who ran away must have felt regret and shed tears like Peter. The resurrected Christ came to his twelve disciples and showed his resurrected body to many other disciples. A young man may also have been included here. When a young man who runs away repents and returns, he is reborn as a new young man. Jesus breathed on his disciples and poured out his Holy Spirit. The young man would also have received the Holy Spirit. So it contains the message that young man is resurrected to new life with Christ.

Even if people have left God, if they repent (wearing sackcloth) and return to God, God will clothe them with the holy clothes of Christ (clothes of righteousness). The true gospel preaches that all human beings are sinners who have no choice but to die, and therefore believers must die with Jesus on the cross. This is faith. The believer is united with the death of the Lord. It is not a union with the world, but a union with the cross. Those who die by being united with the cross will also be united with the resurrected Christ and receive the glory of present resurrection. The young man who ran away will return to God as a new young man.

 

10. Sending the Seventy

Luke 10:1-7 After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore he said to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.』

The fact that there are few workers means that there are few people who have become the believers of Emmanuel. Those who have come to the faith of Immanuel are saints who believe in the present resurrection. Harvest is the harvest of the fruits of resurrection. This will mean that more true saints will appear on this earth to continue the harvest.

If a sheep goes among wolves, the result is death. “The disciples going into the midst of wolves in the likeness of sheep” means going to die. This is the same as “rejecting the saints who call for present-day resurrection within the church.” These believers who do not believe in present resurrection are wolves. God judges those who do not repent, but to those who repent, God gives the grace of resurrection to those who are in Jesus Christ. So, the disciples are to go into the wolves with these words of power. In Matthew 10:16, Jesus told the disciples to become wise so that they could preach boldly among wolves. This is the gospel of the present cross and the present resurrection become the power of power.

The disciples had nothing. When the Jews of that time went to someone else's house, they would bless that house. The word peace in Greek is eirene (peace with God). In Hebrew it is called Shalom. Israel is God's covenant people, so if they betray God's covenant, shalom is not given to them. So all kinds of disasters happen. In this process, shalom, or peace, is the news of the gospel to them. But Jesus told his disciples to spread this peace wherever they went. What Jesus called his disciples and told them was, “Give freely what you have received freely.” This is peace. “The reason the Israelites do not enjoy peace” is because God’s covenant relationship is broken, so there is no peace with God. Therefore, Jesus “becomes the peace offering that brings peace between God and his people.” Therefore, the disciples preach this peace in advance. If there is someone who welcomes this peace, peace will come to that person's home.

The Bible shows the image of someone who spreads the gospel. This means that you do not try to take money other than what you can afford to eat at a reasonable price. Matthew 10:11 tells us not to go to just anyone, but to the worthy one. The idea is not to convey “words like pearls” as if you were begging. When a worthy person spreads the gospel, he or she becomes someone who can plow the field of their heart like the parable of the sower. A person whose heart is hardened becomes unworthy.

Luke 10:8-11 『And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh. To you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye. sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.』

But if they do not receive the one who brings this peace and do not listen to you, Jesus said, shake the dust off your feet out of that house or city. “The act of shaking off the dust from one’s feet or the hem of one’s clothes” is an act that shows judgment. If you do not receive the peace that Jesus freely gave you, that is judgment. Jesus says that this judgment is so terrifying that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than that city. The first city to reject this news of peace was Jerusalem. “The reason Jesus groaned over Jerusalem” was because they did not know the news of peace. Therefore, Jerusalem, which rejected Jesus, became Sodom and Gomorrah.

Luke 10:12-16, 『But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth thou heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.』

Chorazin and Bethsaida are cities where Jesus performed miracles, and are located to the north of the Sea of Galilee. In particular, Bethsaida is where Jesus' disciples Andrew, Peter, and Philip lived. Even though these cities heard the words of Jesus, they did not repent. Tire and Sidon are cities on the Mediterranean coast, and Tire is also a place that Jesus visited. These two cities were once very prosperous through trade and fishing, but from the Jewish perspective, they were nothing more than pagan regions that worshiped the god Ashtareth. Jesus said, “If such miracles had been performed in the Gentile regions of Tire and Sidon, they would have already repented and known about the kingdom of heaven,” but Jesus rebuked the two cities for not repenting. Also, Sodom was a city near the Dead Sea that was judged by God with fire and brimstone due to extreme idolatry and spiritual adultery.

Capernaum was the place where Jesus mainly stayed as his home while doing his ministry. Jesus accepted “Capernaum’s refusal to accept his gospel” as arrogance that exalts himself against God. He said, “If he had done such a thing in the land of Sodom, the people of that land would have repented and would have been spared destruction.” Jesus first exercised His mighty power over the Jews in order to save them, but He lamented and rebuked them for not repenting.

Luke 10:17-20, 『And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.』

Jesus gave his disciples the power to heal the sick and cast out demons, so he sent out 70 people to go two by two and preach the gospel. When the gospel was spread through the disciples, powers appeared, sick people arose, demons were cast out, and strange things happened, they returned to Jesus and boasted to each other about the results, saying that this and that had happened. When Jesus looked at it, he said, “You will not be very happy about that, but what you will truly be happy about is that your names are written in heaven. Rejoice because of that.” Jesus says there is nothing to be happy about other than that.

When the seventy disciples returned from their missionary trip, they were all overflowing with joy. This was because I had personally experienced that even demons could not move and “surrender” before the “name of the Lord.” It was natural for the disciples to be so excited as the most miraculous things happened to the disciples, such as “demons that seemed untouchable” running away as soon as they gave a command in the name of Jesus. When Jesus heard their joyful report, he said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” This means that Jesus was also seeing Satan being defeated in many places through the evangelism activities of the Seventies. The meaning of these words is to save sinners who were under Satan's control and give them freedom.

At first glance, the evangelism activities of the Seventy may not have seemed that great, with the disciples going around rural villages, preaching a few words and healing a few people. However, in reality, Jesus praises them greatly for saying that their evangelism was a tremendous victory in defeating Satan everywhere. The Bible tells us that it was truly an overwhelming and clear victory in which Satan fell rapidly, like “lightning falling to the ground.”

While empathizing with the disciples' joy, Jesus also reminded them not to forget something more important. 『Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.』 Here, 『tread on snakes and scorpions』 means 『you are the enemy. It continues figuratively with the words, “You will gain the authority to control all abilities.”

In other words, Jesus gives his disciples the power to overcome the power of all enemies, just as he cast out demons. He confirmed to them that the power to overcome such forces of Satan never came from the disciples themselves, but was only given to them by Jesus.

“The power that leads sinners from Satan’s rule” is the death and resurrection of the cross. This is the fruit, and saints can also be said to be united with Jesus Christ, die on the cross, and achieve present-day resurrection.

 

11. The resurrected Jesus commands his disciples

Matthew 28:18-20『And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever, I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

There are many things Jesus said to his disciples. Since the Father gave Jesus himself all authority in heaven and earth, the disciples are to act based on all the authority of Jesus.

First, disciples are to make disciples of all nations. A disciple is someone who teaches everything the teacher has. A disciple learns from a teacher and teaches it to other disciples. What must be taught is the teaching of the death and resurrection of the cross. If this is missing, the gospel falls into humanism, legalism, and gnosticism. Are today’s churches truly teaching the death and resurrection of the cross? Through Jesus' death on the cross, all sinners who enter Christ are free from all sin. However, false teachers teach that only past sins are forgiven and that present and future sins must continue to be repented and forgiven by the blood of Jesus. It is a wrong doctrine.

If the believer's resurrection is combined with the resurrection of Christ, then the believer must also believe that he has been resurrected in the present. However, many believers believe that the body is resurrected after death, so this is also wrong. Considering this, it is the same as pastors in most churches today refusing to make disciples of Jesus.

Second, the disciples were to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα). If you look at the Greek Bible, it says εύματος『Ace To Onoma (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα)』 means within the name. What does “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” mean? Because believers are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they must accept that they become one with God. It means believing that dying on the cross with the Son (baptism in water and fire) means dying to sin and becoming dead to the soul. So, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we must believe that saints are also resurrected.

This means that it is not a ritual of simply sprinkling water on the head of a believer (baptism is immersion in water) and saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The baptism that Jesus requested “embodies the death and resurrection of the cross.” How many people today preach the word accurately before baptizing like this?

Third, the disciples are to teach others to observe everything that Jesus commanded them. What did Jesus command? To summarize the Bible, it is love of God and love of neighbors. Love for one's neighbor is intended to revive a dead spirit. Love for one's neighbor bears fruit when one preaches the death and resurrection of the cross, explains its meaning, helps the other person understand it, and accepts that he too died on the cross and was resurrected. This is love of God and love of neighbor. Saints must teach this to those they preach to. However, in the church permeated with humanistic legalism and gnosticism, there is no present death on the cross and no present resurrection, but only stories of the world.

And after saying, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the world,” he ascended to heaven. Jesus ascended to heaven, but he remains with the saints. The reason is that when a saint believes that he or she is resurrected, a new temple is built in the heart, and Christ returns and enters the saint's heart, so the saint is with Christ. That is why a heavenly wedding feast is held in the hearts of believers. Those who think that the second coming of Jesus will be in the distant future are under the law and will only face God's judgment. For those who think of the second coming of Christ as a distant future, the second coming of Christ means the White Throne Judgment.

 

Ⅲ. Is Jesus God or the Son?

 

1. Calms the wind

Mark 4:39-40 『And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?』

On the surface, Jesus Christ was the Creator in the kingdom of God, but on earth he would be thought of as the Son of God, endowed with God's power and controlling nature. But we must think of the spiritual meaning in this passage.

『And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.』The reason the waves beat happens is because of the wind. Wind means the Holy Spirit. Waves arose because of the wind. So a big wave hit the ship. In the boat were Jesus and his disciples. A ship is an ark. The ark symbolizes Christ. The disciples are on a boat. The sea represents the law. The saying, “A great wave arose in the sea” means that the work of the Holy Spirit takes place within the law, and people realize that they are destined to die by the waves, and they discover Christ and awaken Him.

『Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? 』Here, 『Why』 means 『certain things』. Even though they were disciples, because they had been under the law for a long time, the need to keep the law must have frightened them.

Jesus said, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 』Here, the word 『rebuked』 is the Greek word 『epitimao』, which is a combination of the preposition epi (to) and the verb timao (to set a price, to criticize). That is. In Zechariah 11:10-13, “In order to abolish the covenant (law) that God had established with Israel, he cut off the stick called grace (new covenant: Christ) and abolished the covenant. When the hearers (the poor sheep) heard it, they liked it and paid for it ( gave 30)." At this time, the word for paying the price is 『Timao』. Judas Iscariot sold Jesus to the priest for 30 pieces of silver. Here, the word 『Ephitimao』 tells us that “He is the Son of Man (Savior) for whom the audience set a price of 30 pieces of silver.” It means that the Savior was revealed to the wind and the sea. Because Jesus came, the winds and the sea calmed down.

Matthew 14:25-32『And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter came down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?And when they came into the ship, the wind ceased.』

“The reason the Bible tells this story” is that even though Peter (the Jew) relies on Jesus, the law torments them. so. It is a warning that “he will fall into the law again.” Eventually, he discovers Peter relying on his own strength. As he looks again at the law, he sees himself in fear within the law. When a person looks at Jesus, he is completely free from the law, and he becomes motivated to rely on his own strength. This is the same story that Peter denied three times before Jesus was crucified. This means that if a person does not look at Jesus dying on the cross and is not united with Jesus, he will ultimately end up relying on himself. “What Peter was asking for” was not Jesus on the cross, but Jesus working miracles, and he was still such a legalistic person who relied on himself.

Peter ate five loaves of bread and two fish that day. And when he saw the Lord standing on the water, he said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.” He said, “Lord,” but set the condition, “if it is you, Lord.” Faith first denies oneself and then gives it to Jesus. Is this possible? Jesus rescued Peter from drowning and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Faith must be a faith that is united with Jesus Christ.

It is necessary to compare these words with 『The woman who was suffering from an issue of blood prayed that she might touch the hem of Jesus' clothes, and everyone who touched them was healed』. What Peter sought was the miraculous Jesus. And the woman's earnest desire to be cured of her illness is also healing. Those who are not saved only pursue the miraculous results of faith. I only pursue going to heaven. Jesus is not the goal; Jesus is the method. Those for whom Jesus is the goal die on the cross with Jesus and are resurrected with Christ, but those for whom Jesus is the method only seek salvation by relying on Jesus' death. I hold on to the resurrected Son of God in order to go to heaven. However, those who repent become those who are united with the death and resurrection of the cross.

 

2. Five loaves and two fish

Mark 6:41-44『And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided him among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.』

Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, raises the dead daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, frees a woman who had suffered from an issue of hemorrhage for twelve years, calms the wind, and heals people with withered hands, paralytics, and lepers. Many people came to see Jesus. So Jesus continued teaching the people without even having time to eat, and it was evening.

When the disciples came to Jesus and asked if they should give them something to eat as the day was getting late, Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” However, one of the disciples (Philip) said, “He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.” And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? The reason Jesus said this was to test them. In John 6:6, “And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

Jesus was the one who received the power of God who created heaven and earth, but Philip looks at Jesus through human eyes. He wondered how he could feed so many people with two hundred pennyworth. The disciples believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but we can see that this belief does not become one with them.

The incident of the five loaves and two fish was “an incident sufficient for those who came to recognize Jesus as the Son of God who received the power of God.” The people thought that this man was clearly the Son of God. However, if our thoughts end with "this was a superficial incident that showed the disciples' weak faith and the power of God through Jesus to those who came to Jesus," we do not know the spiritual meaning contained within it.

In Mark 6:38, “He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 』But in John 6:9 it says 『There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 』He says.

Here, we must know what the child, five barley loaves, and two fish mean. The child symbolizes a person who is trapped by the law and does not know the gospel of heaven. The five barley loaves that the child has represent the laws of the Pentateuch. This means that because people like children are trapped by the law, they are sinners worthy of death before God. The two fish represent Christ himself. The first man, Adam, who came into the world with a body of sin, and the last man, Jesus, who will die a redemptive death on the cross according to the law.

The five barley loaves and two fish symbolize the transition from “the child called the law to the child who is the subject of the gospel.” This means discovering Christ in the law. When a childlike person discovers Christ, it becomes the gospel. Through the situation in the law where the sinner is freed from sin through the death of the atoning Lamb, "the sinner discovers Christ in the law" means discovering the seed of promise (Christ), the descendant of the woman who will come in the future. Ultimately, through the sacrifice of Jesus who died on the cross, sinners were freed from sin and participated in the resurrection of Christ. This is the fruition of the seed of promise. Unless the seed dies, no fruit is borne, but if the seed dies (death on the cross), it bears the fruit of life (resurrection).

The five loaves and two fish received from a child come down as blessings from heaven through Jesus. These words contain the words, “Instead of the bread that temporarily saves the mortal body, Jesus will give the bread of eternal life (resurrection).” In Matthew 4:3-4, “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.』 The stones represent the articles of the law. In the law, the Israelites search for the provisions of the law as if they were the words of life.

Satan is telling Jesus, “You must obey God based on the law.” However, Jesus says, “We will not live by bread (the word according to the law) alone, but by the word (gospel) that comes from the mouth of God.” Even today, there are those who speak of Christ's active and passive obedience. The words of the law ultimately teach us that sinners must die. However, if you find Christ in it, it becomes the word of the gospel. The gospel is none other than the resurrection of Christ through the death of the cross.

The message of the five loaves and two fish received from the child is, “Through Jesus, the blessings of heaven (resurrection of life) will come to the saints.” In Mark 6:43-44, “And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.” And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.』The man who ate the loaves symbolizes “those who participate in the resurrection of life and become sons of God.” The number 1000 symbolizes the kingdom of God. When we say the millennium, this means the complete kingdom of God. However, the number five means the state of not completely achieving the kingdom of God. This means that many people heard the gospel, believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and followed Him, but their faith was not perfect.

The Bible also says that the remaining pieces of bread and fish were gathered into twelve baskets. The Bible tells us that the gospel must continue to be spread through the twelve disciples. There are twelve disciples, but symbolically, it can be said that all saints in Christ are disciples of Jesus. Therefore, believers must bear much fruit by preaching the present death of the cross and the present resurrection.

In Acts 4:1-4, 『And as they spoke unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now evening. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed(Epistusan ἐπίστευσαν); and the number of the men was about five thousand.』Epistusan is a belief that one believes. Faith must be a belief in Christ.

There are two types of faith.

The first is what one believes. When people see “Jesus performing miracles, such as curing the sick and raising the dead,” they believe that he is the Son of God. And when people witnessed Peter lifting up a lame man who was begging at the beautiful gate of the temple, they believed what Peter said. What Peter is saying is that he believes that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. This kind of faith is called one's own faith. This is not a faith that completely leads to righteousness.

Second, “believe in” is faith that comes from heaven (baptism with the Holy Spirit). In Galatians 3:22-23, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ (πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.』Before faith came from heaven, it was all the faith of those who were confined under the law. Then, the faith that comes from heaven is “Pisteos Jesus Christ.” It is the faith of Jesus Christ.

The faith of Jesus Christ is the belief that when Jesus did his work on the cross, “If I die on the cross, the Father will resurrect me.” This resurrection is not the concept of a dead body coming back to life, but a new body (soul: clothes of Christ) being born into eternal life. So, if believers enter into the faith of Christ in the same way, they become the faith that dies on the cross with Jesus and is resurrected with Christ. So, with that faith, the believer has already died with Jesus in the flesh and has been resurrected with Christ in the spirit. Since this faith is achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit baptism), it is a faith recognized by God. So this faith is not under the law, but becomes a faith in the gospel. Many pastors today say, “You will be saved as long as you believe Jesus,” but you should carefully test whether your faith is in Christ.

 

3. They that had eaten were about four thousand

Mark 8:6-9『And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he was blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.』

In the Five Loaves and Two Fishes, the disciple took the two fish and five barley loaves that the child had and gave them to Jesus. This time, the disciple gave Jesus the seven loaves and two fish he had. The five loaves symbolize the Pentateuch (Law), but the seven loaves that the disciples had become “the discovery of Jesus Christ in the law and the word of life delivered through Jesus.” The two fish represent Christ himself. Adam is the first person who came into the world with a body of sin, and Jesus is the last person to die a ransom death on the cross according to the law.

Jesus gave a congratulatory speech. The message is that through Jesus, the bread of life will come as heavenly blessings (resurrection of life). Jesus preached his message while traveling through the regions of Galilee, Decapolis, and Tiberias.

『So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand:.』The man who ate the bread symbolizes those who participated in the resurrection of life and became sons of God. Cloth symbolizes the kingdom of God. When we say the millennium, we mean the complete kingdom of God. By the way, four (4) represents wilderness. The Israelites who had escaped from Egypt failed to obey God's words in Canaan, and when the ten spies told them that they would die if they entered Canaan, the people wept all night, incurring God's wrath. So they wandered in the wilderness for forty years and then they all died in the wilderness. Only new people born in the wilderness and children under the age of 19 at the time of the Exodus entered Canaan.

After hearing the words of life from heaven, people responded positively, but many people abandoned those words. The seven baskets mean that they are full of people to whom the word of life must be given. Today, even though the church preaches the resurrection, very few people believe only in the resurrection of Jesus and believe in the present resurrection of believers. They have faith that their bodies will die and be resurrected in the future. So they cannot even imagine a present-day resurrection.

The basket for five bowls and two fish is an object that can hold a small amount of items, but the basket for seven bowls and two fish is large and the material is also important. The basket was made by plaiting reeds. The reed reminds us of the reed box that contained baby Moses. However, the reed here symbolizes Egypt. In Ezekiel 29:6, “And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.” Egypt means a reed staff that troubles Israel. The same expression is used in 2 Kings 18:21. In other words, the basket made of woven reeds symbolizes the world.

The bread remaining in the seven baskets represents “the level of believers who had to be exodus.” They have not even left Egypt and appear to be groaning under Satan's control. In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:19, When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.』A sinner must understand the Word, but because he does not understand the Word, Satan takes it. The state of mind of the person sprinkled on the roadside is a hardened state.

『Cultivating the land (field of the mind)』 means pondering the words of the Bible countless times and realizing that you have sinned in the kingdom of God and that you are trapped on this earth. Such a person is the one who cultivates the field of the mind. “Cultivating a good field” means realizing that you are a mortal being who has left God, repenting, knowing that salvation is impossible without Christ, and dying with Christ. “To die with Christ” is to cultivate. Dying is the death of the heart of greed. It is to die to sin. One realizes one's sins within the law, realizes that one must die through sacrifice, and discovers that one can only be saved by discovering Christ within them. This is what it means to cultivate the land.

