Perpetua's Diary

The following story is true, and it is taken from the prison diary of Perpetua, a young woman that was martyred in Carthage in 202 or 203 CE during the time of the Roman Empire. The reason for her martyrdom was because she was a Christian, she said herself: “I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.” The story has been edited and narrated at the start and at the end, but the central part of the story are the words of Perpetua herself. This is her story.


A number of young catechumens were arrested, Revocatus and his fellow slave Felicitas, Saturninus and Secundulus, and with them Vibia Perpetua, a newly married woman of good family and upbringing. Her mother and father were still alive and one of her two brothers was a catechumen like herself. She was about twenty-two years old and had an infant son at the breast. (Now from this point on the entire account of her ordeal is her own, according to her own ideas and in the way that she herself wrote it down.)

While we were still under arrest (she said) my father out of love for me was trying to persuade me and shake my resolution. 'Father,' said I, 'do you see this vase here, for example, or waterpot or whatever?'

'Yes, I do', said he.

And I told him: 'Could it be called by any other name than what it is?'

And he said: 'No.'

'Well, so too I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.'
At this my father was so angered by the word 'Christian' that he moved towards me as though he would pluck my eyes out. But he left it at that and departed, vanquished along with his diabolical arguments.
For a few days afterwards I gave thanks to the Lord that I was separated from my father, and I was comforted by his absence. During these few days I was baptized, and I was inspired by the Spirit not to ask for any other favour after the water but simply the perseverance of the flesh. A few days later we were lodged in the prison; and I was terrified, as I had never before been in such a dark hole. What a difficult time it was! With the crowd the heat was stifling; then there was the extortion of the soldiers; and to crown all, I was tortured with worry for my baby there.

Then Tertius and Pomponius, those blessed deacons who tried to take care of us, bribed the soldiers to allow us to go to a better part of the prison to refresh ourselves for a few hours. Everyone then left that dungeon and shifted for himself. I nursed my baby, who was faint from hunger. In my anxiety I spoke to my mother about the child, I tried to comfort my brother, and I gave the child in their charge. I was in pain because I saw them suffering out of pity for me. These were the trials I had to endure for many days. Then I got permission for my baby to stay with me in prison. At once I recovered my health, relieved as I was of my worry and anxiety over the child. My prison had suddenly become a palace, so that I wanted to be there rather than anywhere else.

Then my brother said to me: 'Dear sister, you are greatly privileged; surely you might ask for a vision to discover whether you are to be condemned or freed.'
Faithfully I promised that I would, for I knew that I could speak with the Lord, whose great blessings I had come to experience. And so I said: 'I shall tell you tomorrow.' Then I made my request and this was the vision I had.

I saw a ladder of tremendous height made of bronze, reaching all the way to the heavens, but it was so narrow that only one person could climb up at a time. To the sides of the ladder were attached all sorts of metal weapons: there were swords, spears, hooks, daggers, and spikes; so that if anyone tried to climb up carelessly or without paying attention, he would be mangled and his flesh would adhere to the weapons.

At the foot of the ladder lay a dragon of enormous size, and it would attack those who tried to climb up and try to terrify them from doing so. And Saturus was the first to go up, he who was later to give himself up of his own accord. He had been the builder of our strength, although he was not present when we were arrested. And he arrived at the top of the staircase and he looked back and said to me: 'Perpetua, I am waiting for you. But take care; do not let the dragon bite you.'
'He will not harm me,' I said, 'in the name of Christ Jesus.'

Slowly, as though he were afraid of me, the dragon stuck his head out from underneath the ladder. Then, using it as my first step, I trod on his head and went up.

Then I saw an immense garden, and in it a gray-haired man sat in shepherd's garb; tall he was, and milking sheep. And standing around him were many thousands of people clad in white garments. He raised his head, looked at me, and said: 'I am glad you have come, my child.'

He called me over to him and gave me, as it were, a mouthful Of the milk he was drawing; and I took it into my cupped hands and consumed it. And all those who stood around said: 'Amen!' At the sound of this word I came to, with the taste of something sweet still in my mouth. I at once told this to my brother, and we realized that we would have to suffer, and that from now on we would no longer have any hope in this life.

A few days later there was a rumour that we were going to be given a hearing. My father also arrived from the city, worn with worry, and he came to see me with the idea of persuading me.

'Daughter,' he said, 'have pity on my grey head--have pity on me your father, if I deserve to be called your father, if I have favoured you above all your brothers, if I have raised you to reach this prime of your life. Do not abandon me to be the reproach of men. Think of your brothers, think of your mother and your aunt, think of your child, who will not be able to live once you are gone. Give up your pride! You will destroy all of us! None of us will ever be able to speak freely again if anything happens to you.'

This was the way my father spoke out of love for me, kissing my hands and throwing himself down before me. With tears in his eyes he no longer addressed me as his daughter but as a woman. I was sorry for my father's sake, because he alone of all my kin would be unhappy to see me suffer.

I tried to comfort him saying: 'It will all happen in the prisoner's dock as God wills; for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves but are all in his power.'

And he left me in great sorrow.

One day while we were eating breakfast we were suddenly hurried off for a hearing. We arrived at the forum, and straight away the story went about the neighbourhood near the forum and a huge crowd gathered. We walked up to the prisoner's dock. All the others when questioned admitted their guilt. Then, when it came my turn, my father appeared with my son, dragged me from the step, and said: 'Perform the sacrifice--have pity on your baby!'

Hilarianus the governor, who had received his judicial powers as the successor of the late proconsul Minucius Timinianus, said to me: 'Have pity on your father's grey head; have pity on your infant son. Offer the sacrifice for the welfare of the emperors.'
'I will not',
I retorted.
'Are you a Christian?' said Hilarianus.

And I said: 'Yes, I am.'

When my father persisted in trying to dissuade me, Hilarianus ordered him to be thrown to the ground and beaten with a rod. I felt sorry for father, just as if I myself had been beaten. I felt sorry for his pathetic old age.

Then Hilarianus passed sentence on all of us: we were condemned to the beasts, and we returned to prison in high spirits. But my baby had got used to being nursed at the breast and to staying with me in prison. So I sent the deacon Pomponius straight away to my father to ask for the baby. But father refused to give him over. But as God willed, the baby had no further desire for the breast, nor did I suffer any inflammation; and so I was relieved of any anxiety for my child and of any discomfort in my breasts....

Some days later, an adjutant named Pudens, who was in charge of the prison, began to show us great honour, realizing that we possessed some great power within us. And he began to allow many visitors to see us for our mutual comfort.

