You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers

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Dr. Brown will take your calls and your email questions on a wide range of subjects, also bringing a word of warning to those celebrating the transition of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn Jenner. Listen live here 2-4 pm EST, and call into the show at (866) 348 7884 with your questions and comments.

 

Hour 1:

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: Whatever comes your way, whatever hell breaks forth in your face, Jesus is more than enough.

Hour 2:

Dr. Brown’s Bottom Line: I’ve got limited answers to questions, but God can fully answer every one of them.

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Other Resources:

Jesus and Paul Call Us to Judge

The Latest from Dr. Brown and an Interview with Derek Frank

Redemptive Thoughts on the Josh Duggar Story and Answers to Your Questions

31 Comments
  1. Hi dr brown,
    What does the bible says about same-sex relationships( not marriages) which do not involve immoral and gross acts? In other words, just a gay relationship w/out any gross acts and contact?

  2. Do you think Shabbat 56a could be used to prove the rabbis invented “ancient traditions”?

    They try to make King David’s sin into nothing (because of taking “wisely in all his ways” hyper-literally, and trying to prove their misconstruction) by claiming all men (including Uriah) who went to war divorced their wives, so that David legitimately married Bathsheba before he slept with her–since he sinned anyway:
    a. he conspired to make (in the minds of the rabbis) “his own wife” to sleep with a man who was not her husband; and
    b. he conspired to make (in the minds of the rabbis) “his own wife” to sleep with her “first husband” (also not permitted)?

  3. Kill and Murder

    Dr. Brown has on a number of occasions said that the King James mistranslated “Thou shalt not kill”, but both the KJV and more modern versions such as the NIV, ESV, NASB, etc. translate the same word as Murder, Slay, Kill, etc. etc. in other passages that use the same Hebrew word. Back when the KJV was written the translators and readers would have known it meant what we mean by the word murder. The two words were used interchangeably. Even today we use the word Kill as synonymous with Murder. If you ask a witness what he saw he may readily say, “I saw the man walk over, pull out a knife and kill the lady behind the counter. He murdered her right there”.

    The amusing thing is that Dr. Brown even did the same and used the two terms synonymously when trying to say that the KJV mistranslated it. He gave the example of Cain and Able, and he said “Cain kills Able, right?”, but if we carried the logic through then Dr. Brown was in error by saying ‘kills’ and not ‘murders’. I had to smile.

    I find it interesting that the NIV makes such a big deal out of the Kill/Murder issue, but then shows a double standard when it translates to foreign languages and translates it as ‘kill’. The NIV Spanish version simply says: “No mates.”, which clearly means “Do not KILL.” and NOT “Do not murder.”- La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1999. Likewise the NIV Portuguese version simply say “Do not KILL.” – “Não matarás.” – Nova Versão Internacional NVI® Copyright © 1999

    Those who wrote the KJV meant “unlawful killing”, or as the caller stated, “Unjust killing”, and many other translations around that time and before and after also translated it as Do not Kill. Its just a matter of how language was used when the translations were written.

  4. Dear Ryan, The specifics you ask may not seem like they are in the holy scriptures, but the context would be clear. Example, what if someone just electronically moved money into their personal account that was not going to be noticed from a very rich person? The money would only sit in the account and not be spent. Their would be no gross abuse of the money, only moving it over to your own account. Not really stealing, what does the bible say about that? It doesn’t directly address electronic stealing, but it does address the sin.

  5. Creflo Dollar article below- small excerpt from yahoo page.

    World Changers Church International said, “A long-range, high-speed, intercontinental jet aircraft is a tool that is necessary in order to fulfill the mission of the ministry.”

    Sure, who wouldn’t want such a nice aircraft to travel the world? I know I would and I bet you would, too. And if you’re one of the few people in this world who can afford one, go for it! But when you start hitting up your congregants — many of whom struggle with their day-to-day finances and barely have enough money to provide the basic necessities for themselves and their families — that’s when something has to be done.

    What about flying commercially? Jesus travelled on foot and by donkey. Granted there were no Gulfstream G650s back in the day, but if there were somehow I don’t think you would have seen Jesus flying around in one. Dollar resides in Atlanta, the city with the world’s largest airport with flights to every major international destination on a daily basis. Certainly it would be more cost effective for his flock to do their work around the world this way.