“Jesus scattered them.” On the surface, they would have returned to their homes. However, spiritually, they cannot go to the house of God (temple: Christ), and they all scatter away from Jesus. Salvation is salvation by entering into Christ. Salvation comes from believing that you died on the cross with Jesus and were resurrected together with him. Jesus scattering them means that they have not yet reached salvation.

 

4. Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead

Mark 5:37-40 『And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult, and they that wept and wailed greatly. And when he came in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed at him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he tookth the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.』

Jesus hoped to instill the concept of resurrection in three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John. So, during the Mt. Transfiguration incident, Jesus took three people up the mountain.

The daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, died. The leader of the synagogue came to Jesus at the seaside and asked him to save his daughter. Jesus gave permission and came, but on the way, he met a woman who was suffering from an issue of blood, and due to the delay, Jairus' daughter died. When Jesus went there, she was already crying because her daughter was dead. When Jesus said that she was not dead but sleeping, everyone laughed at her.

Then Jesus entered the room and said, “Child, arise,” and the spirit returned and the child lived. When the child died, the spirit went out. The spirit that enters the human body is trapped. However, coming out of the body means being in a state of being. The spirit entering the human body means that God has confined the spirit within the body. It has the same meaning as saying that the spirit was imprisoned in darkness, imprisoned, or taken prisoner, and it has the same meaning as saying that it has left God. Saying that the spirit is trapped in the body means that the spirit is dead.

It is said that God created humans from dust and breathed life into them, and Adam became a soul. The object called earth breathed and became a living creature (soul) due to the breath given by God. It is the same state as Adam's and the daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue.

We can say that the human body is a prison made of clay. When God breathed breath into Adam and he became a living being, the breath can be said to be spirit. When the breath is put into the soil, the spirit has already lost its relationship with God. Apostle Paul is also talking about the state of the spirit. When the tent house (dirt: body) of our body collapses, that is, when the body dies, there is an eternal house of God.

Jesus showed many miracles. In order to show that Jesus is the Christ, the miracles he performed are called signs. There is something spiritual hidden in miracles. The leader of the synagogue symbolizes the law. In the synagogue, Jews gather on the Sabbath to teach and learn the Word. The daughter of the synagogue leader symbolizes those who are under the law. Those under the law are the Israelites. The reason Jesus saved Jairus' daughter was to save Israel. In other words, Jesus is trying to save those who are under the law.

“Jesus saves Jairus’ daughter” is a message for the Israelites to meet Christ before they die. When we see a scene where someone dies and comes back to life, we see the spirit leaving and then coming back.“He said, ‘Child, arise,’ and the spirit returned.’ What saves the spirit is not the law, but dying with Jesus. Jesus becomes one with the dead child, and then Jesus becomes one with the resurrected child. This is a foreshadowing that those who are united with the death of Jesus on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus will die in the flesh and be revived in the spirit. "

The law is to make us realize our sins, but Jesus is the one who came to save life. If the physical body is not buried with Jesus, the spirit will not be revived. So, the Bible tells Israel to meet Christ through Jairus' daughter. The Israelites did not find Christ in the law. So, the Gentile (the woman with the hemorrhage) receives her healing before Jairus' daughter.

Jesus wants to save the spirit. The prerequisite is that the spirit is dead. “What Jesus wants to say to the people” is that “the human spirit is all dead.” And he came to save dead spirits. He will give heavenly life to those who repent. In order to give heavenly life to those who repent, Jesus will allow them to eat the flesh and blood of the Son of Man and live eternally. When we read the Bible and understand Jesus' words, we must understand Jesus' intention, that is, God's will.

“I came to save the spirits” means “all spirits are dead.” Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Those who are healthy do not need a doctor, but those who are sick,” and Jesus said, “I came into the world to call sinners, not the righteous.” Being a sinner means that all humans are sinners. However, those who realize that they are sinners will receive eternal life. When Jesus says things like, “He came to call sinners or to save spirits,” there is a prerequisite, “You are sinners, or you are dead spirits.”

 

5. He prayed that this time would pass away from him.

Mark 14:32-35『And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he tookth with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

Prosyom somai (προσεύξωμαι) is the act of praying under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It corresponds to prayer in the Most Holy Place. Khadi Sate (καθίσατε) shows Jesus praying and his disciples sitting, but in meaning it means to pray. Psyche is the soul. This means that the soul was greatly troubled and was about to die.

In Mark 14:38, 『Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit (Pneuma) truly is ready, but the flesh (Sarex) is weak.』 Pneuma (spirit) is spirit (Holy Spirit). So, the mind of the spirit is the mind of God, Sareus (fresh), which comes from Soma (the body), is the mind of the flesh (the physical self: seven types), and Psyche is the soul. The soul means a living being (expressed as clothing) made up of a combination of spirit and body. Genesis 2:7 talks about living things. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

So the mind of the soul is the mind of a living being. The soul fears death and thinks about eternal life (the path to salvation). Dying on the cross with Jesus is death to the old soul. So the soul that dies with Jesus is resurrected as a new soul (new person). New marriages are also called the clothes of Christ. 1 Peter 1:9 talks about the salvation of the soul. 『Receiving the result of faith, that is, the salvation of the soul (Psuche).』 It is translated as soul, which is soul.

Through the example of Jesus, we can see that the human heart appears in three ways. The first is the heart of the spirit (Holy Spirit). It is a heart that follows the will of the Father. Second, it is the mind of flesh (Sareus). It is the physical self (seven physical attributes) that is a trace of the first man, Adam. And thirdly, it is the heart of the soul. This is the mind of a living being that appears when the body and spirit are combined. The soul is like clothes. When the spirit wears the body received from its parents, it is an imperfect soul mind, but when it takes off its fleshly clothes and puts on the clothes that come from heaven (the clothes of Christ: the body of the spirit), it becomes a complete soul mind.

The human mind is so complex. Those without Christ do not have a spiritual mind; only the flesh and soul mind exist. The carnal mind essentially does not change. However, the soul's mind can be improved through human efforts. However, even if improved, it is still incomplete. In the example of other religions, the reason people think they can become gods through hard work is to improve their souls. However, dirty clothes cannot become perfect no matter how well they are washed. You must change into clean clothes.

Since the Holy Spirit comes to those who come into Christ, the Holy Spirit guides everything. However, the mind that comes from the flesh remains intact until death. However, when the soul dies (burns in fire) with Jesus and is changed into the soul (clothes of Christ: spiritual body) that comes from heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit, the spirit trapped in the body rises from the dead, A temple is built in the hearts of believers. Therefore, believers can only know their identity by accurately understanding and distinguishing between spirit, body, and soul.

The Bible says that when he took Peter and Zebedee's two sons to pray, he was troubled and sad. God the Creator, who created heaven and earth, came to this earth in the flesh. That person is Jesus. However, this great man was very shocked and saddened by his death. The soul that originates from the body reacts that way. We can also see Jesus accompanying his disciples because he wanted to be comforted.

Even, “Take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” This is what the One who planned before the creation of the world said. But how can a human being, a created being, easily say before the cross that he will not deny Jesus? What the Bible says is that the soul reacts in that way. The soul is an entity called self (clothes). The Bible shows that the soul is something that must be burned to death. Baptism of fire symbolizes death to the soul. Taking up one's cross means changing one's soul. To deny one's former soul is to die on the cross with Jesus.

In Mark 14:36, “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; Take away this cup from me(Ap ἀπ’ Emou ἐμοῦ): nevertheless not what I(Ego ἐγὼ) will, but what thou wilt.』Here, grammatically, ego (I) is the subject. Emou (my) is a possessive. Apa is a preposition meaning from. So if I translate it again,

“He said to him, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible with you; take this cup from “Mine.” Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you wish.”

Semantically, it is moving from me, but grammatically, it is moving from mine. What is moving from mine? Mine refers to the physical self (Sareks). Receiving the cup means death on the cross. This means moving from your physical self to your spiritual self that looks at the work of the cross. The spiritual self is achieved by receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In verse 38, πνεῦμα πρόθυμον ἡ δὲ σὰρξ. The English (kjv) version of this sentence is: The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. niv means The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Pneuma is spirit (Holy Spirit). It tells us that although the Holy Spirit (Pneuma) leads, it is not easy to achieve God's will because of the flesh (Sareus). But the Bible says that he does not want his will to be done, but his Father's will be done. This means that the work of the cross is led by God.

The Greek word σὰρξ means fresh, not body. The body is a lump of flesh, but the flesh means the physical self. The physical self refers to the physical body (flesh) that comes from the flesh. This physical body (physical self) appears in seven forms. These are the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideologies, religiosity, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate. Jesus' physical nature (fear) comes upon him in the face of death.

Jesus was conceived in Mary's body by the Holy Spirit and was born into this world through her body. Therefore, Jesus also exists in the flesh. However, the fact that humans become sinners from birth is a spiritual problem. In the kingdom of God, the spirit of an angel who sinned was combined with the body and became a human being, so that spirit becomes a sinner. However, since Jesus was Jehovah before the creation of the world, the spirit that entered the body is the Holy Spirit, and has nothing to do with sin.

Regardless of the spirit, the physical body (sareks: physical self) can be seen in everyone as a trace of the flesh that came down from the first man, Adam. All human beings are spiritually born with sin, so their physical bodies have a sinful nature (greed), but although Jesus has a physical body (Sarex), he is born of the Holy Spirit, so he does not have a sinful nature. However, due to the physical self, it appears to be shaken before death on the cross. So Jesus prays for this ministry to be accomplished through his Holy Spirit. This means that God’s will cannot be accomplished without going through the Holy Spirit.

 

6. Taking pity on the crowd

Matthew 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest They fainted in the way.』

In “I have compassion” (σπλαγχνίζομαι splanknizomai), splancknizomai means to aspire, to have passion (I have compassion on the multitude”kjv). What is Jesus passionate about through the crowd? The movie “Passion of Christ” is about Christ’s passion “to save those who are spiritually abandoned by the world.” This is connected to the death and resurrection of the cross. Even on the cross, where Jesus suffered tremendous pain, we can see that he shed his blood to save sinners. As He was dying, He said to God, “Have mercy on them.”

God trapped the “spirits of the sinful angels who were his sons” in the dust and turned them into humans, and we can know God’s heart. In Genesis 6:5-6, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” “A person whose spirit of a sinful angel is combined with the earth.” The “state of” was a state stained with the sin of greed, When God imprisoned his sons in the dust, he was truly distressed. In this world, how heartbreaking would it be if a child committed a crime and had his father go to prison?

So, God imprisoned them, but in the hope that they would repent and return to God's kingdom, God predestined Christ and planned the death and resurrection of the cross to save them. Accordingly, Jesus, the Christ, carried out God’s will with passion.

The death of the cross simply contains God's justice and love before the atonement that saves sinners. Therefore, sinners who have become humans must first understand God's heart and comfort Him with a repentant heart.

The old man was a person with a greedy heart who wanted to be like God. So, the old man is a being completely corrupted by God. Those who obey God take off the clothes of their old self and become new. If a sinner does not repent, he cannot become a new person. People repent, but they wonder how they can do it 100% perfectly. It would be thought so if they were trying to improve the old man. However, the old man is not an object of improvement but of death. The old person must be eliminated. This is 100% repentance.

Some people say, “How can an old man die?” So, believers believe that through baptism, as in Romans 6, he became such a person. Baptism means dying with Jesus. So, believers are resurrected with Christ and born into new life. Saints believe this. God demands obedience of faith. God does not require “man to do anything,” as those under the law do. This is because the being called “self” is the culprit of greed that broke God’s heart.

Under the law, “those who believe they can do anything” face the wrath of God, but those who fully “enter into the faith of Christ” are saved (resurrected) by Christ’s passion (death on the cross).

 

Part 5. Those who are one with God and those who are not

 

Ⅰ. Temple story

 

1. Corruption of the temple

Mark 13:14 『But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 』

On the surface, the temple begins with the Garden of Eden and continues with the sanctuary of Israel, Solomon's Temple, Zerubbabel's Temple, and Herod's Temple. In the Garden of Eden, the mountain to the east is the temple. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were expelled from the “temple called the Garden of Eden” by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the sanctuary, the Israelites also used the Ark of the Covenant as a tool of war. In Solomon's Temple, Solomon was a wise man, but he took a foreign woman and served idols, so God used the foreigners to destroy the temple.

The Jews returned to their homeland from Babylonian captivity. God encouraged the Jews to build a temple through prophets Haggai and Zechariah. The temple serves to inform both internally and externally that Jehovah God continues to rule over the returned Jews. Zerubbabel's temple was rebuilt in 517 B.C. The temple religion was restored. However, they did not learn anything about the temple from the past. The prophet Malachi warned: In Malachi 1:10, “Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. “I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.” The temple of Zerubbabel was also devastated.

About 150 years later, in 20 B.C., Herod the Great, a Gentile who converted to Judaism, rebuilt and expanded the collapsed temple. In 66 AD, the temple was completed. But just four years later, the temple was completely destroyed by the Romans. The cause was the stubbornness of the Jews who rejected Jesus Christ, the Messiah. God's judgment of the destruction of Herod's Temple gave the believers a new paradigm that was completely different from before.

“The destruction of the temple in the Old Testament era” provides new lessons for “the church and believers in the New Testament era.” The Bible emphasizes that the kingdom of God preached by Jesus Christ is a place governed by the Word. And through the gospel, a new temple is built in the hearts of believers, and the kingdom of God comes. Words and obedience became more important than religious rituals. At the core of the Word and obedience is the death of the cross and the present resurrection.

With Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection, a new spiritual temple was built in the hearts of believers. In John 4:21-24, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

The spiritual temple also begins with the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden spiritually symbolizes the kingdom of God. The story of the fall in the Garden of Eden is about the fall of angels in the kingdom of God. As mentioned in Jude 1:6 and 2 Peter 2:4, because the angels did not keep their position, God took off the angels' clothes, confined their naked spirits in the dust, and turned them into humans. God It is to make a human shape out of clay and put the spirit of a sinful angel into it. However, in order to create the first man, someone who served as an atonement for sin was needed.

This means that the person who takes on that role is Christ. Christ is the image of God. The first man, Adam, was Christ, the image of God. In Colossians 1:15, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:.”

In Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over.” all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.』

From after our likeness, likeness (kidmetenu כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ ) is a combination of chi and dmetenu. “We” are the Trinity of God. “Key (כִּ)” is translated into English as likeness. It means “similar to, resembling.” However, “resembling” means having the same attributes. This does not mean that the external form of the body is similar, but that the essence is the same. This means that the original and the copy are the same. The words “same” have the same effect. Man is not God, but Christ of the Trinity is the first man, Adam. The goal is to make it so that the Trinity is like God and man becoming one through Christ.

What is the image of God? There are many people who misunderstand the image of God as if it were His character. So, people think that because they have the nature of God, they have good things in them. However, they say that people have sinned a lot while living in the world and have lost God's character and need to recover it again.

The image of God is Christ. The first man, Adam, is Christ, the image of God. The first man is a symbol of the last Adam. The first man, Adam, was born as a human to give us a body of sin, and the last Adam came to this world to give us a body born from heaven after the body of sin dies and is resurrected.

The first man, Adam, had the image of God, but after the division into man and woman, the image of God disappeared. In the phrase “the first man Adam,” Adam is not a name, but means “a man (Adam) who came from the ground (adama).” By the way, the name male is also Adam. God put the first man, Adam, to sleep (dead), took out his rib, and created a woman (Eve). So, “the remnant after the ribs were taken out” became man (Adam). The first man, Adam, disappeared, and man (Adam) and woman (female: Eve) were created. “The first man, Adam (man) fell asleep,” means that the image of God disappeared, and Christ ascended back to heaven. And the created man (Adam) and woman (Eve) already have the appearance of sinners.

“The image of Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden” is the image of angels who sinned in the kingdom of God. Sinful spirits are born into the world wearing bodies given to them by the first man, Adam. These are the beings who are born as humans to this day. These men and women are separate beings. This means that these people were separated from each other by the first man, Adam (Christ). Those who are separated from God are souls thrown into the prison of the world. The human being created in this way is said to have become a soul (living creature) by combining spirit and dust in Genesis 2:7. 『And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.』

In the first man, Adam (man), there was the image of God (Christ: temple), but when man (Adam) and woman (Eve) were born, the image of God disappeared. In Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.』"Creating man" and "creating man and woman" are not the same story, but different stories. This means that first God created man in the image of God, and then God created man and woman. That is why men and women do not have the image of God.

“Men and women” are those who are separated from “people bearing the image of God,” that is, those who have left God. “The Fall in the Garden of Eden (Temple)” is “a picture of people being driven out of the garden into the world by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because they wanted to be like God.” This means that the spirits of fallen angels combined with dust to become humans. This can be seen in Genesis 6:2, “That the sons (angel who sinned) of God saw the daughters of men (dust) that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.』

The spirit of sin becomes one with the dust. Angels must become one with God, but they become one with the world (dirt). This is the corruption of the temple. The corruption of the temple is that there is no God, but only self. So, the “idol of self” makes people build towers in the world and become famous warriors.

The temple (image of God) built in the human heart has become the old temple (old man) because God does not exist. So, Jesus used the parable of a vineyard to say that the old temple should be destroyed and a new temple built. A man built a vineyard and rented it out. When the time came, he sent a servant to collect the rent. They beat the servant and killed him, and even killed the vineyard owner's son. So, the story goes that the owner destroys the person who leased the vineyard and leases the vineyard to a new person. The new man means the resurrection of Christ. Saints are also those who believe in the present resurrection in Christ. A new temple, the image of God, is built in the hearts of those who believe in present-day resurrection. Therefore, Christ returns to the hearts of believers and pours out the kingdom of God.

Mark 13:14 『But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 』

In Jesus' time, the abomination of desolation would have been the Roman army occupying the temple in Jerusalem. However, spiritually, it is the “physical self” that resides in the temple (old temple) of man. The physical self refers to the physical body (Sareux: fresh), and is the same as the seven tribes in Canaan. This Saruks acts as the master of humans. There is a desire to become like God.

When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goesst to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them.

The seven tribes of Canaan have spiritual significance that Israel must overcome. Likewise, it becomes a spiritual battle that saints must also overcome. The seven tribes of Canaan can symbolically express what is located within the physical interior of humans. Things that are firmly established in the hearts of believers include the nature of the body, blood relations, experience and knowledge, thoughts and ideologies, religious spirit, self-righteousness, and the desire to dominate.

『then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains』

This means that if a believer sees his physical self moving in his heart, he should quickly enter the new temple. The new temple is the temple of God (naos deu ναὸς θεοῦ). The Bible describes what afflicts believers as tribulation (θλίψει). So, the saints are to be patient (hypomone ὑπομονῆ), enter the temple, and overcome tribulation through prayer (proshukon προσευχῶν). Then, it means that God, who is present (Parusian παρουσίᾳ) in the temple, overcomes the fleshly egos of the believers, just as he destroyed the walls of Jericho.

 

2. Parable of the fig tree

Mark 11:12-14『And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if happily he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eateth the fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.』

The fig tree is a symbol of Israel. Sometimes it represents glory, and sometimes it represents curse or judgment. If Israel obeyed God, it was expressed as a fig tree of blessing, and if Israel disobeyed God and served idols, it was expressed as a fig tree of judgment. When referring to rest and glory, in 1 Kings 4:25, “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” It means being under the fig tree. is an expression meaning to find rest. When referring to judgment, Psalm 105:33 says, “He smote their vines also and their fig trees; There is an expression, “and brake the trees of their coasts.”

In John 1:48-49, “Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and said unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.』

It is said that at that time, Jews mainly studied the Torah in synagogues, but in places where there were no synagogues, they mainly studied under fig trees. The purpose of studying the law would have been to study it with a desire for the Messiah who would save them from bondage. In particular, their escape from sin and worldly power will be the main focus of their study of the law. So Nathaniel also read and meditated on the law diligently under the fig tree. What Jesus said to Nathaniel refers to this very situation. However, when Jesus told Nathaniel what he had been like under the fig tree, he realized that this was the Son of God. Of course, he had heard about Jesus through Philip, but these words came out in connection with his own situation.

Jews believed that the fig tree served as a ladder connecting the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. So Israel plays that role. In John 1:50-51, Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.』Here, the Son of Man plays the role of a ladder.

In Genesis 28:12-13, “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.” And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

This means that messengers (angels) ascend and descend on the ladder (the Son of Man). The expression Son of Man emphasizes that although he has the power of God, he is still a man. Regarding the angels ascending and descending on Jesus, who has the power of God, church people may generally think that the angels are Jesus' guardian angels.

This means that the angels who sinned were born into the world in a physical body called the first man, Adam, and returned to the kingdom of God in a spiritual body called the last Adam. Here, the physical body symbolizes the body that must die on the cross, and the spiritual body symbolizes the glorified body that was resurrected. In Matthew 22:32, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living..” The word living refers to resurrection, meaning eternal life.

