In this post we’ll focus more on the genealogy and the meaning of names of the ancestral human lineage of Yah’shua (Jesus). We’ll look at the prophetic meaning of these names, how history is really His-story and how Matthew 1 was cleverly constructed.
However, it's important to remember that the Bible is the written word of God, whilst Jesus is the living Word of God abiding within. First and foremost we should hear Him. Also, the Bible as a book of faith and revelation, is not primarily intended to be a mathematical textbook. While numerical patterns and symbolic meanings can enhance our understanding of the text, they should never overshadow the core message of the gospel.
The ultimate purpose of the genealogy in Matthew 1 is to establish Jesus' messianic lineage, to follow the lineage leading to Him and stand in awe of the Old Testament prophecies and promises culminating in Grace manifested in the flesh. The genealogy and its very construct, is a testament to God's faithfulness and His plan for redemption.
By studying the genealogy of Jesus and the underlying numerical patterns, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate details of the biblical text. However, it is essential to approach such studies with humility and a willingness to hear from the Word Himself.
Let’s get really technical!
The Grace Judgement
The concept of being judged according to one's works often raises questions and concerns among believers. Some fear that this might contradict the doctrine of salvation by grace alone. However, a careful examination of the Bible reveals that judgement according to works is not a denial of grace but rather a manifestation of God's righteous and loving character.
Romans 2:6 makes it clear that God “will render to every man according to his deeds”.
Well, there is the judgement right there, isn’t it?
The Challenge of Resistance
Throughout history, the Gospel has faced resistance from those who cling to their own beliefs and traditions. This resistance can manifest in various forms, from outright persecution to subtle forms of opposition.
The problem has always been to encourage the bride of Christ in the face of obnoxious hostility rebelling against the Gospel.
Let's not be surprised to learn that this is by no means a modern day problem.
Ordinary people, who knew they were deeply loved by Abba and chose to walk boldly in His grace and authority. As miracles unfolded before our eyes, we marveled at the extraordinary works of our Lord Jesus Christ, exceedingly and abundantly more than what we asked or imagined. Our Gospel was the only thing that we knew - the finished work of our Jesus. We proclaimed nothing outside of His mercy, grace, patience, goodness, kindness, truth, and unwavering love.
Our Purpose
The Mirror
Isn't it remarkable how children often mirror their parents? A son might resemble his father, and a father may desire his son to think and act like him. Similarly, a mother often hopes her daughter will follow in her footsteps. When you observe them together, their similarities are striking.
In Genesis 1:26, God declares, "Let Us make man in Our image and likeness." This declaration implies that God intended for humanity to reflect His nature, to behave like Him, to think like Him, and to rule like Him.
The divine declaration, "I Am that I Am," is followed by the creative act of making man in His likeness. This suggests that God desires humans to embody His very essence.
Dug out
I will be the first to admit that sometimes I am clueless when it comes to prayer and the words I need to pray (and declare, mostly). But, there is a way out when we do not know what to pray and what to say.
1 Corinthians 14:2 reads, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." This verse is part of a larger discussion about spiritual gifts bestowed on the ekklēsia (see this post), particularly focusing on the gift of tongues. In this post, we'll delve into the meaning of this verse from a grace perspective, exploring the relevant Greek words and their implications for our understanding of this gift.
Most, if not all, of these feasts are of man-made pagan or occult origins, dedicated to elusive imaginative heathen gods. Should these feasts be celebrated at all?
If I were permitted to have a favorite book in the Bible, it would most definitely be the book of Romans. And if a favorite chapter were permissible, mine would undoubtedly be Romans chapter 8.
But if you were to ask me about my favorite verse, I'd be hard-pressed to choose just one! Every verse in this chapter is a masterpiece, painting a breathtaking portrait of God's grace and love.
However,
It appears that AI supersedes the cognitive thinking and contemplation of many hundreds of thousands of men and women in this world in its logic reasoning (and awareness, if AI can be attributed to have such a characteristic) of the goodness of God.
This begs the question: How stupid does mankind have to be in order to deny such a fundamental truth?
Without editing, here is the AI post that was created in less than a few seconds.
Imagine Perfection.
Imagine having more than you could ever need, living in a world without danger. Picture a life filled with beauty, tranquility, peace, love, health, and boundless contentment. Imagine a perfect love relationship with someone who couldn't love you more. Imagine the cool of a summer evening, simply being. This is paradise, this is Eden!
Would I stay in such a place? Would I give it up?
There is an apprehensive, fear-instilling and condemning message that most church-goers get to hear on a weekly basis - "Obey or die!" And they pay for it!Yes, sadly the institutional church assumes the role of our local-law-enforcement-and-kangaroo-court-agency. And it derives its right to do so from a long history of traditions and like things that it do. [Mark 7:13]
In the opening chapter of their book Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of our Church Practices, Frank Viola and George Barna ponder the question about doing church by the Book. They ask a very valid question that the institutional church subscribes to, but is rather unwilling to comment on: “We do everything by the Word of God! The New Testament is our guide for faith and practice! We live … and we die … by this Book!”