Now the day of the contest was approaching, and my father came to see me overwhelmed with sorrow. He started tearing the hairs from his beard and threw them on the ground; he then threw himself on the ground and began to curse his old age and to say such words as would move all creation. I felt sorry for his unhappy old age.
The day before we were to fight with the beasts I saw the following vision. Pomponius the deacon came to the prison gates and began to knock violently. I went out and opened the gate for him. He was dressed in an unbelted white tunic, wearing elaborate sandals. And he said to me: 'Perpetua, come; we are waiting for you.'
Then he took my hand and we began to walk through rough and broken country. At last we came to the amphitheatre out of breath, and he led me into the centre of the arena.

Then he told me: 'Do not be afraid. I am here, struggling with you.' Then he left.
I looked at the enormous crowd who watched in astonishment. I was surprised that no beasts were let loose on me; for I knew that I was condemned to die by the beasts. Then out came an Egyptian against me, of vicious appearance, together with his seconds, to fight with me. There also came up to me some handsome young men to be my seconds and assistants.

My clothes were stripped off, and suddenly I was a man. My seconds began to rub me down with oil (as they are wont to do before a contest). Then I saw the Egyptian on the other side rolling in the dust. Next there came forth a man of marvelous stature, such that he rose above the top of the amphitheatre. He was clad in a beltless purple tunic with two stripes (one on either side) running down the middle of his chest. He wore sandals that were wondrously made of gold and silver, and he carried a wand like an athletic trainer and a green branch on which there were golden apples.

And he asked for silence and said: 'If this Egyptian defeats her he will slay her with the sword. But if she defeats him, she will receive this branch.' Then he withdrew.

We drew close to one another and began to let our fists fly. My opponent tried to get hold of my feet, but I kept striking him in the face with the heels of my feet. Then I was raised up into the air and I began to pummel him without as it were touching the ground. Then when I noticed there was a lull, I put my two hands together linking the fingers of one hand with those of the other and thus I got hold of his head. He fell flat on his face and I stepped on his head.

The crowd began to shout and my assistants started to sing psalms. Then I walked up to the trainer and took the branch. He kissed me and said to me: 'Peace be with you, my daughter!' I began to walk in triumph towards the Gate of Life. Then I awoke. I realized that it was not with wild animals that I would fight but with the Devil, but I knew that I would win the victory. So much for what I did up until the eve of the contest. About what happened at the contest itself, let him write of it who will.

Such were the remarkable visions of these martyrs, Saturus and Perpetua, written by themselves. As for Secundulus, God called him from this world earlier than the others while he was still in prison, by a special grace that he might not have to face the animals. Yet his flesh, if not his spirit, knew the sword.

As for Felicitas, she too enjoyed the Lord's favour in this wise. She had been pregnant when she was arrested, and was now in her eighth month. As the day of the spectacle drew near she was very distressed that her martyrdom would be postponed because of her pregnancy; for it is against the law for women with child to be executed. Thus she might have to shed her holy, innocent blood afterwards along with others who were common criminals. Her comrades in martyrdom were also saddened; for they were afraid that they would have to leave behind so fine a companion to travel alone on the same road to hope. And so, two days before the contest, they poured forth a prayer to the Lord in one torrent of common grief. And immediately after their prayer the birth pains came upon her. She suffered a good deal in her labour because of the natural difficulty of an eight months' delivery.

Hence one of the assistants of the prison guards said to her: 'You suffer so much now--what will you do when you are tossed to the beasts? Little did you think of them when you refused to sacrifice.'

'What I am suffering now', she replied, 'I suffer by myself. But then another will be inside me who will suffer for me, just as I shall be suffering for him.'
And she gave birth to a girl; and one of the sisters brought her up as her own daughter.

Therefore, since the Holy Spirit has permitted the story of this contest to be written down and by so permitting has willed it, we shall carry out the command or, indeed, the commission of the most saintly Perpetua, however unworthy I might be to add anything to this glorious story. At the same time I shall add one example of her perseverance and nobility of soul.

The military tribune had treated them with extraordinary severity because on the information of certain very foolish people he became afraid that they would be spirited out of the prison by magical spells.

Perpetua spoke to him directly. 'Why can you not even allow us to refresh ourselves properly? For we are the most distinguished of the condemned prisoners, seeing that we belong to the emperor; we are to fight on his very birthday. Would it not be to your credit if we were brought forth on the day in a healthier condition?'
The officer became disturbed and grew red. So it was that he gave the order that they were to be more humanely treated; and he allowed her brothers and other persons to visit, so that the prisoners could dine in their company. By this time the adjutant who was head of the gaol was himself a Christian.

On the day before, when they had their last meal, which is called the free banquet, they celebrated not a banquet but rather a love feast. They spoke to the mob with the same steadfastness, warned them of God's judgement, stressing the joy they would have in their suffering, and ridiculing the curiosity of those that came to see them. Saturus said: 'Will not tomorrow be enough for you? Why are you so eager to see something that you dislike? Our friends today will be our enemies on the morrow. But take careful note of what we look like so that you will recognize us on the day.' Thus everyone would depart from the prison in amazement, and many of them began to believe.

The day of their victory dawned, and they marched from the prison to the amphitheatre joyfully as though they were going to heaven, with calm faces, trembling, if at all, with joy rather than fear. Perpetua went along with shining countenance and calm step, as the beloved of God, as a wife of Christ, putting down everyone's stare by her own intense gaze. With them also was Felicitas, glad that she had safely given birth so that now she could fight the beasts, going from one blood bath to another, from the midwife to the gladiator, ready to wash after childbirth in a second baptism.

They were then led up to the gates and the men were forced to put on the robes of priests of Saturn, the women the dress of the priestesses of Ceres. But the noble Perpetua strenuously resisted this to the end.

'We came to this of our own free will, that our freedom should not be violated. We agreed to pledge our lives provided that we would do no such thing. You agreed with us to do this.'

Even injustice recognized justice. The military tribune agreed. They were to be brought into the arena just as they were. Perpetua then began to sing a psalm: she was already treading on the head of the Egyptian. Revocatus, Saturninus, and Saturus began to warn the on looking mob. Then when they came within sight of Hilarianus, they suggested by their motions and gestures: 'You have condemned us, but God will condemn you' was what they were saying.

At this the crowds became enraged and demanded that they be scourged before a line of gladiators. And they rejoiced at this that they had obtained a share in the Lord's sufferings.

But he who said, Ask and you shall receive, answered their prayer by giving each one the death he had asked for. For whenever they would discuss among themselves their desire for martyrdom, Saturninus indeed insisted that he wanted to be exposed to all the different beasts, that his crown might be all the more glorious. And so at the outset of the contest he and Revocatus were matched with a leopard, and then while in the stocks they were attacked by a bear. As for Saturus, he dreaded nothing more than a bear, and he counted on being killed by one bite of a leopard. Then he was matched with a wild boar; but the gladiator who had tied him to the animal was gored by the boar and died a few days after the contest, whereas Saturus was only dragged along. Then when he was bound in the stocks awaiting the bear, the animal refused to come out of the cages, so that Saturus was called back once more unhurt.

