Preface
(1) The story of This Man is the story of the first man's opposition to Him in His life and death. It is also the story of how He overcame, making His enemies children in the family of God.
.. How This Man overcame His enemies "How can This Man give us His flesh to eat?" the Jews enquired. How indeed. They had tuned out His words "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" John 6:5151I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51). In trying to disprove that Jesus came down from heaven they began a course whose end was Jesus' death thus proving that He would give His flesh for the life of the world.
So "they sought therefore to take Him...but many of the crowd believed on Him and said "will the Christ, when He comes, do more signs than those which This Man has done?" John 7:3131And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? (John 7:31). The Chief Priests and Pharisees are disturbed at such thoughts. They send officers to arrest Jesus. They return without Him saying "never man spoke like This Man" John 7:4646The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. (John 7:46). Then He makes it clear that He is the Lord who alone can open the eyes of the blind Psa. 146:88The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous: (Psalm 146:8). They react angrily saying "This Man is not of God" John 9:1616Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. (John 9:16) and then "we know that This Man is a sinner" John 9:2424Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. (John 9:24). His followers knew better "all things which John spoke of This Man were true" John 10:4141And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. (John 10:41). Reluctantly the Chief Priests and Pharisees admit "This Man does many signs." John 11:4747Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. (John 11:47). This aroused their envy, which Pilate detected. He enquired of what This Man was accused John 18:2929Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? (John 18:29). Barabbas was accused of murder This Man of nothing yet the Jews cried "not This Man but Barabbas" John 18:4040Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:40). To make sure that Pilate got the message they cried "if you let This Man go, you are not Caesar's friend" John 19:1212And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. (John 19:12). Thus Jew and Gentile made common cause against This Man. They became His enemies, hating Him without a cause.
Yet in the secrets of their hearts even His enemies know who This Man is..."ye both know Me and ye know whence I am" John 7:2828Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. (John 7:28). Before His death the Jews spoke of Him as "This Man who opened the eyes of the blind" John 11:3737And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? (John 11:37) an admission that He was the Lord. After His death the Roman soldier's exclamation made it clear who This Man was who opened the eyes of the blind -"This Man was the Son of God" Mark 15:3939And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. (Mark 15:39).
.. This Man and His people The words "Jesus died" tell us of His triumph His enemies have become His people "through This Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins" Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38). This Man has become our Savior.
“We live of Thee, we've heard Thy quickening voice
Speaking of love, beyond all human thought,
Thy Father's love, in which we now rejoice
As those in spirit to Thy Father brought.”
This Man is the Lord God, the Great Light of Gen. 1, the Light of the world as long as He was in the world. It was in this world He opened the eyes of the blind to see the light. He is the Great Light of the Holy City Jerusalem too, dispelling all the darkness, for "night shall not be anymore, and no need of a lamp, and light of the sun for the Lord God shall shine upon them" Rev. 22:55And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5). Our God is not only light but love and it was He who first loved us. We have tasted that love and found it sweet. It is the love of This Man "Jesus Christ the Same, yesterday, and today, and forever" Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8).
Part 1
Chapter 1.1
(1) The atomic scientist Szilard once said "there is nothing alarming in thinking that after your death you'll be in the same state as you were before birth." Day of the Bomb P448 McGraw Hill. So there is nothing new under the sun as Solomon said.
(2) Max Ehrlich pointed out that "many famous figures throughout history believed in reincarnation from philosophers like Homer and Plato to military men like Lord Nelson, who believed he had been a common Egyptian sailor, and General George Patton, who was convinced he had lived as one of Alexander the Great's warriors." National Star June 21, 1975. So again there is nothing new under the sun.
(3) In Dan. 9:1818O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. (Daniel 9:18) "Thy Name" is 360 in 2 Chron. 6:4141Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. (2 Chronicles 6:41) "the Ark of your strength" is also 360. In this light the multiples of 360 are significant. Pilate pronounced Christ (1080 guiltless) i.e. 3 x 360. However by man He was (720 rejected) i.e. 2 x 360. But (720 rejected) + (354 God) = 3(358 Messiah). God measures Messiah's rejection in terms of Daniel's 70 weeks, where 2520 is the unit of a week because it can be written 3.5(720 rejected) where 3.5 represents the great tribulation period when Messiah's claim to the throne is upheld.
Furthermore there is the matter of 7. The ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter is expressed by π the first letter of the Greek word perimetron perimeter. 7 is both an irrational and a transcendental number, which has intrigued mathematicians for centuries. Although it has long been known that 355/113 gives a good approximation of π the author has restated this in a formula which expresses it in terms of God's Christ and His throne. To understand it the following definitions are given (3+3+6+8) the digital representation of 3368 Lord Jesus Christ in Greek 3.75 the area of God's throne the Mercy Seat in cubits 8 its perimeter and 6 its diagonal measurement and (2² + 3² + 6² + 8²) the digital representation of (2368 Jesus Christ) in Greek to the second power. The formula itself is
π= (3 + 3 + 6 + 8)x(3.75 + 8 + 6)
(2²+3²+6²+8²)
It is interesting to note also that (284 God in Greek) =4²(3.75+8+6). This tells us that God's throne, around which there is a rainbow see Rev. 4:33And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3) is the expression of Himself. That is why
(320 a rainbow)x(284 God)
(4²x π) (1808 Jesus the Lord)
(4) Galgal connects God to a materialized form of a circle just as El does symbolically, for El is 31 or π³). Galgal is El Shaddai, meaning the Almighty God. This Name of God makes it clear that He symbolizes Himself in one of the materialized forms of the circle the wheel. A footnote in the J.N. Darby translation of the Bible under Gen 17 tells us that "Shaddai is the plural of Shad power, Isa. 13:66Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. (Isaiah 13:6). Joel 1:1515Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (Joel 1:15) may give its force. 'Almighty' will always represent Shaddai; 'The Almighty God' is El Shaddai.")
Rev. 10:77But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7) tells us when this will be "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished." The mystery of God is why God, who is both good and all powerful, permits evil to rule unchecked as far as man can see.
The mainspring of God's will is making Himself known i.e. revealing His nature, which is light 1 John 1:55This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) and love 1 John 4:88He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8). That is why the introduction to John's gospel begins with the Word in a past eternity the source of God's counsels and ends with the work of the Word made flesh "no man has seen God at any time the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." God however is sovereign in the limits of what He will reveal. The Lord Himself says "no man knows the Son but the Father neither knows any man the Father except the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him" Matt. 11:2727All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Matthew 11:27). God has then withheld from us what is not ours to know. But while this is so He has richly revealed to us the greatest of all knowledge the counsels of God before the world began.
Time in Scripture usage is another thing. It seems to be that segment in the totality of eternity which God has set aside to deal with the question of sin. If that is what is meant it would be the period from the fall of Satan to the great white throne.