Ultimately, what Jesus says to Nathaniel is, “I am the Messiah, and you are the spirit of an angel who sinned in the kingdom of God and was trapped in the dust and became a human in the world. You, who are physical, must die, but you die with me through my sacrifice, so you can redeem yourself.” “Pay the penalty for your sins, and you, spiritually, will be resurrected with me, clothed in the clothes of Christ, and return with me to the kingdom of God.” Nathaniel was earnestly looking for the Messiah, so he heard Jesus' words and immediately became his disciple.

The whole core of the Bible is the death and resurrection of the cross. If it is not this, it is not the Bible. Talking only about the death of the cross or only the resurrection becomes a half-gospel. The two must always be together to become the true gospel. If we accept this death and resurrection on the cross as the past or the distant future, we are also like those who do not enter the gates of heaven. Saints must realize that the kingdom of God is not in the past or future, but in the present. Jesus' death on the cross is like sowing seeds, and Jesus' resurrection is like bearing fruit. The resurrection of Jesus is said to be the firstfruits. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”

The first man Adam and the last man Adam are not different beings but the same being (Christ), so the Bible expresses them as people. They are the same beings, just playing different roles. The first man, Adam, took on the sins of the angels who sinned and was imprisoned in the dust, with the role of passing on the body of sin to the next person.

The last Adam is Christ, who came to the world to save fallen angels from their sins and give them resurrection bodies. Those who believe that the body that received resurrection from their parents will come back to life is like believing that dirt changes into a body of eternal life. The earth returns to the earth, and resurrection is the creation of a new creation with a body of eternal life.

In 1 Corinthians 15:21-25, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.” For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.』

Since the translator translates Parousian as Advent, it seems as if the translation was done with the second coming of Jesus in the distant future in mind. Parousian is the presence of God. It means that Jesus returns and enters the hearts of resurrected believers. After that, he will appear as the second coming of judgment to all who do not believe in it. So, when Christ enters the hearts of believers and establishes a thousand-year kingdom, he reigns as king.

The fact that the fig tree does not bear fruit means that Israel is like that, and those who believe in God do not bear the fruit of present-day resurrection. No matter how much they evangelize and spread the word of God, if there is no present resurrection, which is the core, they cannot bear fruit for others.

3. Parable of the vineyard farmer

In Mark 12:1-5, “And he began to speak unto them by parables.” A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and dug a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country (apodemeo). And at the season (To Cairo) he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit (Karpos) of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.』

On the surface, this story is about an evil farmer, but it also becomes a story about Jews. One person is God, and God sent the Messiah to the Jews, but the Jews killed the Messiah. So the story goes that the Jews will be cursed. This is to slander the Jews who rejected the gospel. Since the Jews rejected the gospel, the blessings of the gospel were passed on to the Gentiles.

In 12:12, “And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.” The focus of Jesus’ parable was on the Pharisees. and scribes.

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, drives out those selling in the temple, and speaks of a new temple (resurrection). However, the high priest and scribe who were watching this scene asked Jesus by what authority he was doing this. Jesus rather asks them about John's baptism, whether it was from heaven or from man. Religious leaders have no answer. This is because they knew in their silence that “the baptism given by John the Baptist is from heaven.” So we can say that John was sent by God (the owner of the vineyard). Jesus is also a person sent by God. Religious leaders should have listened to the prophets, but instead of listening, they killed the prophets.

If we look at the underlying meaning through the superficial parable, one person is expressed as a householder in the Gospel of Matthew. So the vineyard becomes the concept of a house. Home is a temple. Jesus entered the temple and drove out the merchants, explaining what a temple is.

In the Old Testament, the concept of the temple was expressed as Israel, but it symbolized the kingdom of God. Because God rules over Israel, Israel is God’s country. In today's terms, the temple is the kingdom of God in the heart, or the saints become the temple. The Greek word hyteo means “to plant.” The temple (old man: stone temple) is planted in the heart. In the Bible, this is expressed as rent given to farmers. However, people do not know the temple in their hearts.

“Ekdidomi” means to lend. God planted the temple, but it is not mine yet. The temple in the heart is a vineyard taken over on lease. Although George is represented as a farmer, he is a tiller of the land. He tills the field of the heart. A farmer's job is to plow hardened soil and cultivate fertile soil. However, people don't do that. Ultimately, they don't know about the temple. This means that the religious leaders who appear here are farmers and have not tilled the land. So the Bible tells us that all Jews are like that.

The reason farmers cultivate the land is to obtain fruit. Since the farmer has received a lease from the owner, he must offer the fruit to the owner. The fruit is to obtain eternal life (Christ) through the temple in the heart, and to offer the fruit of eternal life to God. When believers offer fruit to God, they are offering themselves and becoming united with Jesus Christ, and this is spiritual worship. God is also a farmer, and the saints who inherited the lease are also farmers. A farmer must bear fruit.

『went into a far country (apodemeo)』 Apodemeo means to go out of the house, to go abroad. Home is a temple. A temple is planted in the heart, but God is outside the temple. Originally, God and the angels were one, but they are not one but separate. This means that because the angel who sinned in the Kingdom of God opposes God, God traps his spirit in the dust and is separated, so he cannot become one with God and is separated from Him.

This state means that God is outside. So everyone becomes a sinner. Even though there is a temple in the heart, it becomes a den of business and that is why God is not in that temple. The house that God had rented became a den of robbers. In today's church, if you say you believe in God but do not understand this meaning, you say God is Lord, but God has no choice but to say, I do not know you.

The owner of the house who went out comes to visit when the time comes. God sends his servants to receive the produce of the vineyard. To Cairo (Kairos) is God's time. Chronos becomes human time. When God enters the heart, the believer becomes Kairos (eternal life), but if God is outside, humans become Cronos, who have no choice but to die.

『And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit (Karpos) of the vineyard.』The vine symbolizes Christ. In “I am the vine and you are the branches,” Jesus says that the branches must bear fruit (Christ).

The fruit of eternal life is Christ. That is why the one who bears the fruit of Christ is at rest. Paying tithes is waiting for Christ. However, since Christ, who is the rest, bears fruit, tithing is now complete. Tithing means paying one-tenth of the total and waiting for the whole to come true through it. However, saying that tithes must be paid even after everything is completed means that one does not know the meaning of fruit (eternal life).

A farmer who receives a lease cannot hand over the fruit. Because they do not have the kingdom of God in their hearts. This is because they do not have Christ (the Holy Spirit). If there was fruit of the Holy Spirit, the farmer would have handed over the fruit.

Something like this is found in Isaiah 5:1-3, “Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard.” My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the chosen vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.』

In Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.』 These words reflect the image of the leaders of Israel at the time of Jesus. Although they should have found Christ through the law, they were so intoxicated with their own righteousness that they had Christ die on the cross.

God said that he would send a prophet like Moses to the people, but the Jewish leaders at the time did not say that John the Baptist's baptism came from heaven. They also denied the authority of Jesus.

Even today, God sends a prophet into every heart, but people reject it. They beat the first servant and sent him away, and they also beat and insulted the other servant (Atimazo) and sent him away. Atimazo means dishonorable. Before God sent his Son, he sent servants. These symbolize the prophets in the Old Testament. These servants (prophets) play the role of Christ. This promise first appears in Genesis 3:15. It is a promise to the woman’s descendants. The Jewish leaders beat and insulted the prophet because they did not see him as Christ.

When the farmer sent a third servant, “he killed him, and some of his other servants he beat and killed others.” However, in Luke 20:12, “And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him.” out.』

In the third species, the meaning of three (3) or less has the meaning of complete. God gave the people the law. The purpose of giving the law is to make people realize that they are sinners through the law and that they cannot escape from sin without Christ. However, rather than realizing it, the people instead sought to achieve their own righteousness. The result was that they crucified Jesus Christ. Even today, the body and blood of Jesus are being demanded every day within the church. Like the Jews at the time of Jesus, they are people who have not escaped the law.

In Matthew 23:33-34, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:』

At the time of Jesus, the Pharisees, a group of priests, and scribes persecuted and harassed Jesus, and eventually even killed him. These words may seem infuriating to today's church members, but it may be surprising to hear that believers are no different from them. God built a temple (old temple) in their hearts and rented it out, but even though they preached the kingdom of God in their hearts countless times through the Bible, they actually persecuted and insulted them, and even gathered in a building called a church and crucified Jesus every day. It's at the point where it's getting stuck.

In Mark 12:6, “Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.” and in Luke 20:13, “Then said the lord of the vineyard, what shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. (ti poieo)

What shall I do? If you look at this word in Greek, it means “How can I complete it?” Poieo means to complete or create. I have planted a vineyard, that is, I have planted the kingdom of God in my heart, but how can I complete this?

This is a mixture of God's concern about how to bear fruit and give him the title of son. So, in order to give them the title of son, the farmer sends his son. God sent his son knowing that he would die. The word “respect (entrepo)” means to change direction. It means repenting. Accepting the Son of God is repentance. Those who find Christ in their hearts are converted and welcome the Son. That is honoring God.

In Mark 12:7-9, 『But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and he will give the vineyard to others.』

Jewish leaders have a word called law. After discussing and analyzing the law, they concluded, “Killing this man is what we think is inheriting the kingdom of God.” Cleronomos is a compound word of kleros (lot) and nomos (law). Drawing lots means that God decides. It means wanting to become an heir of heaven through the law. However, no matter how hard you try, you cannot become an heir in this way.

『They took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.』

It refers to Jesus dying on the cross outside the temple. In 『he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and he will give the vineyard unto others.』, the word come (er komai) means that Christ comes into the hearts of the saints after dying on the cross, being resurrected, and ascending to heaven.

When the physical self (evil farmer) is destroyed and the spiritual self (other people) is revived, the vineyard (new temple) is given. Being completely destroyed is the destruction of the old temple, and the death of the old man (physical self) in the saints' hearts. When the old self dies with Jesus, it means being completely destroyed. The old temple (old person) is destroyed in the heart, and a new temple (new person: resurrection) is built. It is not the previous vineyard (old temple: old man), but a different vineyard (new temple: new man).

Giving the vineyard to another person (spiritual self) corresponds to the event of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Christ came into the hearts of believers through the power of the Holy Spirit. The physical body dies, and the spirit comes into the soul of the believer. A sanctuary (Holy of Holies) is established in the hearts of believers. And God comes in, and the spirit in the body meets God, becomes one, becomes the son of God, and bears fruit.

In John 16:7-8, the Comforter means Christ. 『Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:』

This means exposing the sins of evil farmers and judging them. It is a sin for the fleshly self to turn the temple into a business, but it is righteousness for God to enter the heart of the spiritual self, and so the fleshly self (evil farmer) is judged. All of this happens to the saints themselves. When he realizes that he is an old man who must die to God and turns around (when he is completely destroyed), a temple is built as a new man. This becomes a new vineyard.

 

Ⅱ. Marriage metaphor

 

1. Moses' divorce certificate.

In Mark 10:1-5, “And he arose from thence, and came into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.』The Bible says that Moses gave permission to write a certificate of divorce to every hard-hearted person who wanted to divorce.

Basically, all humans are spiritually adulterous and hard-hearted. Chapter 10 verses 11-12 『And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. 』However, with Moses' divorce certificate, she can remarry, not commit adultery.

What does Moses’ divorce certificate mean spiritually? In Romans 7:2-3, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if she, while her husband be her liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.』Here, the divorce certificate means the death of her husband.

In verses 4-5 of chapter 7, “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.』

There are two meanings to us as people. In Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.』Man is a living being called a soul made of spirit and earth. So the spirit combined (married) with the dust and became a person called the soul, but since he was bound under the law, he was a sinner. Spirit means the Son of God, and dust means the daughter of man. Because these two got married, God made them mortal.

Spirit refers to spiritual identity, and dirt refers to physical identity. Because the spirit marries the physical identity, one becomes dead to God. But what happens when they get divorced? In other words, it is said that if the husband, the fleshly self, dies (self-denial, self-crucifixion), we can go to another, to the one who rose from the dead, so that we may bear fruit for God.

The other means the resurrected Christ. Dying in union with Jesus who died on the cross symbolizes the death of the fleshly self. Therefore, the spiritual self is united with the resurrected Christ and participates in the resurrection together, creating a new marriage relationship. Here, the divorce certificate given by Moses is Jesus' death on the cross, which guarantees physical death. The meaning of being united with Jesus' death on the cross is to declare that the fleshly self has also died legally (law). Since he died to the law, he is free to the law. In Romans 7:2, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.』

In Galatians 4:29-30, a comparison is made between those under the law and those under the promise. 『But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son : for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.』

One born according to the law refers to the physical self (Ishmael), and one born according to the Holy Spirit refers to the spiritual self (Isaac). The physical self, born of the flesh, persecutes the spiritual self, born of the Holy Spirit. That is why the spiritual self cannot appear in a person's heart, and the physical self reigns supreme. However, it means to chase away the physical self. The way to chase away your physical self is to obtain a divorce certificate. The divorce certificate that Moses gives is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. To receive this certificate, you are united with Jesus who died on the cross. Taking up his cross is the only way to cast out the fleshly self.

The only way to be free from the law is through death on the cross. To say that one has “received the Holy Spirit” without dying to the law on the cross itself is spiritual adultery. A person who says she has received the Holy Spirit while being bound by the law is said to be an adulteress. Unless you die to the law with Jesus on the cross, you are all bound by the law. Everyone who is under the law is a sinner. Many church people think that they are not under the law, even though they are not dead to the law. So they say they receive the Holy Spirit. However, if they do not receive the Holy Spirit, they are prostitutes. However, when saints enter into Christ, they die to the law through the crucified body of Christ.

In Romans 8:1-5, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit 』

Those who follow the flesh refer to the physical self, and those who follow the spirit refer to the spiritual self. These two are not separate people, but appear in the heart within the same person. So, it means that the spiritual self must fight against the physical self and achieve victory.

Once you receive Moses' divorce certificate (death on the cross), you can officially enter into a new marriage. This is union with the resurrected Christ. A heavenly wedding feast takes place. Those who do not believe in the present resurrection are still fighting.

 

2. The meaning of man and woman becoming one

In Mark 10:6-9, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.』

Here, 『But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female』

Looking at this part in Greek, ἀπὸ δὲ ἀρχῆς κτίσεως ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτούς Here, ἀπὸ (ap: from) δὲ (de: conjunction) ἀ ρχῆς (Arche: the first) κτίσεως (Krideos: of creation).

If we translate this again, it should be said, “From the first creation he made them male and female.” The first creation is Adam (man). Because man is Adam and man is Adam, errors may occur in translation. In other words, God created man first and separated the woman (rib) from man (Adam), so that man (Adam) became man (Adam). So the first people were people before they became man(male) and woman(femf).

In Genesis 2:21-23, “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead of it; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made him a woman(female), and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman(female), because she was taken out of Man.』

The Adam in verses 21, 22, and 23 of Chapter 2 should be referred to as a man (Adam), not as the name Adam. It should be translated, “God caused a deep sleep to fall on man,” and “according to the rib that God took from man.”

『She will be called woman, because she was taken from man.』 If you look at the Hebrew for this part, it is Isha (woman), ki (i.e.), maish (to man), rukaha (taken), and zot (this woman). To translate the part again, 『She will be called Woman, because she was taken by Man.』 Grammatically analyzing the Hebrew word "Meish", where "Meh" is the preposition "min" (meaning direction) It is an omitted form of .

Therefore, it emphasizes the separation of people into men and women. Man symbolizes God as the first man. And man (Christ) and woman (spirit of the angel who sinned) mean those who are separated from man. In other words, the woman represents the spirit of a sinful angel separated from God. The Bible tells us that we are trapped in the world for opposing God, but we must repent and return to God. So, this means in Genesis 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Here, the parent is God. The man is translated as Christ or wife, but it is Isha (woman). The woman represents the sinful spirit that has left God.

This same meaning is emphasized in the New Testament Book of Ephesians. In Ephesians 5:31-32, “For this cause shall a man(Anthropos: ἄνθρωπος) leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife(Ginaika: γυναῖκα), and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Andropos means person or man. Here it would be appropriate to translate it as male. Guinaika (Gune) means woman or wife. Likewise, it would be appropriate to translate it here as woman. This would be the same as the meaning of Genesis 2:24. In the relationship between Christ and the church, the church does not mean a building, but rather the saints. It is emphasized that saints were originally people who left God (beings whose spirit was combined with the dust), but became one after meeting Christ.

『What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.』

It is impossible for a person to leave God, repent, meet Christ and become one, but then deny Christ and leave again. The believer, who was under the law, realized that salvation could not be obtained through the law, discovered Christ (gospel) through the sacrifice within the law, united with Christ, believed in his death on the cross and resurrection, and became one in Christ.

However, it makes no sense to say that we leave Christ and return to the law. God has now accepted those who are in the gospel, so how can humans reject this gospel and go back to the way it was before? If he goes back to the law, he probably does not know the meaning of the gospel. He believes that he has accepted the gospel on his own, but he only believes in words without knowing the meaning.

Mark 10:2-5 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.』

The divorce certificate written by Moses represents the law. This is because spiritual divorce means leaving the gospel of God and returning to the law. Anyone who enters into the law has a hard heart. Even today, there are people who say that they will achieve heaven by hearing the gospel and uniting with Christ, but they still follow the law.

Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” For believers to follow the law is to bear the yoke of slavery again. Matthew 7:6 『Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.』 When referring to dogs in the Bible, the habits of dogs represents. In Proverbs 26:11, 『As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.』 This applies to people who God gave believers freedom from the law, but who live bound by the law again. .

In Philippians 3:2, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the precision.” Injury means circumcising the body according to the law. Dogs, evildoers, and those who receive circumcision refer to people who think they are saved by believing in Jesus Christ, but still cannot escape legalism. Jesus was crucified under the law, and those in Christ have all died to the law. If they try to apply the law again, they will become like dogs in God's eyes, ignoring what Jesus accomplished.

『Do not throw your pearls before pigs』, pearls refer to the church where Jesus Christ sells everything and buys it for a price. The Bible says that those who have been forgiven of their sins and freed from the law through Jesus Christ, but still try to follow the law and enter into sin, are called dogs and pigs.

All sins have been forgiven in Christ, but if a person tries to become a holy person by judging whether or not he will sin again based on the law, he will become a dog or a pig before God. So, “Lest they trample on it and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Dogs and pigs (legalists) are hurting the church (saints of the gospel). Those who follow the law trample and hurt the saints in Christ. In the early church, legalists tried to persuade believers within the church to return to Judaism. They harassed the believers through persecution and cajoling.

There are many cases of a return to legalism in the church today. They are doing things like making tithing mandatory, misleading church buildings into thinking they are holy temples, insisting on observing Sundays, observing the Sabbath, and creating new feasts to observe. This is because they do not strictly know the gospel.

In Mark 10:11-12, “And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.” And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.』 The act of marrying someone else means leaving behind the gospel and returning to the law. This is called a half-gospel. This is because the half-gospel only focuses on the problem of sin. This is because we are looking at a body that has no choice but to sin in the present. They only see the death of the cross, and although they believe in resurrection, they treat it as someone else's business while they are alive.

This is because they mistakenly believe that only the death and precious blood of Jesus on the cross apply while they are alive, and that the resurrection only applies when the body dies. In order for believers to enter into Christ, they must be united with Jesus who died on the cross and with the resurrected Christ. This is the present death and resurrection of the cross. This is something that happens in the present, not in the past or future.

In Romans 6:3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:』

 

Ⅲ. The Story of Tithing

 

1. To God the things that are God's

Mark 12:17 『And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.』

On the surface, this appears to be a tax issue. If you are a citizen of a country living in this world, you must pay taxes to the king of the country. So, since they are under Roman rule, they must pay taxes to Caesar. But what is God’s?

Those who are under the law must pay taxes according to the law, and those who are under the Holy Spirit must pay taxes according to the Holy Spirit. The law is written in Leviticus 27:30, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.”

In the Old Testament times, Jews paid tithes according to the law. This means that people who think they must keep the law must pay tithes. However, believers must know the reason for tithing.

In Matthew 23:23, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.』

“These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Looking at the Greek in this part, ταῦτα [δὲ] ἔδει ποιῆσαι κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι. It is translated as “This should have been done, and that should not have been abandoned.” Most pastors tell their believers that they should still tithe because Jesus told them to do this and that. These words are Jesus pointing out the past events of the Jews. Jesus looked at the Jewish leaders and pointed out that you should have done this and that, but you failed to do so. Jesus is saying that although they paid their tithes thoroughly, they abandoned the righteousness, humanity, and God that the law speaks of. These words point out facts from the past.