  6. Dr. Brown, I don’t see any mystery. I just wanted to point out how interchangeable the words were. And that the KJV wasn’t trying to make a distinction between killing and murdering. They were not trying to convey that killing a bird or animal was wrong is what I was driving at. And if you listen into today’s program at the 1:15:40 mark, you can hear how even today the words are interchanged. “If you kill someone, if you murder someone”, “Lets say that Cain kills Able”, etc. I just wanted to show how the KJV translated it as the word was used in their day. And we tend to use it in the same way today.

    r-ts-ch (murder) is translated in many ways in the KJV, murder, slay(er), kill, slain, etc. As it is also translated in these ways in the ESV, NASB, NIV, etc.

    The ESV, NASB and NIV translate r-ts-ch (murder) as ‘kill’ in Proverbs 22:13, which is the same word the KJV translates as ‘kill’ in Exodus 20:13. If the Hebrew r-ts-ch can mean both kill and murder, since on the show today you said killing an animal is not murder, so the other way must also be true, that if an animal kills a man it is not murder, such as is indicated in Proverbs 20:13

    The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!”

    then I just want to show that careful translations that translated the commandment as “Thou shalt not murder” do translate the very same word as ‘kill’ in other passages.

    h-r-g (kill) is also translated as murder, kill, slay, destroy etc. in those translations as well. Genesis 4:8 is the first occurrence and that is the account of Cain murdering Able and if the word means kill and cannot mean murder, one wouldn’t think it should be used in this passage: “… that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him”.

    I am not a Hebrew scholar though, so I do differ to your expertise, it just seems that all translations use kill, slay, murder, etc. for both Hebrew terms h-r-g and r-ts-ch.

    I may have missed what you were meaning in your reply.

  7. In the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins, what does the metaphor of the “oil” represent?

    In the parable of the wedding feast, what is the required “wedding garment” representative of?

    Thanks!!

  8. Thank you for not flying on a Gulfstream needing millions of dollars for your travel. Think of what productive work is being done for the gospel adhearing to careful spending. I feel good about giving to this ministry for it is so well spent and productive in India/Italy/Singapore/China/United States/Holland/Peru/ and many other places that I have left off the list. If only Creflo Dollar had the awareness of what his physical needs take away from the spiritual needs of countless people. A 65 million dollar plane so that he can put his ministry in importance, instead of God leading to put his ministry in humble service of the things of serving the God of the universe. I can not say enough of what it means to man to have faithful, humble service. The reward will be from God and not now from man.

  9. Thanks Dr. Brown.

    I guess I am just having a hard time seeing the justification in saying that they mistranslated the word, or fell short, seeing that there is agreed overlap.

    Just yesterday morning the New York Times wrote an article about two escape convicts from a New York State Prison, the title of the Article was,

    ‘With Power Tools and a Ruse, 2 Killers Flee New York Prison’, and the governor quoted as saying, “The first order of business is to get these killers back.” The article also called them murderers.

    Regarding Exodus 20:13, not only does the King James Bible read “Thou shalt not kill” but so also do Tyndale 1534, Coverdale 1535, The Great Bible 1540 – “Thou shalt not kyll.”, Matthew’s Bible 1549, Bishops’ Bible 1568, the Geneva Bible 1599, Webster’s translation 1833, the Brenton Bible 1851, Lesser Bible 1853, the 1936 Hebrew Publishing Company version, the Douay-Rheims of 1610, Darby 1890, the American Standard Version 1901, the Revised Standard Version 1952, and several others. But it seems that most Bibles from those early centuries all translated the word as kill and understood it to be that of the unjust sort.

    I realize this is a small matter, but one I felt was worth conversing about for a small time. Thanks Dr. Brown.

  10. Ruth,

    I believe both are representative of the Holy Spirit (as gained through faith in Jesus Christ). These parables can be dug into much deeper, but I believe the oil and garments are both indicative of the Holy Spirit.

  11. Ruth and Benjamin,

    Please consider what wedding garments are spoken of in Revelation.

    Re 19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
    8 And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

    Also:

    Mt 7:21 ¶ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
    22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
    23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

    Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

    Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

    Shalom

  12. Very true Bo,

    Righteousness is imputed to us once we believe. And we are empowered through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to do righteous deeds. For without the Spirit all our righteousness are as filthy rags.

    The reason I say that the garments represent the Holy Spirit is because of this passages close connection with the ten virgins and the oil in that passage. We can call it righteousness but that is also indicative of the Holy Spirit.