Chapter 1.2
(1) Kung Does God Exist? P 225 Vintage
(2) This well known interpretation is confirmed in the number counts of the Hebrew words in the Old Testament agreeing with the number counts of the Greek in the New Testament. In Genesis the sum of (2741 and they sewed together the leaves of a fig tree and they made for themselves aprons Gen. 3:77And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7))-(2741 Then said the Lord God the man has become like one of us, to eat and live forever Gen. 3:2222And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (Genesis 3:22)). The same number shows up in the Greek of Matthew's gospel, where the blood of Christ is revealed as God's answer to man's sin in the Garden of Eden (2741 This is My blood Matt. 26:2828For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28))
(3) Corruption and violence are the two principles of sin. Cain's city begins with corruption Lemech takes two wives and ends with violence the murder of two men. Sin then is the principle governing the world, but this is concealed from the worldling by the hectic pace of life, and by amusements, which lull him to sleep. We note the activity of life in Jabal a businessman, Lemech a military man, Tuba! Cain a technologist. Jubal a musician, is a prototype of the entertainment industry. This is the highest paid of all, because it diverts men’s thoughts from their accountability to God. The combination of these elements pleases the man of the world so greatly that this life and the world of his making, becomes the horizon of all his thoughts.
(4) In Scripture the Father is opposed to the world, the Son to the devil, the Holy Spirit to the flesh.
(5) So Peter writes "who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree" 1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24). "The tree" and "the cross" are different ways of looking at the Lord's death. As "the tree" it is the entrance of sin in the tree of the Garden of Eden, and the putting away of it in the tree of Calvary. As "the cross" it is shame and suffering. and so the basis of God's judgment of the world.
(6) The Jew and the Roman go together. The Jew delivered Christ to the Romans who crucified Him. The Greek however was not directly represented at the cross. The Greek stands for the scorner the disdainful, quizzical, philosophic thinker the sophisticated elite. His role is future the intellectual opposition to the gospel as it was preached in the world.
(7) Source data A History of Christian Thought —McGiffert. Sources of early Christian Thought; the Christological Controversy Richard A Norris. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church Editor J.D. Douglas
(8) Mary Baker Eddy Science and Health P 361
(9) Idem P 315
(10) Idem P 45, 46
(11) Hoekema The Four Major Cults P 270 The Paternoster Press
(12) Idem P 271
(13) Idem P 56
(14) Idem P 56
(15) Idem P 56
(16) Winston's Encyclopedia
(17)Petersen- Those Curious New Cults Keats Publishing
(18) Hockett- The Son of His Love P 14, 145 Believers Bookshelf, Sunbury PA
(19) Copies of letters of G. A. Lucas dated March 27, 1961 London. England, given to the author by the late John Bulloch
(20) A selection from Clark's book in the author's files
(21) Frederick E. Raven was an astronomer, and the Director of Greenwich Observatory
(22) Such of his voluminous works as the author scan-read to establish the facts, show that F. F. Raven held the Eternal Sonship for most of his life c.f. P 183 and 447 New Series Vol. 5 P. 123, New Series Vol. 7 P. 186, New Series Vol. 8. Whether he still did at the end of his life is, however, a moot point. As this work was going to press the author heard of a book by Dr. W.J. Ouweneel which may have definitive answers to these questions. Unfortunately it is available only in the Dutch language.
(23) Cited from Does God Exist? Hans Kung, P 175 Vintage
(24) Mather, The Second Coming of Antichrist P. 10 Berean Foundation
(25) Eichmann, though versed in philosophical disclaimers that there is no proof of the existence of God, believed there was. He based his beliefs on the evidence of nature from the macrocosm to the microcosm, the earth sun ratio, the atmosphere, the seasons, and the study of scientific hooks. These and other considerations which he assembled in a logical way, made the existence of God conclusive to his mind see Hull The Struggle for a soul P 146 7 Doubleday and Co N.Y. He said "I am left in amazement and awe before this gigantic, regulatory, planning, creating power that directs the movements of the tiniest, as well as the greatest worlds. And this is God.”
(26) Angus The Environment of Early Christianity P. 176, 180. Published in 1914 in London, England. Angus was professor of New Testament and historical theology at the University of Sydney.
(27) There are so many of these buildings that we need only single out three, all from ancient Greece, as representative of the lavish wealth poured into all of them. These are the Parthenon in Athens, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and the temple of Apollo at Didyma, near the town of Soke in modern Turkey.
The temple of Athena Parthenos, built of gleaming white marble, was erected on the Acropolis. It is a favorite tourist attraction in modern Athens, even though its pristine beauty was marred when gunpowder stored in it exploded. The famous Elgin marbles which once embellished it can be seen in the British Museum. This temple had two rooms. In the Eastern Room, which was about 100 feet long, was a statue of the goddess Athena. The smaller Western Room is thought to have been a dwelling for invisible maidens who waited on the goddess. It was called the Parthenon meaning the room of the maidens. So the temple became known as Athena Parthenos, which was abbreviated to the Parthenon. Next we will consider the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, which was the largest Greek temple. It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It generated much wealth and commercial activity, which Paul's preaching threatened. Its architect was Paionios. As he was completing this temple he was engaged as a consultant by the Milesian architect Daphius to help design a comparable temple for Apollo at Didyma. Construction of this temple went on for 600 years, but an earthquake ruined most of the buildings in the Middle Ages. Its 120 pillars alone each cost one million dollars in today's money.
(28) The statue of Athena in the Parthenon had a serpent called Erichthonius coiled at her feet. Psychic medicine was practiced at the temple of Aesculapius the god of healing in ancient Greece. Today the insignia of a physician perpetuates that tradition. This is the Caduceus a pole with two entwined serpents coiled around it, and two wings at the top. Need we mention also Apollo, the god of light and enlightenment, and so by extension of prophecies i.e. psychic communications. One of his famous shrines was at Delphi. Here the oracle often answered questions with political overtones, aimed at influencing the course of events in this world.
(29) Rome is the last form of imperial Gentile power in the world the feet and toes of clay and iron. Rome crucified Christ. So "the stone cut out without hands" the Lord Himself smashed the image on its feet. This will end Gentile power in the world, following which Christ will rule it for 1000 years. That is why, in Aramaic (2369 and the stone which struck the image became a great mountain and filled all the earth Dan. 2:3535Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (Daniel 2:35)) has its Greek equivalent in (2369 Christ, God's power 1 Cor. 1:2424But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24))
The key to Egypt as the symbol of the worlds glory is that Moses was educated there, absorbing all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Most of that wisdom has been lost, because it was not written down but passed on verbally, from one generation of priests to another. This was done to confine knowledge to a ruling caste. This policy eventually was shown to be disastrous when military reverses wasted the temples and priesthood. Investigations in modern times have recovered some of this lost knowledge. We now know that the Egyptians had an advanced knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Many of the mathematical discoveries attributed to the Greeks actually filtered down to them from Egypt. They knew the earth was spherical, the distance from the earth to the sun, the distance travelled by the earth in a second of time, and much more. For some reason much of their medical knowledge was written down. From the papyri we know that they practiced specialized medicine, and performed operations using anaesthetics.
(30) God calls the man of Rev. 13 "the first beast" to link him with Nebuchadnezzar, the first man who became a beast. Why'? Because Nebuchadnezzar, the head of gold of the image, was the beginning of Gentile power. The man of Rev. 13 the feet and toes of the image is the end of Gentile power. But the image is one the authority and line of succession unbroken. So the head which directs the image is the first man to become a beast, and the iron feet which walk on the earth claiming it for man is called the first beast.