For the young women, however, the Devil had prepared a mad heifer. This was an unusual animal, but it was chosen that their sex might be matched with that of the beast. So they were stripped naked, placed in nets and thus brought out into the arena. Even the crowd was horrified when they saw that one was a delicate young girl and the other was a woman fresh from childbirth with the milk still dripping from her breasts. And so they were brought back again and dressed in unbelted tunics.
First the heifer tossed Perpetua and she fell on her back. Then sitting up she pulled down the tunic that was ripped along the side so that it covered her thighs, thinking more of her modesty than of her pain. Next she asked for a pin to fasten her untidy hair: for it was not right that a martyr should die with her hair in disorder, lest she might seem to be mourning in her hour of triumph.

Then she got up. And seeing that Felicitas had been crushed to the ground, she went over to her, gave her hand, and lifted her up. Then the two stood side by side. But the cruelty of the mob was by now appeased, and so they were called back through the Gate of Life.

There Perpetua was held up by a man named Rusticus who was at the time a catechumen and kept close to her. She awoke from a kind of sleep (so absorbed had she been in ecstasy in the Spirit) and she began to look about her. Then to the amazement of all she said: 'When are we going to be thrown to that heifer or whatever it is?'
When told that this had already happened, she refused to believe it until she noticed the marks of her rough experience on her person and her dress. Then she called for her brother and spoke to him together with the catechumens and said: 'You must all stand fast in the faith and love one another, and do not be weakened by what we have gone through.'

At another gate Saturus was earnestly addressing the soldier Pudens. 'It is exactly', he said, 'as I foretold and predicted. So far not one animal has touched me. So now you may believe me with all your heart: I am going in there and I shall be finished off with one bite of the leopard.' And immediately as the contest was coming to a close a leopard was let loose, and after one bite Saturus was so drenched with blood that as he came away the mob roared in witness to his second baptism: 'Well washed! Well washed!' For well washed indeed was one who had been bathed in this manner.

Then he said to the soldier Pudens: 'Good-bye. Remember me, and remember the faith. These things should not disturb you but rather strengthen you.'
And with this he asked Pudens for a ring from his finger, and dipping it into his wound he gave it back to him again as a pledge and as a record of his bloodshed.
Shortly after he was thrown unconscious with the rest in the usual spot to have his throat cut. But the mob asked that their bodies be brought out into the open that their eyes might be the guilty witnesses of the sword that pierced their flesh. And so the martyrs got up and went to the spot of their own accord as the people wanted them to, and kissing one another they sealed their martyrdom with the ritual kiss of peace. The others took the sword in silence and without moving, especially Saturus, who being the first to climb the stairway was the first to die. For once again he was waiting for Perpetual Perpetua, however, had yet to taste more pain. She screamed as she was struck on the bone; then she took the trembling hand of the young gladiator and guided it to her throat. It was as though so great a woman, feared as she was by the unclean spirit, could not be dispatched unless she herself were willing.

Ah, most valiant and blessed martyrs! Truly are you called and chosen for the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord! And any man who exalts, honours, and worships his glory should read for the consolation of the Church these new deeds of heroism which are no less significant than the tales of old. For these new manifestations of virtue will bear witness to one and the same Spirit who still operates, and to God the Father almighty, to his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom is splendour and immeasurable power for all the ages. Amen.

From The Acts of the Christian Marytrs
texts and translation by Herbert Musurillo
(c) Oxford University Press, 1972


References:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/perpetua.html

The Road to Emmaus

The Road to Emmaus is a story that takes place in the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35. The really amazing thing is that it takes place right after the resurrection of Jesus. In the story, Jesus appears to two individuals that were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village that was about seven miles outside of Jerusalem. I do not plan on making many comments in this posting, but I do wonder what may have been going through the minds of these two persons while they interacted with Jesus unknowingly. If we set the scene, the two were walking and at the same time they were probably very sad because they knew that Jesus had died, and was still dead; however, as the story unfolds they are very much surprised. The following is the story found in verses 13-35 of Luke 24:

“13. That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14. and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17. And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
18. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19. And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20. and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23. and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25. And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29. but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.
30. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
33. And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34. saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35. Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread ( Holy Bible, ESV)."

Closing Thoughts: The two were going to Emmaus because they had lost all hope, Jesus was dead. They perhaps thought that escaping the present reality is what they needed, so they decide to go away; however, when their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus was alive they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. One of the purposes of going to Emmaus for the two was really, so that you and I could read this story. When the two regained hope they no longer had any interest or a need to go to Emmaus. I am sure Emmaus was a nice town, but I imagine that sharing the news with the people they new suddenly became a priority. Actually, the news that Jesus is risen is still the best news ever, and the reason this blog even exist. Well, I hope you enjoyed reading the Road to Emmaus.

References:

Holy Bible, ESV

Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 12:1-2

A few years ago when he was still with us, Keith Greene said in the chorus of a song: "We are His workmanship created for good works in Christ... He calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice."

What did Keith do? Well, He combined Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 12:1-2.

Ephesians 2:10 says:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Romans 12:1-2 says:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

References:

Holy Bible, ESV

The Prayer of St. Francis Assisi

Jesus taught us how to pray in Mathew 6:9-15. Most of us know the prayer, the one which begins with the words “Our Father.” I believe that it is the best prayer of all time. Moreover, I believe that it is hard to find a good follow up to it. One of the most humble prayers I have heard which always reminds me and makes me feel that I can always be a tad more humble is The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. If you have never studied St. Francis’s life, I highly recommend that you do, he was quite an inspiration. The following is his prayer:



Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.




References:

http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/stfrancis.htm.

The Crusades

I. Introductory Abstract:

The Crusades is the topic for this paper, and its intent will perhaps be to argue, show, or prove that the purpose of the Crusades was in reality a venture campaign to acquire Jerusalem or the Holy Land as property for that Roman Catholic Church of this period in history. The original purpose or intent of going to Jerusalem may have been to protect and evangelize; however, it may have become more of a real-estate acquisition outcome. Thomas Asbridge in his book, The Crusades The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land, explains it as follows:

“Nine Hundred years ago the Christians of Europe waged a series of holy wars, or crusades, against the Muslim world, battling for dominion of a region sacred to both faiths-the Holy Land. This bloody struggle raged for two centuries, reshaping the history of Islam and the West (Asbridge, p. 1).”