And so, we have been told and also not to question what we are told.
We all have a certain standard.
And it has a lot to do with our upbringing and how we are influenced.
So, I looked up what the word standard means, fundamentally.
Isn’t a dictionary a great tool? It shows us what the words we are using really mean, even though we use them randomly, daily and sometimes carelessly.
The journey was a belief-journey, one I walked from being a child to where I found myself today ... an apocalypse ...
And performance has everything to do with following rules (commands), doing things just right and being compensated (getting rewards). It is the execution and discharge of obligations to accomplish some benefit (blessing).
Yip, the so-called church service is performance driven. Even the Christian worship must be performance based, the preacher, the choir, the music, the prayer, the annual report - all must be a dramatic execution-overdrive of prescripts, done exactly right.
To get good with God.
It is a ritual. And religion has a doctrine name for its prescriptive ritual.
The word that the institutional church uses is liturgy.
What is the deal?
The name of this book in Greek is apokalypsis. It derived its name from the first sentence in the book. And it has been severely battered and butchered to fit the case of many end-time prophets.
Mystical. Supernatural. Inexplicable. Other-worldly.
Fear-inducing and trepidating.
Except - it is not!
Jesus teaches us how to exercise dominion.
Kingdom dominion!
What?!
Do we even have dominion?
Yesterday, I was reading Matthew 28 (the very few last verses of the last chapter of Matthew) where Jesus commissions us to go out and do the unthinkable. I read a note there that I scribbled way back: Jesus has all the power (authority) and He gave us delegated authority and jurisdiction to overcome our obstacles in this world.
But that is not true!
I was talking about Jonah!
Today I am remastering that post and renaming it The only prophecy ever!
Why?
Because lately I have been looking into some archaeological videos, finds and documentation discovered in one of the greatest Assyrian empire cities of all times, Nineveh.
And …
And the prophecy I shared is one of the greatest revelations of who God is and the best up-front statement of the truth you can hope to hear, ever.
It was so monumental that it moved the wicket hordes of the capital empire city of Assyria to agree and accept the only good news there can ever be.
The endeavour itself was epic!
What is the story?
Who was the prophet?
Why was there a prophecy?
What makes it so significant?
Let me answer some of these questions to myself and you can decide whether you agree or not.
There is a truthful expression going around that I have quoted before.
It goes like this:
GOD DOESN'T HAVE A CALLING ON YOUR LIFE ... YOUR LIFE IS HIS CALLING
I like expressions, especially when they are true.
And when they counter some of my religious persuasions, I like them even more!
To be called or not to be called. That is the question!
Calling - wanted dead or alive?
This morning, I found myself drawn back to the epistle of Peter, the letter of the rock-man himself. Steady, hard, and unshaken, his words resonate with a rugged authenticity.
It's astounding how this tough fisherman, whose name means "rock," could be so profoundly transformed by the kindness, love, and grace of Jesus. In the Bible, we encounter Peter as a man of strong convictions, a quick thinker, and a passionate defender of his beliefs.
During an anthropology research trip undertaken in 2015 I had a divine revelation experience that I will never forget … ever!
I remember that our research trip took us into the most remote areas of the Northern Cape Richtersveld desert, looking for Nama communities who still practiced the rite-of-passage custom of initiation.
… and Father, speaking to me ever so clearly, shared His inner-being.
It was His 'ahăḇâ-revelation.
In my efforts to better understand certain phenomena, facts, theories, notions and suppositions in life, I rely heavily on applying superlatives and antithesis.
Yip!
I tend to reason in extremes.
You may say that something is not as it should be … and you may be right … or you may be wrong.
It is a Mystery so profound that it changes our understanding. It is so intense that our concept of grace is forever awakened. It redefines the very meaning and essence of humanity. It is a Mystery so great that it brings life where only death and despair once roamed. It is momentous, outrageous and ridiculously profound in its display.
It stands above all, everything and anybody …
And so much perspective is lost!
It is scary.
But, what we believe boils down to simple agreement (being fully persuaded) or disagreement (or being doubtful).
Yip, I am ranting on again. But allow me to explain before I say anything further about our subject of paranoia versus metanoia.
And, dare I ask you to walk with me for a while …
There is nothing we can do on our own to ensure the outcome of our lives. Nothing we can do to secure our salvation into everlasting life. Nothing we can do by ourselves to secure power, authority ... or even signs and wonders ... not even walking in the prophetic ... not even abstinence or spiritual warfare or compliance or non compliance.
There is only one Way.
One Life!
I have a few favourite stories pointing straight to Jesus, Yah'shua Himself. One of them happens to be the story of Elijah, the guy whose name means Elohim is Yahveh or God is YHVH.
Today I share this incredible story of this great prophet on the run.
In communicating the truth, I needed to be sensitive, thoughtful and diplomatic. I must take care not to offend those who are deceived, ignorant or even indifferent to the truth.
Communicating the truth must all be done in love …
Why am I ranting on about this?