(31) Ruth Montgomery -a gift of prophecy P 37 William Morrow & Co. N.Y.
(32) Not too much of this surfaces in the media, probably Out of a desire to protect Lincoln's image. The tabloid press reveals Lincoln's obsession with the occult probably because it is sensational and builds circulation. This does not detract from its persuasiveness when reputable personalities are quoted. From a book review of Willie Speaks Out by Elliott Freckles in Confidential Flash of Jan 14,1975 we learn that Lincoln not only mingled with the leading psychics. Sensitives and mediums of his day, but possessed psychic powers himself. Willie was Lincoln's favorite son. He was disconsolate at his death, and had his body exhumed three times. The deceased Willie is the narrator in Willie Speaks Out. Another of Lincoln's sons. Robert Todd Lincoln, had the reputation of being a carrier of death. "Four presidents have been assassinated since our republic was formed" he told a friend "and I have been present at three of those deaths. I carry a curse with me" Modern People, Feb 23, 1975. Then there are the stories of the haunting of Ford's Theatre in Washington, where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. These were reported in The Star of June 29, 1976.
(33) Globe and Mail, Toronto, Dec 28, 1977
Part 2
Chapter 2.3
(1) This thought is not mine. Mr. R. B. Hayhoe, my father-in-law, mentioned it to me at his summer cottage many years ago.
(3) Alfred Kennion, Vicar of Gerrard's Cross, published a book entitled Principia; or the three octaves of creation in 1890. In Appendix "A" to this work he takes up the question of the distinction between created and made in Hebrew. It is an examination in depth of the Hebrew, too elaborate to reproduce here. At the end, however, he says this "Thus the translation of the Authorized Version and of the Revised Version stands, only it must be understood that the words created and made are progressive, the one referring to the beginning, the other to the completion. But we have seen that the completion signified by this word is very commonly nothing more than a final preparation for actual use.
(4) The Globe and Mail of July 9,1987 ran an A. P. release from New York captioned "Study gives oldest stars youthful gleam. This said "The universe may be only 11 billion years old, according to a study that suggests scientists have overstated the age of the oldest known stars in the Milky Way. Other studies have suggested that some stars are between 16 and 18 billion years old. The new finding is based on the work of Harvey Butcher, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Groningen, Holland and was published in Nature. The article concludes "that would make the age of the universe 11 billion to 12 billion years." Little more than six months later Jan 14,1988 to be precise the Globe and Mail carried another story with the caption "Scientists hail find of distant galaxies." This was written by John Wilford of the New York Times Service, from Austin, Texas. In this we learn that "Astronomers...have detected what they believe may be the oldest and most distant objects ever seen in the universe and may he so far away and thus so old, perhaps 17 billion years, that their radiations are coming from the creation of some of the universe's first galaxies." So in six months the age of the universe has varied by six billion years, but the new discoveries dating it at 17 billion years bring it into line with previous overestimates. To bring this problem into focus the universe is bigger than man.
(5) Bernard Ramm, The Christian View of Science and Scripture, The Paternoster Press.
(6) Tarbuck and Lutgens, The Earth, P 504 Charles E Merrill Publishing Co.
(7) How could God make the heavens and the earth in six literal days or even days of a thousand years, when Gen. 2:44These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, (Genesis 2:4) tells us of "the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.-
(8) In Dawson's work The origin of the world according to Revelation and science P 146, published in London in 1877, he wrote "The Rev. Dr. Buckland, in placing the great events of geology between the first and second verses of the Mosaic account, did not pretend that there was a geological basis for such an hypothesis; and no writer has ever brought forward the first fact in geology to support the idea of a rearrangement just before man; not one solitary fact has ever been appealed to. The conclusion was on Biblical grounds, and not in any sense on geological." Dawson was a geologist, and Chancellor of McGill University. Buckland was both a theologian and a palaeontologist. He was a protagonist of the gap theory.
(9) The Gap Theory can he traced as far back as Edgar, a 10th Century King of England, which lends some weight to undocumented claims that it was held in the early Church. It was also claimed that it was taught after the Reformation, but again proof is lacking. We do know that in the 16th Century Episcopius espoused it, and Rosenmuller and Dathe in the 18th Century. In 1791 Dathe argued that Gen. 1:22And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2) should be translated "and the world became etc." By the 19th Century it had gained a fair degree of credibility among German theologians. In the English speaking world it was endorsed by Buckland in his Bridgewater treatises, by J.N. Darby, by Wm. Kelly in a work entitled "In the beginning," by Pember in "Earth's earliest ages," by Pratt in "Scripture and science not at variance." by Rimmer in "Modern science and the Genesis record," by Scofield in his reference Bible, by Sedgwick in "Discourses on the studies of the University of Cambridge" and by Thomas Chalmers, founder of the Free Church of Scotland.
(10) Dawson wrote about "the ether." He thought the solar system could not be more than 100,000,000 years old, based on Sir William Thomson's calculations. But we must remember that his book was written 111 years ago.
(11) Dawson The origin of the world according to Revelation and science P. 156
(12) It is ironic that man used this knowledge to reverse what God did in the beginning.
God turned energy into matter, so He could form it, and add beauty to it. Man reversed that, turning matter into energy, when he devised nuclear weapons. He brought destruction, misery, and fear into the world by so doing. In man's hands nuclear energy is a potentially hideous thing. In God's hands the nuclear furnace we call the sun is an example it is a source of blessing for the earth.
(13) As the breakup of the supercontinent continued, the new fragmented continents were carried to different locations on their plates. Some, like South America and India, married other land masses. Australia was left on the shelf, so to speak, unwanted. The British Isles and Europe were separated as the English Channel tells us. As a result of these happenings the flora and fauna on the separated continents were carried away too. So days three and six go together. The formation of the seas, which God commanded on day three, commenced when on that day God brought the supercontinent Out of the primeval waters. But it did not end until the supercontinent broke up into continental blocks, whose very existence established the limits of the oceans. Understanding this solves one of the mysteries of Scripture the term the isles of the seas. Thus in his Studies in Isaiah Jennings writes "He bids the clamor of the isles" that is really the sea washed continents "to cease." This is cited from P. 479. It was published by Loizeaux Bros.
(14) Scientific American Feb 1988 P 91
(15) The solar system is divided into temperature belts. One of these the euthermal belt in which the earth is located is the belt favorable to life. The other two are the hyperthermal belt in which Mercury and Venus are located, where the temperature is too hot for life, and the hypothermal belt the zone beyond Mars, which includes all the other planets, in which temperatures are too cold for life. Thus it is clear that while the earth sun ratio is perfect for life, this is not the case with the other planets of the solar system.
(16) Dawson P. 101 The origin of the world according to Revelation and science.