The Crusades timeline was from 1095to1291, almost 200 years. The more that events unraveled, the more clear it becomes that the original goal distorts and withers. Seemingly, the thought behind going into the Holy Land resembles the purpose radical Muslim terrorist have in the present day.


II. The First Crusade

The First Crusade began as follows:

“In November 1095, Pope Urban II preached a sermon at Clermont-Ferrand in France to launch the First Crusade. The aim was to aid the Christians of the East and return to Christian control the Holy Sepulcher, the church in Jerusalem said to contain the tomb of Christ. Absolution from sin and eternal glory were promised to the Crusaders, who also hoped to gain land and wealth in the East. Nobles and peasants responded in great number to the call and marched across Europe to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. With the support of the Byzantine emperor, the knights, guided by Armenian Christians, tenuously marched through Seljuq-controlled territories in modern Turkey and Syria to Jerusalem. In June 1099, the Crusaders began a five-week siege of Jerusalem, which fell in July 1099. The Crusaders then took over many of the cities on the Mediterranean coast and built a large number of fortified castles all over the Holy Land to protect their new territories (www.metmuseum.org).

In the previous order of events it appears that the Crusaders did exactly as they set out to do. Why, they did was perhaps ignorance of scriptures, but obedience to the pope that said “one must be ready to die for the earthly Jerusalem.” “...Holy war became a new way of gaining forgiveness of sins, an alternative to entering the monastic life (Fergusson, p.414, 415).”

III. Second and Third Crusade

Beginning in 1128, a Turkish ruler named Zengi began taking advantage of some friction between Christians and Muslims, who normally got along, so he recaptured areas of the Holy Land. The king of Jerusalem appealed to the pope in Rome for help in defeating Zengi, and the pope called for a Second Crusade (Cothran, p. 59).

In the second Crusade events occurred as follows:

“In 1147–49, the Second Crusade, championed by the abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, attempted to take Damascus in Syria. The campaign was a dismal failure because the Muslims had regrouped. Led by Salah al-Din (Saladin), Muslim forces advanced across Syria and finally retook Jerusalem in October 1187. By the end of the Third Crusade (1189–92), however, Crusader forces had gained Cyprus and the city of Acre. With each crusade, relations between the Byzantines and the Western forces became more estranged (www.metmuseum.org).”

In the previous order of events it appears that the Crusaders lost ground instead of being able to expand, and the vision between the Eastern and Western Church began to differ. When news of the loss of Jerusalem reached Western Europe people were shocked, and the pope called for a third Crusade…the result of the Third Crusade was limited victory for the Christians; Saladin allowed Richard I of England to claim a thin portion of the land along the Mediterranean Coast, but the rest of the land belonged to the Muslims (Cothran, p. 60).

Indeed, Saladin was victorious in the Second Crusade. Even more, Saladin suggested terms. The terms were as follows:

“He would allow all Christians to leave Jerusalem on payment of ten dinars for a man, five for a woman, and one for a child. Balian pointed out that many thousands of poor people would not be able to afford these sums, and Saladin granted a period of grace for money to be raised. In the end perhaps 15,000 were left behind and taken into slavery, but the remainder were escorted to the coast (Madden, p.76-77).”

In truth, Saladin’s behavior appears to be more compassionate then some of the Crusaders later on during the fourth Crusade which will be discussed later on, but some insight on the third Crusade is needed before.

The more notable issue in the Third Crusade is that the kings took the cross, or perhaps best understood as follows:

“The kings of England and France (Henry II and Phillip II Augustus) were at war, but in response to Joscious’s preaching in January1188 they agreed to make peace and go to the Holy Land…Henry II died in July 1189 with his crusade vow unfulfilled…Crusaders set out on the Third crusade from all over Europe ( Madden, p. 80-82).”
Initially, this is what transpired, it seems as if there was much motivation, but as mentioned before, the Third Crusade had limited victory for the Christians.

IV. The Fourth Crusade

In the Fourth Crusade, events take place as follows:

“The Fourth Crusade set out in 1202 with Egypt as its goal. After choosing sides in a dynastic dispute in Byzantium, however, the Crusaders turned their siege upon Byzantium's capital, Constantinople, to collect an enormous sum of money that had been promised for their earlier support. The city was sacked in 1204, its rich treasures divided between the Venetians, the French, and other Crusaders. The Latin Empire ofConstantinople was established with Baldwin of Flanders as emperor. In 1261, the Byzantines regained the city (www.metmuseum.org).”

Pope Innocent III was not satisfied with the limited success of the Third Crusade, and in 1198 is when he announced the Fourth Crusade. The Fourth Crusade was the most brutal and corrupt because the Crusaders really lost vision when they stopped in Constantinople for the winter, and terminated the expedition to the Holy Land. They sacked Constantinople, and conducted themselves in a very barbaric way by committing rape, pillage, and murder. The foregoing resulted in Europeans losing faith in the holiness of the Crusades (Cothran, p. 60).

One conclusion that can be drawn from the Fourth Crusade is as follows:

“The Fourth Crusade had done nothing whatever to harm the Moslems. But it had completed it had completed another agenda that had been part of the crusading movement from the beginning. Urban had wanted the Eastern Church to be subordinated to the Western: now it was…now it was conquered (Siebold, p.95).”

V. Conclusions and Results

Finally, the enthusiasm to go defend the Holy Land began to die down, as we see in the following excerpt:

“Successive crusades were launched to the Holy Land. The Seventh and Eighth Crusades, in 1248 and 1270, were sponsored by Louis IX, who died in Tunisia. In 1291, the Crusader city of Acre fell, and the era of Latin Crusader kingdoms ended. Calls for new crusades over the next centuries were increasingly ignored (www.metmuseum.org).”


The results of the Crusades were alienation of the East from the West. Moreover, because of the independent actions by the Crusaders, alienation between Muslims and Christians, Jews and Christians which perhaps created anti-Semitism that has lasted until today…. The Crusaders built a large number of fortified castles all over the Holy Land to protect their new territories….
Many historians believe that the Crusades increased religious intolerance…perhaps even setting in motion the turmoil found in the Middle East today (Cothran, p. 61).
The Crusaders built Churches like St. Anne in Jerusalem perhaps forgetting or never really knowing portions of the scriptures such as when the Apostle Paul said in Acts 17:24-27:

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place...he is actually not far from each one of us (Holy Bible, ESV).”

Furthermore, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (Holy Bible, ESV).”