Tithe has the meaning of “Look to Christ.” However, since he did not find Christ, Jesus is telling the Israelites to find the Messiah. People think of tithing only for worldly goods. However, the ultimate meaning of tithing is that it makes us realize that we are beings who must spiritually return to the kingdom of God. So, believers return to God in Christ. However, those under the law are still waiting for Christ, so they tithe.

Saints under the Holy Spirit offer eternal sacrifices to God in Christ. Therefore, the saints became spiritual living sacrifices and gave spiritual tithes. Those who have entered into Christ are those who are united with Jesus Christ on the cross. That is why the saints give themselves completely to God. Being united with Jesus on the cross becomes a spiritual tithe. Jesus gave his all to God on his cross. Those who are united with Christ who died on the cross believe that they have given themselves entirely to God. Therefore, the Saint receives salvation from God by offering himself in Christ. When he offers himself, he also becomes dead on the cross.

In Mark 12:16, “And they brought it.” And he said to them, Whose is this image and description? And they said unto him, Caesar's.』The image engraved on a denarius is Caesar. But the image of God is Christ. In Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:』Colossians 1:15『Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:』

Christ, who bears the image of God, offers Himself up to God, so the saints in Christ are also those who are offered up to God. In Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world.” : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.』

About “but be ye transformed(metamorphosde μεταμορφοῦσθε) by the renewing(anakainosei ἀνακαινώσει) of your mind(noos νοὸς)”,

If you look at the Greek Bible, 『ἀλλὰ μεταμορφοῦσθε τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοὸς』, if you translate it again, 『By being transformed and renewing your mind.』 Metamorphos means be transformed. The shape changes. So this word means resurrection. This means that if a saint is offered as a living sacrifice with Christ, the saint will be resurrected with Christ. So, because the saints have a resurrected body, they become spiritual minds. When believers were under the law, they had bodies that were not resurrected, so they had a carnal mind, but since they are resurrected, they now have a spiritual mind, so they know what God's good, pleasing, and perfect will is. This is because through resurrection one becomes the son of God. So he becomes an inheritor of the kingdom of God.

“The money that believers pay at church” is not tithes, but free donations necessary for operating and maintaining the church. Saints do not need to think about tithing according to the law. People who believe they are saints but say they must tithe must first think about whether they are in Christ. Believers must think deeply about whether they actually died on the cross with Jesus and were resurrected with Christ in the present.

He who is in Christ belongs to God because the image of Christ is in the saints. Therefore, saints become people dedicated to God. Saints must prove this principle and act.

 

2. Is it necessary to pay tithe?

 

Mark 12:41『And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury』

In the Old Testament, God told the people to pay tithes. The command to pay tithes is based on the law. Leviticus 27:30 says, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.” Church people today find the basis for tithing based on this regulation, and they also look for the origins of Abraham's offering to Melchizedek after the war or Jacob's vow before the law.

 

Jesus explains tithing again in Matthew 23:23. 『Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.』

If you look at the Greek in bold, ταῦτα [δὲ] ἔδει ποιῆσαι κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι.It is translated as “This should have been done, and that should not have been abandoned.” Pastors say, “Jesus said to do this and that, so one must still tithe.” This word points out something from the past. Jesus looks at the Jewish leaders and points out, “You should have done this and that, but you failed to do so.”

 

Jesus is saying that although they tithed thoroughly, they actually abandoned the righteousness, humanity, and God that the law speaks of. These words point out facts from the past.

Tithing contains the meaning of “wait for Christ,” and since Christ has not been found, Jesus tells the Israelites in Matthew 23:23 to find Jesus Christ.

People think of tithing only for worldly goods. However, it makes us realize that the ultimate meaning of tithing is that we are “beings who must spiritually return to the kingdom of God.” Saints offer eternal sacrifices to God in Christ. Therefore, the saints became spiritual living sacrifices and gave spiritual tithes. Those who have entered into Christ are those who are united with Jesus Christ on the cross. So he gave all of himself (tithe) to God.

Giving one-tenth (tithe) is the concept of giving everything, and giving one-tenth represents everything. Although believers give material things, it is a concept of giving of oneself. Since Christ has come into this world, those who are in Christ have now given everything to God.

However, those who still say, “You must tithe your material goods,” are the same as not believing in the coming of Christ. Those who still talk about tithing material things have never offered spiritual sacrifices to God. Church people only talk about tithing in terms of material things, without even knowing its spiritual meaning.

Jesus gave everything to God on the cross. Those who are united with Christ who died on the cross believe that they have given themselves entirely to God. So, by offering themselves in Christ, believers receive salvation from God. When a saint offers himself, he also becomes a person who died on the cross.

The church building is not the kingdom of God; it is merely a place where saints gather for the kingdom of God. However, it is true that there is a financial burden when using a church building. So, in order for church leaders to maintain the church building, they cover it with donations. These include church building maintenance costs, pastoral fees, etc. However, from the perspective of a pastor who runs a church, he would secretly hope to bring in a lot of money.

Sometimes, pastors say, based on Matthew 23:23, “This is a mandatory regulation according to the law, so tithes must still be paid,” and they even boldly use tithe envelopes. They also say that believers' property belongs to God and should be used for the kingdom of God.

Anyone who forces tithing is like someone who does not believe in the coming of Jesus Christ. However, the finances needed to operate the church building must be met through donations from believers. Therefore, "those who are forced to pay money to the church under the concept of tithe based on the law" are the same as "those who do not believe in the coming of Christ." Therefore, it is right to donate money to the church according to one's capabilities as an offering, not as a tithe. How much to do is up to the person donating money.

The important thing is to please escape from the net of the law. Believers must realize “how wrong it is for pastors to still wrap the net of the law on believers, preventing them from becoming free people.” Money may be important to them, but Jesus died to the law for believers and gave them freedom from the net of the law. If pastors still have legalistic thinking, they will have nothing to do with Christ.

 

 

Part 6. Death and resurrection

 

Ⅰ. Death on the cross

1. This is to fulfill the scriptures.

Mark 14:46-50『And they laid their hands on him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook him, and he fled.』

“Fulfilling the Bible” means the fulfillment of the covenant in the Old Testament. In John 5:39, Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.』The Bible here is the Old Testament. The Old Testament is talking about Jesus Christ.

The covenant of the Bible is a promise between God and humans. God unilaterally entered into a covenant with humans and made them obey. However, because humans disobey, the old one is nullified, and God makes a new covenant with a new person.

The first person to enter into a covenant was Adam. God put Adam, who was born in the world, into the Garden of Eden and told him, “Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” But because Adam and Eve disobeyed, he was kicked out of the Garden of Eden. The result of disobedience was death. God sacrificed animals, made leather clothes, and clothed them. Adam and Eve, dressed in animal skins, enter into a covenant with God again. That new covenant is Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel her.』The woman's descendant refers to the future Christ.

God judges all those who do not enter into the covenant. A representative example is the great flood during the Noah era, which destroyed Noah and his family except for eight people. God revealed to them through the water judgment (water baptism) that all humans are beings who must die for their sins. And God made a new covenant through Noah. In

Genesis 9:9-13, “And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.』

This covenant foreshadows the future judgment by fire (baptism of fire). In 2 Peter 3:6-7, 『Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day God tells us that all humans in the world are beings who deserve to be judged by fire.

The third covenant is the covenant between God and Abraham. God appeared to Abraham and said, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house.” And he said that he would give him promised children and land in the future. So, with that covenant, in Genesis 15, when Abram kills animals and cuts them in half, God's fire passes through them. However, Abram failed to obey God's covenant and gave birth to Ishmael. After that, God did not appear for 13 years. And when Abram was 99 years old, God appeared to him and caused him to be circumcised, and the following year he again promised to give him the promised child.

Even when Abraham was 100 years old and his body was as if dead, he did not lose faith and believed in the child of promise, and that child was Isaac (a type of Christ). Circumcision symbolizes Jesus' death on the cross, and Isaac, the child of promise, symbolizes Christ's resurrection. This faith is the faith of Christ that leads to salvation. The faith of Christ is the faith that dies on the cross and is resurrected by God.

The next covenant is the covenant at Mount Sinai. Through Moses, God gave the Israelites two stone tablets with engraved laws to follow. However, when Moses received the two stone tablets, the people were making an idol of a golden calf and worshiping it. So Moses broke the stone tablets.

God made the first stone tablets himself and gave them to Moses, but Moses had to make the second tablets. This teaches believers that if a person who commits a crime repents, their sin will be forgiven and they will recover, but the aftereffects will remain.

The first and second stone tablets resemble the first and last man Adam. The first man, Adam, gave the body of sin, and the second man, Adam, gave the body of the spirit. Therefore, the second stone tablet is like a temple built in the hearts of believers.

The first stone tablet was broken (dead) and the second stone tablet was engraved (reborn) and placed in the Ark of the Covenant (in the temple of the saints' hearts).

The second tablet is the new law, those who are under the law of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 9:21, “To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.”

Moses received the second stone tablets from God and began to lead the people toward Canaan. However, the Israelites refused to enter the land of Canaan that God had promised.

They sent spies into Canaan, but the passionate spies came back and said, “If we enter Canaan, we will all die.” All the people believed those words and wailed and wept. Only two people, Joshua and Caleb, believed in God's promise. So, God makes a new covenant so that only children under the age of 19 and new people born in the wilderness can enter Canaan. The New Covenant was the word of covenant that God gave Moses to the new people in the land of Moab, the entrance to Canaan. Canaan represents the kingdom of God and symbolizes the kingdom of God in the heart, that is, the resurrected Christ.

In Deuteronomy 29:1, “These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.”

So he even took an oath that God would make his people to those who obey him. The Israelites enter Canaan, defeat the seven tribes of Canaan, and receive the promised land as their inheritance. The resurrected saints in Christ also have physical selves called the seven tribes. That is why saints fight until death in their hearts.

In the middle of Israel's history, there were the Salt Covenant, the Priestly Covenant, and the Davidic Covenant, but the Bible tells the Israelites what they must keep. However, Israel failed to obey God's words and broke the covenant. Those things are mentioned in Jeremiah. In Jeremiah chapter 1, the people are invaded and dominated by foreign nations, and the people are taken away. The people were exiled to a foreign country, suffered hardships in Babylon, repented, and returned to the promised land.

So in Jeremiah 31:32-34, the words of the new covenant are spoken. 『Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they break, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their. iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.』

The Israelites returned to their homeland, rebuilt the temple, and kept their covenant with God, but later on, the people committed crimes against God again. They received the promise of the Messiah, but when Jesus came to this world as the Messiah, they had him crucified for blasphemy. However, this was to fulfill the covenants mentioned in the Bible.

In Matthew 20:28, Jesus said that he came to the world to provide a ransom for many people. The day before Jesus died on the cross, he said, “How I longed to eat the Passover meal.” The Passover lamb symbolizes Jesus. Through eating the Passover food, the intention was to explain the meaning of Jesus dying as a ransom.

In Luke 22:19-20, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.』 Jesus dying on the cross like this was to atone for the sins of all sinners in this world. So, if a believer is united in the death of Jesus, God will resurrect him with Christ. This covenant becomes the new covenant.

Jesus' disciples thought that Jesus was going to overthrow Rome and build a new kingdom, but because Jesus did not resist the soldiers and was captured, one of the disciples (Peter) hit the high priest's ear with a sword. From a human perspective, he is also a brave person. In Mark 14:50, it is said that all the remaining disciples ran away. However, instead of running away, Peter wanders around and denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows at dawn.

Even today, there is a divide between those who seek to fulfill the Bible and those who do not. There is a divide between those who die on the cross with Jesus and those who believe in atonement for their sins but watch the dead Jesus from afar. If a believer does not participate in the death of the cross, he cannot fulfill the Bible (covenant).

 

2. Jesus prophesied the death and resurrection of the cross three times

Jesus has already prophesied about his death and resurrection three times.

As for the first prophecy, it occurred immediately after Jesus elicited from his disciples a confession of faith "the faith they have in him," and spoke of the church that would be built from them. Jesus announced to his disciples his impending suffering, death, and resurrection, and said, "Since they too will suffer the same fate in this world as Jesus suffered, they will be taught what kind of spirit and life they should live as disciples."

In Mark 8:31-33, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that speaking openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. Jesus scolded him for thinking about people's things and not his own things.

Regarding the second prediction, Jesus informs his disciples that he will be handed over to people to be killed and that he will be raised on the third day. This announcement was made when the disciples were gathered together again in Galilee. Six days after the first announcement of Jesus' passion and resurrection in Caesarea Philippi, Jesus and his disciples in Galilee were on the Mount of Transfiguration. It refers to the time when he went to the mountain called , returned to Galilee, and stayed there to minister.

In Mark 9:31-35, “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and said unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.』The spiritual state of the disciples was a situation where they were "arguing about who is greater." So Jesus compared them to children and said,

Mark 9:37 『Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.』"Such children" refers to Jesus' twelve disciples. do. They are spiritually children now, but in the future people will receive you, Jesus said, and it will be like receiving me. Meanwhile, Jesus continues the parable of the child to his disciples. This shows how great the role and expectations Jesus placed on his disciples, who were like spiritual children.

The third prediction was made somewhere before reaching Jericho on the way to Jerusalem after completing the ministry in the Judean region (eastern side of the Jordan River) across the Jordan River. In Mark 10:33-37, it says, “Saying, Behold, we go.” up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scour him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.And James and John, the sons of Zebedee,come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” After Jesus came to the world as the Messiah and defeated Rome with power, the disciples This is a request to Jesus for a position of power.

Jesus spoke to his disciples three times about his death on the cross and resurrection, and they asked him to “consider the things of men, who is greater, and sit at the right and left hands of the Lord.” In Mark 10:38-40, Jesus said, “But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said to him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; But it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.』Jesus spoke of the cup he would drink (symbolizing the blood shed through death on the cross). The disciples, who do not even know what it means, say that they can drink it.

Sam signifies the fulfillment of the covenant. With the fulfillment of the old covenant, the new covenant begins. The new covenant is to die in unity with Jesus on the cross and to be resurrected in unity with Christ. For those who believe in present death and present resurrection, the new covenant will be fulfilled, and as promised in the covenant, the old temple will be destroyed in their hearts and a new temple will be built. When the new temple is built, Christ will return and enter the hearts of the saints. So the saints bear fruit, and the saints will continue to spread the seeds of fruit.

 

3. Poor widow's offering

Mark 12:42-44『And many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw two mites, which made a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples unto her, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance her. of; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.』

The Bible expresses spiritual meaning superficially, metaphorically, and symbolically. A widow means a person who has no one to help her. Also, a widow symbolizes someone who has left God. This means that everyone living in this world has left God and is a spiritual widow. In Jewish society at the time, the helpless and pitiful Jewish people would be referred to as spiritual widows. Jesus, too, left God the Father, was born in the world, and had to die on the cross to atone for sin. He was a sinner, poor to the world, and a widow to God.

On the surface, the scribes are said to have had a negative influence on the widow. It is said that the leaders of the temple at the time of Jesus actually robbed widows of their property. Although scribes were prohibited from receiving money from widows, they legally helped widows and received money. In accordance with the wishes of their late husbands, scribes were entrusted with the work of lawyers and embezzled property without the widows' knowledge. The scribes mismanaged the property of widows entrusted to them, causing damage. The scribes received money from foolish women in return for their intercessory prayers, and took widows' houses as collateral under the pretext of debts that were realistically difficult to repay.

However, on the other side, it is a slightly different story. Jesus depicted the Jewish leaders using the temple and the name of God to forcibly plunder the powerless people based on legalism. So, Jesus cursed the fig tree (Israel), saying that the temple in Jerusalem, full of hypocrisy, would soon collapse and a new temple would come. And it is said that the Jewish leaders occupy high positions in the synagogue and that they swallow up the property (oikas οἰκίας) of the widow (cheron χηρῶν) (catesdiontes κατεσθίοντες). In Mark 12:40, 『Which devour widows' houses(οἱ κατεσθίοντες τὰς οἰκίας τῶν χηρῶν), and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.』

Rather than a specific widow, Keron refers to the poor Jews who suffered under the Jewish leaders while carrying the burden of the law. Oikas is translated as mountains, but it is houses. House means temple. This stone temple was built by Herod with the blood of the people, and the people's outcry must have been high. Catestiontes means to swallow or eat, and the legalism pursued by the Jewish leaders is like dragging the people into a net and shackling them.

Jesus said this widow, “she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.” Here, the word poor (hystereseos ὑστερήσεως) means lack or deficiency. In other words, this widow had absolutely nothing to spare. After giving her the money to buy half a sparrow, she was left penniless. In relative terms, the widow's money was nothing, just a penny. However, in light of her own livelihood, it was money so precious that it could not be exchanged for anything in the world, and she dedicated this money to God.

The reason Jesus brought up the story of the widow who gave all her possessions was not to urge the disciples to give all their possessions like the widow, but rather to show that there were people who were robbed of all their property and even faced threats to their survival due to the corrupt Judaism of the time. I meant to say something. The message is that corrupt religions that abandon their duty to protect the weak, such as widows, according to the law, and conversely rob them of their property, will surely be judged and destroyed.

And Jesus foretold that the stone temple would collapse and a new temple would emerge through the Parsha of the Mount of Olives, following the poor widow's donation. These words do not emphasize donations, but rather are a warning to Jewish leaders who have become an aristocratic class in society, and are also a warning to many churches today who have become an aristocratic class. Jesus predicted that the stone temple would be destroyed and a new temple (the kingdom of God in the heart) would come.

Jesus said that he would suffer, die, and be resurrected after three days. Like the widow who gave all she had, all her living expenses, Jesus Christ gave everything to God on the cross for the spiritual widow of his world. In Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.』Saints in Christ also become spiritual living sacrifices and offer them to God. It is to believe that believers die on the cross with Jesus and are resurrected with Christ. That is why a new temple is built in the hearts of believers.

4. Collapse of the temple

Mark 13:1-2 『And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answered unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.』

Jesus predicted that the temple in Jerusalem would fall. The disciples could not help but be surprised. While the disciples were admiring this magnificent castle, they suddenly heard that the temple would be destroyed. So the disciples asked Jesus when this would happen. In Luke 21:20, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that its destruction is near.” Jesus is saying that the city of Jerusalem will be attacked by Rome, and that is when. The castle collapsed in A.D. 70. Because the city of Jerusalem was so solidly built, it would have taken a considerable amount of time for the Roman army to surround the city and destroy it. So the people in the castle would have been in great confusion.

At that time, Jewish society was in a state of chaos. Among the Jews there were zealots, who frequently attacked the Roman army for Israel's independence. They had previously attacked Antioch, driven out the Syrian army from Judea, and established the Hasmonean kingdom. This kingdom was destroyed by Rome, so the Zealots tried to rebuild it.

After conquering the world, Alexander the Great died at a young age. After the king's death, the conquered country (Greek Empire) was divided into four countries, and Seleucus of the Kingdom of Syria, one of the four major divided kingdoms of the Greek Empire. An incident occurred in which the 8th king of the dynasty, Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.), desecrated the Jerusalem Temple.

The first goal of Epiphanes' Hellenization policy toward Judea was to destroy Judaism and plant Greek religion in the region. Accordingly, Epiphanes dispatched 22,000 troops and attacked Jerusalem on the Sabbath, taking advantage of the fact that the Jews would not fight on the Sabbath. As a result, much of Jerusalem was sacked and burned, many people were killed, and women and children were taken into slavery. And B.C. In 167, it finally came to be that the Jews were prohibited from observing the laws that their ancestors had observed for generations. Epiphanes banned the Jews from observing the Sabbath, celebrating festivals, offering burnt offerings, and circumcising children.

He then burned all the books of the law, made people worship idols as unclean sacrifices on the altar of the temple, and forced the Jews to eat pork. And he decreed that anyone who violates any of these would be put to death. This heinous act reached its peak in B.C. It was December 16, 167. A statue of Zeus was erected in the temple, and pork sacrifices were offered on the altar of burnt offering. And he had this sacrifice held on the 25th of every month, which was Epiphanes' birthday. The Jews were made to offer sacrifices to Epiphanes himself in front of the statue of Zeus. However, this was Epiphanes' huge mistake. He never understood the religiosity of the Jews.

In contrast, the person who appeared was Maccabee. In the 2nd century BC, he was a hero who fought with the Jewish people to drive out the Seleucid army and establish an independent Jewish kingdom. So the Hasmonean kingdom emerged. Therefore, the goal of the Zealots' war was to rebuild the Hasmonean kingdom, so the war never stopped. In the end, the situation reached such a point that Rome attacked the city of Jerusalem.

Jesus talked about the state of society at that time in various parables or facts. In Mark 13:6, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.』A representative figure is Acts 5:36-37, 『For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.』

In Mark 13:7-8, “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must need be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.』This shows the social situation at the time. There were wars almost every day, Israel fought against the Roman army made up of people from all countries, and earthquakes occurred frequently at that time.