(17) Jennings Studies in Isaiah P 373 Loizeaux Bros
(18) Translation of Job 9:47 by G. H. Pember in Earth's Earliest Ages P 73 Flemming H Revell Co
(19) Ramm The Christian view of science and Scripture P. 173 The Paternoster Press, London
(20) Norman The illustrated encyclopedia of dinosaurs P 8, 9
(21) In his book Fossils and the history of life an imprint of Scientific American Books Inc New York the paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson remarks "what we really want to know is what exactly caused extinction in a particular instance. and this is just what even now we are hardly ever given to know"..."mass extinctions occurred between the Cambrian and Ordovician, the Silurian and Devonian, the Devonian and Carboniferous, the Permian and Triassic, and the Triassic and Jurassic" P136. Then turning to the subject of mass originations Dr.Simpson notes that "except for the early Cambrian one, a special case, it is striking that each of these, immediately follows an episode of mass extinction. Many compilations of data on first and last occurrences, show that it is a common or even usual tendency for changes in the rates of last occurrences or extinctions to be followed at a geologically somewhat later time by comparable changes in rates of first occurrences or originations" P. 139
(22) The Civil War raged in the United States, however, and Europe had a brief taste of war in the Franco Prussian conflict of 1870. To look at this in perspective H. W. Koch in his History of Warfare, published by Bison Books needs 580 pages to recount the strife from the breakup of the Roman Empire to the present.
(23) Kelly In the Beginning P 18 published in London and Glasgow in 1894
(24) John Gaylord Simpson states this succinctly on P 211 of his work Fossils and the History of life, already cited "if an ineffable entity that may be called God created the universe, a possibility that no evolutionist should deny, this creation was not in the fashion of the biblical parable...It was the creation of a universe in which evolution could and did occur without supernatural intervention." Simpson is Professor Emeritus of Geosciences at the University of Arizona.
(25) The Financial Post Mar 2, 1966
(26) Cited from Science Digest Oct 1960
(27) This was first brought to public attention in an article in Business Week Dec 12,1959 with the caption What Darwin means to the Space Age. The writer observed that "Darwinian theory is even supplying much of the thinking in scientific circles today about what man may find when he first soars through space and lands on other planets. The same reasoning can be extended to the possibility of finding life on other planets, as Darwin himself used to explain how life came into being on earth. Life, scientists generally concede, was a matter of chance.”
(28) Many U.S. rockets have been named after pagan gods. Consider the following names Apollo Atlas Centaur Gemini Hermes Jupiter Mercury Nike Pegasus Poseidon Saturn Titan Zeus. The human heart turns to idolatry once the True God is given up.
(29) The Telegram of August 25, 1969 reported that analysis of the 54 pounds of moon rocks from the Apollo 2 Tranquility base, reveals them to be as old as the earliest rocks in the earth's crust. Yet they are different from rocks on earth. On July 29, 1969 the Globe and Mail reported from Houston the findings of a dozen earth scientists. They said that the slippery footing of the moon which the astronauts experienced, was caused by many pieces of spherical glass. That could be expected from the description of the moon's function in Gen. 1.
(30) The Tennessee trial had a lengthened shadow. Arkansas also had an anti evolutionary statute the Rotenberry Act, which went unchallenged from 1927 to 1965. Then another biology teacher, Susan Epperson, backed by the Arkansas Educational Association, filed a suit to test its constitutionality. This went as far as the Supreme Court, which threw it out in 1968. From then on the legislative pendulum swung the other way. American high school and college students today are generally ignorant of the true account of their origin, or of man's place in the universe God created.
Chapter 2.4
(2) This is verified by a formula the author discovered. To understand it, the necessary definitions follow. 31 is El God in Hebrew, which in itself is 7. Next there is God's throne the Mercy Seat, which was suspended above the earth in the holy of holies as a picture of Christ's coming rule over the earth. Its measurements are given in Ex. 25:1717And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. (Exodus 25:17) "and you shall make a Mercy Seat of pure gold two cubits and a half shall be its length and a cubit and a half its breadth." The Mercy Seat then measures 2.5 x 1.5 = 3.75 cubits the cubit here being Sir Isaac Newton's earth commensurate cubit. The value of 7 used here is 3.141592654.
Based on these definitions π (31 x 3.75)=365.210146 which is not significantly different from the solar year of 365.2422 days. This is welcome confirmation of Christ pictured as the sun sitting on God's throne on the fourth day.
Chapter 2.5
(1) The fall and the necessity of replacing the first man Adam with the Last Man Jesus the Lord is remarkably attested to in the combined testimony of the Hebrew and Greek languages. So (6262 This Man who opened the eyes of the blind) + (3642 This Man was the Son of God) = (796 the serpent tempted me and I ate) + 3(2368 Jesus Christ)+ (2004 The Son of God)
Part 3
Chapter 3.6
(2) Note how God follows the pattern He established in Gen. 1. On day three the dry land appears from the waters and fruitfulness follows. So in new creation the third day sees the joyous wedding feast of John 2, whose moral setting is Christ raised from the dead on the third day. This links together John 2 and John 21.
(3) In John 6 the Lord feeds His people with bread and fish in John 21 He feeds His inner circle with bread and fish. In John 6 the people follow the Lord in boats in John 21 The Lord finds His disciples in a boat. In John 6 the people would make Jesus a king on their own terms in John 21 He is, as risen triumphant from the dead looked at as the king to whom the Father would give the kingdom. In the larger sense John 6 is the king rejected at His first coming John 21 is a preview of some of the circumstances surrounding the king victorious at His second coming.
(4) This observation was passed on to the author many years ago by an aged Christian who attributed it to the captain of a ship.
(5) God's throne, the Mercy Seat, rested on the Ark of the Covenant, which in turn rested on the earth. Taken together these things tell us that in the thousand year kingdom God will rule the earth from the heavens. Again both the Mercy Scat and the Ark were located in the Holy of Holies, whose measurements constitute a cube 10 x 10 x 10 i.e. 1000 cubits, which is why at the end heaven and earth are cubes. This can be seen in heaven in the measurement of the Holy City Rev. 21:16,16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. (Revelation 21:16) and on earth in the 153 fishes, since 153=(1³+ 5³+3³). Thus in the 103 year rule of Christ, nothing can be added to the fullness of His administration of the earth. The God of Measure has enshrined that truth in these measurements.
(6) A wedding speaks of natural joy it is man's best day. Natural joy, not spiritual joy characterizes Israel, for they are a people of the earth. At one time they had natural joy typified here by wine but the wine had run out. But now Jesus, whom the nation had so long ignored, is invited to the wedding. Standing nearby are six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washings. These had their origin in the Scriptures but had degenerated into externals because of the hardness of the human heart. So the jars were of stone to correspond to the heart of the people although they contained water the Word of God. Perhaps if more water were added man might improve. To show that the thought is vain the Lord commands the jars to be filled to capacity. Now all can see that the Word of God, by itself, cannot bring natural joy to the stony hearts of the people unless God works. He does, changing the water into wine. The master of ceremonies complains to the bridegroom that the usual procedure has been reversed. It is normal to serve wine of the best vintage first. Then when the guests have drunk so much of it that they cannot tell the difference the poorer wine is served. But man's way would not do for God this was the lesson. All the wine the Lord received from Israel was of poor quality from the time He brought them out of Egypt until Jesus came to them. So the first serving of wine at Cana of Galilee must demonstrate this. Again at Cana the wine, such as it was, ran out and nothing was left but the water of Jewish purifications in stony hearts. Then at the end of their history they give Jesus His rightful place and the water is changed into the wine of kingdom joy. The best wine to the heart of God will come at the end in Christ's millennial kingdom when they obey the command "Whatever he says to you, do it" 2:5
Chapter 3.9
(1) How instructive the Word is here the man's own mouth testifying to who Jesus is (3904 if not were this man from God not He could do nothing John 9:3333If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. (John 9:33)) (536 righteous Father)+ (3368 Lord Jesus Christ)
Chapter 3.10
(1) "The woman" who "had no husband", in the fourth chapter, is in sharp contrast to Nicodemus the Pharisee of the third chapter in every way. Nicodemus was the flower of Jewish culture, called "the teacher of Israel" by the Lord Himself; "the woman" was a profligate pleasure seeker. Nicodemus was under law; "the woman", having no law was a law unto herself. Nicodemus worshipped God; "the woman" worshipped she knew not what. Nicodemus blurts out his message without waiting for the Lord; "the woman", in spite of her ignorance, is silent before the Lord until He speaks.