As mentioned previously, “absolution from sin and eternal glory were promised to the Crusaders, who also hoped to gain land and wealth in the East.” In conclusion, the purpose of the Crusades was in reality a venture campaign to acquire Jerusalem or the Holy Land as property for the Roman Catholic Church of this period in history. The original purpose or intent of going to Jerusalem may have been to protect and evangelize; however, it may have become more of a real-estate acquisition outcome. In fact, the result of the fourth crusade was that “the Crusaders turned their siege upon Byzantium's capital, Constantinople, to collect an enormous sum of money that had been promised for their earlier support.” The original vision and mission which’s aim was to aid the Christians of the East and return to Christian control the Holy Sepulcher was lost because the West decided to settle and dwell. Jesus said: “love your neighbor, as yourself.” Jesus did not say only if they are followers of me It does not appear that loving ones neighbor was being practiced by the Crusaders when a declaration of war was made by the pope himself.

Another observation which can be made is that of seeking personal wealth. Why would a Christian be seeking earthly treasures? Mathew 6:19-21 says:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Holy Bible, ESV).

Questions come to mind which have answers. Indeed, seeking personal wealth instead of loving ones neighbor goes against the principals taught by Jesus himself while He was on earth. Moreover, in John 14:15, Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Based on this foregoing instruction by Jesus Christ, it does not appear that His commandments were being kept by the Crusaders or the pope who called for the Crusades. Furthermore, Jesus also said in John 15:10: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.” It is quite obvious that Jesus himself would not condone the actions taken by the Crusaders; consequently, how could have they expected to be successful in their endeavor.

The Crusades ended more than seven hundred years ago, and in retrospect can it be said that these wrongs have been acknowledged by those institutions involved which still exist today? The answer to this question will subsequently be addressed.

On Sunday, 12th of March, 2000, in the HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER, Pope John Paul II declared a "DAY OF PARDON." Many have questioned if Pope John Paul II apologizes for the Crusades and many other sins; however, that depends on one interpretation of his holiness’s words. The following is an excerpt from the speech he gave:

"Let us forgive and ask forgiveness! While we praise God who, in his merciful love, has produced in the Church a wonderful harvest of holiness, missionary zeal, total dedication to Christ and neighbour, we cannot fail to recognize the infidelities to the Gospel committed by some of our brethren, especially during the second millennium. Let us ask pardon for the divisions which have occurred among Christians, for the violence some have used in the service of the truth and for the distrustful and hostile attitudes sometimes taken towards the followers of other religions (www. vatican.va)."

Pope John Paul II apologized for historical wrongs committed by Christians in the service of the Church. Many people have believed that the Pope did apologize for the Crusades, some however believe that technically he did not because no specific mention of the Crusades was made. Whether one takes sides on this issue or not, at least some form of apology was made that perhaps was long overdue. In spite, of apologies these wrong cannot be corrected, and only bring to mind that it was an age of much darkness and evil.

Jesus said: “"let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Holy Bible, ESV)." Unfortunately, the Crusades are known more for darkness than for light. If shining our light before men is equivalent to good works then good works were minimal and the ambience was very dark during this period of church history. Jesus said, as mentioned before in John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
It does not seem that His commandment of doing good works was being exercised by the Crusaders, especially, in the fourth crusade. Moreover, as mentioned before, Jesus said: “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” It is sad that the Crusaders became the thieves that broke in to steal.”

Finally, perhaps the Crusades were as suggested previously, an attempt to acquire real-estate, and to force into subjugation those that were not under the submission to the Western Pope. Unfortunately, these attempts ultimate were unsuccessful. Edmund Burke use to say: “our patience will achieve more than our force.” Perhaps Edmund Burke’s wisdom may have been useful to those in power during the dark period of the Crusades; however, they had the wisdom of Jesus in the very Holy Scriptures, and they neglected to apply it. The only option left for us that carry the baton of this Christian faith is to know that as the Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 10:3-6:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh… For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (Holy Bible, ESV).”



References:

Asbridge, Thomas. The Crusades the Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land. NY, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2010.

Cothran, Helen. The 1100s Headlines in History. San Diego, Ca: Green Haven Press, 2001.

Http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/crus/hd_crus.htm.

Http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/documents/.


Fergusson, Everett. Church History volume one from Christ to Pre-reformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.

Holy Bible, ESV

Madden, Thomas F. Crusades The Illustrated History. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 2004.

Siebold, Thomas. The 1200s Headlines in History. San Diego, Ca: Green Haven Press, 2001.

Noah’s Ark

The story of Noah is found in the Bible in the book of Genesis, it actually starts in Genesis 6:8 when the Bible reads:

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

I suppose most people have heard the story of Noah and the Ark, and the Flood.

How big was the ark?

Answer

According to Dr. Max D. Younce, who says by his calculations from Genesis 6:15 that the ark was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet deep. He says this is equivalent to "522 standard stock cars or 8 freight trains of 65 cars each." By some divine calculation he figures that all the insect species and the worms could fit in 21 box cars (http://wiki.answers.com).


Answer

No divine calculations needed. The measurements are based on the cubit and there is some discussion over which cubit Noah used. The shortest ancient cubit was 445 millimetres which gives an ark of 433 feet. The longer Royal Cubit (the longest known ancient cubit) at 524 mm would give an ark of 488 feet (http://wiki.answers.com).

So, the Ark was big, 522 box cars big!


Where did the Ark land?

Genesis 8:4 says:

“And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.”

So, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat!


Below are some photos from Ararat:
















Satellite image of 'Ararat Anomaly,' taken by DigitalGlobe's QuickBird Satellite in 2003 and now made public for the first time (courtesy: DigitalGlobe)



The location of the anomaly on the northwest corner of Mt. Ararat in eastern Turkey has been under investigation from afar by ark hunters for years, but it has remained unexplored, with the government of Turkey not granting any scientific expedition permission to explore on site.
















An image from the June 19, 1949 U.S. Air Force Mission that captured a panoramic
view of what is simply called "the Ararat Anomaly".




















Ikonos captured this image of the alleged site of Noah's Ark on August 6, 2000.
The annotation show's how this find differs from the anomaly captured in 1949.




I just wanted to talk about this subject a little bit, and I hope I got you thinking about it. What do you think about the whole thing?







References:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_in_feet_was_Noah's_ark.

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/noahs_ark_010823-1.html

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=35186.

Dr. Craig A. Evans

Dr. Craig A. Evans is a great theologian and author.


"New Testament scholar, Craig Evans, is the Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College of Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. A graduate of Claremont McKenna College, he received his M.Div. from Western Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Claremont Graduate University in southern California. He has also been awarded the D.Habil. by the Karoli Gaspard Reformed University in Budapest. A well-known evangelical scholar throughout the world, he is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies."

References:

http://www.craigaevans.com/

Slander

According to the legal dictionary, slander is collectively known as defamation, libel and slander are civil wrongs that harm a reputation; decrease respect, regard, or confidence; or induce disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against an individual or entity. The injury to one's good name or reputation is affected through written or spoken words or visual images.