The reason why Jesus says that the walls of Jerusalem will fall includes the meaning that the stone temple will be destroyed and a new temple will be built. In order for the new temple to be built, this stone temple must be destroyed. God allowed Solomon to build the temple, and later Zerubbabel's temple and Herod came to the temple, but its function was not revealed properly. The temple became a den of commercial thieves. So Jesus says he will give us a new temple, but he says there will be persecution. In chapter 13 verses 9-10, “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations.』

The new temple is not a stone temple, but rather represents the resurrection of Christ. Saints who believe in resurrection also believe that they were resurrected in the present with Christ. Because the saint believes in the present resurrection, a new temple is built in his heart. So preaching this becomes the gospel. However, this means that there will be persecution. Even today, when a believer preaches about the present resurrection in a church, persecution comes immediately. In a church, members call each other brothers, but if they say something like heresy, they immediately look at them with strange eyes.

At that time, Christians were persecuted by Judaism. The gospel could no longer be preached in Jewish society. So the gospel is introduced to the Gentiles. The Jewish Paul appeared, and thus the church was established and the gospel expanded. Chapter 13 verses 11-13 『But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved 』

In Mark 14-15, 『But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:』

It is reminiscent of Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it.” desolate, even until the consumption, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

This refers to the aforementioned Epiphanes IV of Antioch. In the Gospel of Mark, the Roman army is the abomination of desolation. Therefore, when such signs appear, Jesus tells the disciples to quickly evacuate. If Jesus had not warned his disciples in advance, they would not have escaped disaster. However, the disciples realized this situation and went somewhere else.

In chapter 13 verses 23-25, “But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.』

When a country is destroyed, this expression appears. In Isaiah 34:4-5, “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.』

The destruction of Jerusalem (stone temple) heralds the advent of a new temple. The tribulation is the beginning of a new world. It is as if the world was destroyed by Noah's flood and a new heaven and new earth arrived. So the resurrected Christ comes to the new era with great power. In chapter 13 verses 26-27, “And then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.』

Saints become those who believe in present-day resurrection. So a new temple begins. Saints also have an old temple (old people). “This old man dies with Jesus and is resurrected with Christ” is the creation of the new temple (new man). At that time, it shows that the new temple was already spreading. The gospel was spread and spread through the disciples.

『Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.』

The fig tree represents spiritual Israel, or saints. Those who have had a present resurrection and a temple established in their hearts become saints. The number of believers who believe in and accept present-day resurrection is spreading. This generation refers to the period from the time of Jesus to the destruction of Jerusalem. About 70 years could be said to be a period of repentance.

Chapter 13 Verses 32-33 『But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.』 Christ will return to the saints who have been resurrected and the temple has been built in the present. No one will know at that time. The resurrected Christ is not the Son, but Jehovah God. For those who do not believe in the present resurrection, Christ will not return in the present.

The second coming of Christ occurred to the disciples on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has come. And afterward, Christ will enter those who are united with Christ. In Acts 2:16-17, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 』

Those who distinguish between the Holy Spirit and Christ still believe in God in three parts. The Trinity belief applies when Jesus was on earth as the Son of God, but after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he is one God. This means that the Holy Spirit is God, and Christ is also God.

 

5. Pouring ointment on Jesus' head

Mark 14:3-5『And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.』

This painting consists of Simon the leper, Jesus Christ, and a woman breaking an alabaster jar and pouring it on Jesus' head, but it also depicts the Israelites like lepers groaning against Pharaoh of Egypt, who symbolizes the king of the world, and Moses, the mouthpiece of God who brought Israel out of Egypt. He shows how salvation is achieved through.

 

When Moses met Jehovah in the flame of the bush, he experienced miracles such as his staff becoming a snake and the snake turning into a staff again, and his own hand being infected with leprosy and then recovering again. The transformation of a staff into a snake symbolizes a fiery serpent (death on the cross), and the transformation of a snake into a staff symbolizes a bronze serpent on a pole (resurrection). Likewise, a whole hand symbolizes being infected with leprosy (death on the cross) and becoming a whole hand from leprosy (resurrection). So, through these two symbolic events, the Israelites were exodus from the world through the death of the eldest son (death of the Lamb: death on the cross) and entered into Canaan (resurrection).

This magnificent story is reexamined through one woman. This woman is a symbolic character, but Moses' sister Miriam appears in this story. Miriam is Mary in Greek. This is because there are scenes where Mary, her sister, pours perfume on the feet of Jesus as Lazarus in Bethany, and Mary Magdalene pours perfume on the feet of Jesus at the house of Simon the Pharisee. The Bible focuses on Mary. That is why Miriam appears. This is because it shows how a leper becomes a perfect person through Miriam.

Leprosy, which appeared among the Israelites at the time, was a skin disease, but it was almost incurable. When the people have leprosy, there is information in Leviticus about how he would quarantine and treat them. When the Israelites left Egypt, the population numbered nearly two million. Since they live in groups, these diseases could endanger the community. However, in the New Testament, leprosy represents a sinner. The leper represents a fallen sinner who cannot be saved by his own efforts.

What is introduced in Leviticus 13 shows the nature of leprosy. What kind of disease is leprosy? In other words, through leprosy, it explains what sin is. Chapter 14 is a regulation for those with leprosy to be purified. In other words, it explains salvation.

Leviticus 13:2-42 are mainly related to today's dry ringworm, mechanical worms, and skin damage, and verses 47-59 record symptoms related to fungi and bacteria. The nature of leprosy is divided into four categories. This leprosy is unclean. This means that sin is spreading. Leprosy is a disease that must be isolated. This is a disease that must be solved through non-salt.

Chapter 13 verse 26 『But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days:』

To be confined for seven days is to die and die again (second death). When leprosy spreads throughout the body, sin is revealed. For a sinner, being exposed to sin has the same meaning as realizing one's sin. Because of Jesus Christ, the priest, all sins of sinners are forgiven through death for their sins. If the leprosy has spread to the skin, the entire area has spread, and the sin is completely exposed. So the priest declares that it is clean through atonement for sin. This is facing the second death. So he gets new life. It means dying (dying to sin: the second death) and being born again (resurrection).

In Leviticus 1:7 『And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:』 In Ephesians 5:2 『And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us , and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour..』Jesus' death on the cross means becoming a sacrifice to atone for human sins. The Bible says that sacrifices are a fragrant aroma to God.

The act of breaking the perfume and anointing Jesus is a foreshadowing that he will become a fragrant offering in the future. All humans are beings who deserve to die like lepers. Animals that died in place of criminals were cut into pieces and burned. This means that all sinners with leprosy were spiritually burned to death in this way. However, that animal is Jesus Christ, and he is the fragrance and ointment. The balm is Jesus Christ. The breaking of the ointment signifies the death of Jesus Christ. However, there are still people who look at the breaking of enjoyment with human eyes. This means that expensive perfume can be sold and given to the poor.

There are many people today who think that doing good deeds is a condition for salvation. They tend to accept death on the cross with a sacrificial spirit. So they also talk about living a life that resembles Jesus Christ. When they say, “Let’s live a life that resembles Christ,” this means being humble like Jesus, serving with a merciful heart that is different from the people of the world, forgiving others, and living a distinguished life, and living a life that is different from Jesus’s death on the cross. Therefore, the purpose is to make non-believers believe in God by demonstrating a sacrificial spirit of love that is close to the death of the cross. However, believers must not live a life that resembles Christ, but must be united with Christ. It tells us that we should not become what we want to be like God, but that we should become one (unity) with God.

Mark 14:8-9 “He prepared my body in advance by pouring ointment on my body with all his might.”(ὃ ἔσχεν ἐποίησεν· προέλαβεν μυρίσαι τὸ σῶμά μου εἰς τὸν ἐνταφιασμόν.)Translated again, “The woman did what she could; she came beforehand and anointed my body for burial.”

Likewise, what saints can do is pour perfume on the body of Jesus Christ. It means being buried in union with Jesus Christ. That is why saints participate in the death of Jesus. This is the anointing. In other words, because saints are united with the death of the cross, God gives them a resurrected body. This is to be anointed as a royal priest.

In Mark 14:9, “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”(this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.) If this part is translated again, it means, 『What this woman did will be spoken of for the memorial of her (Miriam)』 That is. Through what this woman did, the events of Moses' sister Miriam were remembered.

First, Who is this woman?

Mark 14:3『And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman(guine γυνὴ) having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

In John 12:1-8, we are introduced to the story of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who was raised by Jesus from the dead in Bethany, pouring perfume on the feet of Jesus in her home.

In Luke 7:36-50, while Jesus was having a meal at the house of a Pharisee named Simon, a woman who had sinned in the town took an alabaster jar filled with perfume and poured the perfume on Jesus' feet. This appears. A woman who sinned appears in Greek as hamartolos (sinner). Therefore, she is not a woman, but a sinner and therefore a woman. It is assumed that this is Mary Magdalene, who was possessed by seven demons.

In Matthew 26:6-13, as in the Gospel of Mark, there is a scene where a woman (Gwine) takes an alabaster jar and pours it on the head of Jesus in the house of Simon the leper. Gwine, which appears in the Gospel of Mark or Matthew, can be seen as a word with a symbolic meaning.

Gwine (woman) finds its root in the word kinomai (verb). Kinomai means to separate and divide. In Genesis 2:21-23, God put the man (Adam) to sleep (died) and separated the man (Eve) by giving him a rib. So, this is the story of God bringing the woman to the man (Adam). The human Adam means a person before being separated into man(male) and woman(female), and the same word, male Adam, means man after the separation, so they are different beings. The human Adam is the first person, and the male Adam refers to all humans who came to the world after Adam. The woman represents the spirit of a sinful angel separated from Christ.

In the Gospels of Luke and John, a woman appears under the name Mary. Guine means one who has left God. It tells us that those who leave God are sinners who deserve death and are like lepers.

Second, what happened to Moses’ sister Miriam?

In Numbers 12:1, 『And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.』

Miriam criticized Moses because he married a foreign woman. In 12:8-10, “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.’ So Moses confined her outside her camp for seven days, and then he came into her camp. I let them in.

Exodus 17:45-46 『And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto these people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.』

Lepers were isolated from the camp. Because of the spirits who sinned in God's kingdom, God blocked God's light, created a material world of darkness, and confined the spirits. This is isolation from the kingdom of God. That place is called the world. Tearing one's clothes represents one's spiritual nakedness. The upper lip symbolizes the kingdom of God. It shows that one has been driven out from the kingdom of God. 『Live alone』. This word expresses the spirit trapped in the body. Everyone has their own spirit trapped in each body.

Leviticus Chapter 14 talks about the purification ceremony, which was performed a total of two times. Verses 1-9 talk about the first purification ceremony held outside the camp, and verses 10-32 speak about the second purification ceremony held inside the camp.

Chapter 14 Verse 4『Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:』

Believers must know the meaning of two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. When Jesus told a parable in Matthew 13, he expressed, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed sown in a field.” He said that after that, the mustard seed sprouted, sprouted stems, grew, and became home to many birds. It is said that a mustard seed is heaven. So birds mean people (gentiles).

The cedar tree is the ark mentioned in Genesis 6:14. 『Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.』The gopher tree is a cedar tree. The ark is covered with bitumen, which symbolizes the blood of Jesus. So cedar wood became the material for the ark symbolizing Jesus Christ.

As for the scarlet thread, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the clothes the rich man was wearing were purple, and the purple clothes were made of scarlet thread. It becomes the material for making the tabernacle, curtains, and priestly clothes. The scarlet thread symbolizes the priests. In Exodus 26:1, “Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.” And in Exodus 28:6-8 『And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. It shall have the two shoulderpieces joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; Even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.』The ephod is a garment worn by priests.

When David commits a sin, he asks for hyssop to be used to purify his sin. Hyssop is a brush used to apply sheep's blood. In Exodus 12:21-22, “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.” And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.』

Chapter 14 Verse 5『And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:』

Flowing water is an expression of being alive. The law is lifeless. However, Christ is hidden in the law. The hidden Christ becomes the water of life. The law acts as a teacher to revive people and lead them to life. Water is the word. The word in which life is hidden is the law. Earthenware refers to a vessel made of clay. This refers to the human body. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

The treasure is Jesus Christ. The earthen vessels are Christ and those in Christ. It is the Son of Man who brings the law into truth. So the earthenware vessel here represents the Son of Man. It means catching a clean bird in the earthen vessel, the Son of Man.

14:6-7『As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.』

Of the two birds, the other was tied with hyssop and scarlet thread to a cedar branch. Then the priest took the blood of a dead bird and sprinkled it seven times on the person who would receive the blood, declaring him clean. 7 (seven) is a perfect number, and “sprinkling the blood of a dead bird on the person to be purified seven times purifies him” means that the saints, who are sinners, were purified by the blood of Jesus being sprinkled on them. It is shown symbolically.

This also means that the salvation of the saints is as vital as the cedar tree, and that salvation is due to the blood of Jesus, symbolized by the scarlet thread. Just as hyssop was used to sprinkle the blood of sacrifices, the blood of Jesus is sprinkled on saints who are sinners. Because of this, the power of salvation came to the saints. This is shown symbolically.

Of the two birds, the living one was released into the field, showing that the leper was completely free from leprosy and at the same time symbolically showing the resurrection of Jesus. And it also symbolically shows that we have been completely liberated from sin, death, and Satan through the blood of Jesus, and have gained eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus. Dying in Christ represents the birth of new life (rebirth). Two birds live and die for a leper (sinner). In the end, the leper (sinner) lives and dies.

Chapter 14 Verse 8 『And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.』

A leper who was judged clean by the priest was not allowed to enter the camp right away, but had to wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and wash his body thoroughly.

The leper, who had been officially declared clean by the priest, now had to cleanse himself privately. He receives the rite of baptism. It is the consciousness of dying in the water and being born from the sky. While water baptism is the first purification rite, fire baptism can be said to be the second purification rite. Although the leper came into the camp, he had to wait another seven days before he could enter the tent where his family was. There was still a second purification ceremony left, and it was to prepare in a purified state for that ceremony.

14:9 『But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.』

A leper who was declared clean by the priest had to come into the camp and stay outside his tent for seven days. On the last seventh day, he had to shave off all the hair on his body and wash his body clean with water (baptism in water). By preparing for the first purification ceremony, he was able to return to the Israeli community through the second purification ceremony (baptism of fire), and he was able to recover all of his old status.

The reason why God performs this purification ceremony is to show that all physical diseases are cured, but through this, leprosy (sin) will be completely cured in Jesus Christ in the future. It is for those who have left God to realize that they will return to God through Christ. In this way, the Bible tells us that what is prescribed in the law is to find Christ and return to God.

This means, “You lepers who have left God! Look at this and look to Christ, who can free you from disease forever.” So, through the rituals that God sets forth in Leviticus, you must realize that you are those who have left God. Israel has kept the law for over 1,500 years. They should have realized what God intended in Leviticus, but they did not. Those who are in Christ are those who have escaped the law. Therefore, saints are subject to the law of the Holy Spirit, not the law.

In Mark 14:9, “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

Her memorial work of Miriam showed that she rebelled against her God, became a leper and was sent outside her camp, and that she was restored through the death of her victim. All of these processes symbolize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Through the sight of a woman breaking her alabaster box (death on the cross) and anointing her with oil (baptism with the Holy Spirit: resurrection), we realize the meaning of what Jesus said in Mark 14:8. 『She hath done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying.』The one who left God (a woman) died with Jesus (breaking the alabaster jar) and was resurrected with Christ (anointing the oil). It is one with God in Christ.

6. What is the evidence these men have against you?

Mark 14:56-60『For many bare false witnesses against him, but their witnesses agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witnesses agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witnesses against thee?』

The chief priests, elders, and scribes are looking for evidence to kill Jesus. The reason they wanted to kill Jesus was because they believed that Jesus and his disciples were a threat to their religion (Judaism). They did not accept Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, but rather viewed him as someone who was trying to destroy their Judaism.

In Mark 14:61-63, “But he held his peace, and answered nothing.” Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?』

The chief priests, elders, and scribes were told several times through prophets that the Messiah would come. However, even though Jesus revealed his identity, they used Jesus' words as evidence to kill him.

『ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.』(14:62) The Son of Man refers to Jesus Christ. And he is telling them that he will be resurrected (sitting at the right hand of the Power) and that he will return (coming on the clouds of heaven). Jesus did not tell them about death on the cross, but he was speaking on the premise that they would cause him to die on the cross.

Coming on the clouds of the sky does not mean the visible clouds of the sky, but the presence of Christ in the heart. In reality, after Jesus died on the cross, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples (the second coming of Christ),

Through the mouths of his disciples, he told the Jews, “The Jesus you killed on the cross was the Messiah.” When the Holy Spirit came, many people in the Diaspora (Jews from foreign countries) began speaking in tongues in their own language, and everyone was amazed. And these words of the disciples pricked their hearts, and they lamented, saying, “What shall we do?”

What struck me in the heart was that they crucified Jesus for blasphemy. In Mark 14:64-65, “Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye?” And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.』

Leviticus 24:16 『And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.』 Regarding the issue of blaspheming the name of Jehovah, the book Mishnah, a commentary on their law, states, “It is not blasphemy if you do not utter the four letters (YHWH) that represent God as the name of God.”

However, the Jews were determined to kill Jesus and were looking for the crime. The only crime they could charge Jesus with was blasphemy against God's name according to the law. When they tried to accuse Jesus of the crime, there was no clear evidence. The crime they pursued was to induce the words “I am the Messiah” from the mouth of Jesus. The reasoning behind why they say Jesus is the Messiah is, “ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Jesus is the Messiah, but to them, “to say that he is the Messiah” is blasphemy. They are literally sitting in God's seat.

That was because they were able to conspire politically with the Roman occupation forces. So, they picked up stones on the pretext that Jesus had blasphemed God. The Jews' unreasonable logic is involved here. The sin of blasphemy in the law is when one uses the name of God in vain. Jesus did not blaspheme God, but rather said that he was the Messiah, but they were guilty of blasphemy.

What does the chief priests, elders, and scribes think about the Messiah?

Since they were in collusion with Rome's political power, they thought of him as the Messiah who would support the foundation of their power. They would have been expecting a Messiah to appear and either overthrow Rome or to support a stronger religious and political power for them than at the time. When they saw Jesus, they saw him as a man with magical powers who could perform all kinds of miracles, such as raising the dead, healing the sick, and casting out demons. However, since many Jews followed him, they felt that Jesus was a threat to their Judaism.

Today, believers in the church believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to atone for all human sins and was resurrected three days later. However, if it were said that Christ gave all such power to the saints, I think people in the church would consider such saints guilty of blasphemy. Because church leaders say these words sound contrary to doctrine.

God wants to unite believers with Christ. Saints die with Jesus, are resurrected with Him, and are even hidden with Him at the right hand of God. The Holy Spirit enters their hearts (the second coming of Christ), a temple is built in their hearts, and Christ becomes the Lord of the saints. Additionally, the Bible declares that saints are the kingdom of God and that they have become royal priests.

In John 14:19-20 Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.』

And it is said that Christ gives the power to forgive sins. In John 20:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

In 1 John 5:15-16, “And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” If any man see his brother his sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.』The sin leading to death (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) is not believing that Jesus Christ is the one sent by God.

John 14:12-13 『Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.』

Doing something greater than what Jesus Christ did is to preach the resurrection. Jesus could not preach the resurrection to people while he was alive because resurrection is possible only through death on the cross. Although Jesus told his disciples several times that he would suffer and die and be resurrected on the third day, he did not tell the people that all who are in Christ would be resurrected.

Today's believers must understand that not believing the words of Jesus Christ is blasphemy and a sin leading to death.

 

7. The harassing guard and the high priest

Matthew 27:27-30 『Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.』

When Pilate's death sentence was confirmed, Jesus was harassed by many people. “The governor’s soldiers who brought Jesus into Pilate’s pavilion” were like the protagonists of a massacre who lost their reason and went on a rampage. Jesus, who was dragged into the pavilion, was subjected to unspeakable harassment by a group of ruthless people.

First, “what the soldiers did to Jesus” was to strip him of his clothes and put red robes on him. Hongpo is the clothing worn by kings. They were dressing Jesus up as a king. The soldiers woven a crown of thorns for “Jesus clothed in scarlet clothing” and placed it on his head. This crown is worn by kings on their heads with dignity and authority. Jesus, the suffering Christ, wore plates of thorns on his head. However, he comes back to this earth in a truly amazing appearance. When he comes again, he will have a crown on his head.『And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.』 On the day of his coming, “they who have placed on his head a crown of thorns” will beat their hearts as they see this sight of the Lord.