If we compare the grand moral teaching of John 3 and 4 we will learn still more. The first thing to remember is that a man in Scripture usually typifies energy a woman or female as in Num. 19:22,22And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even. (Numbers 19:22) a state. So what we find in Nicodemus is that man is in such total ruin that sin, the root principle, is the subject taken up, whereas sins, the fruit of that fallen nature, is the subject of the woman at the well. But while God forgives sins He never forgives sin the root; He always judges it. That is why we have the brazen serpent in John 3.
(2) Eternal life is in God's Son. This life and nature is given to all who believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. It displays itself uniformly in two ways service and worship. The blind man confessed Christ to the Jews. That is service. Then when Jesus made Himself known to him he worshipped Him. In John 4 the fields were ready for harvesting. That is service. Then the Lord made it known that "the Father seeketh such to worship Him." So in John 9, which is at Jerusalem, the Son is worshipped in John 4, in a Gentile land, the Father seeks worshippers. This anticipates the time when Jew and Greek cry "Abba Father" see Rom. 8:1515For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15) and Gal. 4:66And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6). "Abba" is a word meaning "Father" to both Jew and Greek.
These are ideal conditions, seldom found in practice. The reason why failure in worship or service is ignored by John is that his great subject is eternal life. Since eternal life is the life of Christ and this life is given to us on believing, the nature within us the new man never sins. The old nature with which we were born, and which we still have, does sin. It is failure to mortify this old nature and live in the power of the new man which explains why, in practice, some believers fall short of God's mind for them in service and worship. Such live their lives outside the Lord's presence and grieve the indwelling Spirit by their carnal walk. Instead of leaving behind their water-pot when they go into the city they retain it and the world sees a bit of itself along with a bit of Christ. Unlike "the woman" who attracted others to Christ, their trumpet gives an uncertain sound. True service, like worship, is only possible in the power of an un-grieved Spirit. Do you want the key to this? Before the Lord Jesus spoke of the fields white to harvest He said "My meat is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." Yes, the Spirit of God is not only the One who communicates the life of Christ to man, but He is also the power of that life. If the Spirit is un-grieved by self will there is a springing up in living energy in praise and worship to God and in service for Christ.
But failure in Christian life is unnatural. We enjoy a life which finds expression in worship the water that I shall give him and service reaping and gathering fruit in the fields white to harvest, and rejoicing. When we are taken home we will rejoice in the fruits of service 1 Thess. 2:19,2019For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20For ye are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19‑20) and our worship will be unhindered by the flesh. While here the Spirit of God sets aside the evil of our old nature and causes our spirits to rise in worship so that we anticipate the coming day of glory. But even here the foretaste of Jesus' love is so sweet that our hearts respond in worship to the Father who sent Him, like the water rising from a fountain. The water in a fountain gushes up because it is under pressure. Even so the water from the Spirit's well the redeemed heart energized by the Spirit gushes up in the unhindered power of the new life as worship to our God and Father. The believer goes into the Lord's presence for worship and out into the world for service until the day when he shall go no more out Rev. 3:1212Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 3:12).
(3) We are now living in days when the Gentile who has received all this rich blessing has rejected it like the Jew before him. So he too will be cut off and God will return to heal His ancient people. This is the subject of Rom. 11. The Jews were cut off for unbelief and the Gentiles brought into blessing. But if the Gentiles do not continue in God's goodness they too will be cut off and God will return to bless the Jew. The period of Gentile blessing is two days for one day is with the Lord as a thousand years. So the two days represent a measured period for the preaching of the Gospel. Then the healing of "the certain nobleman's son," poor feverish Israel at the point of death.
Chapter 3.12
(1) Egypt became darkness the waters became blood Ex. 7:2020And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. (Exodus 7:20). Frogs came out of the streams, rivers, and ponds to plague the Egyptians Ex. 8:66And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:6). In contrast to this the children of Israel had light in their dwellings Ex. 10:2121And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. (Exodus 10:21)
(2) John intimates that the desert journey will be covered in his gospel by retracing the moral end of Israel's desert journey the brazen serpent and the springing well in Chapters 3 and 4. The springing well tells us that everything ends in praise.
(3) Lazarus had been in the grave four days, and since a day is with the Lord as a thousand years this is an intimation of man's morally rotten state in the four thousand years from Adam to Christ. In another sense John's gospel begins as though the serpent's sin in the Garden of Eden was only four days away and already God has sent the promised Deliverer. Genesis begins with the serpent introducing sin in the world, and ends with the death of Joseph. John 3 opens with the serpent followed by the True Joseph in John 4 the Deliverer from the power of death. The gospel ends with life John 20:3131But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31) to those who believe on the Name of the Son of God.
Chapter 3.13
(1) The family of man began with a wedding John 2 and ended with a funeral John 11. The family of God begins with the death of Christ and ends with the marriage of the Lamb.
(2) John does not give us the names of those he is writing about while they are not in Christ. They are the lost sheep of Isa. 53. Although all have gone astray they do so in their own way so "the woman," "the impotent man" and so forth. When we come to Christ we receive a name, for the giving of a name denotes authority over the one on whom it is bestowed. Adam showed his lordship over the creation ny naming the cattle, birds, and beasts which the Lord God brought to him. Christ the Last Adam showed His authority over the new creation by naming a man God brought to Him John 1:4242And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:42). Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, who was a man of the first day, and Philip the man of the second day, are both mentioned by name in John 6. This is a bridge chapter, because in it the king is rejected, so that it links the opening and closing of the gospel in which the king is accepted. The Lord's consolation while he is rejected is "the family which God has given Me." So in John 12 That family is assembled together with names Martha, Mary, Lazarus, for "He calls His own sheep by name" John 10:33To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:3) and John 20:1616Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (John 20:16).
(3) The graves of the rich were cut out of rock. They had steps leading down into the burial chamber, where the bodies of the deceased were laid on niches. After a funeral the burial chamber was sealed with a circular stone which was rolled on a grooved track. This could be rolled back if the sepulcher had to be reopened to accommodate another body.
Chapter 3.14
(1) 1 Cor. 11:44Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. (1 Corinthians 11:4) tells us that "every man praying or prophesying having his head covered dishonors his head." In the tabernacle however the Jewish priests wore head coverings as a sign that the blood of Christ had not yet been shed and so the Holy Spirit, the power of prayer, not yet given. The Jews maintain this tradition in their synagogues to this day, the males showing up in a black circular head cap. Interesting too that the Pope wears a head covering in his, public appearances.