    I also do not see the folks wearing the garments in Matthew 22 as being the same as those in Revelation 19.

  13. This is a fascinating question that Ruth has posed.
    I would like to hear a direct answer from Bo of what this is. Do you first of all agree with B W answer and if not why?

  14. Benjamin and jon,

    Ro. 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
    12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the WORKS of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
    13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
    14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

    1 Th. 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
    2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
    3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
    4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
    5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
    6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
    7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
    8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

    Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not WORKS? can faith save him?

    I agree with Bengamin partially…maybe mostly. I agree that righteousness is imparted through faith. I think that that righteousness must manifest itself in our lives by our actions to save us. The Spirit probably is the oil, but it could be our commitment/faith. And certainly we do not have the former without the latter. It still seems that those that had oil in their lamps were the obedient ones…though they slumbered and slept like the others.

    Mt. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
    45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
    46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
    47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
    48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
    49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
    50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
    51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth…
    Mt. 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

    Hypocrites are the ones that say that we should do one thing but do another. Surely we cannot do what we ought without the Spirit, so the oil could be the Spirit but the light in our lamp is our actions. The commitment to obey does play in though.

    Ac 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

    Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
    15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
    16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

    Our lamps will not give light without the oil. The oil accomplishes nothing unless we light it and let that light shine. Our righteous deeds are that light. We must apply ourselves to keeping YHWH’s commandments, empowered by the Spirit. Thus the wedding garments, the outward things, are our righteous deeds/acts. Our faith in Messiah is the inward part that produces the state of righteousness by the Spirit. The oil without the flame is worthless. Being called to the feast without the garment being put on will get us kicked out.

    Re 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

    It also seems that having on clean robes for the wedding equals keeping YHWH’s commandments.

    Re 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. KJV

    Re 22:14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. ASV

    Re 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
    6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
    7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

    1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
    3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
    4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

    So overcoming has to do with our faith being put into practice which produces the keeping of YHWH’s commandments. Our deeds, our works matter very much.

    Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
    9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
    10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

    Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

    Where do we find out what the good works are that we were created to do, that were before ordained?

    2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
    17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
    24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
    25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
    26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
    27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

    John clarifies this quite succinctly.

    1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
    4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
    5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
    6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

    1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
    4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
    5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
    6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
    7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

    James is even more succinct.

    Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

    Shalom

  15. I can not find a lot of disagreement with either of you two. It makes me miss Greg on this board, who could take and make an argument out of anything that was true. See your comment below-

    I agree with Bengamin partially…maybe mostly. I agree that righteousness is imparted through faith. I think that that righteousness must manifest itself in our lives by our actions to save us.

    I learn much from all of you on this board- I will look to sharpen my tools and find differences when we can.

  16. Oil throughout the Scriptures also represents the Spirit of God. The anointing of the Spirit in commonly represented by oil.

    The five foolish virgins didn’t run out of oil, but had no oil (no Holy Spirit):

    3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

    And if anyone has used an oil lamp they will know that if you light the wick when there is no oil, the wick burns up and the flame quickly goes out because there is no fuel to preserve the wick and sustain the flame.

    7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

    8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

    Trimming the lamps is preparation of the wicks. Since the foolish virgins had no oil, the flames went out quickly.

    So I do not see the foolish as being believers with no works, but unbelievers not being indwelt by the Spirit.

  17. Benjamin,

    I see your point and I am not adverse to it. I even like it. The wedding garments are different though. The virgins are all invited to the wedding and because of lack of oil/Spirit they are not allowed in. The man without the wedding garment was already in but had no wedding garment. He was kicked out.

    Symbolically, garments throughout the scripture are about our works/obedience. Certainly those who do not have works meet for salvation show that they have either never had the Spirit or that they kicked Him out by their actions.

    We are to put off this garment:

    Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
    5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
    6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
    7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
    8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
    9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

    Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
    18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
    19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
    20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
    21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
    22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts…
    5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
    4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
    5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
    6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

    We are to put on this garment:

    Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
    11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
    12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
    13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
    14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
    15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
    16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

    Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
    24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
    25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
    26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
    27 Neither give place to the devil.
    28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
    29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
    30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
    31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
    32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
    5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
    2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

    The things we put off and on are attitudes, thoughts and actions. We do not put on the Spirit. The man who was kicked out of the wedding feast did not put on His wedding garment.

    Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
    5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
    6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

    Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
    4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
    5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
    6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

    Walking in the vanity of our minds (our ideas instead of what scripture states) is deserving of YHWH’s wrath. Keeping YHWH’s commandments out of love for Him is rewarded. We are to let no man deceive us with vain words. Nor are we to deceive ourselves. Knowing what the word of YHWH says and not putting it into practice on a continual basis gets us kicked out of the kingdom while we say, “Lord, lord” and refuse to put on the righteous acts that YHWH has specified as proper wedding garments.

    1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
    4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
    5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
    6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
    7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

    Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

    Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
    22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
    23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

    If we putting on the new man that is created in righteous and true holiness, we will purify ourselves as Messiah is pure and keep YHWH’s Torah when we have been made aware of it. We will put off what the Bible describes as uncleanness. A white garment is offered to the Lamb’s bride. She puts it on. She makes herself ready. That garment is the righteous deeds and good works that YHWH’s word instructs us in.

    2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
    16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
    17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
    4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
    2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
    3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
    4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

    But some turn to fables that say that we need not apply ourselves to learning and doing YHWH’s perfect law. They cannot accept the sound doctrine that comes from the scripture that Timothy knew from his youth…the Tanach. And it is commandment keepers that are let into the city and that have a right to the tree of life. These do not hear, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

    Re 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

    Ac 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

    That no one can be truly obedient to YHWH without His Spirit is true. But it is also true that those that refuse to be obedient do not get His Spirit or even lose Him for some of those that prophesied in His name and that did many mighty works are told to depart because they refused to do YHWH’s will and were workers of lawlessness.

    Shalom

  18. Great points Bo, to which I mostly agree, I would take issue though with your connections, making salvation works based. But I do not want to derail the topic from the parables in discussion.

    Regarding the garments the gentleman is wearing in Matthew 22, he is wearing his own garment which could indeed represent his own works that he believes gets him into the door, rejecting the required garment of faith in Jesus Christ. If the gentleman represents a believer (which I do not hold to, I believe him to be an unbeliever) then because this believer had no works, he is cast into outer darkness. Thus making salvation by works.

    Something that a lot people don’t take into consideration is that Matthew 22 is dealing with the Jewish people, and Matthew 25 is dealing with Gentiles.

  19. Benjamin,

    But I assume you like the idea of us having to put off our old garment and put on the new one and that the new one is us purifying ourselves as He is pure. It is something that we must put on.

    Though salvation is by faith, if that faith does not produce wanting to do, and ultimately doing, the works that were before ordained that we should walk in them, then our faith is dead and cannot save us. Abraham’s faith produced works.

    Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
    23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
    24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

    Ge 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

    Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

    Abraham did not begin by doing YHWH’s law. He began in faith and as he learned more, he put it into practice. If we do not follow in his footsteps, we are not his children.

    I do not hold to salvation by works. I think that it is by grace through faith. The issue is that we will be judged by our deeds. Our deeds show whether we have real scriptural faith or not.

    Ro 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
    6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
    7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
    8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
    9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
    10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
    11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

    Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
    13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
    14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

    Shalom

  20. Benjamin,

    You wrote:
    “Something that a lot people don’t take into consideration is that Matthew 22 is dealing with the Jewish people, and Matthew 25 is dealing with Gentiles.”

    There is not two different expectations or laws, one for Jews and another for the gentiles, in the body of Messiah. We are grafted into Israel and the holiness laws of YHWH are for everyone in His family.

    Shalom

  21. Bo, ill respond to post 22 a bit later. But yes I do agree about the garments we are to put on.

    Post 23 confused me somewhat. I’m not sure how different expectations or laws got pulled into since I did not claim any such point. In fact I mentioned that they were very similar, one just dealing with the Jewish nation and the other with Gentiles. Both are dealing with the same things, just two different groups of people. That’s the only real difference, nationality.

  22. Matthew 22 has the Jewish nation in mind. The Kingdom was offered by Jesus to that generation which rejected the Kingdom (Matthew 23:36-37 and earlier in Matthew 22:5-6). And it was decreed that Jerusalem would be left to them desolate (Matthew 23:36,38 and earlier in Matthew 22:7). This whole portion of Scripture has been directed towards the Jewish generation, Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day, and in Matthew 21:43 Yeshua says “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof”. The offer was rescinded (some prefer, postponed), to be re-offered to a later generation of Israel when they are ready to accept the Kingdom offer. Matthew 22 is dealing with the Jewish nation.