The governor's soldiers had Jesus carry a reed in his hand "to make him look more like a king." This reed represents the scepter held in the king's hand. And, they knelt down in front of the king dressed like this and made fun of him. “Long live the King of the Jews!” And they spat in his face, took the reed and struck Esu on the head with it. Matthew 27:41-43 『Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.』

“Jewish religious leaders, soldiers, and people alike” ridiculed and insulted Jesus. What they criticized was, "Jesus says he saves many people, but he can't save himself." Jesus was not hung on the cross because he could not save himself. Rather, as the critics said, Jesus was giving up his life to save many people.

It is not that Jesus failed to come down from the cross, but by not coming down, he saves “his people who cannot save themselves.” In John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.』

The suffering that Jesus suffered was exactly the suffering that we deserve. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. By his chastisement we have peace, and by Jesus' stripes we are healed. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has gone his own way, but God laid the sins of all of us upon Jesus (Isaiah 53:5-6).

 

8. Jesus' death on the cross

Mark 15:33-37 『And when the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calledeth Elias. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.』

The Jews thought that Jesus was their Christ and welcomed him into Jerusalem with great enthusiasm. But Jesus exceeded their expectations. The "Christ they were waiting for", they thought, should be their king who would save Israel, not a defendant on trial before Pilate. When the Jews' expectations were not met, their welcome turned into betrayal. If they did not listen to the advice of the Jewish leaders, they did not know what kind of disaster they would face later. This is because it has already been decided that among the Jews, those who follow Jesus will go out. The crowd mentality instantly became one. “He must be crucified, he must be crucified!” Shouts were heard from all over. He took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then he released Barabbas to them and handed Jesus over to them to be flogged and crucified.

Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified as a way to appease public sentiment and to satisfy the crowd. Pilate gave up his conscience to maintain his current position. When he asked Jesus' accusers, "Shall I crucify your king?" the chief priests cried out, "We have no king but Caesar." Hearing these words, he was concerned that if he released Jesus, he would be framed to recognize a king other than Caesar. If he does so, he will be stripped of his current position as governor and will be tried as a traitor to the Roman Emperor Caesar. Pilate then hurriedly said, “He handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.”

For prisoners on death row, the punishment was whipping before execution. The whip of the Roman soldiers had a short handle with several leather straps and a bone piece made of a small piece of lead attached to the front, so when struck with this whip, the spine was exposed and in some cases, flesh was exposed. will be. And, the death row inmate must bear the cross that he must bear and climb up to his execution site. After the cruel whippings of the Roman soldiers were mercilessly inflicted on him, Jesus now had to carry the frame of the cross and climb up the hill of suffering to Golgotha.

When Pilate's death sentence was confirmed, Jesus was harassed by many people. The soldiers of the governor who brought Jesus into Pilate's pavilion were like the protagonists of a carnival who had lost their senses and ran wild. Jesus, who was dragged into the pavilion, was subjected to unspeakable harassment by a group of ruthless people.

First, what they did to the Lord was to strip him of his clothes and clothe him in scarlet robe. Hongpo is the clothing worn by kings. They were dressing Jesus up as a king. The governor's soldiers placed a reed in Jesus' hand to make him look more like a king. This reed represents the scepter held in the king's hand. And they knelt before the king dressed like this and mocked him. They said to Jesus, “Greetings, King of the Jews!” Then they spit in his face, took the reed and struck the king on the head with it.

He was a Diaspora Jew named Simon from Africa. Suddenly he was caught by soldiers and made to bear a cross. The soldiers gave Jesus the cheap sour wine they were drinking (Psalm 69:21) and taunted him, saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” In Psalm 69:21, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 』And the soldiers divided Jesus' clothes, etc., among them by casting lots. In Psalm 22:18, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

Two thieves appeared next to the cross of Jesus. The two thieves are sinners representing humanity. Romans 5:12 says, “All humans are sinners without exception.” In the case of the two thieves, the Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” If these two thieves speak of the sins of mankind, the Bible shows that there can never be a righteous person among us humans. These two thieves are telling us that salvation through Jesus Christ is divided into two paths.

We do not know who was standing on the left or right of these two thieves. However, for convenience, the saved thief is said to be on the right, and the destroyed thief is said to be on the left. The thief on the left shows those who are condemned by the law and will be judged by God. The law cannot condemn those who are in Christ, but those who are not in Christ will be judged by the law.

The postal robber initially cursed and criticized Jesus, but he repented and was saved. Although we are like thieves who will be condemned forever, we can be saved by God when we repent like this and are crucified with Jesus. The two robbers committed the same crime. And the same thing happened when he was sentenced to death by crucifixion. It was also the same when they first slandered Jesus on the cross. But at the last moment of fate, these two thieves' paths diverged. The thief on the left did not repent of his sin until the very end. This thief continued to slander and mock Jesus until his death. “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” This thief was given a great opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ, but he rejected it and chose the path of destruction. . There are so many people in this world who, like this thief, are walking down the path of death by rejecting the opportunity to believe in Jesus.

The thief on the right repented that he was a sinner and entrusted his life to Christ. This thief was the same as the thief and had mocked Jesus along with him, but after a while he heard words of salvation from Jesus. He looked at his sin and repented by saying to the thief on the left, “Do you not fear God, even though you are under the same condemnation? We are receiving a due reward for our deeds.”

The thief on the right came to fear God. Repentance begins with the fear of God. And he must realize why he is in this world, repent like the parable of the prodigal son, and return to the kingdom of God. The postal robber said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Faith does not require a long period of time.

Jesus' suffering was becoming more severe as he was crucified on a cross erected on the hill of Golgotha. However, even in the midst of such suffering, Jesus looked at the people who had harmed him and offered a prayer of mercy to God the Father. Suddenly the world became dark. People were so shocked that they didn't know what to do. But when the time came for the darkness to be lifted, Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It was the cry of pain of Jesus being abandoned by God. Has there ever been such a heartbreaking cry of pain throughout human history? This cry of pain is still echoing and spreading throughout the world. People must hear the Lord's cry of suffering from the cross, repent, and return to the Lord. Repentance is a life of self-denial. To be crucified with Jesus.

At that time, when the “darkness that lasted from the sixth hour to the ninth hour” was about to pass, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli Eli, lama sabachthani.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” God abandoned his Son. So why did God abandon His Son who suffered on the cross? This is because God did not see the Son hanging on the cross as a son, but rather saw Jesus as a sinner. Jesus suffered God's wrath on the cross as a sinner. In this way, the saints were judged together with Jesus in Christ.

“The reason God was able to abandon even his own Son” is his love for those who repent and return. God does not give love to just anyone. He gives love only to those who repent and die with Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jews still thought of Jesus as one of the prophets. It was the third hour when Jesus was crucified. This time refers to 9:00 AM today's time. And three hours later, at the sixth o'clock (referring to 12 o'clock), darkness came to this world. And this darkness continued for three hours. It was lifted at 9 o'clock (around 3 o'clock), and at that time the Lord died.

This darkness points to the wrath of God. God was terribly angry toward his son. This wrath of God is God's righteous judgment on sinners. God considered Jesus, who hung on the cross of Golgotha, a sinner, and poured out His wrath on Him. He was now suffering this wrath, not as the Son of God, but as the representative of the sins of all mankind, who had rejuvenated themselves for the sins of all sinners. God did the work of saving sinners by pouring out this judgment of wrath on His Son. God saves those who repent and die on the cross with Jesus.

Along with Jesus' death, "the veil of the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom" shows that it is a truly amazing fact. “The tearing of the temple curtain” is God’s declaration that Old Testament sacrifices are no longer needed. The tearing of the temple curtain was not the only incident that occurred immediately after Jesus' death. In Matthew 27:45-54, there was an earthquake that shook the earth and caused rocks to burst, and tombs were opened and many sleeping bodies of saints were lifted up. It is surprising that the tombs were opened and many bodies of sleeping saints were recovered. Jesus is the first fruit of resurrection, and those who are resurrected next mean those who are born from heaven through water and the Holy Spirit. Those who are united with Jesus on the cross become those who are resurrected with Jesus.

There were people who went away beating their chests. When darkness fell for three hours, many people left, pounding their hearts. It was midday when darkness fell on the world. This darkness covered not only Golgotha Hill, but also all the hills and valleys. The whole world became dark. The mouths of the crowd who were mocking the Lord were shut. The hands of the Roman soldiers who were casting lots were lowered. The crowd who were shaking their heads and insulting the Lord were also dumbfounded. They became frightened by this sudden turn of events, and it made them reflect on their irrational behavior. Later, the centurion and his subordinate Roman soldiers also withdrew. When the centurion saw for himself all that had happened, he glorified God and said, “Surely this man was a righteous man.” He stood guard until the end, and then withdrew from Golgotha with his men.

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses, Salome, and other women were present at the tomb of the Lord until the end. The sun set to the west and dusk began to set. However, the Lord's body is still hanging on the cross and standing on the hill of Golgotha. There were people who could not leave this body alone.

After Jesus died, many things happened around his tomb. A man named Joseph appears and is shown burying the body of the Lord, while a group of high priests and Pharisees who crucified the Lord go to Pilate and receive permission to guard the tomb of Jesus, sealing the stone blocking the tomb and placing a watchman there. This appears to firmly protect the tomb.

Along with the death of Jesus, one cannot help but think of the person named Joseph of Arimathea. He said he was a disciple of Jesus. He said he was a public member. Council member means “a member of the Sanhyedrin Council, the highest judicial body and religious decision-making body in Israel.” After being sentenced to death here, Jesus stood before Pilate's judgment seat. This institution was a place where the most noble people of Israel, the high priests, scribes, and elders of the people gathered to deal with the important issues facing the Jews, so its members deserved to be called the nobles of Israel.

He said that he did not participate in their decision to kill Jesus (Luke 23:50-51). When they arrested Jesus and tried him at the council, they decided by majority vote according to custom. However, they could never reach a unanimous resolution. Because this man named Joseph clearly threw the buoy. (Matthew 10:32-33).

In Mark 15:43, Joseph is said to be a man who waits for the kingdom of God. Joseph was said to be a good and righteous man (Luke 23:50). The Pharisees and members of the council were full of envy, hypocrites, and skilled in false testimony. When they tried Jesus, what they found were false witnesses, and they tried to condemn Jesus with miscellaneous false evidence. But the Bible said that this Joseph was a good and righteous man. He was a public member who was leading a good and righteous fruitful life. Therefore, he could never join them in killing Jesus.

This Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. In a bloody atmosphere where Jesus' disciples could not even tell where they were hiding for fear of being caught by the rulers, Joseph fearlessly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. This incident speaks of his desperate determination. Peter pledged and swore that he would die for the Lord, but he denied three times that he knew when danger came to him. However, Joseph did not usually show himself as a disciple, but during the most difficult time of burying Jesus' body, when no one could do anything, he showed up often and showed his boldness.

Jesus died on the cross and his body went into the tomb.

The witnesses were the soldiers, Joseph, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses. Jose's mother was the wife of Alphaeus and her name was Mary. Among the sons born to Alphaeus were James the Younger (one of the twelve disciples) and Joses. There were four people called brothers of Jesus, including James (not a member of the twelve disciples) and Joseph. Their mother's name was also Mary, and she was Joseph's wife. Jesus' mother, Mary, has the same name, but is a different person. Among the twelve disciples are James the Elder, the older brother of John, the son of Zebedee, and James the younger, the son of Alphaeus. James the Elder was the first of the twelve disciples to become a martyr. There were three James: there was a son of Alphaeus (James the younger), a son of Zebedee (James the elder: John's older brother), and James the son of Joseph. Joseph's son James was not a disciple of Jesus.

 

9. Guards guarding the tomb

Matthew 27:62-66 『Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.』

The chief priests and Pharisees confirmed that Jesus was completely dead. In John 19:32-35, “Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.』

Unlike the two criminals hanging on the cross, Jesus's legs were not broken, and his side was pierced with a spear.“This happened so that the scripture might be fulfilled, which says, ‘Not one of his bones will be broken.’ Another scripture says, ‘They will see him whom they have pierced.’”

Like these words, the words of the Old Testament were fulfilled. However, the people who became the channel through which all the words written in the Old Testament were fulfilled were none other than the Jews, Pilate, and the Roman soldiers who did not believe in Jesus and mocked Him. The Jews, Roman soldiers, and Pilate, who mocked and mocked Jesus, were used as channels through which the words of the Bible came true without their knowledge. Those who saw this were Roman soldiers and Jews. 19:31, “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.』

And, they also confirmed that “the body was buried in the grave by someone.” However, one worry did not go away for them. The concern is that “Jesus usually said that he would come back to life three days after death.” Of course, they couldn't hear that right away. Their concern is that if his disciples take away the body and then announce that he has been resurrected from the dead, there will be an uproar. After discussing with each other, they decided to go to Pilate and suggest that he protect the tomb.

However, Jesus was resurrected. Because Jesus' body was not in the tomb, the women who entered the tomb (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) could not see his body. Matthew 28:6-7 『He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.』

What is the meaning of resurrection? Was the “body Jesus received from Mary, his mother” resurrected? Or, did the physical body disappear and a spiritual body be born? The English Bible says He is not here: for he is risen(kjv), He is not here; It was translated as he has risen.(niv). However, if you look at the Greek Bible, there are two words related to resurrection in Greek: 『οὐκ(not) ἔστιν(He is) ὧδε(here), ἠγέρθη(Egerde).』 They are Egerde (ἠγέρθη) and Anastasei (ἀναστάσει). Egerde means to arise from. The English Bible uses the word rise.

And, the English word for Anastasia is resurrection. Matthew 22:30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” ὡς ἄγγελοι ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ εἰσιν.

However, in Matthew 27:53, “And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” ῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν πόλιν καὶ ἐνεφανίσθησαν πολλοῖς .

The Greek word is Ten Egersin (τὴν ἔγερσιν) and is also expressed as resurrection (niv, kjv) in the English Bible. Here, resurrection is grammatically a noun. In other words, it represents a certain state. However, Egersin means to arise. The English Bible sometimes uses Egersin and Anastasin interchangeably as resurrection.

The Greek word “Egerzin” means to rise spiritually from the dead. This is the concept of a dead spirit coming back to life. And resurrection means that the spirit takes on a body. When the Bible speaks of the resurrection of eternal life and the resurrection of judgment, it means that the spirit takes on a spiritual body. The difference is whether the spiritual body (clothes of Christ) is for eternal life or a garment for judgment. Therefore, resurrection is not the resurrection of the body, but the putting on of a spiritual body. By referring to resurrection during the translation process, it makes it feel as if the previous thing is being restored.

Regarding the resurrection of Jesus, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared in a spirit body. Jesus' former physical body is gone, and a new spiritual body is given to Christ from heaven. The old temple (body) disappears (dies on the cross), and the new temple (spiritual body) is born (resurrected). Most church people today believe that “after the body given to us by our parents dies, that body is resurrected.” They think that the body is transformed into a spiritual body. That is why we think that the body will not die and will be taken up (rapture).

『He is not here; he has risen just as he said』”He is not here” is the Greek word οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε. It means “he is not here.” “His absence” does not mean that he does not exist because he has gone somewhere else, but that he does not have a physical existence. The body died on the cross and the body disappeared. Why can’t people find Moses’ body?

In Jude 1:9-10, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.』

A corpse means death (sin). So, this is an area managed by Satan. However, God caused Moses’ body to disappear. Therefore, the question is whether Satan did that to Michael without his permission. “This is what God did, so if you keep pointing out this, God will scold you.”

However, fake prophets distort the Bible. Moses was the representative of God who led the people out of Egypt. Moses serves as the shadow of Jesus Christ. “The reason God caused Jesus’ dead body to disappear” was so that Roman soldiers and priests could not find it. And Christ appeared to the women and disciples in another body, a spirit body from heaven. In any case, the soldiers and Jews cannot find the body of Jesus.

Matthew 28:11-15 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.』

 

 

 

 

Ⅱ. Jesus' actions between crucifixion and resurrection

Mark 16:1-6 『And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.』

Looking at “He is risen” (Egerde ἠγέρθη), the explanation of Egerde is in 1 Peter 3:18. 『For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:』

Where was Jesus for three days between his death on the cross and his resurrection, and what did he do? In 1 Peter 3:19, “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;” pyrache means prison. In Acts 5:19, “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,” Therefore, this prison represents the human body. The spirit should be in the kingdom of God, but it is trapped because it is in the dirt. So, because the spirit is trapped, it is hell. It is not a burning hell, but a concept of being trapped.

The meaning of three (3) in three days is in Genesis 1:9-13, “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.” And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself. , upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and the herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day.』

Three (3) means covenant. On the third day of creation, three things appear. Grass, seed-bearing plants, and trees bearing fruit with seeds of each kind. Although it is translated as grass, in the original Hebrew it is written as Esev. Esev is a vegetable. Therefore, animals also eat esev, which is a vegetable as well as grass. There is no mention of zerah (זԶԔרԷע seed) in Eseb, which animals can eat. Vegetables (Esse עԵשԶׂב) are related to people. The difference between Eseb and grass is that Eseb has seeds. So people can eat it. The seed symbolizes the word of God, which means Christ with the promise. Vegetables have seeds but do not bear fruit.

Seeds are expressed as grains and bread. The fruit eaten in Canaan is expressed as wine. When Melchizedek comes to Abraham, he brings bread and wine. Ultimately, bread and wine appear at Jesus' Last Supper. The bread symbolizes the resurrected body of Jesus, and the wine symbolizes the blood that atones for sin (death on the cross). The bread and wine are also expressed as the new covenant. The substance of the seed and fruit is Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the fulfillment of the covenant of Jesus Christ is the death and resurrection of the cross. Jesus came to this earth and fulfilled the covenant. He died on the cross in the flesh, and in the spirit he entered the hearts of people all over the world and preached the death and resurrection of the cross. In John 5:25-26, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that shall hear live.For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;』

The dead are spiritually dead. This means that Jesus Christ entered the hearts of the dead and preached the gospel, and those who hear the voice of Christ will rise. Those who repent of leaving God and believe in the words of the covenant of Jesus Christ hear the voice of the Son of God.

The three-day path is the fulfillment of the covenant. Dying on the cross and moving on to resurrection is the fulfillment of the covenant. “The Israelites crossing the Jordan River during the Exodus” is expressed in the Bible as baptism. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; Baptism represents death. The baptized person is dead to the world (Egypt).

So, after traveling three days, they arrived at Kadeshbarnea, the entrance to Canaan. Canaan means resurrection and symbolizes the kingdom of God. However, in front of the land of Canaan, the people asked Moses for spies. They were anxious about entering Canaan. So, what the twelve spies from each tribe returned after spying for forty days was as follows: Excluding Joshua and Caleb, the remaining ten spies said to Moses and Bekseong, “If we enter Canaan, we will die.” The Bible says that the entire Israelites wailed and wept all night long. Through this incident, God caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. At the time of the Exodus, Joshua (Jesus) and Caleb (a symbol of the Gentiles) led the children under the age of 19 and the new people born in the wilderness into Canaan, and the rest of the people were in the wilderness. Everyone died. This means that after three days, they could have received the glory of resurrection, but because their faith did not match, they all died.

The fulfillment of the covenant of three (3) symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. Another example is Noah's flood. In 1 Peter 3:20, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”

They are the ones Jesus preached to in spirit when he went to prison. means all humans. It means that they (all humans in the world) are beings who should die by drowning. At the time of Noah, God gave the people an opportunity to repent through Noah. Noah cried out for repentance for 120 years. Of course, the Bible does not say how long he spent building the ark, but Yashal's book says he built the ark for 5 years.

Anyway, Noah shouted to the people that if they did not repent, God would judge them with water, but no one repented. The ark symbolizes resurrection. In fact, before Noah and his seven family members entered the ark, it rained from the sky. What does it mean to receive rain from the sky?

Genesis 7:7 『And Noah went in, and his sons his, and his wife, and his sons 'wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.』 in the Hebrew Bible.

ַיָּ֣בֹא נֹ֗חַ וּ֠בָנָיו וְאִשְׁתֹּ֧ו וּנְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו אִתֹּ֖ו אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה מִפְּנֵ֖י מֵ֥י הַמַּבּֽוּל׃

Wayaber (went) Noah Ubanao (his sons) Wayshato (his wife) Wenshe (wives) Banao (sons) Ito (with him) El (in) Hateva (ark) Mifneh (relative) : Because) Me (of waters) Hammabul (of floods)

To translate it again, “Noah entered the ark with his sons, his wife, and his daughters-in-law, because of the waters of the flood.” As rain (water) fell from the sky, Noah and his family entered the ark to avoid the pouring rain. will be. This does not mean that they entered the ark before the rain, but that they were caught in the rain.