Chapter 3.17
(1) Except at the cross, where He was both the priest and the sacrifice c.f. Heb. 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14) "who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God." J.D. Deck captured this thought in his hymn "by Him our sacrifice and priest, we pass within the veil." This is not a contradiction of Heb. 8:44For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: (Hebrews 8:4) since at the cross the Lord was lifted up from the earth.
(2) In his Exposition of the Gospel of St. John W. M Kelly cites comparisons of the two prayers from Bishop Chase's book on the Lord's Prayer as follows "our Father who art in heaven" with "Father" in Verses 1, 5, 21, 24, with "holy Father" in v.1, and with "righteous Father" in v 25 "hallowed be Thy Name" v 5, 6, 11, 12, 26. Kelly adds "that Thy Son may glorify Thee" in v. 1 "Thy kingdom come" with v. 5 "Thy will be done" with v. 5, 11, 21 "bring us not into temptation" with v. 12, 15.
(3) In the Book of Exodus God said "You shall not make for yourself any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them" Ex. 20:4,54Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (Exodus 20:4‑5). Critics of the Bible are quick to point out that God violated His own law, for the brazen serpent and the cherubim at the ends of the Mercy Seat were both graven images. While God is answerable to no one when He issues a commandment, His motive here is clear to keep His people near Himself. He knew that man's heart would rather worship a graven image than God. The children of Israel proved this divine foreknowledge in their later history when they burned incense to the brazen serpent, causing Hezekiah to break it in pieces 2 Kings 18:44He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. (2 Kings 18:4).
There is however a more specific answer, and it is found in the Gospel of John. At the opening of that gospel the Lord told Nicodemus of the brazen serpent here in John 17 He is in the Holy of Holies where the cherubim were. Consider the two extremes. The brazen serpent was lifted up in the world the cherubim in the Holy of Holies. The brazen serpent was a picture of the devil, sin itself the cherubim of God's answer to it, driving man out of the garden in Eden. The brazen serpent spoke of Christ made sin and so His death and blood shedding. When the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies he sprinkled the blood on the Mercy Seat before the downward gazing cherubim, who symbolically no longer drive us away from God. So God gave His ancient people two visual reminders sin in the brazen serpent distance from God in the cherubim. The sprinkled blood was for God's eye only, and it brought nearness.
Chapter 3.18
(1) God wants us to be certain of this as an historical fact too. John was an eyewitness of the piercing of Christ's side, and immediately after telling us of it he adds "and he who saw it bare record, and his record is true." This sets aside the brazen lie circulated as recently as 25 years ago that Christ did not die on the cross, but swooned. The origin of the deceit can be traced to Matt. 28:12-1512And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 28:12‑15). The death of Christ was necessary for man's salvation, which is why John concludes his testimony by saying "and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.”
(2) The numerics here arc striking, like many of the scenes at the cross. For example, (1704 behold the Lamb of God John 1:3636And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36)) + (3009 behold I bring Him out to you John 19:44Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. (John 19:4)) + (1399 behold the Man John 19:55Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! (John 19:5)) + (2227 behold your king John 19:1414And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! (John 19:14)) = (2164 Greek and Latin and Hebrew Luke 23:3838And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Luke 23:38) i.e. the three languages over the cross) + (1089 Jesus died 1 Thess. 4:1414For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)) + (2368 Jesus Christ Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)) + (2718 Christ Jesus the Lord 2 Cor. 4:55For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)). We might add that (1089 Jesus died) is 33' which is the Lord's age at death to the second power.
(3) We would draw the reader's attention to a numerical design so elaborate yet simple and beautiful that chance must be ruled out. Four women were beholding the Lamb of God at the cross and 4(1704 behold the Lamb of God) =(6816 His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.) Thus the tour women beholding the Lamb of God at the cross are fully identified.
(4) In the Greek of the Textus Receptus the numerical value of woman behold your son is 2368. But 2368 is Jesus Christ in Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8). Thus the Lord stamped His saying with His own number 2368 Jesus Christ.
(5) It is most important to see the difference between sin and sins otherwise we cannot understand the burnt offering. For there are two different reasons why the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world. They are set forth clearly in two separate verses of Scripture. The first is "this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" 1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15). The second is "wherefore when He cometh into the world He saith ... I come.... To do thy will, O God" Heb. 10:5, 75Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5)
7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7). Both verses are about the Lord's first coming into this world, but each gives a different reason for it. When Paul writes to Timothy who was a Greek (and the Gentiles knew nothing of God) the purpose is stated as the salvation of sinners (those who do their own will); when he writes to the Hebrews, who were God's people and instructed in Scripture, he states that the purpose in His coming was to do the will of God.
In Hebrews you get the great doctrine or foundation Christ coming to do God's will. But when the Lord came to His own those Hebrews they refused Him. Therefore when it is a question of applying the doctrine i.e. coming to save sinners the Hebrews who understood the doctrine are denied the blessing and the message is sent to a Gentile Timothy. Again it is not sent to an assembly but to an individual. Salvation is between the individual soul and God the church has nothing to do with it.
Chapter 3.20
(1) Solomon, a distinct type of Christ in kingdom glory, blessed the whole congregation of Israel at the dedication of the temple. Of it Fereday says in Solomon and his temple "the temple was the resting place of the Ark." This is confirmed in 2 Chron. 6:1111And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, that he made with the children of Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:11). where we learn that Solomon put the Ark in the temple. This tells us that God's throne was at rest when the Ark was at rest. Then Solomon prayed before the altar, linking it to God's throne and the Ark. In fact the altar is the key to what gives rest to God's throne. It speaks of the cross, and Psa. 97:22Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. (Psalm 97:2) tells us that "righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne." This is beautifully brought together in 2 Chron. 7:11Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. (2 Chronicles 7:1) "now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the house.”
(2) Apart from the figurative teaching the actual story is full of instruction. It is the written Word of God which guards against such sins as those of this woman. If the Word of God is written on the fleshy tables of our hearts rather than as Moses gave it on tables of stone sin of such a character will be avoided. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart" because it is desperately wicked. The heart speaks of the natural affections and due to the fall man's affections are alienated from God. But the heart of the believer is purified by faith Acts 15:99And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:9). Where this is not the case, the other meaning of the Lord's act comes in "They that depart from Me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the Fountain of Living Waters" Jer. 17:1313O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:13). This is an allusion to the schools of the East where the teacher wrote the names of the students who came late, neglected their studies etc. in the sand for future punishment. In those days they lacked blackboards. How solemn, then, to be written in the earth by the Lord Himself for future judgment.
(3) In 1 Cor. 1:2222For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22) Paul tells us that the Jews require a sign. God took note of this. Because He wanted to reveal Himself to man, He had to become a man, but because He became a man He had to demonstrate that He was also God. c.f. John 10:2525Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. (John 10:25). That is the reason for signs, of which there are nine in John's gospel, grouped in three clusters of three. First death and resurrection the sign of the prophet Jonah, 2:18- 22, walking on the sea, 6:15-26, resurrection of Lazarus, 11:1-44. Secondly healing impotent man, 5:1-47, blind man, 9:1-41, nobleman's son, 4:46-54. Thirdly providing food and drink bread and fish for the people, 6:1-14, bread and fish again, 21:1-14, water into wine, 2:1-11.