Psalm 15:3 talks about slandering; nevertheless, I have decided to provide the entire Psalm for good reading and contextual coherency, and it reads as follows:

Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall sojourn in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell upon Thy holy mountain?
Psalm 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh truth in his heart;
Psalm 15:3 That hath no slander upon his tongue, nor doeth evil to his fellow, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour;
Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honoureth them that fear the LORD; he that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;
Psalm 15:5 He that putteth not out his money on interest, nor taketh a bribe against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

References:

JPS Tanakh

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/

Psalm 22 and Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Psalm 22 is another amazing Psalm from the Hebrew canon. What do you think about when you read it? It reads as follows:


“Psalm 22:1 (22:1) For the Leader; upon Aijeleth ha-Shahar. A Psalm of David. (22:2) My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me, and art far from my help at the words of my cry?
Psalm 22:2 (22:3) O my God, I call by day, but Thou answerest not; and at night, and there is no surcease for me.
Psalm 22:3 (22:4) Yet Thou art holy, O Thou that art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:4 (22:5) In Thee did our fathers trust; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.
Psalm 22:5 (22:6) Unto Thee they cried, and escaped; in Thee did they trust, and were not ashamed.
Psalm 22:6 (22:7) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Psalm 22:7 (22:8) All they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head:
Psalm 22:8 (22:9) 'Let him commit himself unto the LORD! let Him rescue him; let Him deliver him, seeing He delighteth in him.'
Psalm 22:9 (22:10) For Thou art He that took me out of the womb; Thou madest me trust when I was upon my mother's breasts.
Psalm 22:10 (22:11) Upon Thee I have been cast from my birth; Thou art my God from my mother's womb.
Psalm 22:11 (22:12) Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Psalm 22:12 (22:13) Many bulls have encompassed me; strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Psalm 22:13 (22:14) They open wide their mouth against me, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
Psalm 22:14 (22:15) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is become like wax; it is melted in mine inmost parts.
Psalm 22:15 (22:16) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my throat; and Thou layest me in the dust of death.
Psalm 22:16 (22:17) For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.
Psalm 22:17 (22:18) I may count all my bones; they look and gloat over me.
Psalm 22:18 (22:19) They part my garments among them, and for my vesture do they cast lots.
Psalm 22:19 (22:20) But Thou, O LORD, be not far off; O Thou my strength, hasten to help me.
Psalm 22:20 (22:21) Deliver my soul from the sword; mine only one from the power of the dog.
Psalm 22:21 (22:22) Save me from the lion's mouth; yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen do Thou answer me.
Psalm 22:22 (22:23) I will declare Thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.
Psalm 22:23 (22:24) 'Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and stand in awe of Him, all ye the seed of Israel.
Psalm 22:24 (22:25) For He hath not despised nor abhorred the lowliness of the poor; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.'
Psalm 22:25 (22:26) From Thee cometh my praise in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.
Psalm 22:26 (22:27) Let the humble eat and be satisfied; let them praise the LORD that seek after Him; may your heart be quickened for ever!
Psalm 22:27 (22:28) All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the LORD; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.
Psalm 22:28 (22:29) For the kingdom is the LORD'S; and He is the ruler over the nations.
Psalm 22:29 (22:30) All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship; all they that go down to the dust shall kneel before Him, even he that cannot keep his soul alive.
Psalm 22:30 (22:31) A seed shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation.
Psalm 22:31 (22:32) They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done it.”



Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is also found in the Hebrew canon. What do you think about when you read it? It reads as follows:


Isaiah 52:13 Behold, My servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.
Isaiah 52:14 According as many were appalled at thee - so marred was his visage unlike that of a man, and his form unlike that of the sons of men -
Isaiah 52:15 So shall he startle many nations, kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they perceive.

Isaiah 53:1 'Who would have believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isaiah 53:2 For he shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him, nor beauty that we should delight in him.
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease, and as one from whom men hide their face: he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded because of our transgressions, he was crushed because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep did go astray, we turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath made to light on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and with his generation who did reason? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.
Isaiah 53:9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich his tomb; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.'
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him by disease; to see if his soul would offer itself in restitution, that he might see his seed, prolong his days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper by his hand:
Isaiah 53:11 Of the travail of his soul he shall see to the full, even My servant, who by his knowledge did justify the Righteous One to the many, and their iniquities he did bear.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because he bared his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Reference:

JPS Tanakh

Psalm 118:1-29

The following Psalm is amazing. My favorite verse is twenty two which says: “The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief corner-stone.”


Psalm 118:1 ‘O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.'
Psalm 118:2 So let Israel now say, for His mercy endureth for ever,
Psalm 118:3 So let the house of Aaron now say, for His mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:4 So let them now that fear the LORD say, for His mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:5 Out of my straits I called upon the LORD; He answered me with great enlargement.
Psalm 118:6 The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do unto me?
Psalm 118:7 The LORD is for me as my helper; and I shall gaze upon them that hate me.
Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Psalm 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
Psalm 118:10 All nations compass me about; verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
Psalm 118:11 They compass me about, yea, they compass me about; verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
Psalm 118:12 They compass me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns; verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
Psalm 118:13 Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; but the LORD helped me.
Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song; and He is become my salvation.
Psalm 118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psalm 118:16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psalm 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Psalm 118:18 The LORD hath chastened me sore; but He hath not given me over unto death.
Psalm 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the LORD.
Psalm 118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter into it.
Psalm 118:21 I will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast answered me, and art become my salvation.
Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief corner-stone.
Psalm 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:25 We beseech Thee, O LORD, save now! We beseech Thee, O LORD, make us now to prosper!
Psalm 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD; we bless you out of the house of the LORD.
Psalm 118:27 The LORD is God, and hath given us light; order the festival procession with boughs, even unto the horns of the altar.
Psalm 118:28 Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.
Psalm 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.

Reference:
JPS Tanakh

Apostolic Fathers Writings

If anyone is interested in reading the writings of the early church fathers such as Mathetes, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Ireneus, and Clement then I have a website to suggest. Ok, are you ready? The following website contains the relevant materials which I just mentioned:

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.ii.ii.i.html.

Answers in Genesis

Answers in Genesis is an organization founded by Ken Ham. It is a great source for answers on Creationism vs. Darwinism. Below is the link to its website:


http://www.answersingenesis.org/

A Little Extra Insight on Creation

Proverbs 8:22-36 reads as follows:

“The LORD made me as the beginning of His way, the first of His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth; while as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep, When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might, When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth; Then I was by Him, as a nursling; and I was daily all delight, playing always before Him, Playing in His habitable earth, and my delights are with the sons of men. Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death... (JPS Tanakh).'