Rain is spiritually a word that comes from heaven. If they are hit by the rain of the law, they will be swept away by the flood. However, when they receive the rain of the gospel, they discover the resurrected Christ. Getting rained on symbolizes dying on the cross with Jesus, and entering the ark symbolizes participating in Christ’s resurrection. The resurrected Christ is the ark. Although they entered the ark according to God's word of promise, they must have been very afraid. From a physical perspective, they must have wondered whether they would be able to survive if they entered the dark ark. However, they firmly believed in God's promise and entered the ark. Everyone who did not enter the ark died. Those who died were those who did not obey God's covenant.

God said he would judge people because “the sons of God marry the daughters of men.” The sons of God are the spirits of angels who sinned. The daughters of men are a body called dust. When the spirit and body meet, they become a living organism (soul). So humans are beings imprisoned, and God promised the woman's descendant (Messiah) who would have the key to release them from prison. Nevertheless, the people of the world did not even want to hear the promises of this covenant because the world was good.

Now the covenant has been fulfilled. In Mark 14:48-49, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.』

What makes up the Bible is ultimately the death and resurrection of the cross. Most church people today hold a half-gospel. Although they believe that Jesus died on the cross for atonement, they do not believe in the present resurrection. Therefore, God's covenant was not fulfilled for them. A new temple is built in the hearts of those who believe in the present death of the cross and the present resurrection, and Christ returns (parousian: presence) into their hearts and pours out the kingdom of God.

This is the word of Joel 2:28-30.『And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.』This depicts the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the second coming of Christ.

 

Ⅲ. Resurrection

 

1. Resurrection debate

Mark 12:18-23 『Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother his. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven she had her to wife.』

Here, the Sadducees' idea of resurrection is that the body will come back to life after death (Nekron). But Jesus tells them that they have misunderstood the Bible. In chapter 12, verse 25, “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.』 (ὅταν γὰρ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῶσιν οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε γαμίζονται, ἀλλ’ εἰσὶν ὡς ἄγγελοι ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.)

If we translate the Greek word 『ὅταν (when) γὰρ (preposition) ἐκ (~from) νεκρῶν (death) ἀναστῶσιν (rise)』, it is translated as 『when they rise from the dead』. When a dead person's body is revived, he or she will remain a human being and will not become an angel. The person who died is a person. If the dead body is resurrected, is the resurrected body human or angelic?

Jesus said, “They are like the angels in heaven.” When a dead body is resurrected physically, it is impossible for it to become like an angel. Because angels in heaven are spirits. Nevertheless, anyone who believes that the dead body comes back to life is denying what Jesus said.

Jesus said in 12:26-27, “And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.』Jesus says that while the Sadducees are discussing the resurrection of the dead, God is not interested in the dead.

God is the God of the living. So we can see that this is not a physical story, but a spiritual story. The Sadducees talk about the flesh, but Jesus talks about the spiritual. It means rising from the spiritual dead. What kind of body is the body that rises from the spiritual dead? Through the resurrected Christ, believers know that it is a mysterious, eternal body. It is an eternal body that can transform and appears through time and space. This glorious body is not converted from the body received from parents, but is born from heaven. That is why in John 3:5 it is said that unless one is born of water and the Spirit, one cannot see the kingdom of God. Resurrection means being born as a spirit from heaven.

Even today, many people in the church think of resurrection as the resurrection of the dead body. That is why they believe that resurrection does not occur while one is alive, but occurs after death. This is no different from the thoughts of the Sadducees at the time. In Romans 6:5, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” The death of the saints on the cross with Jesus is currently taking place. Therefore, saints are resurrected with Christ in the present. Although we cannot see it because of our physical bodies, we must believe that we are born with a resurrected body.

In 1 Corinthians 15:44, it is said that if there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. This means that this spiritual body is the clothing of Christ. Here, the physical body does not mean a lump of flesh received from parents, but rather a physical identity (fresh). In the Bible, this is expressed as the old man. That is why we prepare for the old self and the new self. The old man represents the first man, Adam, who had to die, and the new man represents the resurrected Christ, and Christ is the last man, Adam. All of this must be understood spiritually.

Unless one is born from heaven among the spiritually dead, he is spiritually dead. A spiritually dead person can never know God. So, knowing that Jesus answered the Sadducee's question accurately, one of the scribes asked Jesus a question about the commandments. The question is, what is the first of the commandments (Prote πρώτη)? Prote means the most important thing. In other words, the question is what is the core of the commandment. Jesus said, “And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Those who do not believe in present resurrection do not know much about their own identity. However, those who believe in present resurrection realize that the physical self and the spiritual self are separate. They learn that their identity lies in their spiritual self. So they realize that they must fight and overcome their physical self. The physical self (flesh) is the enemy of the spiritual self (resurrection). In the parable of the wheat and the tares, the physical self is compared to the weeds, and the spiritual self is compared to the wheat. Tares are idols that must be burned and destroyed through baptism with fire. In this idol, there is a desire to be like God. This means that this idol is in the hearts of believers. Two hearts coexist in the saints' hearts.

In Romans 8:5-8, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.』

These two hearts coexist and fight in the believer's heart. Therefore, the physical self becomes a being that must die. The physical self is one that opposes God, but the spiritual self is one that becomes one with God through the Holy Spirit.

Being one with God was expressed as love. In general, when we think of love, it is easy to think of a certain emotion, but in the Bible, love means becoming spiritually one. We become one with God in Christ, and our neighbors also become one in Christ. Becoming one in Christ presupposes believing that one died on the cross with Jesus and was resurrected with Christ. If a believer loves his neighbor (spiritual brother), but the other person does not believe in the present death of the cross and the present resurrection, they cannot become spiritually one. This is because spiritual love requires the work of the Holy Spirit.

Without the baptism of the Holy Spirit (resurrection), there is no work of the Holy Spirit. Believing in Jesus does not mean that the work of the Holy Spirit will be accomplished. When non-believers first step into church, even though they believe in Jesus, the Bible is given to them. For them, the Bible becomes rhema (law). This is because we try to discover God through letters. However, once one breaks away from the law, the Bible comes to believers as a ho-logos, and this is because the Holy Spirit works. Therefore, believers must first realize themselves in the law before they can move on to the law of the Holy Spirit.

 

2. Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38-42 『Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and she came to him, and she said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from 』

Jesus had previously raised Lazarus from the dead. Going back to the situation at that time, in a poor neighborhood called 『Bethany』, a man named 『Lazarus』, the older brother of Martha and Mary, died. At that time, Martha, Lazarus' sister, came to Jesus. Jesus was delayed by other matters and arrived late at Bemartha's house. He said to Martha, “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’” “Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’” Because Lazarus was already dead.

In the difference between Jesus' words, "Your brother will rise again," and Martha's words, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day," Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, and whoever believes in me will live even if he dies."  However, Martha thought these words meant, “He will come back to life someday after he dies.” The death that Jesus spoke of means that those who believe in me were previously spiritually dead, but will now live.

Jesus said, “Do you believe this?” But Martha answered, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world.” This confession is known through knowledge of the Bible. This confession is a confession that spiritual fellowship with Jesus cannot be achieved. Martha injects the thoughts she wants into Jesus. Martha believed in Jesus, but Jesus could not communicate with her. Jesus can go out to the life of resurrection right now, but Martha thinks about what happens after the death of the body, so there is no connection between them.

In John 11:17, “Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.” Jesus explains the resurrection through the dead Lazarus. Jesus shows that there is resurrection through Lazarus dying and coming back to life. However, the resurrection of Lazarus and the death and resurrection of Jesus are different things. Lazarus' death can be said to be a physical revival. The revived body dies again. However, the resurrected Jesus was resurrected as a spirit. So the resurrected Christ never dies. However, Jesus used Lazarus as a tool to explain the resurrection. For people to understand the resurrection, Lazarus dies and then comes back to life. So, to represent the complete death of Lazarus, Jesus came four days after his death.

However, Lazarus' sisters (Martha and Mary) and the people there thought that Jesus was the one who could save the sick Lazarus from death. They had no idea that Jesus was the kind of person who could raise the dead. In John 11:37, “And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?”

Lazarus' sister Martha spoke to Jesus in a resentful voice. In John 11:21, “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Martha asks Jesus, “that he will resurrect her brother in the future.” In chapter 11, verse 27, “She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” So when Jesus said, “Your brother is alive again,” Martha He answered in 11:28, “And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.”

Lazarus' sisters did not believe in a present resurrection. They cannot believe in a present resurrection. They always thought, “Resurrection is something that happens after death.” Jesus wanted to show the present resurrection to his disciples and Lazarus' sisters through Lazarus. Jesus and his party entered the village of Bedai again. Martha took Jesus to her house. This is because they wanted to serve food to thank their brother Nasa for saving his life.

Her younger sister Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, and her older sister Martha was busy preparing food to serve Jesus. Martha left her work and came to Jesus and asked for help. 『But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and she came to him, and she said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.』Jesus was the lifesaver who saved his brother Lazarus from the dead. So, Martha was busy making food to serve Jesus. But her sister Mary has no intention of helping Martha, and she sits at the feet of Jesus. Martha had no choice but to go to Jesus and tell him what she had to say.

『And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her..』 The subjects are Martha and Mary, but these two people refer not simply to Martha and Mary as natural people but also to two types of religious people.

First, Martha symbolizes someone who accepts resurrection as something that will happen after the body dies. But Mary symbolizes the believer in what is happening in Jesus now. Jesus said that Mary chose one good thing. The reason Maria was able to sit in the kitchen without paying attention to people who were busy with work was not because she was immature, but because she knew what was really good for her. Mary says she doesn't say anything, she just sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to him. She means that through the fact that Mary “sat at the feet of her Lord and she heard His words,” she came to believe and hear the words of resurrection life from Jesus Christ.

Mary witnessed the resurrection of her dead brother Lazarus and became convinced of the resurrection of present life. Martha saw her brother come back to life with her physical eyes, and Mary saw her brother come back to life with her spiritual eyes. Physical revival is the resurrection of a dead body, and resurrection is the resurrection of a spiritually dead person. Therefore, a new temple is built in the hearts of the resurrected, and the kingdom of God comes. Since Mary is at the feet of Jesus, she is right in front of Jesus, the temple, and she realizes that this situation is the kingdom of God.

 

 

3. Keep the passover

Mark 14:12-15 『And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said to him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?And he sendeth forth two of his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the good man of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where shall I eat the passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us』

Jesus had a Passover meal ahead of his crucifixion, and the Jewish leaders were pursuing a secret deal with Judas Iscariot to capture Jesus. In 14:10, before the Passover meal, the high priests and scribes had already promised to give money to Judas, and Judas Iscariot was looking for an opportunity to hand over Jesus. Because Jesus knew all the thoughts of the Jews, the place for the Passover meal was secretly prepared in advance. This can also be seen in Jesus riding a donkey in Mark 11.

Jesus had visited the temple in Jerusalem and the area around Bethany outside the temple several times, and knew the geography well and the people living in that area. Not only was he able to easily obtain a donkey, but the Passover dinner was also prepared in advance. will be. The clue is a woman carrying a bucket of water. The large attic is reminiscent of today's inns. To prepare Passover food in a large attic, the woman would have had to draw water and carry it several times. So her two disciples were able to secretly enter the castle and make contact with the woman carrying the water jar. And as previously promised, the disciples confirmed the room reservation and ordered the Passover lamb needed for the dinner. At this time, only two of the disciples went, so Judas Iscariot was absent, so the high priests and scribes were unaware of the location.

In Mark 14:17-20, Jesus said that one of his disciples would betray him. The disciples are curious as they look at each other's faces. And as he breaks the bread, he says, “This is my flesh,” and as he passes the wine cup, he says, “It is my blood, the blood of the covenant.” The disciples probably did not understand what this meant. In chapter 14, verse 27, “And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” These words refer to the imminent death of the cross. means that Drinking new in the kingdom of God means resurrection.

In Hebrews 8:6-10, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:』

The New Covenant is a quote from what Jeremiah said, “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts.” The Israelites made a golden calf idol even while Moses was receiving the law from God on Mount Sinai. Idols are in their hearts. The idol is none other than the old man (old temple). It is an idol of greed that wants to be like God. Unless a believer abandons idols in his heart or dies from his old self, he cannot enter Christ.

The Old Covenant was written on stone tablets (old temple), but the New Covenant is written on the tablets of the heart (new temple). In 1 Corinthians 9:21, “To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.” The old temple was the law. Although it is located below, the new temple is said to be under the law of Christ. The law engraved in the heart of the new person born in the wilderness becomes the faith that looks to the coming Messiah (new temple).

The Book of Exodus was written in the first year of the Exodus, but Deuteronomy was written in the 40th year of wilderness life in chapter 1, verse 3. Since it was November, there was only about a month left until the people entered Canaan. Except for Moses, all the ancient people died in the wilderness. That is why Moses speaks about the new temple to the new people born in the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 29:1, “These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.” The covenant was made on Mount Horeb. received. However, he received the words of the covenant in the land of Moab.

In Deuteronomy 30:14, “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” The law received at Mount Sinai was “something the Jews could not keep,” but now You, the new people, say, “You can do it.” The reason is that it can be done through the Messiah (New Temple), the woman's descendant. They would have heard that these animals symbolized the coming Messiah, as they had to kill sacrificial lambs every day for their sins. So, through sacrifice, think of the temple (Messiah) built in your heart, and look to the Messiah who will save you with faith.

Apostle Paul quotes the words of Deuteronomy in Romans 10:8: 『But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; will be. The Hebrew word Messiah is the Greek word Christ.

The new covenant that Jesus speaks of means resurrection. For resurrection there must be death on the cross. Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, intervenes in the death of the cross. Jesus was sold to the chief priests and scribes, and the other disciples all denied Jesus before the cross and ran away. Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crows three times. All of these things of the disciples are aspects of their old self. The old self must die with the cross and be born as a new person. After Jesus was resurrected, he told his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit and breathed on them. It is a scene of rebirth from an old person to a new person.

God is looking for people to enter into a new covenant. God wants to establish the kingdom of God with the new temple in mind and meet the saints there. The old temple must be destroyed. Believing that Jesus died in union with his death on the cross is the destruction of the old temple. The new temple engraved in our hearts is the saints, heaven, and the millennium. The kingdom of heaven spoken of in the Gospel of Matthew is the kingdom of God in the heart. That is why the Second Coming is when Christ comes into the new temple.

 

4. Resurrection and Appearance to the Disciples at Emmaus

Luke 24:13-17『And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communicated together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.  But their eyes were held that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Jesus appeared to the disciples on their way to Emmaus, but while they were talking to each other, they did not recognize Jesus at all. When Jesus' disciples recognized him after his resurrection, he disappeared at some point. Apostle Paul also personally met the ascended Jesus in Damascus. After Jesus was resurrected, he suddenly appeared to his disciples and then disappeared, making appearances unknown to humans.

Luke 24:18-23『And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and has not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.』

Even though the prophets spoke many times in the Old Testament, they do not believe in Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection. If they look at it with their physical eyes, this is what happens even if they are disciples of Jesus.

Luke 24:25-27 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.』

God promised in Genesis 3:15 that He would come in human form, and through the prophets, He prophesied in Micah 5:2 that He would be born in Bethlehem. And Isaiah 7:14 also says that Christ will be born of her virgin body. David was also told in Psalm 22 that Christ would suffer on the cross. The resurrection of Jesus is also mentioned in Psalm 16. Jesus came in the flesh and said of himself, “It was also in the Old Testament.” He said he was with Abraham. Abraham was a person from about 2000 years before the birth of Jesus. In John 8:55-59, it is said that he existed before Abraham was born. And he said he stayed with him too.

In Genesis 14:18, 『And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.』In Hebrews 7, it says that this Melchizedek is Jesus, and Abraham called Jesus It means we met. Abraham gave a tithe to King Melchizedek. In Genesis 16:7-10, the angel of Jehovah represents Jehovah. This is because, in 『I will multiply your descendants greatly and make them so numerous that they cannot be numbered』, 『I』 means Jehovah.

In Genesis 16:13, “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also looked here after him that seeth me?” . Chapter 18 of Genesis also shows a scene where Jehovah God is having a conversation with Abraham.

John also said that Jesus existed in the Old Testament. In John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word became flesh, that is, Jesus Christ. John the Baptist also says the same thing. In John 1:15, 『John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cameth after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.』“ he said that he was before John,”

In Hebrews 11:24-26, it says that Moses met Christ. After Jesus was resurrected, in Luke 24:27, while Jesus was walking along the road and having a conversation with two disciples, “Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained in detail what was written about himself in all the Scriptures.” 』He means Jesus Christ. And on the Sea of Galilee, the same thing is said in Chapter 24, Verse 44: 『And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written. “I” is Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the Lord God of the Old Testament era is Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus was born into this world, He was the Creator God in the Kingdom of God. He, the One who cannot die, came in the flesh, even died, was resurrected, ascended to heaven, and sat at the right hand of the throne. Why was such a person born in the flesh and then died? After Apostle Paul met the ascended Jesus, he was unable to see or eat for three days. However, there was a thought in his mind: “Why did Jesus die and resurrect?” He realized that it was because of his own sins. Likewise, those who realize that all humans are guilty of their own sins are united with the death of Jesus.

In Luke 24:45-48, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third.” day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.』

Apostle Paul thought he was blameless in the law. However, he participated in killing the Messiah that the people had been waiting for for a long time. He realized that “his sinfulness was related to the death of Jesus.” Why is his sin connected to Jesus' death? This problem is related to sin. If believers do not realize this, they will not know why Jesus died. People think that if they believe that Jesus died for their sins, their sins will be forgiven. So, I believe that fact. And they think they are saved. However, salvation does not happen that way. Salvation comes when we are released from sin.

 

5. Ascension of Jesus

Luke 24:50-53『And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried. up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and he returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

In Mark 16:19, it says, “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. Ephesians 2:5-6 『Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 』It is said that the saints were also seated in heaven in Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 15:48, “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.”

Heaven refers to the kingdom of God that resides in the hearts of believers.

When expressing the Kingdom of God the Father in the Bible, it is expressed as “tes basileia to deu” (τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ: Kingdom of God). However, it means that Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. What is the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven?

In the Kingdom of Heaven (He Basileia Ton Uranon), believers must understand Heaven (Ton Uranon) well. And the Trinity theory must be recognized as saints by God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Believers must understand well that the Trinity is not God-centered, but rather a tool to explain the relationship between God and believers. The Bible speaks of the kingdom of God and heaven (heaven) at a level that people can understand. Overall, the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven (Heaven) is one. However, the Bible explains the kingdom of God according to the level of human understanding.

The first heaven refers to the kingdom of God the Father on the throne. It is the kingdom of God where God the Father is present as the Spirit. The point is that no one has ever seen it. However, we can understand the first heaven through Jesus Christ. In 1 Timothy 6:16, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

The second heaven is the kingdom of Jesus Christ, the kingdom of the Son who exists in a spirit body. The resurrected Jesus said in Luke 24:39, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; For a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” In Colossians 1:12-13, “Giving thanks to the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:』The second heaven is expressed as the right hand side of the kingdom of God.

The third heaven is sometimes called the Garden of Eden, or the new heaven and new earth. Apostle Paul mentions the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. When believers believe in resurrection, a new temple is built in their hearts, and in this new temple, Christ returns as the Holy Spirit and pours out the kingdom of God.

The beings of the third heaven (saints) live eternally and likewise wear spiritual bodies. In 1 Corinthians 15:44, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.』The Greek word translated as spiritual body is soma pneumaticon (spiritual body). However, because saints have a physical body, they cannot see their spiritual bodies with their physical eyes. When a believer takes off his physical body, he will be able to see his spiritual body with his spiritual eyes.

This third heaven is the lost Garden of Eden and the kingdom of God (Ton Uranon) that must be restored on this earth. In other words, it is the Garden of Eden in the hearts of believers and the kingdom of heaven is heaven.

The kingdom of God is one, but it appears as three. The First Heaven, Second Heaven, and Third Heaven are connected by the Holy Spirit and operate according to the word of Jehovah God. The kingdom of God is one, but because of the angel who sinned in the kingdom of God, the kingdom of God is visible to human eyes in three forms.

The prisons where the world's criminals go also exist within that country, so it is a country where they are imprisoned. If there are no prisons, the country in which they are imprisoned will also disappear. So, the meaning of the third heaven is explained on the premise that this world is a prison. After being imprisoned, someday the saints will return to the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God to explain in relation to this prison is the third heaven. The reason why the three heavens are explained in this way is to explain the reason why God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the saints become one.

 

6. The second coming of Christ

When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, he stayed on this earth for forty days. And Jesus told his disciples that he would come again, and that he would be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. After he had finished speaking, he ascended to heaven in full view of his disciples. However, in Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.』 Strictly speaking, we must realize that the scene the disciples saw was not a spatial concept of heaven, but something that happened in their hearts.