Chapter 3.21
Part 4
Chapter 4.22
(1) This story is given us in Matt. 26, Mark 14, and John 12. In each case the Holy Spirit varies the story slightly to stress some truth characterizing the particular gospel. For example John tells us that it was Mary of Bethany who anointed Christ Matthew and Mark only that it was a woman. The reason Mary is named in John 12 is that after the 10th Chapter of John's gospel the Lord calls His own sheep by name c.f. John 10:33To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:3). The sheep's name was Mary.
(2) The original suggests a container, but not its form, and is variously translated. We have used the word jar following J.B. Stoney. The alabaster jar was sealed because it contained spikenard liquid nard a very expensive perfume. The purpose of the seal was to prevent evaporation of the costly perfume stored inside. As Vine points out, it was not the alabaster jar which was broken, but rather the seal. This would release the perfume. This teaches us that our best and costliest treasures what we have learned of Christ through the Spirit are to be stored out for the appropriate time. Then they are to be opened publicly in praise and worship. A good example would be Phil. 2 one of God's alabaster jars. These treasures are costly for two reasons. First, the time spent on spiritual meditation is time lost in the world where we could have used it to heap up worldly treasure. Knowing this Paul's word in 1 Tim. 4:15,1615Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Timothy 4:15‑16) urges diligence in divine things "meditate on these things, give yourself wholly to them, that your profiting may appear to all. Take heed to yourself, and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and those who hear you." Secondly the treasures themselves teach us that we have lost nothing, for the world is a worthless thing which will pass away. Psa. 2:88Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. (Psalm 2:8) says "ask of Me and I will give Thee the nations for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession." To emphasize this truth, all the perfumes of the wise men and women came from far off lands. The spikenard and frankincense were products of far away India. Frankincense and myrrh trees also grow in Eastern Africa. India and Ethiopia are mentioned twice in the Bible to let us know the range of King Ahasuerus' sway Esther 1:11Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) (Esther 1:1) and 8:9.
(3) The Ark of the Covenant speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ in the days of His flesh. Very briefly it was constructed of acacia wood His Manhood overlaid with pure gold His divinity. On it rested the mercy seat with its two cherubim at either end looking inward and downward viewing the tables of the law in the Ark, as it were. Christ was the only Man who kept the law and made it honorable and the gaze of the cherubim toward the mercy seat testifies to that truth. For those outside of Christ the character of the throne, then, is that of a throne of judgment. The blood of Christ upon the mercy seat has changed the character of the throne, for the believer, from a throne of judgment to a mercy seat and the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us we may boldly approach that throne now.
(4) Hymn composed by T.L. Mather
(5) While Christ was in the world He was the Light of the world. Now that He has left the world the Holy Spirit has come down here not to be the light of the world but the light of God's House. As our Teacher He also brings to our attention the glories of the exalted Christ, just as the golden lampstand displayed the precious things in the Tabernacle and illuminated the lampstand itself. For further help on this work of the Holy Spirit read the Lord's discourses to His own in John's Gospel as He was about to leave the world.
(6) Aaron's rod is a symbol first of the death of Christ and then secondly of His resurrection. In Egypt Aaron had thrown down his rod before Pharaoh and it became a serpent. The serpent, of course, takes us back to the old serpent in the Garden in Eden and his power of death over man because of sin. Through sorcery the magicians in Pharaoh's court imitated Aaron's serpent. Aaron's rod, however, swallowed up their rods. Aaron couldn't understand what this meant. He would be like those God used to write the Scriptures without understanding what they wrote "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Peter 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21). Today we know that Aaron's rod becoming a serpent was a figure of Christ being made sin on the cross. Moses lifted up the serpent of brass on a pole in the desert to demonstrate that there is life in a look at the crucified one. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:14,1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15). Not only that but in dying Christ overcame Satan and his power of death over man. That is the meaning of Aaron's rod which became a serpent swallowing the serpents of Pharaoh's magicians "then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written -" death is swallowed up in victory " 1 Cur 15:54. The death of Christ was followed by His resurrection "He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father" Rom. 6:44Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4). So no trace of death is found in Aaron's rod that budded. The serpent's power is broken, although the cost of doing so is displayed in the hammered work of the lampstand. What Bezaleel captures in workmanship of pure gold is the triumph of resurrection life over death.
(8) “The holy vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle" Henry W. Soltau republished recently in an American edition by Kregel Publications Grand Rapids Michigan from the English edition of 1851.
Chapter 4.23
(1) Collected Writings of J.N. Darby P 396 Apologetic Vol. 2 Morrish Edition
(2) Idem P. 337 Doctrinal Vol. 9
(3) Due to disagreement in the manuscripts varying translations of this passage have arisen. Translators have had to take a position as to whether the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ or in the mystery of God. Most translators have chosen the former, as the following three examples demonstrate (unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge K.J.V) (so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge N.I.V) (attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is Christ Himself N.A.S.B). An alternative way of rendering this passage is (and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge J.N. Darby translation). The rendering in which the treasures are hidden i.e. in the mystery, differs from those translations which read in whom, i.e. in Christ. So it is not a matter of translation but of interpretation. Following J.N. Darby we believe the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in the mystery of God.
(4) There are of course providential checks, but these do not invalidate the general principle. This subject is covered in condensed form by W. M. Kelly in his Lectures on the Book of Revelation P 206 7 "this" (he is referring to the mystery of God) "I take to mean the secret of His allowing Satan to have his own way, and man too (that is to say the wonder of evil prospering and of good being trodden under foot). God checks, no doubt, the evil in a measure, partly through human government, and partly through His own providential dealings... still there is an influence for evil that no government can root out, and good that is belied and so has comparatively little influence. That is what seems so mysterious a thing to us, when we know God, and how He hates evil.”
(5) The death of Christ is omitted from this passage because it was not a mystery. Numerous passages in the Old Testament Scriptures predicted it c.f. Psa. 22, Isa. 53, and so forth.
(6) Their relative obscurity is to alert us to investigate why they should be chosen instead of say Corinth or Thessalonica. The obvious answer is that each Assembly symbolized a later and sequential development in the history of the Church. As the ages have rolled along the obscurity has lifted. Various writers have identified each Assembly in its historical setting.
(7) Rev. 17:11And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (Revelation 17:1) identifies the angel. He is one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls. The angel in Rev. 21:99And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9) is probably the same one, for "there came to me one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me saying Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." So God is glorified in judgment and in blessing.
Chapter 4.24
(1) Thus Scripture completes the proof that He was a real man body, Heb. 10:55Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5) soul, Matt. 26:3838Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (Matthew 26:38) and spirit, as here. It is His human spirit which is here in question see footnote to P 403 Vol. 3, "Synopsis of the Books of the Bible" J. N. Darby, Stow Hill Edition.
(2) So with the closing cry "Father into Thy hands I commit My spirit." During His life He had fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet "He shall not strive, nor cry, neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets" Matt. 12:1919He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (Matthew 12:19). But when death and judgment are in question here, as at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:4343And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (John 11:43)) He cries s with a loud voice, that all might hear. In the Book of Revelation it is astonishing how often the expression "a loud voice" is found thirteen times. Those who refuse to hear God's voice speaking loudly in grace must hear it speaking loudly in judgment. As a Judge His voice is as the sound of many waters see Rev. 1:1515And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (Revelation 1:15).