    Matthew 25 is given a Gentile application by Yeshua by His words in Matthew 25:31-46 (32: “And before him shall be gathered all nations”| Sheep and goats and so on referring to Gentiles).

    The two parables are describing the same thing for two groups of people during the same period of time. Believing and unbelieving Jews, and believing and unbelieving Gentiles.

  23. Benjamin,

    My point was that the natural branches and the grafted in branches are not told to do enter the kingdom in different ways and neither are there two different sets of guidelines. Whatever is true for Jewish salvation and righteous and holy living is true for those of us that have been made partakers with them.

    Mt 21:43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
    44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
    45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.

    I think that the “people” to whom it the “vineyard” was given after it was taken away from the Jewish leadership is the Apostles. They were promised to sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. They were told to go make disciples and that it would be worse for those that did not listen to them than it was for Sodom.

    The vineyard is Israel. The former husbandmen were the Priests and Pharisees. The new husbandmen are the Apostles.

    The old wine skins just could not accept the new wine that Messiah was pouring.

    Shalom

  24. I also affirm with you that neither of them enter the Kingdom through alternate methods. Both Jews and Gentiles spoken of in the parables must come through faith in Jesus Christ. But yes, one parables spoke of Israel, while the other spoke of the Gentiles, or nations.

  25. One more point I would add is that based on the context of both parables, as found within the parables themselves and as found in the application given to them by Jesus, these parables deal with Jews and Gentiles respectively, during the Tribulational period. At the end of which the messianic Kingdom will be offered once again and inaugurated.

    The Jewish Matthew 22 parable dealt with the stripping of the Kingdom offer of that generation, to be offered anew to a later generation that will accept it. Though the individual Jewish requirement is having faith in Messiah.

    And the Gentile Matthew 25 parable is seen to take place at the end of the Tribulation when the Lord returns and gathers the Gentile nations together and separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Again, the condition of entering the Kingdom is faith in the Messiah.

    The parables in this section of Scripture urge Watchfulness, Readiness, and Laboring. The two in discussion specifically, watchfulness and readiness.

  26. Benjamin,

    I am wondering why you keep using the word “generation” instead of “people.” Also why do you not think that the 12 apostles were given authority to officiate the kingdom after Messiah’s resurrection?

    Shalom

  27. Thanks Bo,

    Generation and People can be interchanged. It doesn’t change the teaching. If you are seeing a difference you can unfold that if you like.

    “Also why do you not think that the 12 apostles were given authority to officiate the kingdom after Messiah’s resurrection?”

    This statement makes many false assumptions. You imputed to me the idea that I said that the Apostles are never given authority, but I didn’t. They are as the Scripture you stated earlier points out:

    Matthew 19:28

    And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

    This is one of two passages where Jesus promised the Twelve Apostles that in the Kingdom they will be in authority over the Twelve Tribes.

    The time referred to is that of ‘the regeneration’ or renovating of the earth, when Jesus will sit upon the reestablished Throne of David in His Glory. It is then that twelve other thrones will be set up, one over each of the Twelve Tribes, and the Apostles will sit on these thrones and exercise rule.

    The second passage is found in Luke 22:28-30

    28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

    29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

    30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

    The Millennial Kingdom that the Father appointed for the Son was extended by Jesus to the Twelve Apostles. The difference is that Messiah’s domain will be over all the world, David’s rule over all Israel, while the Apostles’ jurisdiction will be over particular tribes. The Twelve are promised two privileges with this appointment. The first is that they will be continually with Jesus and eating and drinking at His table throughout the Kingdom period. The second privilege is to have their own thrones from which they will rule over the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

  28. Ruth, if you are still following along I just wanted to add one more point about these parables.

    If what we have been talking about so far has been true, that the oil and garments are representative of the Holy Spirit (in other words salvation), and indeed are dealing with believing and unbelieving Jews and Gentiles during the tribulational period as seems to be indicated by Jesus’ application of the parables, then one more element found in these parables is the teaching of the pre-tribulational rapture of the Church seeing that the bride is already with the bridegroom/son. The virgins are not invited to be the bride, they are invited as guests, or friends of the bridegroom (one example is found in John 3:29). Just as the people invited to the wedding feast in Matthew 22 are not the bride, but guests (Matthew 22:10). Just something to think about that’s kind of fun.

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