And on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples. Is the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost a different event from the second coming of Jesus? Basically, the answer varies depending on how believers know God. Church people know that God is the Trinity. What does the Trinity mean? It is confusing whether there are three Gods or whether there is one God.

While the developed doctrine of the Trinity is not explicit in the books that constitute the New Testment, it was first formulated as early Christians attempted to understand the relationship between Jesus and God in their scriptural documents and prior traditions.

An early reference to the three "persons" of later Trinitarian doctrines appears towards the end of the first century, where Clement of Rome rhetorically asks in his epistle as to why corruption exists among some in the Christian community; "Do we not have one God, and one Christ, and one gracious Spirit that has been poured out upon us, and one calling in Christ?" A similar example is found in the first century Didache, which directs Christians to "baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".

To explain by borrowing the contents of Wikipedia, in Christianity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit exist as three persons (three persons, three Godheads, three persons), but the essence is the doctrine that there is one God. It is said that the term Trinity was used in later churches. However, there are various interpretations of the Trinity.

Tritheism is the theory of three Gods in three persons. Modalism is the theory that God is one God in one person who appears in the form of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit depending on the times. Modalism is the claim that God acts as the Father in the Old Testament, as the Son in the New Testament, and as the Holy Spirit after the New Testament. Subordination theory is the theory that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are completely one subject, but the Son and the Holy Spirit are subordinate to the Father. Adoption theory is the claim that Jesus became the son of God because God adopted him.

Most pro-Trinity denominations and denominations are denominations that inherit the theological tradition of Christianity, recognize only the Old and New Testaments as scriptures, and accept the theological standards of the era of the universal church as apostolic guidelines. The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, and Protestant denominations include the Lutheran Church, the Reformed Church, the Anglican Church, the Baptist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Holiness Church, and the Pentecostal Church.

Most denominations opposing the Trinity are denominations that emerged after the 19th century, and they regard the current theological tradition of mainstream Christianity as apostasy. As the early church passed through the period of the universal church, the current church was cut off due to apostasy. They argue that since the Trinity is also a theory of disconnection, rejecting it is the way to bridge the disconnection. They are restorationists who reject the Nicene Creed and the doctrines of the Universal Council, including Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ, and Unitarians.

To summarize, believers should know that "the doctrine of the Trinity is a doctrine to explain the work that occurred during the period between Jesus' physical coming to this world as the Son of God the Father and his death on the cross."

We must believe that before Jesus came to this world, he was the only God, Jehovah God, and that even after Jesus was resurrected, he returned to the position of the only God, Jehovah God. Although God is one, not three, God imprisoned the angels who sinned in God's kingdom in the world (creation of heaven and earth, including humans), and he performed the role of Christ to bring them back to the kingdom of God (salvation). When seen through the eyes of people in the human world, he appears to be the God of the Trinity.

However, although Jesus Christ died on the cross, was resurrected, and returned to God's place, it would be difficult for believers to regard Christ, who will return, as one of the Trinity. For example, is the Holy Spirit who came to the disciples at Pentecost different from Christ? Most Christians today still think of the Holy Spirit, Christ, and the Father separately. It is difficult for them to say that there are three Gods, so they use the strange logic of saying that they are one God in three persons. Although the story could be accepted when Jesus Christ was in this world, it would be difficult to talk about the second coming of Christ according to the Trinity in the current situation.

So, for believers who believe that Christ died on the cross with Jesus and was resurrected with Christ, the second coming of Christ comes into the hearts of believers through the power of the Holy Spirit. Of course, for believers (and other people) who do not believe that, the second coming of Christ has not occurred. The second coming of Christ does not come as a judge for believers, but as a comforter to help them avoid difficulties in order to spread the gospel in the world. Of course, Christ's second coming will be as judgment for those who are not saints on the last day. This is the White Throne Judgment. Church believers who are waiting for the second coming of Jesus must realize that the second coming has not occurred. Believers who say they are waiting for the Second Coming are the same as waiting for the White Throne Judgment. Therefore, believers waiting for the Second Coming are still under the law.

In John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.』 The part that suggests that God is one is John 16:15: 『All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.』

In Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly (taqi ταχύ) (er komai ἔρχομαι), and blessed is he who keeps (theron τηρῶν) the words of the prophecy of this scroll.” Taqi (ταχύ) means hastily. all. Erkomai (ἔρχομαι) means coming now. Does this mean the second coming of Jesus or the presence of Jesus in the heart? If it is the Second Coming, it will be the end of the world. However, it is not the end, but rather an expression of Christ present in the hearts of believers. Theron (τηρῶν) is also present tense. Christ will come quickly to those who keep the prophetic words of the scroll (the Book of Revelation).

Those who keep the Word are those for whom Christ is Lord and who live within His Word. Protecting means preserving. It means staying in the truth so that the meaning of the word is well preserved. It is not easy to preserve the truth in today's mostly untruth churches.

In John 14:2-3, 『In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.』 This refers to the temple that will be built in the hearts of believers. Jesus enters the temple in the hearts of believers, and saints also meet God in the Holy of Holies.

In 1 John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him(ἐν αὐτῷ), and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” En auto (ἐν αὐτῷ) means in Christ. When the Holy Spirit comes, believers become in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Christ also exists within the saints through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is Christ who gives the Holy Spirit. Strictly speaking, Jehovah God gives the Holy Spirit to believers. The one who gives the baptism of the Holy Spirit is Christ and Jehovah God. In the kingdom of God, the Father is Jehovah God, and the resurrected Christ is also Jehovah God. That is, there is only one Jehovah God. However, Jesus Christ, who lived in the flesh on this earth, is the Son of God the Father who came to this world in the flesh (the Son of Man).

Therefore, God's work on this earth appears as a relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And since saints are also on this earth, they establish a relationship with Jehovah God through the Father, the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit. If the saint is in Christ, the saint is to the Father (Jehovah God) by the power of the Holy Spirit, and if Christ is in the saint, the Father (Jehovah God) is to the saint by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When the second coming of Christ takes place in the hearts of believers, they become the kingdom of God. In Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heaven refers to the kingdom of God in the hearts of believers. Thus, because Christ becomes the Lord of the saints, the name of the saints becomes 144,000, and they become kings and priests of the thousand-year kingdom.

Today, when Jesus returns at the end and the millennium is established, believers believe that they will reign with Jesus Christ. However, for those who believe in the present resurrection and the present second coming of Christ, the thousand-year kingdom will be realized right now and they will reign as kings. Satan was the king of the world, but now he reigns in Christ. Therefore, if you have received this kind of grace, you must confidently spread the gospel of truth. Today, we must rescue those who are trapped in untruth and build the kingdom of God.

Ⅳ. greatest commandment

 

1. Love for God and Love for Neighbor

In Mark 12:28, “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first (Prote) commandment of all?”

Prote (πρώτη) does not mean an ordered story, but rather a central one in importance. In chapter 12 verses 29-30, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (kardias καρδίας), and with all thy soul (psyche ψυχῆς), and with all thy mind (dianoias διανοίας), and with all thy strength (Isquios ἰσχύος): this is the first commandment.』

Four things appear here. The same word cardias is used in 1 Thessalonians 3:13. 『To the end he may stablish your hearts (cardias)unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.』Cardias is the spiritual heart. Parousia is translated as advent, and church people think of it as the second coming of Jesus on earth at the end of time. However, it depicts Christ entering into the hearts of the saints (second coming) and being present in the temple built in the hearts of the saints. So, Cardias is a spiritual mind in the body of a new person.

Psyche is the soul. It refers to the soul received from parents. This soul is a soul that must die. Just like changing clothes, the former soul (old self) must be crucified with Jesus. So it(with all thy soul) means crucifying the old man.

Dianoias is also expressed in Ephesians 2:3. 『Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Dianoias); and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.』

It is translated as “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (θελήματα τῆς σαρκὸς καὶ τῶν διανοιῶν), which in Greek means “what the flesh and its mind desire.” Since that mind comes from the flesh, it is a carnal mind. The physical self cannot know God. However, in the parable of sowing seeds, just as the farmer plows the hard ground, sows the seeds, and cultivates them to obtain fruit, it means that we must realize the logic and discover the kingdom of God.

Isquios symbolizes power, authority, and strength. Jesus is given authority by God the Father. In Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.』Saints also receive this same authority from Christ. This tells us to remember that saints who receive authority come from God.

『And the second(Deutera:Deuteros) is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.』

Deutera (δευτέρα) means next. The most important thing is love of God, but next is love of neighbors. The word love (agapao) refers to reviving a dead spirit through death on the cross. The believer believes that he died in union with Jesus on the cross, is resurrected together, receives a new soul, and the spirit comes back to life, thus establishing the kingdom of God in the believer's heart. This is what it means to love God.

In order to achieve this, as in the parable of the sower, one must awaken the hardened physical self (dianoias), discover God, die of the old soul (mortify the Psyche soul), and put on new clothes with the mind of the spirit (cardias: the mind of the spirit). ), a temple in the heart is established, the kingly priestly power (Isquios) is granted, and the dead spirit is revived. In the same way, agapao is when believers make their neighbors (church members) realize the same principle and revive dead spirits.

Jesus spoke in the form of an answer to a scribe's question, and had just previously spoken on the topic of resurrection. Jesus explained that it was not a physical resurrection as the Jews thought, but a resurrection of the soul (spirit and soul). So, Jesus metaphorically used four words to explain the resurrection of the soul and the love of God.

However, the scribe said, “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:”

The Jewish leaders, including the priests and scribes, had a firm belief in God who had given them the law, and when they heard Jesus speak, they must have realized in their hearts that this person was the true Messiah. Although the Bible uses different expressions, it also expresses that the God the Jewish leaders believe in is different from the God Jesus believes in. They believe in their own God. It is clear that there is one God, but each person believes in it differently. Today, all church believers believe in one God. But what happens if they say they believe in the God they want?

This is no different from the situation where “while Moses went to receive the stone tablets of the commandments on Mount Sinai, the people made a golden calf idol and sacrificed it to God.” Humanism, legalism, and gnostic thinking similar to other religions based on faith in blessings and fortunes create a different God.

『And to love him with all the heart(Cardias), and with all the understanding(Syneseos), and with all the soul, and with all the strength(Isquios), and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burned offerings and sacrifices』(Mark 12:33)

Cardias means spiritual heart, Syneseos means spiritual wisdom, and Isquios means power from God. This scribe probably saw Jesus' miracles and heard him talk about various things about the kingdom of God. Even in everyday life, he was thinking about the promise of a woman's descendants through animal sacrifice. He must have thought that this was the Messiah, the promised seed who was the descendant of the woman. Although he could not express it specifically, he must have had a great desire for the kingdom of God, just like Nicodemus.

『And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.』(Mark 12:34)

Jesus said, “I saw a scribe saying this and said, ‘I am not far from the kingdom of God.’” He means that the kingdom of God is near to him, but it has not come to him as an enemy now. In order to achieve the kingdom of God, they must abandon their faith and come to Jesus. At that time, excommunication from Judaism was considered death. It's a story that's almost impossible.

This is similar to how believers today who are obsessed with doctrine think that if they deviate from doctrine, they will die spiritually. If the saints do not believe in the present death of the cross and the present resurrection in their hearts, there will be no second coming of Christ in their hearts. Then everyone becomes under the law. Those who are in the law must perfectly keep the laws given by God, and if they break even one, they will be judged. Which one to choose? This is the gospel.

At that time, a scribe answered wisely and Jesus told him that the kingdom of God was not far away, but most of the church today does not answer wisely. The reason is because of the attitude toward John 14:21. 『He that hath my commandments, and keepeth(τηρῶν) them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Regarding the first commandment, Jesus said, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.』

To love God is to believe in the death of the cross and resurrection. So, those who have my commandments that Jesus talks about in the Gospel of John are those who have faith in the death of the cross and resurrection.

And 『those who keep them』 are those who keep their faith in the cross and resurrection. Teron (τηρῶν), translated as “keep,” means to keep a defensive line, protect, and maintain the state. This does not mean carrying out the regulations of the Bible, but keeping the death and resurrection of the cross in mind and protecting it from being lost. The goal is to keep it from falling out of their minds.

The most core problem today is the legalistic interpretation and application of the meaning of “keeping the commandments.” The commandment is to love God and neighbors, but legalists say that if you do not love God and neighbors, you are not keeping the commandments. It is a misunderstanding that loving means keeping rules and regulations. Is there anyone in the church of this world who perfectly observes love for God and love for neighbors, as if they were following some rules? Are there any rules for loving? If there are regulations, what do they contain? If they say that they have perfectly complied with the rules, on what basis can they say so? Who admits to having loved themselves perfectly? Is the person who says that really keeping it perfectly? If you try to answer this, you are a legalist.

In Revelation 14:12, 『Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.』Most church pastors interpret these words to an extent that in the end times, there will be beasts and beasts. It is said that tribulation will come that will force people to worship idols, but believers must persevere in keeping God's commandments and faith in Jesus. So, since God's commandment is love for God and his neighbors, believers must keep this. Pastors say that since believers cannot keep it humanly, God can keep it by sending the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is emphasized that those who keep the commandments can become God's bride and that they enter the new heaven and new earth.

This is because “keeping the commandments” is interpreted in a legalistic way. This is because they think that taking action on something is “keeping it.” In Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth(theron) the sayings of the prophecy of this book.』Here too, the Greek word for “keep” is theron. In other words, it means to preserve, to maintain.

The meaning of the word keep is to protect and not lose faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. Heresy arises because there are those who interpret this in a legalistic way.

Heretics apply keeping the commandments to keeping the Ten Commandments. In other words, let’s keep following the law. The purpose of God giving the Ten Commandments (Law) is to try to keep them, realize that it is impossible to keep them perfectly, confess to God, "I am a sinner," and look to Christ, the woman's descendant. This means having faith that “the Messiah who will replace this beast” will come through the repeated act of killing the beast. However, the Jewish leaders at the time of Jesus broadly interpreted this law as legalism and said that it must be kept literally.

Even today, in theological doctrines, we can see talk about Jesus' active and passive obedience.

Theologians say: "Active obedience means that Christ observed the law for sinners as a condition for eternal life; passive obedience means that Christ suffered by paying the penalty of sin and paying the debt of all his people. "So, Christ's subjection of himself to suffering and death is a part of his active obedience; The fact that Christ lived in subjection to the law and acted in the image of a servant is a part of passive obedience. Even within Christianity, there are factions that support active and passive obedience, while others oppose it.

It is difficult for believers to understand the law as a national or moral law given by God to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. Even before that, there were regulations that God commanded humans. The law is God's message to the people of the eternal truth of God's kingdom, and it contains life and salvation. If believers do not find life and salvation through the law, it is no different from the moral law or the general laws of each country that must be observed. If believers think that way, what does keeping the law have to do with gaining life and salvation? If a believer does not understand the content contained in the law and views it as legalism bound by the regulations of the law, he can be said to be far from life and salvation.

The meaning of the commandment spoken by Jesus is love of God and neighbors, which is fundamentally a belief in Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection. Those who talk about this in a legalistic way, saying it is better to keep the commandments than not, do not understand the meaning of keeping the commandments.

“Keep the commandments” means protecting the commandments in your heart. Although today's church rejects heresy, if there are people who speak of false doctrines or misinterpret the Bible differently from the Greek Bible, what else is that but heresy?

 

 

2. Rich man and camel

Mark 10:21-25『Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and Come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and he went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and said to his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.』

This story is the content of a conversation between Jesus and the rich man when the rich man approached Jesus and asked about eternal life. Jesus first spoke about the commandments, and the rich man said that he had kept all the commandments. However, there is one thing that is lacking: the rich must sell everything they have and give it to the poor. So the rich man looked sad and went away in sorrow, and Jesus told the parable of the camel and the kingdom of God.

When we read and interpret the Bible, we must not only understand the superficial meaning by reading it literally, but also spiritually realize the meaning given by God. First of all, the superficial story is that you do not enter the kingdom of God by keeping the commandments, but that you enter the kingdom of God by not having a desire for material things. Believers believe that material things, including money, are given by God and should be used for God's will. But spiritual stories have a different meaning.

The rich in the world think of themselves as rich in the kingdom of God. These people may be people who think they have a lot of faith in God in the church today. He thinks Jesus is the standard of goodness. Mark 10:17-18 『And when he went forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.』 Jesus says that only God is good. Church people worship Jesus as God, but there is only one God, God the Father. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to this world as the Son of God.

However, the rich man says that he kept the commandments well. Church people always examine themselves in light of the commandments to see if they are sinning. So they think that by keeping the commandments, they will enter the kingdom of God. However, Jesus says that is not enough. The condition for entering the kingdom of God is not to keep the commandments well, but to realize that one is a sinner through the commandments. So, through animal sacrifice for forgiveness of one's sins, the Messiah, the descendant of the woman who would come in the future, must have been discovered.

The Bible says that animal sacrifice represents the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and that sinners must realize that they also die when animals die. Especially in Romans 6:6-7, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” For he that is dead is freed from sin.』

『Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way (ὕπαγε), sell whatsoever(ὅσα) thou hast( ἔχεις), and give( πτωχοῖς) to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure. in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21)

If we understand it on the surface, there will not be many who will carry this out. However, spiritually, the object to be sold refers to the physical self that the rich person (church person) has. Jesus said to deny yourself and follow me. In Luke 9:23-24, “And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever he will save his life his shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.』

Whipage (ὕπαγε) means to withdraw, seclude, or leave. Our word is to go, which means to leave the physical self in one's identity. Ekeis (ἔχεις) has the meaning of holding, possessing, and storing. Hosa (ὅσα) represents the amount of ~. What the rich person, symbolized as a church person, has is a carnal ego that manifests itself as greed. Once a believer sells (gets rid of) this physical self, he gains a spiritual self. This means sharing this spiritual self with others (the poor in spirit: Ptochois).

This means that believers must move away from untruth, realize the truth, and share the truth with others. Denying oneself and taking up one's cross are the words of truth, but the object of self-denial is the physical self, and the subject of denial is the spiritual self. Ptochois is spiritually poor toward the kingdom of God. He represents a person who leaves the kingdom of God and realizes that he is a sinner.

When the physical self recognizes it as its identity, this person becomes one who is in the law. However, a person in his spiritual self becomes a person who escapes from the law and enters the gospel. The way to escape from the law is to take up one's cross and die in union with Jesus who died on the cross. Then, the good news of the gospel is delivered to believers. That is resurrection. It is not a resurrection that takes place after the body dies, but a resurrection that takes place in the present. Those who currently die on the cross will now be resurrected.

Resurrection is the treasure in heaven.『and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.』The path of following Jesus is the path of preaching the death and resurrection of the cross. Saints are not meant to suffer like Jesus, but to preach the cross and resurrection. Of course, there will be various difficulties in the process.

『Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.』(Mark 10:25)

Looking at the parallel structure, the rich man and the kingdom of God, the camel and the eye of the needle are connected. Contrast the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom of God with the difficulty of a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

Why is it difficult for church people, symbolized by the rich, to enter the kingdom of God? They say you can be saved just by believing in Jesus. What's wrong? There is a faith that one believes in and a faith that comes from heaven, but the faith that one believes in is a faith that is confined within the law. However, the faith that comes from heaven is the faith that is born of the Holy Spirit. So the camel symbolizes the law. It emphasizes that salvation cannot be obtained through the law. The eye of the needle suggests that entering the kingdom of God is not easy.

In order for believers to enter the kingdom of God, they must believe in the death and resurrection of the cross, and baptism is an expression of this. Baptism is an expression of the believer’s death and resurrection. Water baptism means the death of the body of sin, fire baptism burns the old soul (cloth of leather), and baptism of the Holy Spirit means changing into the old soul (clothes of Christ). Putting on Christ is resurrection. The second coming of Christ will only occur if believers believe in the present resurrection. Therefore, heaven approaches in the heart, and the thousand-year kingdom is realized. Believing in the present resurrection and second coming would be close to heresy in today's doctrine.

Church people today think of the resurrection and the second coming of Jesus as events that will occur in the distant future. Believers think that when Jesus returns, he will be resurrected, the millennium will be established, and believers will rule the world as royal priests along with Jesus. They believe that because there will be a seven-year tribulation, the Second Coming will occur first, then the rapture will occur, and after the seven-year tribulation,

Jesus will return to earth and rule. They believe in either premillennialism, postmillennialism, or amillennialism regarding the seven-year tribulation. This is similar to the fact that even at the time of Jesus, Jesus was thought of as the Messiah who had the power to overthrow the Roman Empire and rule the world, and there were even arguments among his disciples about who would be greater. We still look at the Bible with our physical eyes, but our spiritual eyes are closed.