(3) Note how careful Scripture is. We are told that God created the heavens and the earth but nowhere does it say He created hell. The Lord Himself said it was prepared for the devil and his angels" Matt. 25:4141Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41). To prepare is to fashion out of something already there. There is no thought of creating hell in Scripture, even for the devil and his angels. It is prepared. As for man, "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). Judgment is His "strange work" Isa. 28:2121For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. (Isaiah 28:21).
Chapter 4.25
(1) The closest modern approximation to this extinct animal is the buffalo. In "Bible Animals" published by Longmans, Green Co., London in 1892, J. G. Wood quotes seven references to the Reem in the Old Testament and comments: "From these passages we gather the following important points. First the Reem was an animal familiar to the people of Palestine, as is evident from the manner in which its name is introduced into the sacred writings; secondly, it was the most powerful animal known to the Israelites; thirdly, it was a two horned animal; fourthly, it was a savage and dangerous beast; and fifthly it had some connection with the domesticated cattle." Wood goes on to identify the Reem as the now extinct Urus whose immense horns are spoken of in Julius Caesar's Commentaries as little smaller than elephants in size. Their horns were adorned with silver and used as drinking cups in antiquity. The horn cores of a skull found near Bath were 17.5 inches in circumference, 36.5 inches long and 39 inches from top to top.
Chapter 4.26
(1) The reader is referred to the story of the golden image in the second chapter of Daniel, which gives the various forms of Gentile rule from Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) to Rome the last form of Gentile rule, which Christ will destroy before setting up His earthly kingdom. The important point to see is this that Gentile rule in the earth only began when Israel's sin became so obnoxious to Jehovah that He removed His throne from them and sent Nebuchadnezzar against them. He destroyed their temple and commenced the rule of the Gentiles in the world.
(2) Excerpt from "Notes and Jottings" J. N. Darby, Page 252. Stow Hill.
(3) In Scripture there is a distinction between "the heavens" and "the heaven" but we have ignored it as tending to confuse the general reader. However "the heavens" speak of the ultimate dwelling place of God Himself. This being the case they would include all else for He fills all things. It is an absolute expression. On the other hand "the heaven" (also described as being opened) is more connected with the earth and administrative rule. See also Gen. 7:1111In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (Genesis 7:11) Psa. 78:22I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (Psalm 78:2)¬ John 1:5151And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:51) Acts 10:1111And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: (Acts 10:11) Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11) Deut. 11:1717And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you. (Deuteronomy 11:17) 1 Kings 8:3535When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: (1 Kings 8:35) 2 Chron. 6:2626When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; (2 Chronicles 6:26) and 7:13 Luke 4:2525But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; (Luke 4:25) Rev. 11:66These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. (Revelation 11:6).
(5) The weeks in Dan. 9:25 27 are generally understood to mean weeks of seven years. 69 of those weeks were completed when Messiah was cut off without receiving His kingdom. The 70th week is still future. It is unusual in that it is divided into two periods of 3.5 years each, termed the first half of the week, over which controversy has arisen, and the last half of the week, generally recognized as the time of the great tribulation.
There are two references in Daniel to a period of 3.5 years and five in Revelation. In these Scriptures this time period is written in three different ways, all of which amount to 3.5 years. Dan. 7:2525And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25) tells us about war against the saints "until a time, and times, and the dividing of time." This language is similar to that of Rev. 12:14,14And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:14) where the woman Israel is nourished in the desert "for a time, times, and half a time." Then Dan. 12:77And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (Daniel 12:7) defines the limit of the scattering of the power of the people of holiness as "for a time, times, and a half." Rev. 11:33And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3) and 12:6 speak of 1260 days for God's two witnesses and the woman being fed in the desert respectively. Rev. 11:22But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Revelation 11:2) and 13:5 speak of 42 months as the time Jerusalem will be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles 412 and the beast empowered to continue, respectively. It would appear then that these Scriptures refer to the last half of Daniel's week. This raises the question of the missing first halt of Daniel's week. The answer to this problem will be found in the opening of the seven seals in Rev. 6. As the seals are opened we can identify both the last half of the week we have been considering, and the missing first half of the week.
... Identifying the last half of Daniel's week in Revelation: The 3.5 years of wrath can be identified in the seals ranging from two to seven, based on the character of the events they narrate. The great tribulation opens with the second seal the red horse, telling us that peace is replaced by war and a great sword. That theme of anguish persists on to the seventh seal, although there are variations in the character of the judgments. The seventh seal continues the theme of the day of wrath, for out of it flow the seven trumpets c.f. Rev. 8:1, 21And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. (Revelation 8:1‑2). When the seventh angel sounds, the mystery of God is finished c.f. Rev. 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15). The seven angels who sounded the seven trumpets Rev. 15:66And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. (Revelation 15:6).7, are given seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God. Bringing this all together, it is a reasonable deduction that the seals ranging from two to seven are concerned with the 3.5 years of great tribulation known in Scripture as "the day of vengeance of our God.”
...Identifying the first half of Daniel's week in Revelation: The first half of the week will be found in Rev. 6:1, 21And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1‑2) "and I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals." (all the seals except the first are numbered to alert us to the special character of this seal which isn't) and I heard as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures saying Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer." The bow is a symbol of distant warfare and its use here speaks of the wide spread nature of his conquests. It is worldwide, persuasive psychological warfare. He does not come with bloodshed, but a delusive peace to sell to the world. He is a false Christ, usurping the white horse which belongs exclusively to Christ. This man is the second beast, whose acts of deception are recounted in Rev. 13:11-1711And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:11‑17). He goes out conquering and to conquer to deceive the world into worshipping the first beast and his image, and receiving the mark of the beast, without which no one can buy or sell. It would likely take 3.5 years to sell, introduce, and enforce such sweeping changes to the Western way of life. But in the end the world will accept them. People will he persuaded that they have traded their lost liberty for peace and safety. They have left God out of their thoughts for He will bring sudden destruction on them. The mark of the beast is Satan's attempt to mock God. He knew that God put a mark on Cain, so placing him under His protection. So he puts a mark on man for the same reason. God is repudiated publicly. So wrath to the uttermost falls on them. Rev. 14:9, 109And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: (Revelation 14:9‑10) also warns of a future torment reserved for them. In summary the last half of the 69th week saw Messiah cut off without His kingdom despised and rejected of men, but the first half of the 70th week sees Satan's man acclaimed and accepted by the world. It is this choice which brings the wrath of God on man in other words the seals from two to seven, which we have previously identified as referring to the great tribulation.
(6) W. M. Kelly said— not his exact words since I quote from memory, having lost the reference that God would destroy the effete works of Gentile idolatry. The sense of his words was that they would not be found in Christ's earthly kingdom. It is significant that the Industrial Revolution amplified man's muscles with machines, and the Scientific Revolution amplified man's mind with computers. Thus in body and mind man has exalted himself above the state in which he was created. But to what purpose? Of all man's works nothing will remain but those which were done for Christ.