The big question in these previous verses is who is "I?” Is “I” referring to a person? It is certainly not the writer of the Proverbs who was there. The verses once again say:

“…When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep, When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might, When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth; Then I was by Him, as a nursling…”

Who was it that was there?

The first creation account says in Genesis 1:26 that: "And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... (JPS Tanakh)."

The verse says “our image” and “our likeness,” it does not say “my image” and “my likeness.” Why is the verse using a plural statement? Plural normally refers to more than one.

I believe that New Testament writers give us insight on these questions. I will present two New Testament writings that give us more insight on this question.

John 1: 1-17 reads as follows:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")
And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Holy Bible, ESV).”

The foregoing verses from the book of John say that Jesus was there at creation of all things in the beginning.

In letter to the Colossians, Paul gives even more relevant insight to what perhaps is being said in the initial writings I presented from the book of Proverbs.

Colossians 1: 15-23 reads as follows:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister (Holy Bible, ESV).”

I believe that the “I” which is being mentioned in the initial verse from book of Proverbs which I presented to you was none other than Jesus Christ. Paul says that “all things were created through him and for him.” I do not know if this is convincing enough to you, but it definitely is to me. I definitely want to know more about Jesus Christ, do you?

Proverbs 30:4 reads as follows:

“Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest (JPS Tanakh)?”

Who has established all the ends of the Earth and is His son’s name Jesus Christ?

The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Shroud of Turin

In the Cathedral of Oviedo, Spain, there is a piece of cloth that measures about 84 x 53 cm. This cloth has no image on it; however, it does contain stains that are visible to the naked eye, and more is visible under the microscope. The sudarium can be historically traced as being in Palestine until briefly before the year 614. Experts claim that:

“the very fact that the cloth was kept at all is a sign of its authenticity, as it has no artistic or monetary value at all. All the studies carried out so far point in one direction, with nothing to suggest the contrary the sudarium was used to cover the head of the dead body of Jesus of Nazareth from when he was taken down from the cross until he was buried (www.shroud.com/guscin.htm).”

The research gets more interesting when the sudarium is coincided with the Shroud of Turin. Below are the details of how that has been done using photography, and this is how the reports read:

“The sudarium alone has revealed sufficient information to suggest that it was in contact with the face of Jesus after the crucifixion. However, the really fascinating evidence comes to light when this cloth is compared to the Shroud of Turin.
The first and most obvious coincidence is that the blood on both cloths belongs to the same group, namely AB.
The length of the nose through which the pleural oedema fluid came onto the sudarium has been calculated at eight centimetres, just over three inches. This is exactly the same length as the nose on the image of the Shroud.
If the face of the image on the Shroud is placed over the stains on the sudarium, perhaps the most obvious coincidence is the exact fit of the stains with the beard on the face. As the sudarium was used to clean the man's face, it appears that it was simply placed on the face to absorb all the blood, but not used in any kind of wiping movement.
A small stain is also visible proceeding from the right hand side of the man's mouth. This stain is hardly visible on the Shroud, but Dr. John Jackson, using the VP-8 and photo enhancements has confirmed its presence.
The thorn wounds on the nape of the neck also coincide perfectly with the bloodstains on the Shroud.
Dr. Alan Whanger applied the Polarized Image Overlay Technique to the sudarium, comparing it to the image and bloodstains on the Shroud. The frontal stains on the sudarium show seventy points of coincidence with the Shroud, and the rear side shows fifty. The only possible conclusion is that the Oviedo sudarium covered the same face as the Turin Shroud (http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm).”

My conclusion is that there seems to be some sort of evidence here that can give further credibility to the reality and the purpose of the Shroud of Turin. I cannot prove anything, but certainly this evidence points in the positive direction. What do you think about all this information concerning The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Shroud of Turin?



References:
http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm

Some Have Received Their Reward in Full

They have received their reward is a catchy phrase used by Jesus while speaking about giving to the needy and about praying. The thing is that my NASB translation says: "they have received their reward in full." Jesus places a great deal of emphasis on the fact that we must beware of doing things to be seen by others because we will not; I repeat will not have a reward from our father who is in heaven. Mathew 6:1-6 says:

"6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
6:2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Holy Bible, ESV)."

My personal thought on the foregoing is that it sounds like something we should be very concerned with. If Jesus said it then it is very important. Moreover, I am sure we can wait and receive our reward from our father in heaven in due time.

Jesus makes His closing argument a bit further down in Mathew 6:19-21, when He says:

"6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Holy Bible, ESV)."

References:

Holy Bible, ESV

A Brief Look at Messianic Origins and Titles

Historically, a Messianic Hope is a unified view of perhaps what could be called the Messiah or the Messianic expectation. “The messianic hope of each specific group with intertestamental Judaism probably had its own distinctive features (Scott, p.310).” For instance, the Sadducees perhaps completely rejected the Messianic idea entirely while the Qumran expected more than one Messiah.

Titles and names for the messianic hope were various during the first century. Most of the titles came from the Old Testament, but adapted by intertestamental writers. Messiah means the Anointed which is perhaps more clear in Isaiah 45:1. The Levitic Messiah perhaps originates in Numbers 25:10-13. Son of Man is found in Daniel 7:13-14, 2 Esdras, and others. 1 Enoch 46 contains references to the Son of Man which read as follows: “The Son of Man… is the One who would remove the kings.” The Servant of the Lord is another title that is found in the book of Isaiah. One of the more known appearances of this title is found in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. The foregoing verses are perhaps one of the best prophesies of the crucifixion of Christ. Another title is The Prophet like Moses which originates in Deuteronomy 18: 9-22. Another title is Elijah, and based on Malachi 4:5-6 some expected an Elijah-like figure. Even more titles also existed with relevance to a Messiah… (Scott, p. 307-356).
All of the previously mentioned titles and are closely associated with titles used in early Christianity because Christianity is a branch of Judaism that believes that Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah that was being expected to appear. Furthermore, Christianity is a form of Judaism that has been westernized in many places

Which title is most significant to me is perhaps The Servant of the Lord, and it is because of the great miracles that Jesus performed. When you read in Isaiah 29: 18-19, it reads: “the deaf shall hear…the eyes of the blind shall see….” When the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus if He was the one or should they wait for another, Jesus replies by quoting this portion of Isaiah 29 which is what He was doing ( performing miracles). Moreover, Jesus raised the dead including himself which no other has been able to do. Jesus Christ’s significance in history is that He was that Messianic Hope that was being awaited.

The titles that I think would have the best chance of communicating the role which Jesus plays in history are The Son of Man and The Servant of the Lord, although all titles really apply to Jesus. I previously mentioned the significance of The Servant of the Lord. But, the Son of Man had a past, present and future significance. Daniel 7:13-14 reads:
"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed (Holy Bible, ESV).”

In conclusion, The Son of Man is given an everlasting kingdom, and Jesus is returning as Acts 1:10-11 says:

"And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven (Holy Bible, ESV).”

References:

Holy Bible (ESV)

Scott Jr. J. Julius, Thomas D. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1995.

The solution to suffering

The solution to suffering is found in Revelations 21:4 which reads:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Neither religion, nor Darwinism offer a solution to suffering, but God does offer a solution!

References:

Holy Bible(ESV)

http://www.eternal-productions.org/articles.html

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is one of my favorite Christmas Carols, and below are some facts about the song:


"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown.. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols(/www.carols.org.uk/)."

The lyrics to the Carol read as follows:

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy



References:

http://www.carols.org.uk/god_rest_ye_merry_gentlemen.htm

Something about Nathanael

The book of John in the New Testament tells us a short story of how Nathanael meets Jesus. The following is that story:

"John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
John 1:48 Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
John 1:49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
John 1:50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."
John 1:51 And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man ( Holy Bible, ESV)."

In the foregoing verses, Jesus said that Nathanael was "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" When Natahanael asked Jesus how He knew him, Jesus said: "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." It appears that Nathanael knew that only God or the Fig tree knew where he was at the time he was under the tree, or something even more deep and spiritual took place that convinced Nathanael to believe in Jesus as the son of God. I am puzzled myself, but Nathanael was definitely convinced right away that Jesus was the Son of God.

References:

Holy Bible, ESV

Always Be Ready

Charlie H. Campbell is an apologetist I highly recommend, and below is the link to his website:

http://www.alwaysbeready.com/.

Doors, Gates, Puertas, and Portals

Doors, Gates, Puertas, and Portals

Psalms 24:7 reads:

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; that the King of glory may come in."


Everytime I read the foregoing verse, I think that those gates are strange because they have heads, unless they are people?

In John 10:7-9, the NT reads:

"So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."

In the foregoing verses, Jesus said that He was the door, and Jesus was a person. Is anyone seeing what I am seeing here?

Mathew 23:13 says:

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

Very interesting, in the previous verse I get the feeling that these scribes and Pharisees were not being open doors to the Kingdom of heaven. My interpretation is that God created us to be like Him, and if Jesus was a door than we are to be doors. The entire chapter 23 in Mathew speaks of the scribes and Pharisees, and it starts by saying: "so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do."

Finally, lets not do like the scribes and Pharisees who shut the Kingdom, but lets be a door just like Jesus. Lets be those ancient gates that allow others to enter the Kingdom of God! As the Psalms says: "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in."

References:

Holy Bible (ESV)

JPS Tanakh

Three Trees

Three Trees

The inspiration for this piece of writing probably came to me while visiting a church in New York City on Easter Sunday of 2010. The message the minister gave on that Sunday made references to two of the trees I will mention.

The First Tree
In Genesis 2:9, the Holy Scriptures read as follows:

“And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ( JPS Tanakh ).”

In Genesis 2:16-17, the Holy Scriptures read as follows:

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying: 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; 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’ (JPS Tanakh ).”

Whether you know the story or not, man ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, although man could eat from every other tree in the garden except that one, and the result was death. Time passed on....

The Second Tree

The second tree in this writing is the cross, Jesus Christ was crucified on wood from a tree. The following account is taken from the book of John 19: 16-37:

“16 ...So they took Jesus,
17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.
21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"
22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom,
24 so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did these things,
25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst."
29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
35 He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe.
36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken."
37 And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced (Holy Bible, ESV)."

The foregoing account shows us the crucifixion of Christ, He died and was buried; however, the important part of this account is found just a few verses ahead.

John 20:1 reads:

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

Well to make a long story short, after three days being dead Jesus comes back to life and we find Him having a conversation with Mary.

In John 20:15-17 it reads:

“Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

A few days after the previous event, we find Jesus still on Earth speaking to His disciples.

In Acts 1:6-11, the scriptures read as follows:

“So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

The important part in the previous passage I underlined, and it is what the two men in white robes said, and it is that “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

The foregoing event seems to offer eternal hope because it means that everything Jesus said that is spoken of in the Gospels must be true since He is the only one that has done any thing as miraculous as this which was the resurrection after His death on a tree (the cross).

The Third Tree

The book of Revelation 22: 2-3 reads as follows:

“through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed.”

The previous two verses reveal the third tree which I decided to write about which is the Tree of Life. The leaves of this tree were for “the healing of the nations.” Moreover, the second verse says: “No longer will there be anything accursed.”

I do not know if any of this makes sense to you, but back in Genesis 2:9 this tree was there in the garden and I am sure that this tree had the same function which we see in Revelation 22. What does it all mean? It means hopefully that in the end, what was lost in the garden will be restored. The reason we needed the second tree (the cross) is perhaps found in the following verses, but only if our spiritual eyes are open will we perhaps understand God's entire plan from the very beginning it seems.

John 1:1-5 reads:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 3:11-21 reads:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.
If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."


References:

Holy Bible, ESV

JPS Tanakh

Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1-6 reads as follows:

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever (JPS Tanakh)."

This Psalm is amazing, I can read it over and over, and feel the same about it always. I am sure that it has been read by countless many for centuries, and it remains unchanging. David wrote it a long time before the exile, and yet it sounds post-exilic because it is the unchanging word of God.

References:

JPS Tanakh

Jesus and his questions

In Luke 18:8, Jesus asked a question with relevance to his return, he said:

"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Jesus does not answer the question for us....

In Luke 6:46, Jesus asked another question, he said:

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"

Jesus answered the foregoing question in Mathew 7:21, Jesus said:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

The question for us is what is the will of the Father?

In John 6:40, Jesus tells us what is the will of the Father, Jesus said:

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

The unanswered question still remains unanswered, and it is up to all of us to provide the answer. This question, onceagain, is found in Luke 18: 18, and it reads as follows:

"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Now let’s talk about my faith

Now let’s talk about my faith; actually, lets not talk too much. Why don't I let the scriptures do the talking? Second Peter 1:16-21 reads as follows:

"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit( Holy Bible, ESV)."

What did Peter (Cephas) say? He said:

" we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain."

This was a man (Peter) that was willing to die for his faith, and he did because he was an eyewitness to it, and all the great things Jesus did while he was on Earth. I am sure that when Jesus returns he will do much greater things that we cannot even imagine. What is it that we need to do in order have this great faith that Peter testified about? We simply have to believe. Jesus said in John 6:37-40:

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day ( Holy Bible, ESV)."

What did Jesus say we have to do? He said:

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

Well, I suppose that is enough talking for now. I just think that it is very simple, and all we have to do is believe in the Son, Jesus Christ.

References:

Holy Bible, ESV